Roll on the IETs
Unfortunately, until such time that all four HT 180’s are available for service, (or suitable alternative stock resourced), the current malaise will continue.
Roll on the IETs
Looks like Hull Trains have taken a step back again today, with a reduced number of services to and from London, and some running only between Hull and Doncaster. I'm assuming one set is down to 3 engines again.
Apparently HT are supposed to be getting 2x 2+5 HST sets on loan from GWR in the near future
I don’t follow what this refers to sorry (I’m likely missing something obvious)My Monday morning AP ticket has gone almost 19% for January.
I don’t follow what this refers to sorry (I’m likely missing something obvious)
I think it's the original post that's missing the word "up" tbh.I don’t follow what this refers to sorry (I’m likely missing something obvious)
I think it's the original post that's missing the word "up" tbh.
That would be it.I think it's the original post that's missing the word "up" tbh.
Hull Trains not running ANY trains again today. A combination of ECML engineering works and the Northern strike means the alternatives all involve coaches to/from Peterborough then GTR to Kings Cross.
Journey times were already extended but some of the alternative plans sound awful. The 1804 from Hull was due in Kings Cross at 2125. The alternative arrives at 2343!! Glad I’m not travelling today.
The 3 engine unit that was running shuttles yesterday failed at Doncaster. However, judging by what they are running tomorrow it seems 2 units are back in service again.Wow, this is becoming shambolic. Not quite sure how they've ended up with zero functional trains today. Yesterday there was one in full service - which ran the 1548 KGX-DON then 1803 DON-KGX and 2030 KGX-HUL - and one on three engines and not able to work south of Doncaster. Wonder if they decided to cut their losses today given the diversions are already extending journey times? Or maybe they were terrified that one of their units would end up breaking down in rural Lincs and blocking the joint line.
Seriously though, they need to get these HSTs up and running ASAP!
Hull Daily Mail said:Around 50 people trying to get to Hull station have been left “stranded” at Peterborough.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said she and around 50 other people have been left “freezing” outside the station in Peterborough waiting for a coach after Hull Trains cancelled its direct services between Hull and London Kings Cross.
According to the Hull Trains website, services between Hull and London Kings Cross have been cancelled due to “more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time”.
Looks like the HST Plans have fallen through which is disappointing.
https://twitter.com/Pborotrains/status/1061402961493008384
Whilst one admires Hull Trains for attempting to provide a service from Hull to London, trying to do it with 4 perpetually unreliable units which appear to suffer from over-use and inadequate maintenance (maybe inexperienced maintenance staff (on this class), lack of opportunity to perform proper maintenance or even perhaps inadequate funding for that maintenence? - anyone any ideas?), the time has surely come for the regulators to impose a stiff fine and force the pace of remedial action. They have clearly been in an unsustainable situation for some time.
Whilst one admires Hull Trains for attempting to provide a service from Hull to London, trying to do it with 4 perpetually unreliable units which appear to suffer from over-use and inadequate maintenance (maybe inexperienced maintenance staff (on this class), lack of opportunity to perform proper maintenance or even perhaps inadequate funding for that maintenence? - anyone any ideas?), the time has surely come for the regulators to impose a stiff fine and force the pace of remedial action. They have clearly been in an unsustainable situation for some time.
...and force the pace of remedial action.
Although I can understand why this is being suggested, I can’t see what it would actually achieve? I’m aware of some of the background to the current situation, but am not at liberty to share that on an Internet forum.
What I can say is that HT people are doing their level best, in very difficult circumstances to provide A service. Hindsight is a wonderful thing & with that, it’s probable that a fifth 180 would have been sourced when GWR released them, but we are where we are.
Although I can understand why this is being suggested, I can’t see what it would actually achieve? I’m aware of some of the background to the current situation, but am not at liberty to share that on an Internet forum.
What I can say is that HT people are doing their level best, in very difficult circumstances to provide A service. Hindsight is a wonderful thing & with that, it’s probable that a fifth 180 would have been sourced when GWR released them, but we are where we are.
One must ask (I don't know the answer, perhaps there are none available?) why they can't borrow or lease a fifth 180 now. A 5th unit would allow them to do proper repairs in a reasonable time rather than desperate attempts to do a quick fix each night which is clearly not having the desired effects.
There’s a few reasons. Firstly, there are only 14 class 180’s, the other 10 being operated by Grand Central. They need most of theirs for daily service & being 180’s, they are not the most reliable units. Not sure what the daily requirements are for GC (I’m sure someone will know), but I’m sure the option will have been explored.
From memory, I could be wrong, 180's have never been a wild success on the reliability and availability stakes. I believe that GWR had better availability than other operators, but that may well have been due to better maintenance regime, clued up engineers and less oppressive operational schedule, all of which Hull trains likely didn't have at their maintenance base. It appears that Hull trains took a gamble that it would be cheaper to only hire 4 trains and they could wing it should problems arise. I have every sympathy for the maintainers asked to do an impossible job due to lack of time and also the train staff who will doubtless be blamed and harangued by some of the more painful members of the public, but I would remind you it is the passengers who are suffering most. I may be wrong, but to me this was an entirely foreseeable problem which the directors and managers of Hull Trains bear some culpability for and for that the business should be fined to seek to avoid they or other operators doing this again.
GWR had better luck with the 180’s for a several reasons; a) they were new to GWR b) they were all together & c) experience in maintaining the things. Even on GWR they were hardly brilliant & a lot of work was done there as I recall.
I agree it’s the customer that is bearing the burden of this issue, and as I said previously, hindsight bring what it is, a fifth set would have probably been desirable. It has to be remembered though that HT actually acquired 4 x 222’s for the operation, which were moved at the behest of the DfT to the Midland Main Line, and given the need for a 125mph capable diesel, 180’s were about the only choice on the table.
On that basis, I can’t see where HT senior managers are directly accountable, as much of where we are today has been foisted on the business by the mandarins in Whitehall.