Grand Central Discussion

[BOSCH]

This was yesterday mate, I meant numbers may have been swelled from people making a weekend out a trip down to London and returning on the Sunday.

Yep,there were a few of the unwashed onboard but the majority were normal travellers,have suggested to management today that we should be looking to strengthen the sets from 5 cars to 6 on a weekend starting on a friday,in the words of Del Boy, "You know it makes sense" !!!

 

[spoony]

Yep,there were a few of the unwashed onboard but the majority were normal travellers,have suggested to management today that we should be looking to strengthen the sets from 5 cars to 6 on a weekend starting on a friday,in the words of Del Boy, "You know it makes sense" !!!

Tell them to get a footex on to Portsmouth away on May 16th, would really help me out that weekend

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

twas also the last weekend of half term, I was on the later shift and we were busy both ways, lots of people with kids travelling home

 

[Pumbaa]

twas also the last weekend of half term, I was on the later shift and we were busy both ways, lots of people with kids travelling home

Yes I saw you at York - and with a coach missing I thought? Wasn't just you though - and I was very happy to see people queuing to find seats as the GC set moved out of the station.

 

[GNERman]

I travelled with GC from York to Sunderland and the sound coming from 43080 was beasty!

 

[BOSCH]

I travelled with GC from York to Sunderland and the sound coming from 43080 was beasty!

Make the most of it !! wont be here for long !!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

twas also the last weekend of half term, I was on the later shift and we were busy both ways, lots of people with kids travelling home

Wasnt a lot of kids on 1338 from the X on sunday SC,fair bit of tottie though !!!! Didnt get a cuppa until Northallerton !!!!

 

[Techniquest]

Make the most of it !! wont be here for long !!!

What's that about? Surely 080's keeping her Valenta for a while longer yet?

 

[BOSCH]

What's that about? Surely 080's keeping her Valenta for a while longer yet?

They all are,however,we are looking at the possibility of,I cant say this,I really cant,of of of of going german,M,M,M,M,Mtu,OMG the pain !!!!

 

[Pumbaa]

They all are,however,we are looking at the possibility of,I cant say this,I really cant,of of of of going german,M,M,M,M,Mtu,OMG the pain !!!!

:cry:

 

[me123]

Well, if it makes the trains more reliable, then it's surely better, no?

 

[yorkie]

Well, if it makes the trains more reliable, then it's surely better, no?

Last time I saw the stats GC had the most reliable HST fleet in the country! That was a few months ago though.

 

[Pumbaa]

Well, if it makes the trains more reliable, then it's surely better, no?

Yes it's a good step forward for that - I was referring to the fact that the brief respite we have had with Valenta still being active could come to an end.

 

[Techniquest]

They all are,however,we are looking at the possibility of,I cant say this,I really cant,of of of of going german,M,M,M,M,Mtu,OMG the pain !!!!

*Cue MASSIVE bellows of "NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and similar*

Oh...My...God...

No! It can't be! :cry:

OW! The pain of losing the Valentas...

Why would GC need to look at going down the MTU path? No need, surely, not since the power cars are much more reliable now?

If it happens, the rumours of 2010 being very quiet on the HST front will be true...:cry::cry::cry:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well, if it makes the trains more reliable, then it's surely better, no?

From a non-Valenta-ised HST basher POV, yes. But from a Valenta-ised HST basher POV, I refer you to my passionate post prior...

 

[yorkie]

Life extention. That would suggest that they are not getting Chinese trains and are instead looking to run HSTs for a long time to come (supplemented by Adelantes).

 

[Techniquest]

Life extension, maybe, but for those of us supremely passionate about Valentas it is very sad news.

All other trips are cancelled now, my focus has changed to doing more GC bashes!

 

[WillPS]

At least they're going to keeping HSTs on!

That said, I'd have been interested to see this Chinese new-build...

 

[Techniquest]

Same, and I agree that at least the plan to keep HSTs going is good. Nevertheless, the engine type that got me into the hobby is now facing extinction where I had hoped it would hold out for longer.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Nooooooo! Someone organise the protests! We need people outside Yeowart's office brandishing "MTU is Murder" placards!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

coming into Sunderland sunday night, the driver must have shut the lead pc down in the tunnel... the rear one was screaming, and I mean screaming as it pushed us through!!

 

[Royston Vasey]

Life extention. That would suggest that they are not getting Chinese trains and are instead looking to run HSTs for a long time to come (supplemented by Adelantes).

When do the access rights expire, is it 2012? Perhaps an MTU pledge will be something of a statement of intent to the ORR that they are serious and committed about an access extension?

This is reassuring to me - suggests the financial base is solid, whereas at the start the impression was of things being done on the cheap, i.e. the original overhauls.

As for the Chinese units, looking at the reliability situation now, one would have to say the need for brand new trains isn't what it once appeared to be. And of course new trains won't necessarily be reliable if they did arrive!!

 

[tbtc]

As for the Chinese units, looking at the reliability situation now, one would have to say the need for brand new trains isn't what it once appeared to be. And of course new trains won't necessarily be reliable if they did arrive!!

