Grand Central Discussion

[spoony]

Such a pity, travelled fine on the 13.22 York - Sunderland run yesterday

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

The 0804 did NOT fail at PBO... Cable theft Newark-Donny yesterday morning. Pax were deposited at PBO and it ran ECS via Lincoln. The 1650 left KGX at 1739 (I was the gaurd), having gone to HPL with pax to meet the stock off the 0804 there and start from there. NXEC services were picking up delays of 90mins, the 0641 got away with only 45 mins southbound, and the 1127 was just about on time throughout.

 

[1D53]

Ah sorry about that, I was misinformed

Why didnt the 0804 take the passengers via Lincoln? Only think I can think of is that the driver signed the route but the guard didn't?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

you are correct in that assumption! Driver signed route but not guard, so DOO/ECS it had to go unfortunately. I believe NXEC carried the pax.

 

[spoony]

In terms of passenger numbers how many do GC need to carry each journey to break even?

 

[Ben]

In terms of passenger numbers how many do GC need to carry each journey to break even?

I doubt you will find that out, commercially sensitive.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I really dont know that one! Though I did hear a figure of 40% of seats taken per train for it to break even, not sure if that was being applied to GC or not.

 

[spoony]

I really dont know that one! Though I did hear a figure of 40% of seats taken per train for it to break even, not sure if that was being applied to GC or not.

I hope not as when ever travelled it seems to be never more than 10% full Really hope it works out for you lot

 

[Techniquest]

With regards to that run having to be ECS via Lincoln, does this mean GC won't be running via Lincoln on the 8th of November?

I can only hope that won't be the case, I don't fancy NXEC MTUs that way...:-x

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I think we are going via Lincoln, but not sure of the route south of Sleaford. I sign the route though...

 

[Spaceflower]

Regarding GC passenger numbers, I was walking the dog along the East Durham line last night near Hawthorn and was lucky enough to see the train pass by heading south at around 1800. It only consisted of about 4 carraiges and looked about 5% full! Had me wondering just how long they can stay in business!

 

[spoony]

Regarding GC passenger numbers, I was walking the dog along the East Durham line last night near Hawthorn and was lucky enough to see the train pass by heading south at around 1800. It only consisted of about 4 carraiges and looked about 5% full! Had me wondering just how long they can stay in business!

My thoughts exactly. I hope they are ok because its a service I would rather use than goin to newcastle

 

[yorkie]

Regarding GC passenger numbers, I was walking the dog along the East Durham line last night near Hawthorn and was lucky enough to see the train pass by heading south at around 1800. It only consisted of about 4 carraiges and looked about 5% full! Had me wondering just how long they can stay in business!

Is that the 1730 ex-SUN? That train always seems to be lightly loaded.

I blame their ticket pricing strategy - which is a farce IMO

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

FOUR coaches... I should hope not!! or were you ignoring the buffet?

Yorkie, pop into the office and discuss it with management, I'm sure they would like to hear your views.

 

[spoony]

FOUR coaches... I should hope not!! or were you ignoring the buffet?

Yorkie, pop into the office and discuss it with management, I'm sure they would like to hear your views.

Actually when I was in York I stumbled across the GC offices, thought of popping in and asking for a job

 

[Techniquest]

I think we are going via Lincoln, but not sure of the route south of Sleaford. I sign the route though...

Ta muchly, here's hoping there's GC via Lincoln and Spalding on the 8th!

As for 4 coaches on a GC set, I should hope not too, otherwise it would be a cape at York (what with being speed restricted due to brake forces and looped everywhere)!

 

[williamn]

Think there have been some cancellations today...

 

[Spaceflower]

As for 4 coaches on a GC set, I should hope not too, otherwise it would be a cape at York

Yes Ok, Ok, no need to keep going on about it.... I must of miscounted, I was more interested in looking for hotties in the train, Ok?

By the way, what do you mean cape. What's wrong with 4 coaches?

 

[Royston Vasey]

Yes Ok, Ok, no need to keep going on about it.... I must of miscounted, I was more interested in looking for hotties in the train, Ok?

