XC Aberdeen to Penzance service - To be scrapped?

[Clansman]

Apologies if I'm wrong first of all, but having overheard this information, is it true that XC are seeking to scrap their daily Aberdeen to Penzance service in order to better service Aberdeen during the day, instead of morning and evening peaks? Thus, passing the batten of the UK's longest railway service to the daily Dundee to Plymouth service, which I would imagine would remain unaffected?

I can't find a PDF of their December 2017 timetabling intentions anywhere, so does anyone know if this is available, and/or know if the said information regarding the Aberdeen to Penzance service is true?

Just curious.

 

[sjoh]

That is indeed a proposal in their timetable consultation, although as far as I'm aware nothing has yet been set in stone.

 

[JohnR]

It was proposed, but the Scottish Government objected on the grounds that ScotRail did not have enough trains to be able to take up the slots (XC actually are used by commuters within Scotland)

 

[Clansman]

It was proposed, but the Scottish Government objected on the grounds that ScotRail did not have enough trains to be able to take up the slots (XC actually are used by commuters within Scotland)

Bit ironic if true

 

[Bletchleyite]

It was proposed, but the Scottish Government objected on the grounds that ScotRail did not have enough trains to be able to take up the slots (XC actually are used by commuters within Scotland)

That really needs sorting out. XC (ignoring XC-lite which really needs to go to EMT as it isn't even remotely an InterCity service) wouldn't be half as much of a problem as it is if commuters could be provided for properly and kept off the long distance trains.

 

[swt_passenger]

I can't find a PDF of their December 2017 timetabling intentions anywhere, so does anyone know if this is available, and/or know if the said information regarding the Aberdeen to Penzance service is true?

Just curious.

First hit on Google:
https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.u...ry-future-timetable-consultation-document.pdf

The original forum thread is here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=137857

 

[Blindtraveler]

It was proposed, but the Scottish Government objected on the grounds that ScotRail did not have enough trains to be able to take up the slots (XC actually are used by commuters within Scotland)

This is the same Scottish Government that not all that long ago wanted all long distance Anglo Scottish trains to terminate at Glasgow/Edinburgh with passengers transfering to Scotrail, which can barely handle the current loads as it is! Unbelievable!

For me personally I would rather like to see XC's Scottish service developed in future.

 

[edwin_m]

That really needs sorting out. XC (ignoring XC-lite which really needs to go to EMT as it isn't even remotely an InterCity service) wouldn't be half as much of a problem as it is if commuters could be provided for properly and kept off the long distance trains.

I'd agree with you in respect of, say, Birmingham and Leeds, where there is a major risk of overcrowding. But for Aberdeen and indeed Penzance the XC is near the end of its journey and the number of true long-distance passengers on board is likely to be fairly low. As neither is a major commuting destination then the same train can probably take both without being overcrowded.

 

[Blindtraveler]

XC's 08:25x Aberdeen can often be standing by the time it reaches Fife and Edinburgh, I dont know what PNZ to and from Cornish destinations and PLY is like although assume the latter is popular for daytrips and business.

 

[Parallel]

XC's 08:25x Aberdeen can often be standing by the time it reaches Fife and Edinburgh, I dont know what PNZ to and from Cornish destinations and PLY is like although assume the latter is popular for daytrips and business.

I can't speak for this particular service, but in the day time, Plymouth - Penzance can get REALLY busy. Couldn't find a seat to sit in, on a HST back in April on one trip!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd agree with you in respect of, say, Birmingham and Leeds, where there is a major risk of overcrowding. But for Aberdeen and indeed Penzance the XC is near the end of its journey and the number of true long-distance passengers on board is likely to be fairly low. As neither is a major commuting destination then the same train can probably take both without being overcrowded.

True. I suppose following the German model such a train might well run as IC as far as Edinburgh (supplementary fare payable, no regional tickets accepted) but thence RegionalExpress at base fare with regional tickets accepted. There are quite a few of those knocking around in Germany I believe.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Interesting idea.

I wask asking about the Cornish services as my 1 and only venture into that part of the world was on my ALR on a June Weekend, down Sat evening back Sun Morning. Busyest train out of several was the first up on the Sunday which was full to bursting by the Taymar Bridge and took ages to tip out at PLY.

 

[dk1]

Boarded the 09:35 Penzance-Manchester at St.Erth recently & it was very well loaded by Truro. Just a shame the trolley only starts at Plymouth as by then most wanted something & wasn't till after Tiverton that she finally reached me.

 

[Chrism20]

XC's 08:25x Aberdeen can often be standing by the time it reaches Fife and Edinburgh, I dont know what PNZ to and from Cornish destinations and PLY is like although assume the latter is popular for daytrips and business.