I'm all for new units, but I don't want another diddy wee class, like the 175s or 180s - in fact any new class for Grand Central would probably be even smaller (numerically). Would be a shame to have a new class of just (say) five units or something.

 

[martyn29]

me and a fellow veg from work (EMT) are planning a HST GC bash on sat 18th of April. Its his first time on a Grand Central HST!!

 

[Metroland]

Changes to East Coast services now confirmed by the ORR are:

- conversion of the 12 (six each way) National Express East Coast contingent rights between Leeds and London King's Cross to firm rights until December 2011;
- continuation of the current access rights, but all as firm rights, for seven weekday and five weekend Hull Trains services each way between Hull and London King's Cross until December 2016;
- firm rights for a fourth Grand Central service each way between Sunderland and London King's Cross until May 2012; and
- firm rights for three new daily Grand Northern branded services run by Grand Union each way between Bradford Interchange and London King's Cross until December 2014;
- firm and contingent rights for a new National Express East Coast enhanced service from London to Lincoln and to Harrogate via Leeds until December 2015.

The regulator rejected applications received from Platinum Trains, which requested rights to introduce a new service between Aberdeen and London King's Cross; and Hull Trains, which wanted to introduce a new service between Harrogate and King's Cross.

Michael Lee, ORR director of access, planning and performance, said: "Today's decision will lead to improved services at locations which are currently poorly served, and will result in more frequent services to others. The introduction of a new standard pattern timetable will have obvious benefits to both freight users and passengers.

"Our decision is based on a long process of consideration and unfortunately the applications we rejected did not demonstrate sufficient benefits to offset the impact on existing operators."

Ian Yeowart, Grand Union managing director added: "Now the paths awarded have been confirmed by the ORR, this decision that allows the Durham Coast an expanded service and West Yorkshire to have direct new inter-city trains is fantastic news, and comes after a considerable amount of time and investment to arrive at the final decisions we've had today.

"The award of paths to West Yorkshire for Grand Northern has been a long time coming, and the support and commitment of the many stakeholders has helped to make this a reality. We must now get on with the significant task of preparing for operations, including recruitment, which will see a significant number of new jobs created in the Bradford area."

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5664

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I am absolutely delighted that Grand Union have been granted rights to West Yorkshire. More choice and potentially much more convenience for me.

 

[Techniquest]

Excellent news there for Grand Union. There's even required track on that route of theirs for me!

 

[tbtc]

Changes to East Coast services now confirmed by the ORR are:

- firm rights for three new daily Grand Northern branded services run by Grand Union each way between Bradford Interchange and London King's Cross until December 2014;

Ian Yeowart, Grand Union managing director added: "Now the paths awarded have been confirmed by the ORR, this decision that allows the Durham Coast an expanded service and West Yorkshire to have direct new inter-city trains is fantastic news, and comes after a considerable amount of time and investment to arrive at the final decisions we've had today.

"The award of paths to West Yorkshire for Grand Northern has been a long time coming, and the support and commitment of the many stakeholders has helped to make this a reality. We must now get on with the significant task of preparing for operations, including recruitment, which will see a significant number of new jobs created in the Bradford area."

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5664

http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/ecml_propdec_DfT_160209.pdf - DaFT say no...

 

[yorkie]

Geoff Appleby is a fool, should accept the ORR's decision. The talk of NXEC increasing services massively is daft as NXEC are likely to cut services due to facing a severe financial crisis.

All this is posturing by the DfT and NXEC so that, when NXEC can't actually afford to introduce all their new services, they can pretend that they could have and that it's the ORR's fault. They will also blame Hull Trains and Grand Central/Northern "abstracting" "their" income for the downfall of the company.... just like GNER did!

I wonder how much money these greedy lawyers and people like Geoff Appleby get paid to posture around spouting crap? Too bloody much in the current economic climate, I say.

 

[northernbored]

I still think the likes of HT should extend their service to Beverley, Driffeild and Bridlington, it would damn well be used, especialy in peak hours (there's a lot of commuters)

I once mentioned this to them in an email and they said that it was something that they currently could not consider due their problems with rolling stock (Dr John Godber) and condition of the Wolds Coast Line, they then went to say that after the upgrade (just taken place- Feb 1/2 term) and the release of the 222's they would begin to look at proposals for extending there services.

Nothing as yet though except Northern are proposing extra services to Scarborough

 

[whoshotjimmi]

There must be a legal position regarding the public awarding of paths and subsequent removal should it happen.

As a matter of interest, why are only 6 paths an hour available out of Kings Cross? Surely more could be made available with some good planning.

 

[tbtc]

As a matter of interest, why are only 6 paths an hour available out of Kings Cross? Surely more could be made available with some good planning.

Welwyn.

And the flat crossing at Newark.

(not sure which would be easier/ cheaper to resolve)

And the hourly (Norwich) Peterborough - Grantham (Liverpool) EMT service (which crosses the northbound line twice as it heads south, IIRC)

Plus, the six paths we're discussing are for the line as far as Doncaster. There's another six(?) for FCC trains to Peterborough/ Cambridge.

If anything, six paths an hour as far as Doncaster is quite a lot, considering there were only two or three an hour in the old days, and lack of loops/ four tracked sections, plus constraints at Peterborough and speed differentials etc