glynn80
Established Member
- Joined
- 1 Jun 2008
- Messages
- 1,666
Here are some updates on various issues to do with NXEC & GC gathered from senior members of the management of both companies.
NXEC (information gathered from the Operations Director)
• Soon to be externally recruiting guards for SLC2 timetable. Will be advertised in Railnews in the winter. Drivers for SLC2 are being recruited internally.
• Weekly meetings are occuring at MD level to discuss the DfT (Directly Operated Railways) franchise takeover. 12 December 2009 (timetable changeover day) is the planned takeover date although this is subject to change.
• Platform Y at Kings Cross St Pancras will be becoming Platform 1 and therefore a platform renumbering exercise will take place.
• As part of a new initiative to reduce the number of Rail Replacement buses operated when engineering work is taking place, the following have been organised by NXEC in conjunction with Network Rail:
GC (information gathered from the MD)
• HST power car reengineing will take place in conjunction with GCs capital investment requirements as part of the deal going through for track access rights until 2019.
• Three extra Class 180s have been secured from Angel Trains by GC (lease has been signed) for use on the West Riding services. One of these is already undergoing refurbishment work at Wolverton, one of these is currently in operation with Hull Trains and one is currently in an unsuitable state for use and GC are working to get this resolved.
• GC's current delay attribution has highlighted the following with regard to causes of GC delays:
• The Grand Union brand has ceased to exist. West Riding services will operate under the auspices of Grand Central.
• Despite the recent financial losses reported at GC, GC is currently financially sustainable and aims to be profitable prior to the West Riding launch.
• The GC Kings Cross ticket office rumour that has been doing the rounds has no basis. Some staff will have down time at KGX but this will not be filled with ticket office duties.
• The DfT have confirmed to GC that so long as their promotional material conveys the "buy on board at no extra cost" message, all barrier staff at stations GC will serve, will be obliged to let GC passengers through ticketless.
NXEC (information gathered from the Operations Director)
• Soon to be externally recruiting guards for SLC2 timetable. Will be advertised in Railnews in the winter. Drivers for SLC2 are being recruited internally.
• Weekly meetings are occuring at MD level to discuss the DfT (Directly Operated Railways) franchise takeover. 12 December 2009 (timetable changeover day) is the planned takeover date although this is subject to change.
• Platform Y at Kings Cross St Pancras will be becoming Platform 1 and therefore a platform renumbering exercise will take place.
• As part of a new initiative to reduce the number of Rail Replacement buses operated when engineering work is taking place, the following have been organised by NXEC in conjunction with Network Rail:
First two weekends in January, single line working will take place between York and Thirsk.
During the Hitchin reconfiguration work, Class 91s will be coasting through the affected section at 50mph. Rulebook alterations have occurred to secure this.
GC (information gathered from the MD)
• HST power car reengineing will take place in conjunction with GCs capital investment requirements as part of the deal going through for track access rights until 2019.
• Three extra Class 180s have been secured from Angel Trains by GC (lease has been signed) for use on the West Riding services. One of these is already undergoing refurbishment work at Wolverton, one of these is currently in operation with Hull Trains and one is currently in an unsuitable state for use and GC are working to get this resolved.
• GC's current delay attribution has highlighted the following with regard to causes of GC delays:
20% of GC delays caused by GC (of which 70% was caused by train fleet issues)
20% of GC delays caused by other TOCs/FOCs
60% of GC delays caused by Network Rail
• The Grand Union brand has ceased to exist. West Riding services will operate under the auspices of Grand Central.
• Despite the recent financial losses reported at GC, GC is currently financially sustainable and aims to be profitable prior to the West Riding launch.
• The GC Kings Cross ticket office rumour that has been doing the rounds has no basis. Some staff will have down time at KGX but this will not be filled with ticket office duties.
• The DfT have confirmed to GC that so long as their promotional material conveys the "buy on board at no extra cost" message, all barrier staff at stations GC will serve, will be obliged to let GC passengers through ticketless.
hock: 
