Grand Central Discussion

[GNERman]

now on the 180 situation, gc currently has 105 and 112 interchanging workings on the fourth path and 114 which I think is at Wolverton for refurb and gc livery.
The two they are supposed to get are 101 and 107. 101 is at Oxley (?) and 107 is in use with Hull Trains on a short term lease. Is 101 currently broken?

 

[andylloyd]

Witnessed 180112 on the 1A61 departing from Northallerton yesterday. Nice tone(cheers to the driver) by the way, shame it couldnt have been an HST set

 

[robertclark125]

Whats the latest with GC v Ian Yeowart?

 

[andylloyd]

Whats the latest with GC v Ian Yeowart?

RC do you ever give up?
Do you think this would ever be up for public discussion?

 

[devon_metro]

Witnessed 180112 on the 1A61 departing from Northallerton yesterday. Nice tone(cheers to the driver) by the way, shame it couldnt have been an HST set

You missed out on 1N25 giving what must have been 5 on the olde horn at Hornsey then!! Bosch and friends enjoying themselves!!

 

[Darandio]

At Newcastle today, caught a pair of tractors doing a NR train but apparently had missed a 47 dragging 43067 and 43123.

Anyone know what the 47 was and where they were going? Loughborough?

 

[andylloyd]

At Newcastle today, caught a pair of tractors doing a NR train but apparently had missed a 47 dragging 43067 and 43123.

Anyone know what the 47 was and where they were going? Loughborough?

47727 dragged 43123&43067 to brush, maybes for overhaul like 43080
Can our friendly GC staff comment please?

 

[GNERman]

i would doubt its for mtu fitment, probably general maintenance that heaton depot can't do...

 

[BOSCH]

You missed out on 1N25 giving what must have been 5 on the olde horn at Hornsey then!! Bosch and friends enjoying themselves!!

I was indeed on 1N25 yesterday(weds) and was indeed in notch 5 but AFAICR not a lot of horn activity !! Were you onboard then ??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Witnessed 180112 on the 1A61 departing from Northallerton yesterday. Nice tone(cheers to the driver) by the way, shame it couldnt have been an HST set

Mr lloyd,as posted elsewhere,twas ME !!!

 

[Royston Vasey]

Mr lloyd,as posted elsewhere,twas ME !!!

BOSCH, Any truth in these ridiculous rumours about East Coast wanting your HSTs in exchange for 180s? Have you got a preference for driving one or the other, out of interest?

 

[BOSCH]

47727 dragged 43123&43067 to brush, maybes for overhaul like 43080
Can our friendly GC staff comment please?

43067 needs new power unit
43123 not too sure !!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

BOSCH, Any truth in these ridiculous rumours about East Coast wanting your HSTs in exchange for 180s? Have you got a preference for driving one or the other, out of interest?

Not heard the East Coast one but I do know a TOC did offer to buy them but were unable to afford them but no one else has come forward,anyhow east coast or whoever their gonna be couldnt exactly swap the 180's for our hsts as the 180's belong to Angel dont they !!
I like driving 180's as the driving position is really good,vision not so,but being a traditionalist you cant beat the unfettered scream of a Valenta flat out

 

[Royston Vasey]

Not heard the East Coast one but I do know a TOC did offer to buy them but were unable to afford them but no one else has come forward,anyhow east coast or whoever their gonna be couldnt exactly swap the 180's for our hsts as the 180's belong to Angel dont they !!
I like driving 180's as the driving position is really good,vision not so,but being a traditionalist you cant beat the unfettered scream of a Valenta flat out

Smart move having your own ROSCO eh!

That rumour was posted in another thread just yesterday, can't remember which. I'll try and dig it out.

I'm sure you'd never comment on who the TOC would be, but I reckon I can guess...! Not one of the main HST operators I'd say. Maybe one that has only recently reverted to them and had to virtually rebuild a couple perhaps?!


Here you go... http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=27716

 

[BOSCH]

I'm sure you'd never comment on who the TOC would be, but I reckon I can guess...! Not one of the main HST operators I'd say. Maybe one that has only recently reverted to them and had to virtually rebuild a couple perhaps?!

You are right I wont name them but it aint the one you are thinking of neither !!
Oh and another thing,why dont people get the fact that we OWN the hsts and are not available to swap so any toc that wants them will have to PAY for them !!

 

[devon_metro]

I was indeed on 1N25 yesterday(weds) and was indeed in notch 5 but AFAICR not a lot of horn activity !! Were you onboard then ??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Mr lloyd,as posted elsewhere,twas ME !!!

Er, wrong headcode maybe, 1127 x - sun

Was Tuesday btw

 

[Fudgefrog]

You are right I wont name them but it aint the one you are thinking of neither !!
Oh and another thing,why dont people get the fact that we OWN the hsts and are not available to swap so any toc that wants them will have to PAY for them !!

My guess would be a certain operator struggling with stock shortages who recently took on another Open Access operator's stock for a new service..?! Not that you can say, of course.

 

[robertclark125]

http://www.competition-commission.g.../roscos/pdf/notice_of_intention_and_order.pdf

An interesting report. Incidentally, the non discriminatory clause, which GC wanted retained, has been removed, or the ROSCOs have said they will remove them. This islikely to force prices for rolling stock for smaller operators, such as GC, up.

