Grand Central HSTs?

[paul1609]

Where are the grand central power cars?
Its only 9 weeks to the start of passengers services?

 

[Pathfinder]

Whilst were on HSTs where are the grand central power cars?
Its only 9 weeks to the start of passengers services?

There is a rumour circulating that the launch will be put back now to december,I've spoken to several rail staff over the past few weeks and they are saying that network rail have advised GC to do this,something to do with the wheelsets purchased for the power cars,hope this aint true.

 

[Max]

Thread split from Hull Trains thread

If this is the case, then it's a disaster for them, and really not a good omen for the future! Passengers aren't going to be too encouraged to travel with them if the start date keeps being pushed back (about 7 months behind what they had anticipated on a December start-date?).

 

[Turbostar]

Where are the grand central power cars?
Its only 9 weeks to the start of passengers services?

They're in DML Devonport AFAIK undergoing conversion.

Martyn

 

[paul1609]

As I see it the business case for Grand Central is at best marginal and unlikely to last for long without subsidy. Who is paying for the staff that they have recruited whilst the business has no income? I reckon if they defer to December which must be a possibility since none of the power cars seem to be finished there must be a strong chance this service will be stillborn. Are these HSTs the missing ones for Arriva Cross Country?

 

[Turbostar]

Missing ones??? The one's in DML are mostly ex-Virgin one's, including buffer-fitted ones. Can't rem where I read it, but thought Arriva are having ex-MML HSTs?

Mart

 

[1VWC]

Missing ones??? The one's in DML are mostly ex-Virgin one's, including buffer-fitted ones. Can't rem where I read it, but thought Arriva are having ex-MML HSTs?

Mart

Some of the XC HST's will be from MML, others will be from elsewhere...

 

[Pathfinder]

I have spoken to a couple of people that work for GC today,they have been told that it is still a definate september launch.DML(who are doing power car refurb) have a "worst case" scenario regarding poor availability of wheelsets.If this scenario happened,then GC would only have 1 set available for the september launch.Sovereign trains have said that there is no change to expected delivery times.God I hope they deliver

 

[Turbostar]

There are still a few ex-MML & Virgin power cars dumped in the back sidings at Laira, been there for ages, so wouldn't surprise me if GC are having those... eventually.

Mart

 

[Pathfinder]

There are still a few ex-MML & Virgin power cars dumped in the back sidings at Laira, been there for ages, so wouldn't surprise me if GC are having those... eventually.

Mart

Any idea how long they've been at Laira Mart ? apparently the Virgin power cars they've already got had stood at MOD long marston for nearly 4 years,also the network rail PC they've got was ditched by NR because it wasso unreliable !

 

[Turbostar]

Off the top of my head, since start of year, but they might have been stored elsewhere in the sidings before that. They keep moving stuff about every so often to make space, especially when new coaching stock arrives. Not sure if FGW own them or not, as far as I have seen it's only FGW power cars been going up for refurb, havn't seen any ex-MML or Virgin ones go up. Can only see a couple from where I live, but when you go past the depot on the bus, you can see a few ex-MML power cars in the sidings.

Mart

 

[paul1609]

I have spoken to a couple of people that work for GC today,they have been told that it is still a definate september launch.DML(who are doing power car refurb) have a "worst case" scenario regarding poor availability of wheelsets.If this scenario happened,then GC would only have 1 set available for the september launch.Sovereign trains have said that there is no change to expected delivery times.God I hope they deliver

Hmm. I cant really see that happening. These train sets are going to need quite extensive testing before passenger use. I reckon 8 weeks before the service is due to start is the cut off point. I dont think GC could offer a service with only 1 set either especially with toc specific tickets. What would happen if their train went down? Megatrain customers from Bristol have to buy a new ticket if their 1 train a day is cancelled and claim a refund from SWT.

Short of a convoy of power cars heading north from Devonport in the next few days I dont think you will see a grand central service before the winter timetable change if ever.

