Another fantastic day with Avanti

[RunRepeat]

If you're hard faced and just get on the train as soon as you have the opportunity then the onboard crews don't seem to mind. It's the Euston based lot who chase everyone back behind the gates and generally give the place a bad rep.

The turnaround cleaning operation at Euston runs on a very tight schedule. Allowing the cleaning teams to do their job as unhindered as possible is vital. On top of this, there are occasionally very late set swaps, you'd definitely appreciate being on the correct train.

 

[The Prisoner]

Chester to Euston Avanti watch.....

0620 (0448 ex Holyhead) ran, but 19 late in Euston - will assume that is weather related
0732 (0549 ex Holyhead) terminates short @ Crewe
0919 running
1032 (0853 ex Holyhead) running around 15 late
1232 Cancelled throughout (1002 Euston to Chester also cancelled coming in)
1432 (1246 ex Holyhead) terminates short at Chester
1532 and 1632 (1449 ex Holyhead) allegedly running

Assuming that the 1532 and 1632 run 3 out of 8 services won't make it to Euston and there is a gap from 1032 til at least 1532 for a direct train. From Holyhead 2/4 won't make it to London.

As many others have said....don't intro the services if you can't run them. And before someone fires back that we shouldn't judge on the first weekday do we really expect it to improve?

 

[peter166]

So much for the much quoted 'robust rosters ' that Avanti have been promising for the new timetable !

Avanti West Coast JourneyCheck - Train times and live real time delay/cancellation/disruption information.

Avanti West Coast JourneyCheck provides real time, up-to-date train times and train disruption information keeping you informed about any delays or cancellations on the network and helping you know what to do when your journey is affected. Train Cancellations, Delays, Alterations and...

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[Bletchleyite]

Quite. Overoptimistic?

I'd have gone for optimising rosters for the 4tph timetable myself, or a version of it, plus with a wholly self contained second Manchester and Birmingham (and potentially a self contained Preston-Glasgow) which could be put in once they were sure they could staff them.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

So much for the much quoted 'robust rosters ' that Avanti have been promising for the new timetable !

To be fair, some of the cancellations might be due to crew unable to get to work on time. A quick check at Transport for London shows severe delays and part suspensions on several lines.

 

[peter166]

To be fair, some of the cancellations might be due to crew unable to get to work on time. A quick check at Transport for London shows severe delays and part suspensions on several lines.

0525 & 0843 from Liverpool both cancelled ( originate from Edge Hill depot )

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Just 3 out of 20 departures from Manchester to Euston cancelled so far up to 1115.
2 of these go via Birmingham, neither was cancelled.

 

[Grumpy Git]

I was on the delayed Avanti 1F29 16:33 from Euston to Liverpool on Saturday.

It was due to arrive at 18:57 (just in time to fall into the Crown for the KO of the England France game I had hoped), but it was at least 31 minutes late, however, on RTT, the delay is showing as only 29 minutes (actual arrival time 19:26¾). How on earth do Avanti get away with timing arrivals to the nearest 15 seconds? There is no way on earth that train arrived less than 30 minutes late, but I guess its saved Avanti a shed-load of Delay Repay?

Incidentally, non of the planned timings on RTT are shown to the nearest 15 seconds, only to the nearest 30 seconds, so surely the same should be applied to the ACTUAL timings?

 

[Jamesrob637]

A Cross Country train is stranded at Norton Bridge which could affect things.

 

[t_packer]

Just on the 1140 EUS BHM, already delayed and told at COV that no Avanti trains allowed into BHM as delayed and cancelled EUS-bound services occupying too many platforms. Advised us all to detrain for the LNWR stopper, and then we all watched on in horror as the original Avanti train departed ahead of us. How this company still has the franchise is beyond belief.

 

[Kite159]

I was on the delayed Avanti 1F29 16:33 from Euston to Liverpool on Saturday.

It was due to arrive at 18:57 (just in time to fall into the Crown for the KO of the England France game I had hoped), but it was at least 31 minutes late, however, on RTT, the delay is showing as only 29 minutes (actual arrival time 19:26¾). How on earth do Avanti get away with timing arrivals to the nearest 15 seconds? There is no way on earth that train arrived less than 30 minutes late, but I guess its saved Avanti a shed-load of Delay Repay?

Incidentally, non of the planned timings on RTT are shown to the nearest 15 seconds, only to the nearest 30 seconds, so surely the same should be applied to the ACTUAL timings?

At least you can get something back from being 15 minutes late, unlike on XC/LNER which are still on the 30 minute scheme

 

[D6130]

and then we all watched on in horror as the original Avanti train departed ahead of us.

