London to Wick direct

[Techniquest]

There's not been a FGW service to Fishguard for just a little short of 5 years now. This was another of those services I missed by a few months when I moved to Swansea (the VXC service out of Swansea was the other) in September 2003. I think by the time it came back to the time FGW usually ran to Fishguard, they'd given up with it. That or I just wasn't aware of it at the time until September 2004 by when I'd learnt a lot more about the services around me and of course missed Fishguard. Still, it's a job for Random Railtours one day...

 

[me123]

I wonder if there'd be demand for long-distance services to Cardiff and Swansea, such as Nottingham and Edinburgh, just a few times a day by XC. It also gets Gloucester back in the XC network.

 

[P156KWJ]

Maybe a Leeds - Sheffiled - Nottingham - Skegness could be a possibilty, i believe they tried this once with a pair of 150's in the early 90's.

Seems to me that there is the possibilty for a lot of open access routes. Picked could time to start this thread like right in the middle of a reccession, none of these idea's will ever get past the forum, but its good to throw idea's around.

oh this really is getting silly now, are you just thinking of two random places for the sake of it? It's like me saying that it'd be good if we had triple headed class 14s that were regeared for 125mph working running with a mixture of mk1s and mk4s with a Parry People mover in the middle that was convereted for a buffet and fitted with chain couplings. Oh don't forget the class 14s will have dellners and a pantograph fitted just incase they fail (very likely) from Sleaford-Grantham-Peterborough-Melton-Leicester-Water Orton-Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International-Milton Keynes-Bletchley-Bedford-Leicester-Nottingham-Mansfield-Worksop!!!

 

[90019]

It'd be good if we had triple headed class 14s that were regeared for 125mph working running with a mixture of mk1s and mk4s with a Parry People mover in the middle that was convereted for a buffet and fitted with chain couplings. Oh don't forget the class 14s will have dellners and a pantograph fitted just incase they fail (very likely) from Sleaford-Grantham-Peterborough-Melton-Leicester-Water Orton-Birmingham New Street-Birmingham International-Milton Keynes-Bletchley-Bedford-Leicester-Nottingham-Mansfield-Worksop!!!

Genius!

 

[curly42]

Just to put another nail in the coffin of the London - Wick proposal,I imagine that the Inverness crew (booking on at approx. 15.30ish) will lodge overnight at Wick (20.20 arrival) and then work the 10.40 service to Inverness the following day.I'll have that job on a regular basis!!!
On a similar theme,the crew working the train from London (Dep. Euston 09.06) get to Carlisle at 11.40 - what do they do then ? Would this be a Carlisle crew returning from overnight in London or a London crew then looking for a train back home ?
Whatever way you cut it,the cost in traincrew alone is going to be astronomical.

 

[Waverley125]

hate to correct you, but there's no direct service (that i know of) between Leeds & Rothermam. XC services either go Wakefield-sheffield or Wakefield-Dcaster-Sheffield, while northern services go via Wakefield Kirkgate.

 

[Mojo]

hate to correct you, but there's no direct service (that i know of) between Leeds & Rothermam. XC services either go Wakefield-sheffield or Wakefield-Dcaster-Sheffield, while northern services go via Wakefield Kirkgate.

The hourly Leeds to Sheffield (Northern) services call at Rotherham Central.

 

[Techniquest]

I wonder if there'd be demand for long-distance services to Cardiff and Swansea, such as Nottingham and Edinburgh, just a few times a day by XC. It also gets Gloucester back in the XC network.

Gloucester has always been on the XC network, with a daily Cardiff to Newcastle and vice-versa service. Gloucester also gets an hourly XC service to/from Nottingham and Cardiff

 

[metrocammel]

What's the name of your open access company, Great Stoat Railways?


Epic fail.

That made me lol.

While we're on the topic of 'GSR' services,

How's about an Open Access operator Wick - Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh (reverse) - Inverness - Aberdeen - Edinburgh - Fort William (reverse) - Glasgow Queen St (reverse)- Edinburgh- Carlisle (via the Waverley route )- Newcastle - Sunderland - Middlesbough - Whitby - Scarborough (via Robin Hoods Bay line) - York - wherever

All in under 2hours, utilising class 26s for the Scottish non electrified bits, then a class 84s for the electrified bits, then whatever is available on Gateshead depot for the Sunderland - York bit

The stock will be mk1s, modified with B10 bogies and capable of 150mph working on the ECML sections.

