Grand Central HSTs?

[maybe_idontknow]

Sets in use for training should rotate to allow for mileage accumulation and fault finding.

Training has already taken place on stock in use with other operators and as there will be no difference (in terms of a guard's role) between HST and converted LHCS trailers then use of existing HST sets was not an issue.

Testing on the scale of new trains is not needed as structurally they are the same vehicles. The only thing which needed approval was the electrical modifications and approval was given before conversions started.

Only drivers have had training on stock and thats only been at Doncaster, no other staff have had training on rolling stock.

 

[Pathfinder]

Only drivers have had training on stock and thats only been at Doncaster, no other staff have had training on rolling stock.

You are quite correct MIDK,the drivers are the only staff to have traction training so far but not just at doncaster,they have also been with FGW at plymouth for traction handling,the guards(or senior conductors as i am led to believe they will be called)have only done route learning with other TOCs,the rules/regs exams have been taken also.The set to be delivered on or about the 1st week in august will complete their training (CDL etc)

 

[maybe_idontknow]

Yea I know, im a guard for them, was trying to be cocky lol :thumbrig:

 

[Pathfinder]

Yea I know, im a guard for them, was trying to be cocky lol :thumbrig:

A guard eh,so will it definately be a september launch or will it be put back again ?

 

[Max]

GC will not be selling advance purchase tickets from launch so dont need to advertise this and also the std return fare from s/land to kx is £64.00 available anytime of the day either from travel centre or onboard as there is no penalty for a walk up passenger.No doubt in the future ap tickets may be available

No AP fares? How they expect to compete with GNER with only walk-on tickets is beyond me!

 

[Donny Dave]

£64 is very good value though. A Doncaster - Darlington SVR was £33 last year, and a Scunthorpe - London SVR is £65 (or there abouts)

 

[maybe_idontknow]

September is the launch date, will it be put back? - They tell me nothing!!

 

[Pathfinder]

September is the launch date, will it be put back? - They tell me nothing!!

Seems strange,i have spoken to some of your GC colleagues and they seem very well informed,do you think its a case of telling you anything just to keep you happy ?

 

[maybe_idontknow]

We are well informed, obs we all have blackberrys and get regular updates on whats happening, just at times its like your in limbo waiting to find out what ur doing next and when. For instance, i did and passed PTS today, going in tommorrow for uniform and grooming policy tweeks, but have no idea what im doing next week! All i know is trains are on their way

 

[Pathfinder]

We are well informed, obs we all have blackberrys and get regular updates on whats happening, just at times its like your in limbo waiting to find out what ur doing next and when. For instance, i did and passed PTS today, going in tommorrow for uniform and grooming policy tweeks, but have no idea what im doing next week! All i know is trains are on their way

Blackberry phones ! Is is true you have been issued with wi-fi laptops as well ? must be costing GC a fortune mate
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No AP fares? How they expect to compete with GNER with only walk-on tickets is beyond me!

Apparently one fare on offer is a £5.00 day return from northallerton to york,the TPE single fare is £12.00 so I've been told.:???:

 

[maybe_idontknow]

Yea we have laptops that have wifi, however they dont provide us with net at home, and it doesnt appear to like my connection. Sharnt be an issue when we get the trains with wifi.


That fare is somewhat accurate although I cant say for definate the exact fare. Also Sunderland-Hartlepool is somewhere in the region of around £1/2.50 single or return, i forget which as its so long since it was discussed.

 

[Max]

Apparently one fare on offer is a £5.00 day return from northallerton to york,the TPE single fare is £12.00 so I've been told.:???:

A quick search in 'thetrainline' produces a CDR of £7.90 between Northallerton and York as the cheapest ticket, followed by a saver return at £15.80.

 

[Spaceflower]

I was travelling Durham-Leeds return via TPE last year for only £15ish

 

[Pathfinder]

Managed to speak to a couple of GC employees this afternoon after they had just received a "major" email regards their trains,however they wouldnt let on as to what the content was !!!....The plot thickens folks :? :?

 

[maybe_idontknow]

lol so im gussing your hanging around newcastle area, lets say whats known....September launch! Thats all you get from me!

 

[Pathfinder]

lol so im gussing your hanging around newcastle area, lets say whats known....September launch! Thats all you get from me!

Not newcastle no,i was travelling between m/boro and york when i saw them,dont tend to hang around newcastle much any more.

 

[Pathfinder]

An article has appearred in the newcastle Evening Chronicle saying that GC will have their trains delivered on august 21st ! Cutting it short for training purposes are'nt they ! :-?