The Plymouth - Aberdeen leg can be equally as busy. I've seen standing as far as Leuchars on that one leaving Edinburgh.

What XC want to cut out is the carrying of fresh air either side of the main event. In the mornings the set runs ECS to Dundee from Craigentinny then its in service from Dundee to Aberdeen. In the evenings the set runs in service from Aberdeen to Edinburgh but I've never seen it busy.

By running the service in the middle of the day between Edinburgh and Aberdeen removes the two quiet legs plus maintains a direct service albeit in the afternoon rather than morning southbound and evening northbound.

It would also mean that there is possibly another set available on the XC network when and where it's really needed rather than trotting up and down to Aberdeen almost empty.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I remember once upon a time when the the morning empties ran in service throughout.

 

[mushroomchow]

I'd agree with you in respect of, say, Birmingham and Leeds, where there is a major risk of overcrowding. But for Aberdeen and indeed Penzance the XC is near the end of its journey and the number of true long-distance passengers on board is likely to be fairly low. As neither is a major commuting destination then the same train can probably take both without being overcrowded.

If my rather surreal experience on the Penzance sleeper, in which I fell asleep surrounded by German backpackers and woke up surrounded by Cornish businessmen is anything to go by, the concept of commuters using trains not intended for that purpose is not exclusive to XC.

 

[Chrism20]

I remember once upon a time when the the morning empties ran in service throughout.

Yep I can as well. Carriage to yourself until at least Dundee sometimes even as far as Montrose.

On saying that I'm on the 13:07 XC from Edinburgh just now and have all of A to myself just now.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Good greef that is usually a horrid train and during festival too!

 

[Busaholic]

If my rather surreal experience on the Penzance sleeper, in which I fell asleep surrounded by German backpackers and woke up surrounded by Cornish businessmen is anything to go by, the concept of commuters using trains not intended for that purpose is not exclusive to XC.

There's a virtually non-existent train service INTO Penzance in the morning peak, which is why the sleeper gets used. I knew a Penzance shopkeeper who used it every morning from Camborne!

 

[D1009]

Good greef that is usually a horrid train and during festival too!

Coach A is the First Class coach.

 

[D1009]

That is indeed a proposal in their timetable consultation, although as far as I'm aware nothing has yet been set in stone.

Surely the Dec 17 timetable should be set in stone by now, at least as far as the TOCs are concerned. I have heard that XC are no longer proposing to use Heaton as an HST base, more likely to be Neville Hill.

 

[Chrism20]

Good greef that is usually a horrid train and during festival too!

Coach A is the First Class coach.

Yes it's the first class coach. It was a double voyager which I was surprised about as I'm sure when I've got it in the past it's only been a single.

The front end might have been busier, I never thought to look at Newcastle, however the back half with coach A was the half that was to run right through to Plymouth so the system may have just loaded everyone not going beyond where ever it was being split at into the front half leaving the back end as free as possible for anyone travelling beyond the split.

 

[221129]

I have heard that XC are no longer proposing to use Heaton as an HST base, more likely to be Neville Hill.

As far as I know we still move to Heaton in December as planned (and contracted)

 

[221129]

Surely the Dec 17 timetable should be set in stone by now, at least as far as the TOCs are concerned.

No changes for December 17, however expect May18 to see some major changes.

 

[221129]

Yes it's the first class coach. It was a double voyager which I was surprised about as I'm sure when I've got it in the past it's only been a single.

The front end might have been busier, I never thought to look at Newcastle, however the back half with coach A was the half that was to run right through to Plymouth so the system may have just loaded everyone not going beyond where ever it was being split at into the front half leaving the back end as free as possible for anyone travelling beyond the split.

1V64 is booked a double set everyday. Splits at Gloucester apart from Summer Fridays where it is double set throughout.

 

[Blindtraveler]

*snif* going to miss my HST moves on XC!

 

[221129]

*snif* going to miss my HST moves on XC!

Why? The HST's aren't going anywhere?

 

[Blindtraveler]

From what Id read elsewhere on here the Morning and evening turns from/to Edinburgh would be no more after Dec when the HST fleat moves to Newcastle.

 

[221129]

From what Id read elsewhere on here the Morning and evening turns from/to Edinburgh would be no more after Dec when the HST fleat moves to Newcastle.

I can't see it changing until the timetable re cast which won't be until May at the earliest. Although they may be able to change the diagrams around from December I am not sure if they can though.

 

[Chrism20]

1V64 is booked a double set everyday. Splits at Gloucester apart from Summer Fridays where it is double set throughout.

Thanks. I checked back and it's normally the one an hour later that I get which would be why I'm used to a single set.