Grand Central Discussion

[devon_metro]

Looks like awful english and they are actually talking about HSTs

 

[Danny Dire]

All running ok today though

 

[P156KWJ]

I can't wait to travel with GC, their meals sound nice

 

[voyagerdude220]

You should try Hull Trains meals- Probably the best restaurant train food i've ever had!

 

[yorkie]

Why did 1A62 take 31 minutes to get from Stevenage to Woolmer Green today? (should take about 2 minutes!) and it also took 25 minutes to get from Temple Hirst to Shaftholme, which should take about 5-6 minutes.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Shaftholme, ESR due to high water levels, along with the adverse weather.
Woolmer Green I believe there was a technical problem, but as I wasnt working I cant comment further!

 

[Donny Dave]

I did wonder why everything was crawling past Shaftholme earlier. Ta for clearing that up before I asked.

 

[diligentdave]

Why did 1A62 take 31 minutes to get from Stevenage to Woolmer Green today? (should take about 2 minutes!) and it also took 25 minutes to get from Temple Hirst to Shaftholme, which should take about 5-6 minutes.

31 mins Stevenage - Woolmer Green due to a T/Motor Contactor giving up the ghost in a cloud of smoke.

 

[yorkie]

31 mins Stevenage - Woolmer Green due to a T/Motor Contactor giving up the ghost in a cloud of smoke.

Take it you fixed it? I've seen 2 fitters on my GC trips so far, was one of them likely to be you? and is there always a fitter on board?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

we do have a riding fitter with us during the week. No, diligentdave doesn't go past York in the mornings!

 

[Jordy]

Wow thats good prepearation!

 

[richa2002]

Any news on any extra sets being ready? Running with one set really is risky.

 

[BOSCH]

Any news on any extra sets being ready? Running with one set really is risky.

No news yet Im afraid,dont think its too far away though(I hope !!).
It certainly is risky running with 1 set as past instances have proved that.

 

[diligentdave]

No news yet Im afraid,dont think its too far away though(I hope !!).
It certainly is risky running with 1 set as past instances have proved that.

I'm told that the second set is nearly complete.
That doesn't include power cars though!

Northern riding inspectors do York - KX returns.
I'm an insurance policy to York!

 

[class 313]

No news yet Im afraid,dont think its too far away though(I hope !!).
It certainly is risky running with 1 set as past instances have proved that.

You're avatar looks nothing like you

But I do hope GC get the stock soon. I also hope that GC will grow in the years to come.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm told that the second set is nearly complete.
That doesn't include power cars though!

Northern riding inspectors do York - KX returns.
I'm an insurance policy to York!

Though don't GC have two more power cars, or is that just one being 43084?

 

[s'land]

i was told on saturday when i went down to york from sunderland on Gc that hopefully the full service would start by the end of feb

 

[BOSCH]

Though don't GC have two more power cars, or is that just one being 43084?

At heaton at the moment there is 43065/67/68/80/84...43123 is yet to arrive but hopefully this wont be too long ! There are 2 full rakes and IIRC possibly part of rake 3 but dont quote me on the last bit,lol !!!

 

[class 313]

At heaton at the moment there is 43065/67/68/80/84...43123 is yet to arrive but hopefully this wont be too long ! There are 2 full rakes and IIRC possibly part of rake 3 but dont quote me on the last bit,lol !!!

Thanks for the update

 

[Techniquest]

Ta muchly for the gen there BOSCH. Having finally seen 43080 and 084 with Grand Central this morning, I'm so close to finishing the HST fleet for sight. Can't wait.

Seemed very quiet out of King's Cross they did mind!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

172 out of KGX on the 1650 140std and 32 in 1st. Not bad eh?!

 

[me123]

For a new service, you seem to be doing pretty well.

 

[theblackwatch]

172 out of KGX on the 1650 140std and 32 in 1st. Not bad eh?!

Was that the day the train ran as a 'CopEx'? Or is that the usual loading?

 

[BOSCH]

Was that the day the train ran as a 'CopEx'? Or is that the usual loading?

"CopEx was on the wednesday but the 1650 is now starting to become just that little bit more popular IMO,

 

[paul1609]

To be honest Bosch it was very unlikely that the 16.50 would ever be unpopular. The question really is whether a valuable peak hour path on the ECML should be used by a low capacity diesel train to Sunderland. I think the answer would depend on the number of through customers that Grand Central can attract from London to Stations beyond the ECML.
Hull trains to my mind can only make a very marginal case as the use of 4 car diesel trains on the ECML takes up capacity that is sorely needed.
I think Grand central should be allowed say 10 years to build up a market to beyond York of at least the equivalent number of passengers that Hull Trains attracts. If not the paths should be offered first to the main ECML franchisee.

 

[adambro]

I think Grand central should be allowed say 10 years to build up a market to beyond York of at least the equivalent number of passengers that Hull Trains attracts. If not the paths should be offered first to the main ECML franchisee.

How on earth are they going to build up a market if they're not given half decent paths?!

 

[djw1981]

AIUI NX do not have the additional stock for an additional northbound train at that time. Thus the GC train provides capacity (at the same speed) as far as York, if the GC service fills rapidly, the company could choose to keep the HSTs and run the Polaris trains as 2 units, and just lengthen the HSTs if stock is available, thus increasing capacity within that path.

 

[paul1609]

How on earth are they going to build up a market if they're not given half decent paths?!

Currently GC only have a track access agreement for 5 years. If the service is not sucessful there is no obligation for them to be given a further term. I think the current paths are pretty good.

 

[yorkie]

To be honest Bosch it was very unlikely that the 16.50 would ever be unpopular. The question really is whether a valuable peak hour path on the ECML should be used by a low capacity diesel train to Sunderland. I think the answer would depend on the number of through customers that Grand Central can attract from London to Stations beyond the ECML.
Hull trains to my mind can only make a very marginal case as the use of 4 car diesel trains on the ECML takes up capacity that is sorely needed.
I think Grand central should be allowed say 10 years to build up a market to beyond York of at least the equivalent number of passengers that Hull Trains attracts. If not the paths should be offered first to the main ECML franchisee.

But GC offer significantly more capacity than HT. I agree thaat HT use up valuable capacity and should be ordered to lengthen their trains or be stripped of their access rights.

But GC have been very sensible, using standard stock, meaning that if they run out of capacity, they may be able to add coaches.

And I am sure that, in 10 years time, GC will have at least as many passengers as HT has now, and am pleased to see you now think they deserve a chance!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I should add to those pax numbers that despite the 1630 being caped, there were only a couple of natex ticket holders on board, most had any permitted or GC only tickets.
We are picking up more and more all the time. We just need to get rakes 2 & £ out. Give us the trains and we'll do the rest!

 

[yorkie]

Presumably those people on NatEx only tickets got charged £39?