MG11
Member
- Joined
- 4 Nov 2017
- Messages
- 638
Having read a similar thread on here, I am curious as to what changes you would make to my local TOC. Nothing is off limits here! How would you improve things or tweak things to your liking?
This should apply to every TOC, some of the prices are ridiculous.Ensure that the prices of the onboard catering were decreased.
Extend the Derby-Crewe route to Nottingham, maybe even join up with the Nottingham-Skegness route.
Why am I getting dejavous?
I would take VTEC’s HSTs and using those plus the original EMT ones and ex GC ones use those on IC services and use Meridians on all local services, if there aren’t enough keep the 158s too.
Interesting thread, here's what I would do.
- I would order some (maybe around four of each variant) 2-car and 3-car Class 230s to replace the remaining Class 153s and deploy those on the Barton Line (2-car) and Crewe to Derby services (3-car).
Well I, for one, wouldn't welcome any Class 230s on any EMT services. With their spartan, Pacer like interiors, intended more for crush loading than comfort and their 60mph. maximum speed, they would be a substantial retrogression on what we have now.
Thank Heavens this is just a fantasy thread!
Derby Drivers to get more Crewe and Matlock turns to compensate.
I'd replace Northern's Leeds-Nottingham service with an EMT service running Leeds-London St Pancras, but effectively have it running as two services in one - Leeds to Nottingham as is now, then Nottingham to London slow. OK nobody in Leeds is going to use it end to end, but it opens up much needed links between Yorkshire and the East Midlands. I may be biased, but living in Wakefield and having a son in Leicester, I would welcome a better link.
I would take the Liverpool-Norwich service off them and give it to XC, which effectively this service is really.
In terms of London services, I would improve the Sheffield service by running up the Erewash line as suggested previously. Sheffield-Chesterfield-Leicester-London as a fast service, then have the current faster service via Derby as a second train. I would also run a slower Derby-London service shortly after the faster London service has left Derby, providing the link to other towns on the MML.
Nottingham-Worksop would be extended to Retford. I'd also run Skegness-Nottingham services through to Matlock, extend Leicester-Lincoln services to Cleethorpes, and start Derby-Crewe services at Nottingham.
I would make the local services run as clockface as possible throughout the day with decent connections at ECML interchange stations. Take for example Grimsby - Newark, the ECML timetable has being clockface at this stations for a number of years, but we have some horrible connections which really encourage people to drive. (Some are now very good as well)
Would love some franchise changes to give useful routes again - ie get some Birmingham - Lincoln services back either via Derby (preferably) or Leicester (so Loughborough gets its through service back)
When East Coast gets more frequent to Lincoln either.
1. Extend it to Cleethorpes and take over the EMT service from Newark - Grimsby
2. Connect into it at Lincoln and change the Grimsby service so it goes to Nottingham and beyond.
Peterborough - Lincoln hourly clockface (with extension to Doncaster every 2 hours)
Crewe - Derby extended to Nottingham (joining at Derby with the Matlock service to save paths)
End single 153 operated services except at times or really low demand.
I lot of this is pie in sky, but Lincolnshire desparately needs a recast.
One of the problems at Newark is that use of the "loop" platform has to be shared between the VTEC terminators, and EMT termintors from Lincoln.
So (for example) a Lincoln-bound EMT has to depart *before* the VTEC terminator arrives in order to vacate the platform , which is itself just before the Down xx30 off the Cross arrives (the faster Newark VTEC service, into which the terminator connects going north). So connections towards Lincoln are inevitably rubbish, no matter what the timetable is.
I'd have thought eventual operation of [VT]EC through to Lincoln more regularly would enable better connections to be provided there instead.
You're more than welcome to have some!That isn’t compensation for relinquishing London work!
We’ll take the Liverpool/Norwich - thank you
As someone who thinks rail connections to airports is vital, and to discourage people off the road I would like to see (including renaming of East Midlands Parkway to East Midlands Airport Parkway):
Intercity Services:
1ph London, Luton Airport Parkway, Leicester, East Midlands Airport Parkway, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield
1ph London, Luton Airport Parkway, Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Airport Parkway, Long Eaton, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield
1ph London, Luton Airport Parkway, Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Airport Parkway, Beeston, Nottingham
1ph London, Luton Airport Parkway, Leicester, East Midlands Airport Parkway, Nottingham
1ph London, Luton Airport Parkway, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Oakham, Melton Mowbray, Leicester
Local Services:
1ph Crewe - Derby extended to Nottingham (via Toton HS2 once opened) and maybe Skegness
New 1ph Crewe - Sheffield calling at all stations including Peartree