Probably being moved to a siding to clear the running line for other services to pass....or running empty to Wolverhampton or Oxley depot via Bescot.

How this company still has the franchise is beyond belief.

I suspect that no other company would want to take it on in the present circumstances! The operator of last resort has already made it known that they don't have the administrative resources to take over yet another failing franchise. I suggest that you direct your understandable anger - via your MP - to this ridiculous excuse for a government who care not one jot about our railway system and its customers....and, by default, about long-term environmental consequences.

 

[The Prisoner]

Chester to Euston Avanti watch.....

0620 (0448 ex Holyhead) ran, but 19 late in Euston - will assume that is weather related
0732 (0549 ex Holyhead) terminates short @ Crewe
0919 running
1032 (0853 ex Holyhead) running around 15 late
1232 Cancelled throughout (1002 Euston to Chester also cancelled coming in)
1432 (1246 ex Holyhead) terminates short at Chester
1532 and 1632 (1449 ex Holyhead) allegedly running

Assuming that the 1532 and 1632 run 3 out of 8 services won't make it to Euston and there is a gap from 1032 til at least 1532 for a direct train. From Holyhead 2/4 won't make it to London.

As many others have said....don't intro the services if you can't run them. And before someone fires back that we shouldn't judge on the first weekday do we really expect it to improve?

I missed off the 1732, which is down to run, but the 1632 (1449 ex Holyhead) is now cancelled throughout due to staff shortages.

The 1302 Euston to Chester hasn't left at 1345, so I think that rules the 1532 return out as well.

Who would try and rely on this? 1/4 services will have made it from Holyhead (0448) and maybe 4/9 from Chester (0620, 0919, 1032 and possibly 1732) assuming the 1532 either doesn't set off, or more likely gets turned round at Crewe on it's way in as the 1302 ex EUS.

As a footnote the 1432 is showing as only being part cancelled Holyhead (1246) to Chester on National Rail, so is showing on their app as running and starting at Chester, but is fully cancelled on Avanti's journey checker.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Yes I paid about £25 on LNWR 1st class, nothing like that on Avanti.

To be fair, the 1st class on LNWR is nothing like that on Avanti and the only reason you get it is to avoid the possibility of a double /2 on the Crewe - Euston. Otherwise, the standard class offering is actually better. Hell, refurbished Avanti standard is better than LNWR first.

 

[jfollows]

Just on the 1140 EUS BHM, already delayed and told at COV that no Avanti trains allowed into BHM as delayed and cancelled EUS-bound services occupying too many platforms. Advised us all to detrain for the LNWR stopper, and then we all watched on in horror as the original Avanti train departed ahead of us. How this company still has the franchise is beyond belief.

9G18 11:40 Euston-New Street appears to have arrived at Coventry 12:53, 19 minutes late, platform 4, but left at 13:16, 40 minutes late, called at Birmingham International 13:26-13:27 and arrived in New Street 50 minutes late at 13:46.
No other service left Coventry for New Street after 1Y29 at 12:45 until 9G18 left at 13:16.

 

[Grumpy Git]

To be fair, the 1st class on LNWR is nothing like that on Avanti and the only reason you get it is to avoid the possibility of a double /2 on the Crewe - Euston. Otherwise, the standard class offering is actually better. Hell, refurbished Avanti standard is better than LNWR first.

The 09.33 Crewe-Euston LNWR on Saturday was a double /2.

Thank god I was only going as far as Tamworth as it was full and standing by Lichfield TV.

 

[peter166]

Not much of an improvement on what came before !

1343, 1643 & 1743 to Liverpool cancelled.

1943 & 2051 to London cancelled. Last train to London now 1843 !

All due to a shortage of train crew. Nothings changed. Its as bad as ever.

 

[Bletchleyite]

To be fair, the 1st class on LNWR is nothing like that on Avanti and the only reason you get it is to avoid the possibility of a double /2 on the Crewe - Euston. Otherwise, the standard class offering is actually better. Hell, refurbished Avanti standard is better than LNWR first.

/2s have some advantages if not full - the legroom in the bays of 6 is absolutely cavernous, about the same as the double legroom table at the cab end of 2+2 seated units.

 

[Mag_seven]

All due to a shortage of train crew. Nothings changed. Its as bad as ever.

I don't know where we got the idea that the traincrew situation was suddenly going to change overnight! This company really is taking the proverbial aren't they?

 

[Huntergreed]

How long before a return to a severely reduced timetable? Seems inevitable and sensible at the moment.

 

[londonmidland]

It seems a common theme of things starting off okay at start of service, for things to snowball into the afternoon and start of the evening peak.

