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Alliance Blackpool service to be run by Grand Central and start in 2021

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4-SUB 4732

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One would hope that the DVT can still be used for cycle storage, as it was for 30 years on the ECML.

Aren’t they planning to use it for parcels and cargo with a contract already in place with some logistics firm?
 
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wensley

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90036 + BN29 + 90019 to work the following tomorrow...

3Z50 0729 Crewe CS to Crewe CS via Warrington
3P51 0919 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K83 1151 Blackpool to Crewe CS
3P58 1421 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K84 1550 Blackpool to Crewe CS
 

Southern Dvr

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Being pedantic I know but surely it’s not BN29 anymore? BN denotes Bounds Green and alas they no longer will be responsible for the set. Or is BN being kept as in Blackpool?
 

wensley

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Being pedantic I know but surely it’s not BN29 anymore? BN denotes Bounds Green and alas they no longer will be responsible for the set. Or is BN being kept as in Blackpool?
The intention always was for the training sets to keep their BNXX identities given they’re only being used for training and will then go off lease. The service sets will become GC01-04.

To confuse matters further, BN27/29 are now formed as HT01/02 in TOPS as a temporary measure which is a throwback to the GC HST day’s :lol:
 

Muenchener

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Screenshot_20200304-125347.png 90019 leads 90036 thru LEY at 12:19 on the 11:51 Grand Central trainer from BPN - Crewe C.S.

N.B. Original file is too large to load; hence the attached screenshot.
 

XCTurbostar

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Anyone know why this set is being operated as a TnT? I though the 90s had TDM equipment?
 

ainsworth74

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Anyone know why this set is being operated as a TnT? I though the 90s had TDM equipment?

If it's traction training then there wouldn't be much point to driving the DVT if you're supposed to be learning the 90...

I don't know for sure that's what they're up to but it seems a fair bet.
 

XCTurbostar

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Looks like there are two sets out tomorrow:

3P50 0845 Crewe CS to Preston
3K87 1028 Preston to Crewe CS

3P51 0919 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K83 1151 Blackpool to Crewe CS
3P58 1421 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K84 1550 Blackpool to Crewe CS

EDIT: Second Diagram was cancelled today so maybe not?
 

wensley

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Looks like there are two sets out tomorrow:

3P50 0845 Crewe CS to Preston
3K87 1028 Preston to Crewe CS

3P51 0919 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K83 1151 Blackpool to Crewe CS
3P58 1421 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K84 1550 Blackpool to Crewe CS

EDIT: Second Diagram was cancelled today so maybe not?
Tomorrow planned as per today. 3Z50 should be a runner again too as per this morning.
 

wensley

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Not many more days of TnT operation left, today's plan as follows with 90036 + BN29 + 90019 again...

3Z50 0729 Crewe CS to Crewe CS via Warrington
3P51 0919 Crewe CS to Blackpool
3K83 1151 Blackpool to Crewe CS
 

111-111-1

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If it's traction training then there wouldn't be much point to driving the DVT if you're supposed to be learning the 90...

I don't know for sure that's what they're up to but it seems a fair bet.

Traction training must include driving from both the 90 and DVT.
 

ainsworth74

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Surely if they are contracted to, then they have to?

They have access rights to the network but they don't have to use them. Though there certainly is an element of "use them or lose them" I don't think a short delay or a delay caused by the current situation would cause the ORR to take them away again.

Otherwise there's no real requirement for them to operate beyond commercial considerations of having trains on lease, etc.
 

pieguyrob

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Thank you for pointing that out. I wasn't to sure of contractual or legal obligations that they would have to meet.

So once the staff are trained, they can put the service on hold, until the current situation sorts itself out?
 

ainsworth74

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So once the staff are trained, they can put the service on hold, until the current situation sorts itself out?

As long as DB are willing to cover the costs of having all those staff and that equipment sat around doing nothing. Admitted I wouldn't fancy trying to launch an operation in this current climate though to be fair!

I've not been following closely but does anyone know if the training runs are still ongoing? That might be a clue as to what's currently going on.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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GC has roughly halved its ECML services, so you would expect them to do something similar on the planned WCML services.
That might mean a cut-back/delay to their rolling stock plans.
They must have been caught out with the timing - I don't imagine they would have planned to start the service if stock had not been contracted or staff recruited.

The timing is also unfortunate for Arriva - had this happened 6 weeks ago they might still be running Northern on a management contract.
 

61653 HTAFC

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Thank you for pointing that out. I wasn't to sure of contractual or legal obligations that they would have to meet.

So once the staff are trained, they can put the service on hold, until the current situation sorts itself out?
They'd have to run ECS every so often with each staff member, otherwise the route and traction knowledge would expire. Not sure how often this would be, but I'm sure someone will know...
 
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