Grand Central Discussion

[richa2002]

My dad and I would like to travel from King's Cross to Sunderland on a Saturday soon but the fares all seem quite unclear. What is the best option for us considering I am still a child, he is eligible for a senior fare and we have a family railcard? Also, we would like to travel 1st class but the standard class fares for comparision would be good too if you don't mind!

As well as this, is there any update on when GC will be starting their restaurant service and Wi-Fi? I assume they do run a buffet currently?

Thanks

 

[voyagerdude220]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I would like to travel FC (16-25) between York, and Sunderland...

Why can't/don't GC simply upload the new fare structure, either onto their website, on the "Buy Tickets" page, or even better, make them available to buy via the GC online ticket booking system?

 

[Synergyman]

My dad and I would like to travel from King's Cross to Sunderland on a Saturday soon but the fares all seem quite unclear. What is the best option for us considering I am still a child, he is eligible for a senior fare and we have a family railcard? Also, we would like to travel 1st class but the standard class fares for comparision would be good too if you don't mind!

As well as this, is there any update on when GC will be starting their restaurant service and Wi-Fi? I assume they do run a buffet currently?

Thanks

WiFi is up and running. I'm posting this on the 16:50 ex KGX approaching Hartlepool around 5 min early.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Voyagerdude:- for FC simply double the fare...

Richard:- A FSR (First Saver Rtn) KGX-SUN is £99. Child rate should be half that. I think that the senior 'rate' is being discontinued due to the confusion it has caused, but Railcard discounts can now be applied (NOT 16-25/YP on FC, and IIRC NOT Fam on FC either) Will have to check in the morning. You can go through the booking process, but hit reset or cancel if you dont want to book!

 

[richa2002]

Thanks for that reply Sir Clagalot. It seems things have changed quite a bit since launch. Is the restaurant service up and running?

 

[Royston Vasey]

Came across this rare working on Youtube that you lot may not have seen - two of the HSTs on a multiple working (of sorts) at York, one rescuing the other. When it was recorded isn't quite clear, how long ago was this? You'd think these wouldn't be the 'Brush'ed' ones, so may have been a while ago. Why the working one was heading north in the early hours I'm not sure either, unless it was sent down specially as a Thunderbird!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3xwtZ4FDNc

Edit: Just seen this was posted already on the HST coupling thread - I'd say ignore me but I think everyone already has lol

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Restaurant... There is a 'Bistro' service on the 1650 most weeknights, and there are usually breakfasts/bacon baps on offer in the morning.

 

[theblackwatch]

Restaurant... There is a 'Bistro' service on the 1650 most weeknights, and there are usually breakfasts/bacon baps on offer in the morning.

I wish Grand Central would define 'soon', as their definition is several months different to mine! The website has said since launch The restaurant service will be launched soon.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Just like WSMR keep stating on their website, that "They will upload their menus very soon" , or something to that extent, to allow customers to see what products they offer in the buffet, and FC.

 

[theblackwatch]

Just like WSMR keep stating on their website, that "They will upload their menus very soon" , or something to that extent, to allow customers to see what products they offer in the buffet, and FC.

At least WSMR's 'soon' hasn't been as long as Grand Central (well, not yet anyway!).

 

[voyagerdude220]

Maybe they're having a competition?

 

[richa2002]

Restaurant... There is a 'Bistro' service on the 1650 most weeknights, and there are usually breakfasts/bacon baps on offer in the morning.

Blimey, quite basic then, are the bare essentials of tea and coffee available on all trains?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

There'd be a mutiny if there wasn't tea and coffee on board!! (that's just us, never mind the pax!!)

 

[bobslack1982]

I think the service is a great idea but some of the passengers ruin the experience.

A few weeks ago I got on and there was very nearly a fight - someone didn't have a ticket or something and started on the poor ticket collector. Then someone defending her honour waded in and almost started a riot. I believe he did actually use the phrase "Are you looking at me".

On a different note, is the service now fully up to speed? I would use it every week if only it arrived in York an hour earlier than 18:47!

 

[richa2002]

There'd be a mutiny if there wasn't tea and coffee on board!! (that's just us, never mind the pax!!)

, good to hear.

 

[Synergyman]

I think the service is a great idea but some of the passengers ruin the experience.

A few weeks ago I got on and there was very nearly a fight - someone didn't have a ticket or something and started on the poor ticket collector. Then someone defending her honour waded in and almost started a riot. I believe he did actually use the phrase "Are you looking at me".

On a different note, is the service now fully up to speed? I would use it every week if only it arrived in York an hour earlier than 18:47!

Those sorts of passengers are not confined to Grand Central. I've come across them all over the UK unfortunately. What interests me is the standard of customer service among GC front line staff which in my experience is second to none at present. Quite an achievement given the problems they have had.

 

[williamn]

Looks like the last train of the day to London was cancelled today.

 

[theblackwatch]

Looks like the last train of the day to London was cancelled today.

Yes, I was at York and observed that the 17.30 Sunderland-King's Cross was cancelled. Presumably this means the 08.04 off London will also be cancelled. I also noticed that the 16.50 King's Cross-Sunderladn was a vehicle short (only one TF instead of 2).

 

[BOSCH]

43068 put a "leg out" last nite unfortunately so I'm led to believe !

 

[Jordy]

:roll: Here we go again

No, i'm not having a go at GC its just a shame to see that nothing can go right for them!

 

[richa2002]

43068 put a "leg out" last nite unfortunately so I'm led to believe !

Oh dear, do GC have any spare power cars to cover it?

 

[class 313]

43068 put a "leg out" last nite unfortunately so I'm led to believe !

Talk about not having it easy. :neutral:

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Slightly OT here, but anyone know why there was a 91 running blunt end first at the North end of a Leeds train sat in P4 at Peterborough this morning (bout 0850ish)? I think it may have been the 0735 KGX-LDS. Noticed it as we came through on the 0804!

 

[1D53]

Been like that for a couple of weeks now!

 

[Donny Dave]

When did NXEC and Grand Central start working together? hock:

43068 was towed to Craigentinny earlier hock: hock: hock:

Presumably it's gone for an engine swap.

 

[class 313]

When did NXEC and Grand Central start working together? hock:

43068 was towed to Craigentinny earlier hock: hock: hock:

Presumably it's gone for an engine swap.

what's this I see!?

*over the hill*

MTU froth everywhere.

 

[Donny Dave]

Who said anything about MTU? :?

If you read back a few posts to where BOSCH last posted, you'll see that he said that 43068 put a leg out. Now if it was going for an MTU, would it be going North to Craigentinny?

By engine swap, I meant the dead valenta ripped out, and another dropped in it's place.

 

[richa2002]

what's this I see!?

*over the hill*

MTU froth everywhere.

I think it'll be getting a Valenta replacement.

 

[class 313]

I know I know.

But others may jump to the conclusion that its going for an MTU fitting which it isn't.

 

[Donny Dave]

So when did Craigentinny start doing MTU conversions along with Brush? :?