Does that plan sound good, Lilloaf?

 

[tbtc]

There's a few *sensible* links that could be introduced/ reintroduced, but few that are mentioned in this thread!

Liverpool to North Wales/ Cardiff/ Bristol/ South Coast?

Northern England to Cambridge/ Stanstead?

Edinburgh to Inverclyde/ Ayrshire/ West Highlands?

Edinburgh/ Glasgow to Blackpool/ Liverpool? (Glasgow to Blackpool has been mentioned)

Bristol - Didcot - Oxford - Coventry - Nuneaton - Leicester - Nottingham - Newark Castle - Doncaster - Hull? (bit random, and may need chord at Newark, but would add a few missing links through "Middle England")

 

[me123]

Gloucester has always been on the XC network, with a daily Cardiff to Newcastle and vice-versa service. Gloucester also gets an hourly XC service to/from Nottingham and Cardiff

I mean the proper XC network, not that silly Nottingham line

 

[tbtc]

That made me lol.

While we're on the topic of 'GSR' services,

How's about an Open Access operator Wick - Inverness - Kyle of Lochalsh (reverse) - Inverness - Aberdeen - Edinburgh - Fort William (reverse) - Glasgow Queen St (reverse)- Edinburgh- Carlisle (via the Waverley route )- Newcastle - Sunderland - Middlesbough - Whitby - Scarborough (via Robin Hoods Bay line) - York - wherever

All in under 2hours, utilising class 26s for the Scottish non electrified bits, then a class 84s for the electrified bits, then whatever is available on Gateshead depot for the Sunderland - York bit

The stock will be mk1s, modified with B10 bogies and capable of 150mph working on the ECML sections.

Does that plan sound good, Lilloaf?

Sounds excellent, will the 26s be in Rail Frieght livery? Or, if in Rail Blue, can you confirm what "logo" they'll have? A Highland Stag?

Best idea of the thread

 

[Techniquest]

Maybe so, but like I say we've had (since 2004 at least!) a daily Cardiff to Newcastle and return and still got it

 

[me123]

Edinburgh to Inverclyde/ Ayrshire/ West Highlands?

Not much demand from Edinburgh-Ayrshire; a transfer at Glasgow isn't a bad deal for travellers. But the Airdrie-Bathgate Route and Crossrail could make this a reality and theoretical possibility.

Edinburgh/ Glasgow to Blackpool/ Liverpool? (Glasgow to Blackpool has been mentioned)

I think there would be demand to Blackpool, but Virgin provide more than an hourly service and TPE are there as well. Glasgow-Preston is easy enough and there's lots of trains to Blackpool from there. The need to reverse as well makes this seemingly fantastic route more difficult to justify.

Dunno about Liverpool either, but it would be a valuable link.

 

[90019]

Sounds excellent, will the 26s be in Rail Frieght livery? Or, if in Rail Blue, can you confirm what "logo" they'll have? A Highland Stag?

Best idea of the thread

Coaches need to be a mix of mk1, mk2s of all types, and mk3s

Also, I think 3 26s on the front and a DBSO on the back for good luck

I think the 26s should be painted in Wessex pink, with the coaches a mix of intercity swallow, First barbie and dynamic lines, NXEC and 'One' liveries

 

[me123]

Maybe so, but like I say we've had (since 2004 at least!) a daily Cardiff to Newcastle and return and still got it

I can't find it... :?

It's not a freight train, is it?

 

[Techniquest]

Nooooo, should be the 0700 Cardiff Central to Newcastle and 1621 return. I've not got easy access to the AXC timetable for the route so can't confirm it, but I'm pretty sure that's them.

EDIT: Looking on the NXEC Mixing Deck, the 0700 from CDF does not call at Gloucester anymore. Dreadful.

