Indeed that I would think is one of the main reasons why GC don't call at Yarm! However purely as an academic exercise how easy would it be to extend the platform? I'm thinking it would be quite simple, plenty of room going south to extend both platforms.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Grand Central Discussion
- Thread starter Donny Dave
- Start date
- Status
Indeed that I would think is one of the main reasons why GC don't call at Yarm! However purely as an academic exercise how easy would it be to extend the platform? I'm thinking it would be quite simple, plenty of room going south to extend both platforms.
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
GNERman
Established Member
IIRC Yarm has enough room for about 4 coaches...
I see your point, but I still think the majority of people from Middlesbrough going to London would rather join at Eaglescliffe and leave their car in Middlesbrough, rather than take a journey down the A19 to Yarm which will have far fewer car parking spaces, and would take longer at rush hour due to the traffic on the A19. Instead much more attractive to pay the couple of quid and change at Eaglescliffe.
tbtc
Veteran Member
The important phrase in your statement is *from Middlesbrough*.
There are surely a lot of people in places like Guisborough (plus rural villages in the North Yorkshire Moors, even Whitby) who could easily drive along the A174 etc.
Bear in mind that if you live on the Whitby line, you need to get a train to Middlesbrough, then a train to Darlington/ York, then change again to get to London.
Plenty money in Yarm, plenty scope for a few First Class fares
I'll hazard a guess that the majority of people getting on at Eaglescliffe for the Cross are from Middlesbrough - it certainly seems this with some of the services I've used, with a good few getting on at stations before Middlesbrough, and a lot more getting on at Middlesbrough before everyone changes at Eaglescliffe. I don't think it would work to change the pick up to Yarm instead of Eaglescliffe, you'd probably lose more people from Middlesbrough and the surrounding areas than you would gain at Yarm. National Rail also says there are only 47 spaces at Yarm, and a lot of them would be used by people who commute to Middlesbrough.
Vulcan
Member
Hello,
Yesterday when I got back to Bradford, a Grand Central 180 was in platform 2. It looked so good, I had a ride on it today, since I had all morning to get to Huddersfield, I rode it through to Doncaster and was thoroughly impressed.
For a start off, the 180 (named James Herriot) looks fantastic in all over black and orange stripe. Best livery for a unit ever in my opinion.
I went first class. Grand Central have tried hard to stamp their identity on the unit inside. I epsecially liked the GC branded chinawear on the tables. The service in first class was brilliant; drinks were offered as soon as we started moving from Bradford. Near Pontefract we stopped at a signal and the guard was imediately on the PA to inform the passengers of this, and that we were only stopped becasue we were running early. Near Doncaster, there was a problem with a level crossing, and we had to cross slowly under the supervision of the team on the track fixing it. As soon as we'd passed, the driver was on the PA to tell us. Its little things like this that make all the difference to a journey. The fare was reasonable as well. First single Bradford to Wakefield was £4.50 (I then asked for an extension to Doncaster on the train). Well done Grand Central, I wish I could have stayed on all the way to London.
180 at Doncaster
Also at Doncaster:
Yesterday when I got back to Bradford, a Grand Central 180 was in platform 2. It looked so good, I had a ride on it today, since I had all morning to get to Huddersfield, I rode it through to Doncaster and was thoroughly impressed.
For a start off, the 180 (named James Herriot) looks fantastic in all over black and orange stripe. Best livery for a unit ever in my opinion.
I went first class. Grand Central have tried hard to stamp their identity on the unit inside. I epsecially liked the GC branded chinawear on the tables. The service in first class was brilliant; drinks were offered as soon as we started moving from Bradford. Near Pontefract we stopped at a signal and the guard was imediately on the PA to inform the passengers of this, and that we were only stopped becasue we were running early. Near Doncaster, there was a problem with a level crossing, and we had to cross slowly under the supervision of the team on the track fixing it. As soon as we'd passed, the driver was on the PA to tell us. Its little things like this that make all the difference to a journey. The fare was reasonable as well. First single Bradford to Wakefield was £4.50 (I then asked for an extension to Doncaster on the train). Well done Grand Central, I wish I could have stayed on all the way to London.
180 at Doncaster
Also at Doncaster:
Vulcan
Member
It was certainly quiet where I was, there seemed to be a fair few waiting to get on at Doncaster, but I didn't pay much attention to who actually got on, as I was taking that photo. I also imagine the early morning one would be busier, catching more of the commuter traffic and business travellers.