 

[1VWC]

There are still a few ex-MML & Virgin power cars dumped in the back sidings at Laira, been there for ages, so wouldn't surprise me if GC are having those... eventually.

Mart

Well they won't be. GC have bought their own fleet of powercars and are committed to overhauling those. It's going rather well actually.

 

[Turbostar]

Well they won't be. GC have bought their own fleet of powercars and are committed to overhauling those. It's going rather well actually.

Yes, like I said, they're in DML Devonport! :roll:

Mart

 

[Pathfinder]

Well they won't be. GC have bought their own fleet of powercars and are committed to overhauling those. It's going rather well actually.

1VWC,How do you know its going rather well,insider information or have you managed a sneak preview ? The worst case scenario of only having one train ready would mean that GC couldnt launch on the expected date (10th sept).

 

[Max]

Megatrain customers from Bristol have to buy a new ticket if their 1 train a day is cancelled and claim a refund from SWT.

Do normal advance purchase ticket rules of catching the next available train if there is a cancellation not apply on Megatrain then? :???:

 

[Tom]

megatrain on the Bristol route is slightly different as there are only two through services a day from Bristol Temple Meads to London Waterloo and First Great Western are not in an agreement with South West Trains regarding to "next train" clause as per the NCoC.

On all other routes, catching the next available train does apply.

 

[Max]

FGW and SWT could do to put their heads together there - it could end up costing someone an arm and a leg that they can't really afford! I bet SWT would accept firstminute tickets if there was a major problem on FGW.

 

[Tom]

The main issue with that is megatrain isn't sold by South West. It's provided for the sake of NCoC via an external provider who therefore must have an agreement themselves regarding the next train clause. Either way - the Bristol megatrain is very rarely cancelled.

 

[devon_metro]

FGW and SWT could do to put their heads together there - it could end up costing someone an arm and a leg that they can't really afford! I bet SWT would accept firstminute tickets if there was a major problem on FGW.

Unlikely, there are a number of diversionary routes and I wouldn't be happy with 8 carriages load as some Paddington trains wedge at Bristol all cramming into a 159!

 

[Turbostar]

1VWC,How do you know its going rather well,insider information or have you managed a sneak preview ? The worst case scenario of only having one train ready would mean that GC couldnt launch on the expected date (10th sept).

Exactly, unless you got security clearance to get into DML? I guess not.

Mart

 

[1VWC]

Exactly, unless you got security clearance to get into DML? I guess not.

Mart

I haven't seen them in the flesh but I am involved in some way.

 

[devon_metro]

I've heard that GC have gone bust...

 

[Max]

Hmm this is interesting:

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2355980.ece

Seems Fraser Eagle are no longer in the equation!

 

[Turbostar]

Start services this summer!??? I don't think so somehow, seems that most, if not all, power cars are still in DML being refurbished.

Mart

 

[Tom]

Look at how old the article is.

 

[Pathfinder]

I haven't seen them in the flesh but I am involved in some way.

How are you involved in someway ? are you employed by GC and use 1VWC as cover ? Are you employed by DML ? Do enlighten us !
As for GC gone bust,it aint happened.They appointed Giles Fearnley and Bob Howells as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively who were appointed by a firm called Equishare(venture capatilists apparently) a group made up of several wealthy individuals who put up the money to take GC over.The fund is managed by Phil Gartside,Bolton Wanderers chairman.You can read all this on the GC Website !

 

[Max]

Look at how old the article is.

Oh yes! Sorry, I got confused with the date listed at the top of the page :???:

 

[Craig]

I've just had a look on their website and apparently Grand Central will be offering free wifi to all passengers. If they do then it'll certainly be a big incentive for me to use them rather than GNER if I'm travelling down to London and am not in a hurry.

 

[Spaceflower]

gc have been promising london services for ages now, im not holding my breath.

it will be interesting to see how they wedge them in amongst sprinters, pacers and metros, all sharing a one island platform at sunderland