East Coast Takeover set

[OMGitsDAVE]

The DfT has now announced a takeover date: 12/12/09

The National Express East Coast franchise is set to be taken over by the Department for Transport on 12 December, a move which the RMT union says should not be reversed.

An internal briefing from the DfT seen by Railnews has confirmed not only the likely date, but also that another franchisee is unlikely to take control before mid-2011.

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2009/11/03-east-coast-handover-will-be.html

Opinions/Facts?

 

[MCR247]

Interesting as 2 of NXECs last 3 GNER PCs were just repainted

 

[90019]

Do we know which train will be the last one operated by NXEC?

 

[jamesontheroad]

Do we know which train will be the last one operated by NXEC?

Ooops. Self edit. 11 December is a Friday, not a Saturday.

A number of trains run Friday night into Saturday morning, so take your pick:

1750 GLC - KGX (arr. 0015)
1950 GLC - YRK (arr. 0016)
2100 KGX - NCL (arr. 0041)
2200 KGX - YRK (arr. 0041)
2330 KGX - LDS (arr. 0237)

Presumably the first DOT-operated train will be the 0050 YRK-NCL (arr. 0223). So if you want to take the last and the first, perhaps the 2200 KGX - YRK (or 1950 GLC - YRK) and then the 0050 YRK - NCL.

If you fancy making a trip, there are still some £9 promo fares available on all of these three trains!

 

[Pumbaa]

We knew it was the Dec TT change, so no surprise really, but the fact it's the Saturday is surprising... Aren't TT changes usually Sunday?

 

[MCR247]

The TT change is on a Sunday AFAIK, 13th

 

[Pumbaa]

It's near enough I suppose

 

[jamesontheroad]

The TT change is on a Sunday AFAIK, 13th

Perhaps its an error in the press release, and 12 Dec is the end of NXEC operations, 13 Dec beginning of DOT...

 

[Dewedin]

What brand will the Department be operating the franchise under?

East Coast Railways or something like that?

 

[jamesontheroad]

What brand will the Department be operating the franchise under?

East Coast Railways or something like that?

See the link in the OP.

 

[MCR247]

OMG that is horrible

 

[starrymarkb]

So much like Southeastern they are retaining the basic livery with a new Logo - hence repaints will continue - just will lack NX branding

 

[ukrob]

See the link in the OP.

OMG that is horrible

Horrible?

It is better than having what is predominantly a bus company plastered on the side of a train.

 

[37401]

so are we still going to the the NXEC livery with EAST COAST slapped over it Like London Silverlink Overground or will they have a full livery change

 

[ukrob]

so are we still going to the the NXEC livery with EAST COAST slapped over it Like London Silverlink Overground or will they have a full livery change

Is the picture in the article not a clue?

 

[Swift-Deere]

You think they would have a new livery
i say bring back IC swallow livery!!!

 

[Darandio]

so are we still going to the the NXEC livery with EAST COAST slapped over it Like London Silverlink Overground or will they have a full livery change

Unless you would like millions more of taxpayers money spent repainting the whole fleet into another new livery for everyone to complain about?

 

[dk1]

I think DoR have got it pretty much right. After all it will only exist for under two years so big changes will not be worthwhile. It will be a very swift move to remove NX from trains leaving just the 'East Coast' legend. To me that sounds much better for a train operator than having the confusing National Express in the title which no matter what anybody says still throws up visions of a coach operator in peoples minds & does nothing for branding the service.

 

[Old Timer]

Ooops. Self edit. 11 December is a Friday, not a Saturday.

A number of trains run Friday night into Saturday morning, so take your pick:

1750 GLC - KGX (arr. 0015)
1950 GLC - YRK (arr. 0016)
2100 KGX - NCL (arr. 0041)
2200 KGX - YRK (arr. 0041)
2330 KGX - LDS (arr. 0237)

Presumably the first DOT-operated train will be the 0050 YRK-NCL (arr. 0223). So if you want to take the last and the first, perhaps the 2200 KGX - YRK (or 1950 GLC - YRK) and then the 0050 YRK - NCL.

If you fancy making a trip, there are still some £9 promo fares available on all of these three trains!

The takeover will happen when all train services are completed, as you cannot operate under two different operators.

I suspect formal transfer will be about 0400

 

[The North Briton]

Perhaps its an error in the press release, and 12 Dec is the end of NXEC operations, 13 Dec beginning of DOT...

That would make sense, as the trains will be on depot longer on the Saturday night to sort out the remaining branding issues. So the last NXEC-operated train would be the 2030 Kings Cross to Newcastle, arriving 2346. Although why anyone would want the honour of travelling on the last NXEC service is beyond me...

 

[Oswyntail]

....Although why anyone would want the honour of travelling on the last NXEC service is beyond me...

To sample the highly motivated customer service for the last time?

 

[Z12XE]

NX Press Release states handover at 2359 on 13th November 2009

....
In order to effect the handover from NXEC to DOR, the DfT issued a termination notice after the markets closed last night and as a result, the operation of the NXEC franchise will transfer to DOR at 23.59 on 13th November 2009.

 

[dk1]

Would imagine several hangovers next weekend as the staff celebrate the passing of the dreadful NX.

 

[attics26]

nice early xmas prezzy

 

[asylumxl]

Would imagine several hangovers next weekend as the staff celebrate the passing of the dreadful NX.

Oh yes, I'm sure the government, probably the most mizerly organisation in the Uk, will be a much better employer. Job cuts and cost cutting for all!

 

[Failed Unit]

Would imagine several hangovers next weekend as the staff celebrate the passing of the dreadful NX.

The passengers will be celebrating as well! Good ridence to a dreadful operator, just hope they don't come back! I was celebrating hard when they lost the East Midlands franchise only to return with the same **** on the East Coast. Hopefully free of them forever now!

 

[jopsuk]

The takeover will happen when all train services are completed, as you cannot operate under two different operators.

I suspect formal transfer will be about 0400

It looks like oyu may be wrong on this point, as the franchise has been announced as being terminated at 11:59pm on the 13th November, with DoR taking over with immediate effect.

 

[The North Briton]

Interesting! So there will be, I believe four trains which will depart under the old franchise and arrive after the transfer has taken effect! Perhaps the crews will make some kind of announcement en route, trying to keep their barely-contained glee and relief in check.

 

[amn140174]

Just out of interest can anyone make out the web address on that photo.

Dont think its www.eastcoast.co.uk as that is owned by a uk individual by the name of Paul Gentleman.

Ant

 

[90019]

Do we know which train will be the last one operated by NXEC?

Going to chage that slightly, can anyone tell me what the last NXEC train to leave Waverley will be?