 

[Techniquest]

Anyone got any gen on any interesting diversions/other interesting workings with GC in the coming months? Surprisingly I've heard nowt of such things since March when GC went to Cambridge!

Even something like diverting via Pontefract or whichever way it usually is would do me!

 

[GNERman]

i've heard nothing for the near future but what is going to be blocked soon?

 

[Techniquest]

I have no idea, never ever hear of blocks on the ECML until it's too late (with exception to the one in March and November last year). Shall have a dig about on National Rail and see what I can find though...

Got to be some epic blockades due soon, it's November! If it ain't this month, then it's gotta be the 2 weeks before Christmas...

 

[philjo]

FCC advance engineering works listings available on their website indicate several weekends in March/april 2010 when there are buses replacing all trains round Hitchin (some weekends it is for Stevenage-Peterborough & cambridge). Other weeks, the buses are stevenage-Biggleswade/Letchworth GC.
This includes saturday & sunday of Easter weekend.

http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/content/doc/cms/GN v26 New Long Term Summary 091013.pdf

 

[Techniquest]

Well there we go, didn't know FCC did that!

Ta!

 

[BOSCH]

Just for info guys,43123 will also be getting a replacement Valenta at BRUSH,found out yesterday but was learning Bounds Green Depot so unable to post

 

[Techniquest]

How come you guys are learning BN? Thought you used Ferme Park/berthed in KGX overnight when down that way.

Can't wait for 123 to come back, I still need 065, 084 and 123 with GC!

 

[BOSCH]

How come you guys are learning BN? Thought you used Ferme Park/berthed in KGX overnight when down that way.

Can't wait for 123 to come back, I still need 065, 084 and 123 with GC!

We do use ferme park for 1A63 for fuelling and stabling but 1A61/62 will be using Bounds for stabling in an afternoon when they will return as N28/29 !! If you need those 3 powercars then you best be quick because if our track access agreement is successful then they will be MTU'ed !! since 43062(NR)has been MTU'ed we are now the only operator with Valentas !!

 

[Pumbaa]

Sh*t - best get on the ECML sometime soon!

 

[Techniquest]

Aye, 062's been in Brush for a MTU for a few weeks now! Been dying to do GC again since March, and if I'm lucky I will be on the 0757 off the Cross and 1230 off Sunderland on the 14th! Bring it! Just hoping there's no random 180 on it that day!

No chance of 'em getting MTU'd in the next few months though is there?

Thanks BOSCH for the reply, I've learnt something today then!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well after managing to scrimp together enough to do a trip to London for a GC bash yesterday, I got to Kings Cross yesterday morning at 1100 to find that the 1127 to Sunderland was 180112. You cannot imagine my disappointment, after 8 months (near enough at least!) of waiting for this trip, of trying to find time and funds I could it, then BOWLED! Yes, I could well have gotten it to York to get something superior back, but I didn't fancy spending £40.25 to travel 188 miles on an inferior piece of plastic!

One can only assume there was a HST failure yesterday/Friday, just wish I'd been able to know before getting up at an unsociable time to go to London. C'est la vie!

Will be trying again in November, this time it'll be a case of staying over in London or Sunderland to minimise any bowl-out!

 

[Techniquest]

Well then I've finally got myself booked for another attempt with GC, 8 months and 5 days since my last trip with them and my last trip with a Valenta (it's just not the same on YouTube...)! Whether a 180 produces or not, I have to be on the 1918 off the Cross on the 27th of November, as I have booked accommodation in Micklegate! Hopefully of course the 1918 will produce the booked HST!

After a good night's sleep, I intend to then be out bright and early, probably before the sun's up, to see if the 0653 SUN > KGX produces a HST. If so, I will be on it. If not, then I'll be awaiting anxiously the next two workings south and indeed seeing what does N25. Let's just hope the HSTs decide to behave next week and do what they're booked to be doing, leaving the 180s on the 0918 SUN > KGX and 1650 KGX > SUN!

Here's to the GC bash producing next week and to the end of the longest time I've ever gone without bashing a Valenta! If it's HSTs then I'm making this trip an early 25th birthday present to myself

 

[TrainBrain185]

Just for info guys,43123 will also be getting a replacement Valenta at BRUSH,found out yesterday but was learning Bounds Green Depot so unable to post

Oh dear......The very chance of improving a Power Car wasted. Any reason why the MTU option was not exercised?

 

[GNERman]

Oh dear......The very chance of improving a Power Car wasted. Any reason why the MTU option was not exercised?

no contract has been signed, plus they aren't short of engines, there are 100+ at their disposal

plus part of the agreement was a whole paths extension with the ORR, i've heard nothing of that at the moment...

 

[royaloak]

Oh dear......The very chance of improving a Power Car wasted. Any reason why the MTU option was not exercised?

It isn't just a question of taking out the Valenta and sticking in the MTU, why do you think it takes about 6 weeks to do them at Brush, I mean they have had a bit of practice!
Try sticking a Ford Focus engine into a Vauxhall Astra and let me know how long it takes to get it wired up and working correctly