West Coast Partnership: Awarded to First Trenitalia

Wouldn't be surprised if they announce a win for First but that the HS2 preparation is now being spun off into a separate not for profit entity.

 

Any sources? Where did you here Tomorrow from? Is it being cancelled (that would be interesting?)

 

Where are these reports? I can't see anything.

 

Neither can I. There is nothing I was expecting one or two articles online but nothing is popping up.

 

That would not surprise me.

Bozza is quite obviously on the election trail. Virgin Trains is very popular - probably by far the most popular TOC (even if not exactly beloved on here some of the time) - and FirstGroup is near-universally despised. A nice long direct award would definitely curry favour with the WCML-travelling electorate.

 

Me neither. In fact I am expecting it.

 

I guess something should have been announced by now so the stock market doesn’t get a nasty surprise.

 

I have heard from my contacts it will be announced tomorrow Going to be interesting!

 

Heard that an announcement is iminent too.

 

Win for First.

https://twitter.com/clinnick1/status/1161519080454676482?s=21

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/firstgroup-plc-statement-west-coast-060000224.html

Refurbishment of Pendolino fleet and replacement of Voyager fleet with 13 new BiModes sets. They also mention ten new electric sets to allow frequency upgrades for Liverpool services.

 

First?

 

Voyager cascade for XC then

 

A much needed cascade.

 

And if they get Meridians from East Mids too, over crowding could be solved.
Wonder if their HSTs will go to Scotrail.


Well done to First.
Looks like pulling out of East Mids to "concentrate on West Coast" served them well.

 

A well deserved win, First should have took over the WCML years ago had it not been for the DfT screwing up.

I’m ecstatic about the news.

 

Not very much to get excited about in this new franchise, just looks like more of the same.

 

Nice to see Wrexham CENTRAL getting new trains......!

http://maps.dft.gov.uk/west-coast/

 

So, more micro fleets - one hopes not. Ideally the bi-modes are follow ons from the MML order. Will the new electric sets need tilt? I see tears ahead or a lot of retiming of non-tilt trains.

 

I am sure there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth over this decision with experts of every flavour complaining that the sacred virgin trains are to be replaced.

Why not wait and see what happens because beyond paint and hats I doubt much will actually change

 

Well done First. The best of a bad bunch I reckon.

 

Or perhaps more 80x, given that First already have a considerable number on their books?

 

Well, at least it's the end of repeated short franchise extensions which deliver next to nothing.
13 new bi-modes to replace Voyagers, 10 new EMUs for extra services, notably to Liverpool.
Can they find a 125mph tilting bi-mode, or is this just another AT300 running at 110mph?
Are the EMUs more Pendolinos, or something closer to TPE's 397s (which will soon be running Manchester/Liverpool-Scotland services for First).
How will Liverpool South Parkway work unless these trains are short ones?

No route extensions except* Gobowen and Llandudno, no circular Euston-Wolverhampton-Shrewsbury-Chester-Crewe-Euston as suggested in 2012, no Bolton or Stirling.
It was a chance to mention infrastructure upgrades (eg at Carstairs), but nothing that I can see.
The HS2 dimension seems totally ignored.
Both First and Trenitalia will be cockahoop. Sad to see Virgin go after 22 years.
XC can look forward to taking on the 20 WC Voyagers, which have served Chester and North Wales well.
Looks like there will be more trains running beyond Chester.
Modified rapture...

* forgot Walsall (which has just gained a through service to Euston from WMT).

 

I think the commuters on the South Western franchise might disagree. On the plus side many bus drivers will be waking up happy this morning with the increase to staff travel now available.

 

Good to see Walsall and Oswestry receive there first InterCity services from next year - services of which I think will be well used.

Only thing I notice is no brand announcement on franchise announcement day, as has been the case for the last few announcements. Hope it’s still set to be LMS!

 

FAQs here
https://www.westcoastrail.co.uk/faq.html