Vulcan
Member
It takes about 2 hours to get to Doncaster from Bradford via Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield and Pontefract, so I wouldn't have thought so.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Nice scenic ride though
It takes about 2 hours to get to Doncaster from Bradford via Halifax, Brighouse, Wakefield and Pontefract, so I wouldn't have thought so.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Nice scenic ride though
It does seem to be a problem with open access operators that they don't get the optimal routes and times. It's the same with Wrexham and Shropshire. The slow times make them oncompetitive and they can't get the customers that they would have got with a faster / more frequent service. I know that things tend to improve with time, but this cannot always be relied upon.
I don't know what the solution is. I imagine one part is to improve the infrastructure to accomodate some open access, and get some decent line speeds on the Bradford-Wakefield-Pontefract-Doncaster section.
Oh and sort out Wakefield Kirkgate! It's a disgrace!
I guess the market they look for are those travelling on the day who don't want to pay £100+ for a ticket but are not too bothered if it takes a bit longer. That and also those getting on at York and Doncaster going to London straight through.
GNERman
Established Member
the whole 4 of them???
Donny Dave
Established Member
Surprisingly, If I'm going to London, I prefer to travel with Hull Trains (and Grand Central now) from Doncaster. The main reason is the better customer service from the on board staff, and the ability to buy a travel card before I get to London.
Oh the decent connections to TPE services and slighter cheaper fares help as well.
Oh the decent connections to TPE services and slighter cheaper fares help as well.
i don't think in my opinion it would affect East Coast services from Bradford Forster Square to London, due to the fact that it only calls at Shipley Leeds Wakefield Westgate and Doncaster on weekdays, so from leaving Bradford at 0630 it can be in Doncaster at 0730 and in London for 0907, Grand Central cant compete with that, there first service doesn't get in til after 10am
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Funniest thing I've read so far today!
Said post gets the Techniquest HSTNutter Seal of Approval
(before you ask, a touch of an in-joke and a long story)!
wensley
Established Member
Funniest thing I've read so far today!
Said post gets the Techniquest HSTNutter Seal of Approval
I think GNERman can't count - I can only recall the sum total being 1 at the last count
tbtc
Veteran Member
I think it was said on the East Coat Guard Strike thread that Travelcards can be purchased on East Coast services; I may be wrong though...
GNERman
Established Member
I think GNERman can't count - I can only recall the sum total being 1 at the last count
What, you?
You do photo 180's quite a lot...
You will get a complimentary visitors oyster card with £5 credit when the £15 LAT (london arrival tax) scheme is implemented.
It similar to the airport tax, all rail tickets from outside the former NSE area will be surcharged by £15.
Crossforth
Established Member
They certainly were under NXEC because I bought some from the guard once on the way down
? You got a source for that?
wensley
Established Member
What, you?
You do photo 180's quite a lot...
Difference between fotting and bashing
On a more serious note 180112 and 180105 were (he touches wood) sounding fine on all 5 engines although '105 was smoking slightly the day before from no.3 engine from the North end!
I think GNERman can't count - I can only recall the sum total being 1 at the last count
Hey, I like to bash 180s too..
(Oh wait, I think I'm taking bash to mean something different...!)
Techniquest
Veteran Member
In that sense, I could bash 180s all day long
A query has come to mind though: With all of the Bradfords running and with two power cars at Brush, is it possible still for GC to run their Sunderland service with just 180s, or do they have to have an HST out?
A query has come to mind though: With all of the Bradfords running and with two power cars at Brush, is it possible still for GC to run their Sunderland service with just 180s, or do they have to have an HST out?
BOSCH
Member
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2007
- Messages
- 492
In that sense, I could bash 180s all day long
A query has come to mind though: With all of the Bradfords running and with two power cars at Brush, is it possible still for GC to run their Sunderland service with just 180s, or do they have to have an HST out?
Today 067/084 are on 1N25/1A62/1N28
wensley
Established Member
Today 067/084 are on 1N25/1A62/1N28
Sneaky!! 084 in place of 123. I was that used to 067 & 123 being paired I had seen no change
I also hear that 065 had acquired a new traction motor but when out on test could reach no more than 50mph
Lampshade
Established Member
Bloody typical, two days before I go down to London they switch 123 
- Status