Several delays are due to late inbound services. There also seems to be an increase of set failures and set swaps.

 

[The Planner]

9G18 11:40 Euston-New Street appears to have arrived at Coventry 12:53, 19 minutes late, platform 4, but left at 13:16, 40 minutes late, called at Birmingham International 13:26-13:27 and arrived in New Street 50 minutes late at 13:46.
No other service left Coventry for New Street after 1Y29 at 12:45 until 9G18 left at 13:16.

Put down to 1B35 (1047 New St Euston) having no driver.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

To be fair Avanti 1st is probably the best in the country in seat comfort terms and LNR an utter sham.

When they don't cram you all into one ten metre long space.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Chester to Euston Avanti watch.....

0620 (0448 ex Holyhead) ran, but 19 late in Euston - will assume that is weather related

This presumably ran with 5 cars throughout instead of 10 from Crewe, owing to the 05:30 Blackpool North to London Euston (221108) terminating at Preston due to no Driver.

221108 has ended up forming the 14:30 Euston to Glasgow, 5 cars instead of 11 on the last afternoon off peak service..

Yesterday's 09:30 ish Glasgow to London Euston was also 5 car 221 vice Pendolino.

 

[Bletchleyite]

When they don't cram you all into one ten metre long space.

I was as I pointed out above referring to the whole area of 2+1 seating, which I still see as "first class" even if there are multiple ways to access parts of it.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I don't know where we got the idea that the traincrew situation was suddenly going to change overnight! This company really is taking the proverbial aren't they?

I think Avanti always hinted that it would be into the new year before things improved.
Of 29 Manchester-London services today up to 1415, only 3 were cancelled.
But the next 3 in a row (1435, 1455, 1515) were cancelled, suggesting the service is beginning to fall apart.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think Avanti always hinted that it would be into the new year before things improved.
Of 29 Manchester-London services today up to 1415, only 3 were cancelled.
But the next 3 in a row (1435, 1455, 1515) were cancelled, suggesting the service is beginning to fall apart.

Going back to 3tph Manchester was nuts. If they thought they had enough drivers, 2 would have made more sense for now, even if they were just 2 of the 3 with a long and a short gap.

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

I'll be watching today's Holyhead(HHD) <---> Eustion(EUS) direct service. The new timetable advertised 5 direct trains per day.
In an interview, Avanti promised a new roster agreed with the unions that did not depend on rest day working.

Avanti have a new temporary timetable for today 12 December with 4 direct trains from London and 5 from Holyhead.

So far:

05:49 HHD to EUS terminates at Crewe(CRE) due to a shortage of train crew.
12:46 HHD to EUS terminates at Chester(CTR) due to shortage of train crew.

09:02 EUS to HHD delayed 42 minutes due to late crew arrival (perhaps due to poor weather in the southeast)

10:02 EUS to CTR cancled due to shortage of train crew.

12:32 CTR to EUS cancled due to shortage of train crew.


The 0530 Birmingham New Street to HHD was about 30 minutes late when it went by me at Llanfairpwll.



Not fantastic, but it could be far worse. I do feel for anyone who booked first class on the 05:49 or 12:46.

Updates:

14:49 HHD to EUS Cancelled due to shortage of train crew
15:02 EUS to HHD Cancelled due to shortage of train crew

Of the promised 5 direct trains only one or two two might run. The 17:02 Euston to Holyhead is still scheduled, but has three stops before Crewe.


15:32 Chester to Euston started from Crewe.

Transport for Wales (TfW) are not having the best day either. There is a signal boxed closed due to shortage of staff closing the Borderlands line. Several cancellations because "More than usual number of trains require repairs."

My (TfW) ride home will be delayed by six minutes. TfW cancled the original service and replaced it with an additional STP (Short Term Plan) Shrewsbury to Holyhead. It just left Prestatyn "on time"

 

[frodshamfella]

To be fair, the 1st class on LNWR is nothing like that on Avanti and the only reason you get it is to avoid the possibility of a double /2 on the Crewe - Euston. Otherwise, the standard class offering is actually better. Hell, refurbished Avanti standard is better than LNWR first.

Its not, but you get a charging point and it's quiet . Avanti first isn't a patch on Virgin, and they don't offer decent fares in first the way Virgin did. Plus of course you never know if Avanti Will actually run. LNWR is more reliable on that count.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Its not, but you get a charging point and it's quiet . Avanti first isn't a patch on Virgin, and they don't offer decent fares in first the way Virgin did. Plus of course you never know if Avanti Will actually run. LNWR is more reliable on that count.

To be fair on fares (!) I think it's more that they're operating less than half their normal service so there are far fewer seats to flog off cheap.