Grand Central's contract extended

[Bantamzen]

It's being reported this morning that Grand Central's contract to run the Bradford / Sunderland - London services has been extended until 2026. And it seems that GC are now confident enough to consider what they are calling a "significant" investment in its rolling stock, as well as other passenger facilities.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co....al__39_s_London_to_Bradford_service_extended/

Grand Central's London to Bradford service extended

GRAND Central Rail has been awarded the contract to run trains between London and Bradford for another decade.

An extended ten-year contract has been agreed by the Office of Rail Regulation following a 28-day consultation last year.

It will allow Grand Central Rail to continue operating services between London King’s Cross and Sunderland and London King’s Cross and Bradford until 2026....

This is at least good news for Bradford & Sunderland who can now keep their semi-regular connection to the capital, and I wonder if it also bodes well for other towns & like Huddersfield for whom new services are proposed? It certainly seems that GC & open access services are here to stay for the medium term at the very least.

 

[Haydn1971]

What's the condition of the Grand Central HST's like ? Could they do with a refurb or replacement ?

 

[DarloRich]

What's the condition of the Grand Central HST's like ? Could they do with a refurb or replacement ?

The one i used yesterday seemed in decent nick.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Though I heard a while back that GC were hoping to replace the HSTs with more 180s at the earliest opportunity. When that might be, however, is another matter. The 180s could probably do with a thorough refurbishment internally though. The faded FirstGroup seat covers really let them down.

 

[Moonshot]

Excellent news, its a great service and long may it prosper.

 

[Stats]

GC are looking to have a uniform stock which was envisaged to be 180s at the time of the application

 

[ainsworth74]

What's the condition of the Grand Central HST's like ? Could they do with a refurb or replacement ?

Though I heard a while back that GC were hoping to replace the HSTs with more 180s at the earliest opportunity. When that might be, however, is another matter. The 180s could probably do with a thorough refurbishment internally though. The faded FirstGroup seat covers really let them down.

The last I heard was that GC were eyeing up Hull Train's 180s as they appear to be some of the best both in terms of mechanical reliability and also interior condition. All being well the four HT 180s should be available by around 2016.

Certainly I would be surprised if GC opted for anything other than more 180s as the advantages of operating one type of train for such a smaller operator must surely be significant.

 

[DarloRich]

The last I heard was that GC were eyeing up Hull Train's 180s as they appear to be some of the best both in terms of mechanical reliability and also interior condition. All being well the four HT 180s should be available by around 2016.

Certainly I would be surprised if GC opted for anything other than more 180s as the advantages of operating one type of train for such a smaller operator must surely be significant.

What will happen to Hull Trains?

I much prefer the HST

 

[ainsworth74]

What will happen to Hull Trains?

Well hopefully by then (2016ish) the route to Hull will be wired and HT will be operating a shiny fleet of EMUs (another rumor has it they're looking seriously at IEP). Obviously if that falls through then they won't be available and GC will have to look elsewhere but it's looking pretty much like a nailed on certainty now.

I much prefer the HST

Well yes but this is the modern and thrusting railway so there's no room for that 1970s rubbish *runs and hides*

 

[thedbdiboy]

The terminology in the original article is misleading - Grand Central are not a franchise. However, as an Open Access Operator to the rail network, they do require a track access contract with Network Rail, which is conditional on holding a suitable license to operate trains from the ORR. It would appear that it is the latter that has been extended for a further ten years.

 

[rebmcr]

What will happen to Hull Trains?

Wires?

 

[DarloRich]

Well hopefully by then (2016ish) the route to Hull will be wired and HT will be operating a shiny fleet of EMUs (another rumor has it they're looking seriously at IEP). Obviously if that falls through then they won't be available and GC will have to look elsewhere but it's looking pretty much like a nailed on certainty now.

Well yes but this is the modern and thrusting railway so there's no room for that 1970s rubbish *runs and hides*

The timescales seem tight. Is 18 months enougth to plan, resource, fund and instal the wires and procure the trains? I assume they will go over to IEP if the line goes electric.

I am all for new stuff - just make it nicer to ride in than the old stuff

 

[ainsworth74]

The timescales seem tight. Is 18 months enougth to plan, resource, fund and instal the wires and procure the trains? I assume they will go over to IEP if the line goes electric.

I'm not going to disagree with you but that's the plan. In terms of funding it's already in place (and it's mostly local funding) the only hold up was getting the DfT to agree/fund GRIP stage 3 (option selection) and that happened back in March I believe. So unless that throws up something really unexpected it should happen it's just a question of if they can make it happen in the aggressive timescale that's been set.

 

[deltabravo]

Now officially confirmed: http://www.arriva.co.uk/media_centre/press_releases/2014/august/07-aug-2014.aspx?sc_lang=en

 

[swt_passenger]

As well as the ex Hull Trains 180s aren't the 5 FGW units becoming available as well, at least in similar timescales. FGW's 180s could well be replaced indirectly by EMUs that already exist (releasing Turbos onto the Cotswold routes), whereas the HT sets need new 125 stock to be found.

 

[yorksrob]

Definately good news.

GC has often gotten me out of a spot when the fare offerings of incumbent operators have been decidedly uninspiring.

Sad about the HST's though.

 

[SeanG]

GC HSTs have some of the best interiors around.
Conversely, the one GC 180 I have been on had the worst