 

[tbtc]

Not much demand from Edinburgh-Ayrshire; a transfer at Glasgow isn't a bad deal for travellers. But the Airdrie-Bathgate Route and Crossrail could make this a reality and theoretical possibility

I agree it's not a guaranteed winner, but it's a link that is used by those trying to justify a "Glasgow Crossrail" sometimes. Plus, if the Falkirk High line is electrified, it may be easier.

Compared to some suggestions on this thread though, it's a world beater, since the train would be busy from Edinburgh to Glasgow and from Glasgow to Inverclyde/ Ayrshire regardless of through passengers.

There used to be an hourly CityLink coach to them both (500/501), but now all stop at Glasgow.

I think there would be demand to Blackpool, but Virgin provide more than an hourly service and TPE are there as well. Glasgow-Preston is easy enough and there's lots of trains to Blackpool from there. The need to reverse as well makes this seemingly fantastic route more difficult to justify.

Dunno about Liverpool either, but it would be a valuable link.

You could fill a Pendolino taking Glaswegians to Blackpool during the summer "fair fortnight", no danger. I agree that there's a decent service from Edinburgh/ Glasgow/ Blackpool/ Liverpool to Preston (though Liverpool could have more) though.

 

[Craig]

Nooooo, should be the 0700 Cardiff Central to Newcastle and 1621 return. I've not got easy access to the AXC timetable for the route so can't confirm it, but I'm pretty sure that's them.

Don't think they run any more, the 0700 is to Manchester now.

 

[tbtc]

Coaches need to be a mix of mk1, mk2s of all types, and mk3s

Also, I think 3 26s on the front and a DBSO on the back for good luck

I think the 26s should be painted in Wessex pink, with the coaches a mix of intercity swallow, First barbie and dynamic lines, NXEC and 'One' liveries

Is there a Motorail facility for this route?

Will there be Sleeping cars?

Will the buffet do Tunnocks Teacakes?

 

[Techniquest]

Aye, so a search reveals. Shame that.

 

[Mojo]

Even when the 0700 ex-CDF went to Edinburgh (as it did since Sept) or Newcastle (as it did before) it didn't go to Gloucester, at least since Sept 2007.

 

[me123]

It's not in the timetables or the NXEC journey planner...

EDIT: Everyone beat me to it!

 

[Mojo]

The 0615 Temple Meads to Edinburgh calls at Gloucester, as does the 1607 Manchester to Temple Meads.

 

[90019]

Is there a Motorail facility for this route?

Yes, there shall be 2 cartics just behind the locos, with the coaches behind them.

Will there be Sleeping cars?

There will be some sleepers spread randomly throughout the consist.

Will the buffet do Tunnocks Teacakes?

Yes, it shall do Caramel Wafers too

The coaches shall be set up with a DBSO at one end and a DVT on the other, so the locos and cartics can be on either end

 

[Mintona]

Was gonna say, it is the 0615 from Bristol that calls at Glouester, not the 0700.

 

[curly42]

The 0615 Temple Meads to Edinburgh calls at Gloucester, as does the 1607 Manchester to Temple Meads.

That's what we were left with after Virgins Operation Princess debacle - along with several other places Gloucester was taken off the XC route,although running times remained the same so as to improve Virgins performance figures.This resulted in the ludicrous situation of trains on time standing at various places (Bristol especially) for anything up to 15 minutes.

 

[metrocammel]

Sounds excellent, will the 26s be in Rail Frieght livery? Or, if in Rail Blue, can you confirm what "logo" they'll have? A Highland Stag?

Best idea of the thread

Yes, Rail Blue with the Highland Rail logo!

I assume you'll be willing to invest in this little' venture then??

 

[Techniquest]

The 0615 Temple Meads to Edinburgh calls at Gloucester, as does the 1607 Manchester to Temple Meads.

Ah yes, I recall the 0615 BRI - EDB has for seemingly ever, although I swear it was the 1621 NCL - CDF that made the GCR call. It always looked (and possibly still does!) look bizarre to see an 1818 and 1822 to Cardiff Central at Cheltenham Spa. The latter being the run with the Voyager, but what sounds even more bizarre is when it advises passengers to listen for further announcements about the trains. Maybe it's just me!

 

[GNERman]

Grand Central are doing a good job now - can we please forget about the past!
Anyway London-Nottingham wouldn't work because there are too many on the MML.