Revised relaunch of 'Project Rio' - could it work?

[bspahh]

(I would recommend the Charles 1st anyway though I'm not sure what lager they do).

The Blue River café across the road from the King Charles I is particularly good for breakfast.

 

[yorksrob]

The Blue River café across the road from the King Charles I is particularly good for breakfast.

I'll check that out one day. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Mag_seven]

Can we get back to discussing the possible comeback of "Project Rio" please. Thanks

 

[Topological]

Is the answer to start at Euston so people can go to the Charles I then turn right at Bletchley to serve Universal Studios before going into Bedford and then up the MML to Dore South?

Avoids the problem of Thameslink limiting paths as well.

 

[43096]

Is the answer to start at Euston so people can go to the Charles I then turn right at Bletchley to serve Universal Studios before going into Bedford and then up the MML to Dore South?

Avoids the problem of Thameslink limiting paths as well.

The answer is not to run it!

 

[Topological]

The answer is not to run it!

That is no fun though

I am now thinking that given the likely patronage, a couple of 150s can run it. They can use ex-TfW ones so that there are tables. Might even be tempted to give it a go in case I forget what it was like taking a 150 for 4 hours on the Marches.

 

[Trackman]

I travelled on Project Rio loads of times, the reason I wouldn't bring it back, apart from the journey time - because it was so boring. But that's my perspective. You would think after spending decades travelling on the WCML I would be bored with it, far from it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I travelled on Project Rio loads of times, the reason I wouldn't bring it back, apart from the journey time - because it was so boring. But that's my perspective. You would think after spending decades travelling on the WCML I would be bored with it, far from it.

I've said it many times before - the WCML is in my view the most interesting of the mainlines to the north. The ECML doesn't get interesting until Durham, while the MML doesn't get interesting at all, really.

 

[RT4038]

I've said it many times before - the WCML is in my view the most interesting of the mainlines to the north. The ECML doesn't get interesting until Durham, while the MML doesn't get interesting at all, really.

The other side of Shipley?

 

[Bletchleyite]

The other side of Shipley?

In terms of Rio the only interesting bit I'd say was the Hope Valley.

 

[Trackman]

.... while the MML doesn't get interesting at all, really.

I think my highlight was passing the Weetabix factory.

 

[6Gman]

However, EMR are charging broadly consistent fares between Sheffield and London to those charged by Avanti for Manchester to London, so why would EMR offer a cheaper way to get from Manchester to London?

The premise of the original poster is therefore false.

Quite so.

When long, well-filled trains with steep fares require subsidy it's hard to see the commercial case for short, half-empty trains with low fares . . .

 

[Grecian 1998]

I've said it many times before - the WCML is in my view the most interesting of the mainlines to the north. The ECML doesn't get interesting until Durham, while the MML doesn't get interesting at all, really.

I've always found Derby - Sheffield to be very scenic - hilly country, some fine stone architecture in the surrounding towns and villages, the Chesterfield crooked spire and the ornate northern portals to the tunnels (just the northern portals for some reason). Further south I concede there isn't a lot to see.

The start of the ECML from Kings Cross as far as (but obviously excluding) Stevenage is also quite interesting - the numerous tunnels with varying styles - 2+2 , 1+2+1 or 2+1+1 - Welwyn Viaduct and Hitchin flyover. However I concede from that point and particularly from Huntingdon there isn't much to see. Still, it wouldn't be easy to run 125mph trains through hilly terrain.

Back OT, I concur this seems to be a solution looking for a problem.

 

[ShadowKnight]

I think EMR would take the place as the third operator/second route from London to Manchester/Leeds etc. Like Chiltern does between London, Birmingham/Oxford sort of complementing and competing with both the express and commuter services.

I think it is pretty reasonable as it would more be having intercity stock (of whatever kind) complement the EMR regional core and add connectivity to the admittedly diddy trains that run the regional routes.

Like in the summer there is often intercity stock on the east midlands - Skegness services for a reason

 

[MCR247]

I think EMR would take the place as the third operator/second route from London to Manchester/Leeds etc. Like Chiltern does between London, Birmingham/Oxford sort of complementing and competing with both the express and commuter services.

I think it is pretty reasonable as it would more be having intercity stock (of whatever kind) complement the EMR regional core and add connectivity to the admittedly diddy trains that run the regional routes.

Like in the summer there is often intercity stock on the east midlands - Skegness services for a reason

That would be great if EMR Intercity had spare the capacity, but it doesn’t

 

[duffield]

...

Like in the summer there is often intercity stock on the east midlands - Skegness services for a reason

Not anymore there isn't, since the HSTs and then the 180s departed. If you're lucky you might get to cram on a 2x2 coach 158 or some 170 combo, if not you're on the overflow bus.

Other EMR seasonal and extension services (Leeds, York, Scarborough) ... all gone as well.

 

[317 forever]

Maybe 1 London St Pancras - Sheffield service per hour could be extended to Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at Stockport.

The TPE Cleethorpes - Liverpool Lime Street service could be rerouted via Brinnington and replace the Northern Sheffield - Brinnington - Manchester Piccadilly shuttle.

 

[JonathanH]

Maybe 1 London St Pancras - Sheffield service per hour could be extended to Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at Stockport.

Why?

The TPE Cleethorpes - Liverpool Lime Street service could be rerouted via Brinnington and replace the Northern Sheffield - Brinnington - Manchester Piccadilly shuttle.

Have you considered the journey times for through passengers, and the practicality of that crossing the entire track formation at Piccadilly?

 

[A S Leib]

Maybe 1 London St Pancras - Sheffield service per hour could be extended to Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at Stockport.

The TPE Cleethorpes - Liverpool Lime Street service could be rerouted via Brinnington and replace the Northern Sheffield - Brinnington - Manchester Piccadilly shuttle.

So Doncaster, Grimsby and Cleethorpes should have to deal with 20+ minute longer journey times for Manchester so that passengers from Derby don't need to get one of the 3 / 4 tph to Sheffield?