 

[Spaceflower]

Was in the Sunderland Echo too!!! Ap[parently they only need familiarisation with the machines, having already been trained on the route

 

[paul1609]

I reckon the delivery deadline for a September start has passed. If the Aug 21 delivery is firm I reckon a December start at the winter timetable is most realistic but there is the possibility of a mid timetable start if grand centrals backers have loads of money.
Either way I reckon GC will be in financial difficulties begging North east politicians for a subsidy before the first year of services is complete.

 

[Pathfinder]

I reckon the delivery deadline for a September start has passed. If the Aug 21 delivery is firm I reckon a December start at the winter timetable is most realistic but there is the possibility of a mid timetable start if grand centrals backers have loads of money.
Either way I reckon GC will be in financial difficulties begging North east politicians for a subsidy before the first year of services is complete.

Apparently GC's backers do have quite a bit of money,their financial arm is something called Grand Central Holdings which is made up of a lot of seriously wealthy individuals with the fund managed by Phil Gartside,Bolton Wanderers chairman but I reckon if things do go t@ts up they will be sold to the highest bidder ! hock:

 

[paul1609]

I'd imagine that GC would have negative value. The start up costs would have been considerable. Someones been paying staff to sit around since the beginning of the year.
The trains belong to another company. The only asset would be the ECML paths and its unclear whether Dft would allow these to transfer.

Does anybody know how long the platforms are at Hartlepool etc, Have GCT HST stop boards been put up?

 

[Pathfinder]

I'd imagine that GC would have negative value. The start up costs would have been considerable. Someones been paying staff to sit around since the beginning of the year.
The trains belong to another company. The only asset would be the ECML paths and its unclear whether Dft would allow these to transfer.

Does anybody know how long the platforms are at Hartlepool etc, Have GCT HST stop boards been put up?

I'm through hartlepool quite regular and the platform is not long enough to accomodate GC stock,I've been told that 1 coach and 1 door of the next vehicle will be off in std going either north or south,1st class must be on the platform ! Thirsk is another short platform as well as eaglescliffe but GC have got their safety licence as the safety case was accepted and before I forget,there is no HST stop boards at the moment ! Perhaps poster Maybe...I dont know could enlighten us further ??

 

[Daniel]

Well if you can obviously knock off both power cars as passengers don't need them, (unless they're being used for bikes etc), and then around 80% of the first standard class coach be be off the platform as it's only the TM's office at that end.

 

[Pathfinder]

Well if you can obviously knock off both power cars as passengers don't need them, (unless they're being used for bikes etc), and then around 80% of the first standard class coach be be off the platform as it's only the TM's office at that end.

Apparently there is to be no TGS in the formation,an office is to be located in the catering vehicle,so I've been told !

 

[1VWC]

Apparently there is to be no TGS in the formation,an office is to be located in the catering vehicle,so I've been told !

3 TGS vehicles (numbers escape me) have been purchased along with 3 TRSB.

Edit: 44065 44089 and 44088 (TGS). 40424 40433 and 40426 (TRSB)

 

[Pathfinder]

3 TGS vehicles (numbers escape me) have been purchased along with 3 TRSB.

Edit: 44065 44089 and 44088 (TGS). 40424 40433 and 40426 (TRSB)

Just confirmed that at railwaycentre.com archive news(not that I didnt beleve you mind) also 12033,12044,12112,12136,12149,12152 & 12155 as TS..11023,11038 & 11045 as TF's...Whilst on the subject of 1st class I've been told that there will be two 1st class vehicles then the buffet/restaurant car and then 3 std vehicles this is to maximise the revenue from york-kings x-york apparently ! Railwaycentre.com says that spare vehicles have been purchased for passenger growth(need to get some first mind) so I would assume thats where vehicles will come from..:razz:

 

[paul1609]

Is it my imagination or have the GC Fares disappeared from their website?

 

[maybe_idontknow]

Yo, HST stop boards, an overnight job, ive been asking since end of april when they are going up, like id get to know that lol, no urgency, drivers know where to stop anyway. Im origianlly from hartlepool so there everyday as i have another job there.

As far as the launch goes, as stated, its september, I can say that we will be sufficiantly trained, best thing to do is watch for the next press release in the next week or so as obviously there only so much i can say.

 

[paul1609]

Do you seriously believe anyone on here thinks you work for Grand central?

 

[1VWC]

...says that spare vehicles have been purchased for passenger growth...

A good move. Porterbrook have realised the value of the LHS Mark 3 vehicles in light of the XC franchise announcement re HST conversions.