Grand Central: York - King's Cross

Cardiff123 · 1 May 2019

I'll hopefully be doing York - King's Cross in July. I've noticed that the Grand Central Advance single tickets are much cheaper than the LNER Advance tickets.

RTT has GC services pathed as 125mph DMU's. So I'm guessing GC services are 180s? Do GC run with HSTs between York - King's Cross anymore?
I've never been on a 180, although I have been on ATW/TfW 175s. What are the 180s like to ride on? Are they smooth & relatively quiet (for a DMU)?

I'll be honest, I'd much rather a HST or Mk4 trip, but the GC Advance tickets are so cheap, is it worth paying more for an LNER trip?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks :smile:

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Kite159 · 1 May 2019

Grand Central got rid of their HSTs back in December 2017, so it will be a class 180.

A much better ride than a bouncy Mk4 coach, and the non-stop run is quite good fun

cactustwirly · 1 May 2019

Cardiff123 said:
I'll hopefully be doing York - King's Cross in July. I've noticed that the Grand Central Advance single tickets are much cheaper than the LNER Advance tickets.

RTT has GC services pathed as 125mph DMU's. So I'm guessing GC services are 180s? Do GC run with HSTs between York - King's Cross anymore?
I've never been on a 180, although I have been on ATW/TfW 175s. What are the 180s like to ride on? Are they smooth & relatively quiet (for a DMU)?

I'll be honest, I'd much rather a HST or Mk4 trip, but the GC Advance tickets are so cheap, is it worth paying more for an LNER trip?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

The Grand Central HSTs are now with EMT so it will definately be a 180

Cardiff123 · 1 May 2019

Thanks for the tips so far. If 180s are a pleasant ride I might try the GC service, esp as it's cheap and I like the idea of a non-stop run

_toommm_ · 2 May 2019

Cardiff123 said:
Thanks for the tips so far. If 180s are a pleasant ride I might try the GC service, esp as it's cheap and I like the idea of a non-stop run

The interiors are showing a bit of age, unless you get a refurbished one.

Saying that, the seats on the refurbished ones are funky, so if you're over 5'9", the wings on the headrest will dig into your shoulders a lot. Regardless, the refurbs are great inside IMO.

yorkie · 2 May 2019

Cardiff123 said:
I'll hopefully be doing York - King's Cross in July. I've noticed that the Grand Central Advance single tickets are much cheaper than the LNER Advance tickets.

True if you can't get a discount, though I've not used GC on this route for over two years. Last time I did, we were delayed due to a brake problem, which someone who did maintenance for GC told me is not uncommon.

Cardiff123 said:
RTT has GC services pathed as 125mph DMU's.

The open data used by sites such as Open Train Times, Realtimetrains etc is just a timing load. In this particular case it does happen to match the booked traction but there are many examples of where this is not the case.

Cardiff123 said:
So I'm guessing GC services are 180s?

Yes

Cardiff123 said:
Do GC run with HSTs between York - King's Cross anymore?

GC got rid of their HSTs years ago.

Cardiff123 said:
I've never been on a 180, although I have been on ATW/TfW 175s. What are the 180s like to ride on? Are they smooth & relatively quiet (for a DMU)?

Being on a 180 is similar to a 175. I find the 180s unreliable but maybe I've just been unlucky. I try to avoid them currently.

Cardiff123 said:
I'll be honest, I'd much rather a HST or Mk4 trip, but the GC Advance tickets are so cheap, is it worth paying more for an LNER trip?

It is worth paying extra, especially given the HSTs and Mk4s don't have long left!

Cardiff123 · 2 May 2019

yorkie said:
True if you can't get a discount, though I've not used GC on this route for over two years. Last time I did, we were delayed due to a brake problem, which someone who did maintenance for GC told me is not uncommon.

The open data used by sites such as Open Train Times, Realtimetrains etc is just a timing load. In this particular case it does happen to match the booked traction but there are many examples of where this is not the case.

Yes

GC got rid of their HSTs years ago.

Being on a 180 is similar to a 175. I find the 180s unreliable but maybe I've just been unlucky. I try to avoid them currently.

It is worth paying extra, especially given the HSTs and Mk4s don't have long left!

Ok thanks, maybe I will avoid the GC 180s then. I've never been on an Electric loco hauled Mk4 so I think I'll pay extra and go for that.

AnthonyRail · 2 May 2019

Oh I’d love to have had a Deltic out of Kings cross

Nippy · 2 May 2019

Cardiff123 said:
Ok thanks, maybe I will avoid the GC 180s then. I've never been on an Electric loco hauled Mk4 so I think I'll pay extra and go for that.

Obviously, you can't guarantee an electric train will be used. An HST can substitute, and some of the trains will be an HST. Maybe even an 800 type in July? (I don't know their introduction schedule)

Ianno87 · 2 May 2019

Nippy said:
Obviously, you can't guarantee an electric train will be used. An HST can substitute, and some of the trains will be an HST. Maybe even an 800 type in July? (I don't know their introduction schedule)

On weekdays, very early LNER departures from King's Cross, and late arrivals into King's Cross, should be Mk4 sets as booked, as no HSTs stable in London on weekday nights.

cactustwirly · 2 May 2019

Nippy said:
Obviously, you can't guarantee an electric train will be used. An HST can substitute, and some of the trains will be an HST. Maybe even an 800 type in July? (I don't know their introduction schedule)

That's unlikely, as the HSTs have their own set diagrams, and they stable at different places.
An IET won't subsitute for anything, because of the complex contractual arrangements, so these will have their own set diagrams.

Grand Central: York - King's Cross

Cardiff123

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Kite159

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cactustwirly

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_toommm_

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yorkie

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Cardiff123

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AnthonyRail

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cactustwirly

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