By the way, what do you mean cape. What's wrong with 4 coaches?

Yeah I thought that... have seen pics of a FGW HST with only 2 coaches, running in place of a DMU (albeit not at 125mph I would guess). Why would this speed restrict the consist? Do the coaches provide a disproportionately large amount of brake force c.f. the power cars, something like that? And I didn't get your "looped everywhere" comment either Techniquest!!

 

[1D53]

Speed limited to about 80 or 100 I think due to problems with brakeforce.

 

[Spaceflower]

Ok, techniquest makes sense now. I take it 5 coaches is OK then?

 

[andylloyd]

Seen 065 with 068 on this afternoons ECS to Heaton and back.
Got a nice tone too from the driver on his way back to Heaton from Newcastle
Cheers folks
Andy

 

[Techniquest]

Ok, techniquest makes sense now. I take it 5 coaches is OK then?

I'm told 5 coaches is OK, 4 not so. Just that happened to a mate's mate a while ago, arrived into York from the north and it was announced that it would be cancelled. Due to the much lower speeds and the tight pathing, it would have to be looped everywhere to avoid clogging up the rest of the NXEC and other stuff behind it.

 

[BOSCH]

Seen 065 with 068 on this afternoons ECS to Heaton and back.
Got a nice tone too from the driver on his way back to Heaton from Newcastle
Cheers folks
Andy

Twas me my friend !!!

 

[williamn]

I passed the 11.27 at KX yesterday as it was about to leave - I reckon about 75 people on board. Train was a bit of a mess - declassified FO instead on a standard coach and the buffet carriage seemed to be in darkness.

I haven't travelled on GC but from what I understand the on board service is very good - it seems that where they need to really up their game is their marketing and off-train customer service. Their website is awful - and most of it still talks as if the service hasn't started yet - in comparison Wrexham and Shropshire's is very slick. It would only take a short time to update it.

And it seems their customer support is lacking - see this:

http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk...ral-rail-the-response-your-still-waiting-for/

 

[richa2002]

I passed the 11.27 at KX yesterday as it was about to leave - I reckon about 75 people on board. Train was a bit of a mess - declassified FO instead on a standard coach and the buffet carriage seemed to be in darkness.

I haven't travelled on GC but from what I understand the on board service is very good - it seems that where they need to really up their game is their marketing and off-train customer service. Their website is awful - and most of it still talks as if the service hasn't started yet - in comparison Wrexham and Shropshire's is very slick. It would only take a short time to update it.

And it seems their customer support is lacking - see this:

http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk...ral-rail-the-response-your-still-waiting-for/

That article is 5 months old now so quite unfair. Every time I've e-mailed them, they've replied very quickly within a day!

I really must get myself on Grand Central soon for some Valenta noise!

 

[spoony]

I passed the 11.27 at KX yesterday as it was about to leave - I reckon about 75 people on board. Train was a bit of a mess - declassified FO instead on a standard coach and the buffet carriage seemed to be in darkness.

I haven't travelled on GC but from what I understand the on board service is very good - it seems that where they need to really up their game is their marketing and off-train customer service. Their website is awful - and most of it still talks as if the service hasn't started yet - in comparison Wrexham and Shropshire's is very slick. It would only take a short time to update it.

And it seems their customer support is lacking - see this:

http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk...ral-rail-the-response-your-still-waiting-for/

Cant disagree with that mate. Ive travelled a few times with GC now and always enjoyed my trips

 

[Darandio]

Same here, cannot fault it so far, every time I have gone to travel it has been on time and the staff have been excellent.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Same here, cannot fault it so far, every time I have gone to travel it has been on time and the staff have been excellent.

I have to laugh, 'cos yesterday morning I really WANTED it to be late - just by 5mins, ideally. My Metro to Sunderland got held up in Gateshead due to a track circuiting problem and eventually rolled slowly thru red aspects making me 3 mins late - and they'd left already!

Good luck to GC.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Have they still not fixed it yet?! I came through that way on wednesday and there were a load of hi-vis clad people stood looking at the cabling scratching their heads!!