it would make sense, i'd say that's one of the reasons they chose 90s that are mostly in EWS livery, bar 1.
I'm fairly certain the decision to choose which locomotives would be used wasn't based on livery.....
it would make sense, i'd say that's one of the reasons they chose 90s that are mostly in EWS livery, bar 1.
it would make sense, i'd say that's one of the reasons they chose 90s that are mostly in EWS livery, bar 1.
Who could have predicted that?Knowing how long railway planning timescales are I doubt it. Have they even secured any stock or locos yet?
It has confirmed it plans to start running then. As we all know TOCs confirming they plan to do things isn't the same as them happening.
I see that despite ORR approval, the usual RailUK cynicism about open access operations has started already.
it would make sense, i'd say that's one of the reasons they chose 90s that are mostly in EWS livery, bar 1.
Nuneaton area folk can have a nice day on the beach in Blackpool this summer
The GA 90s were never in the frame for this. It was originally going to be 91s and Mark 4s, but with 110mph paths this has changed to Mark 4s with DB Cargo Class 90s.
Why 90s - cheaper or more reliable perhaps?
You can get some quite good fares via Manchester, though, which tallies with the higher frequency service having more space. Certainly in 1st.
They have better acceleration than the 91s.
Interesting choices, considering all but 1 are in the old EWS livery, or 1 which appears to still be in first ScotRail livery.
Fair enough.
I'm no great Mk4 fan but I might give it a go at some point given that it appears to serve MKC.
From my trip to Fleetwood recently there certainly won't be any repeat business from the South-East the whole area is to be blunt a ****holeAlthough Preston is busy, I do wonder if it will be a sufficient 'critical mass' in itself for Alliance to pay its own way? Let's face it, I doubt there'll be *that* much demand from Blackpool.
From my trip to Fleetwood recently there certainly won't be any repeat business from the South-East the whole area is to be blunt a ****hole
I am a great Mkiv fan and cant wait to see them!
Ouch, but you're not wrong.I suspect, like Hull Trains (which also primarily serves a dump) and GC (which serves some nice places and some dumps), that the primary demand will be North West to/from London, not London-North West daytrippers.
If Londoners want a day on a classic beach, they'll just go to London-on-Sea, sorry, Brighton. Much closer.
I mean those specific locos, not the class 90 in general, which seems to be a fairly logical option, I'm just glad loco-hauled service is resuming on the WCML and with grand Central (yes I know CS exist but that's a sleeper service so doesn't really count.)I never thought to put livery choice into the tender review criteria. I would have gone for boring traditional stuff like availability and cost..............
It be good to see loco hauled services again on the WCML not counting the sleepers but I’m looking forward to it for a different reason.
It gives easy access to the North West from Luton, Leicester, Dunstable, Bedford and more by railheads at MKC, Nuneaton etc.
As a example, Peterborough to Blackpool could be done via Nuneaton instead of via Leeds so I hope the fares will reflect this.
All of that already exisits. What you mean is this service may (may not will) be fractionally cheaper
All of that already exisits. What you mean is this service may (may not will) be fractionally cheaper
Ouch, but you're not wrong.
Londoners don't go up north to visit the seaside. The weather is far worse, food questionable, the main recreational activities are missing, and it's too far. They do Devon and Cornwall overwhelmingly (even though also far), as well as closer spots like Brighton (lash, culture) or Solent/Wight/Dorset (sailing peeps). Some niche surf and kite-surfing spots in South and North Wales, of course.
Plus HS1 and East London/hipster culture have helped boost a lot of the Kent coastal towns and some, like Whistable, are popular 'cool' places to visit closer to London.
It might well nick some passengers off the increasingly dire LNR Trent Valley services at the budget end if it's cheap enough.
You can already do MKC <-> North West using Avanti, but for stations on the WCML proper for most of the day that involves a change at Crewe or a longer run via Brum.
It’s those passengers who they’re trying to get, the ones who at the moment face minimum 2 changes just to go to the seaside whereas once those services start it’s just one change.
If I lived in any of those places I'd be headed for Brighton using Thameslink, or for somewhere in East Anglia by car. Not the godforesaken rathole that is Blackpool.
I would say they are not trying to attract passengers from anywhere who want to go to Blackpool. They have almost certainly chosen Blackpool as a destination because they thought if they did, with its very poor service to London at the time of their application, they would have a decent chance of it being approved. It is the London – Milton Keynes and London – Preston markets they are interested in.But I’m referring to passengers who need to use stations on the WCML to connect for services to Blackpool eg Leicester, Luton, Bedford etc...
Leicester can change at Nuneaton
Luton and Bedford can change at MKC
It’s those passengers who they’re trying to get, the ones who at the moment face minimum 2 changes just to go to the seaside whereas once those services start it’s just one change.
Like other Open Access operators, the run from London to Blackpool is just a front. What is really of interest, and makes the financial case, is an Orcats Raid on the established flows from stations like Preston on the existing main line they are allowed to serve (hopefully as many as possible), and scoop up current revenue streams.It’s those passengers who they’re trying to get, the ones who at the moment face minimum 2 changes just to go to the seaside whereas once those services start it’s just one change.
It might well nick some passengers off the increasingly dire LNR Trent Valley services at the budget end if it's cheap enough.
You can already do MKC <-> North West using Avanti, but for stations on the WCML proper for most of the day that involves a change at Crewe or a longer run via Brum.
Likewise their website has the fact that they are part of Arriva/DB in the tiniest font at the foot of the page. They seem to be keeping their relationship with Northern very quiet.
If I lived in any of those places I'd be headed for Brighton using Thameslink, or for somewhere in East Anglia by car. Not the godforesaken rathole that is Blackpool.
Exactly.My thoughts exactly. A reasonably priced, fast run from MK up to Preston would suit me just nicely.