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Tom
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Fair point - but you can't say operators haven't taken the mid year timetable change to completely revamp their timetable in the past...
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Goodbye GNER, Hello NX East Coast
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Fair point - but you can't say operators haven't taken the mid year timetable change to completely revamp their timetable in the past...
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W14Fishbourne
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That's true, but that was before the timetable year changed to a December start to fit in with the rest of Europe.
kellogs211
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When does the franchise need to be renewed???? Cos i was hoping that GNER would re-buy the franchise.
W14Fishbourne
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Put in a nutshell...
GNER won the franchise a couple of years back with an offer to pay the government a premium of over £1 billion over the 7 years of the franchise.
However, its parent company, Sea Containers, got into financial difficulties and was unable to pay the increased bond that became due in May (I think) of this year. As a result, it decided to hand in the keys and a new franchise competition was announced.
GNER was therefore not in a position to bid on its own account, but in the later stages of the competition it joined in the Virgin/Stagecoach bid as a minor partner. Presumably its contribution was inside knowledge rather than cash.
adambro
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Absolutely no chance I'd think. Considering how they no longer have any way of demonstrating their experience and have already lost the franchise once, why on earth would the government award the failed company the franchise. It just isn't going to happen.
Whilst according to Companies House, GREAT NORTH EASTERN RAILWAY LIMITED is still in existence I'm not sure exactly what there is to show for it. I suspect the company will be dissolved in the near future.
National Express has got the franchise till 31st March 2015 although the last 17 months are subject to targets being met. So unless they go the way of GNER, you'll just have to get used to them.
W14Fishbourne
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It usually takes at least 12 months for all the outstanding settlements and issues to be cleared up. Companies such as Thames Trains (franchise lost 2004) and Connex South Eastern are still in existence.
GNER was the name given to the company that ran the franchise, it was Sea Containers who bid for it, GNER was created by Sea Containers to operate the franchise. Sea Containers were not in a position to re-bid.
Such a shame really as GNER were a good quality company, although their policies on chinging passengers mega amounts of money for dubious reasons did damage their reputation somewhat, but that may not be reversed - it could be set to continue or perhaps even get worse with NatEx - time will tell...
GNER were excellent at introducing CDRs though. I can't think of many other companies who have reduced fares. The only one that springs to mind is FGW in the South West.
adamp
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So how is National Express getting on then?
By the looks of things on here...it seems the new company and livery - people are starting to like it!
By the looks of things on here...it seems the new company and livery - people are starting to like it!
Tom B
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It'll probably take a while for the real changes to start happening.
GNER was very good, but got noticeably worse of late - presumably the "we've-lost-the-franchise-so-we-don't-give-a-****-anymore" syndrome. Trains running over an hour late with no apology, staff more concerned about getting the drinks trolley through than people standing, and a buffet service comprising of 3 cans of warm overpriced diet coke, those spicy crisps, and the cakes no-one likes.
GNER was very good, but got noticeably worse of late - presumably the "we've-lost-the-franchise-so-we-don't-give-a-****-anymore" syndrome. Trains running over an hour late with no apology, staff more concerned about getting the drinks trolley through than people standing, and a buffet service comprising of 3 cans of warm overpriced diet coke, those spicy crisps, and the cakes no-one likes.
Wasnt that bad re the buffet service etc was it Tom ? I worked on board mid last year and they where always well stacked with stuff in the buffet cars/and trolleys . Just a couple of quick question guys , saw a NX set in Leeds yesterday still in Gner colours but with a white nx stripe down the side ? Have they not re branded all the stock yet ? Also noticed some of the staff seem just to have Nat Exp badges on Gner uniform ? Have they not got new issue yet or what are the new train companys uniform going to be ?
I couldn't agree more: GNER had an air of class about it. The Mallard interior and double glazed windows made the journey much more enjoyable, yet even travelling on a late night train back to Leeds one night from King's Cross, composed of a Class 91 and Mark 3 coaches that were still in their original 'decor', the journey was wonderful, albeit a little cold. It had a classic feel of the older days of travel by tain.
I have been in France since August 2007, and did the journey from Leeds entirely by train: I never realised GNER would go so soon, but to be honest I am not looking forward to seeing NXEC operating the line: more evidence of international companies taking over.
The livery of GNER also added to the classiness. That blue, with the coat of arms and the red stripe certainly made the trains look more exclusive and warmer than say A First Great Western Train. Personally I think NXEC should have kept the blue livery and stick with a simple white line over the red!
I have been in France since August 2007, and did the journey from Leeds entirely by train: I never realised GNER would go so soon, but to be honest I am not looking forward to seeing NXEC operating the line: more evidence of international companies taking over.
The livery of GNER also added to the classiness. That blue, with the coat of arms and the red stripe certainly made the trains look more exclusive and warmer than say A First Great Western Train. Personally I think NXEC should have kept the blue livery and stick with a simple white line over the red!
Not completely correct, it's the opposite way round of international companies taking over. Sea Containers was American/Bermuda company who owned GNER, National Express Group is a British owned company!
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