Grand Central HSTs?

[Pathfinder]

Yeah thanks maybe, i'll post my pics on here if i get some. What loco will it be? A 47? Im goona try and get one crossing Hawthorn viaduct with the cliffs and beach as a backdrop

Afternoon William,if you go to www.wnxx.com and go to latest news section you'll see the timings for the charter,and yes its 2 47's top and tail.

 

[maybe_idontknow]

A tgs but in first class, i do believe its just going to be seats now. The reason for purchasing was simple, there was going to be a TGS but it was decided they want staff to be frontline all the time so by removing the TGS we cant sit on our backsides all day, and they get more seats. We get a "space" in the buffet car, those of you that are used to the conventional office in buffet cars will be surprised at what were getting.

Also if you have thoughts of the board games looking tacky, i have the inlay from one as Ian let us nick the samples he showed the team, they dont look too bad, its basically a standard wood back round with the board games in the middle, layed on the table and im sumising covered in resin.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Yup, Saw the 47s and coaches this afternoon, slightly late due to both GNER and VXC running late, thus delaying a TPE service which they were following.
It will be good to get on them next week and put training into practice!

 

[djw1981]

Does this mean th=at the drivers will have to sign HST & 47's?

 

[Pathfinder]

Yup, Saw the 47s and coaches this afternoon, slightly late due to both GNER and VXC running late, thus delaying a TPE service which they were following.
It will be good to get on them next week and put training into practice!

Saw them passing through York at holgate,quite impressive with that double header 47 mind,looking forward to see it out and about next 2 weeks !

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

There are drivers who can still drive em so no problem there, they're mainly for route learning, and with a max of 95mph and slow lines/loops all the way it will be great for us to learn the route, as things won't be going by quite so fast!

 

[Pathfinder]

There are drivers who can still drive em so no problem there, they're mainly for route learning, and with a max of 95mph and slow lines/loops all the way it will be great for us to learn the route, as things won't be going by quite so fast!

You GC staff are like buses,you wait for 1 then 2 come along together lol

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

heh heh
No Comment

 

[plikma]

On October 5, 2006, it was announced that Grand Central had secured the use of six Class 43 power cars, 6 HST Trailer vehicles (3 TRSB and 3 TGS) and 18 former loco hauled Mark 3 coaches to form three complete train sets. However the former loco hauled Mark 3 will need a complete rewiring in order to work with the Class 43 power cars as they have different electrical requirements.[4] This caused the company's start date to be pushed back to 20 May 2007[5] and then further to again to September 2007.

Can anyone confirm that? And TRSBs? Interesting...

 

[Max]

This is old news surely?

 

[paul1609]

Been on holiday for a couple of weeks walking up north.
Was the first set delivered on Aug 21 as promised?

 

[rail-britain]

GCT had to have at least two trains ready for Network Rail inspectors by 11:00 on 24 August
This they have now done, as enough of the Mk3 coaches were ready over two weeks ago, and the fourth HST power car was ready with just hours to spare

The HST power cars now need to be moved (by road) from Plymouth back to Toton
Once there they will be marshalled up with the Mk3 coaches to form their sets

It is hoped the road movements go smoothly (albeit during the Bank Holiday weekend has caused some other problems!) and one set will be ready at Toton for next week (28 August), with another set the following week
Sadly, it's not looking good for a third set being ready in time and it would appear GCT are awaiting Network Rails approval to commence with the service with just the two HSTs and a spare HST power car available at Heaton
This shouldn't be a problem, providing the third set is operational within just a few business days

None of the power cars have left Plymouth, yet, as the Highways Agency declined movement at the last minute along some of the route
Hopefully, the first will leave later this evening and arrive at Toton on 29 August

 

[paul1609]

Its a pity that they cant go by rail from Devonport to Totton.
The shed where theyve been overhauled is a maximum of 400 yards from the Dockyard Branch.

 

[rail-britain]

Some rolling stock is moved by rail from Plymouth Laira to Devonport DML
However, for GCT this would mean hiring in train crews and arranging paths for movements with NR
It is therefore cheaper to move the locos by rail
The same is also true for many other TOCs, where they need to move small quantities of rolling stock

Thankfully though the rolling stock is NOT being moved by road between Toton and Heaton
At this stage it is quite expensive to move the rolling stock as ECS, but it is more practical and save times!

 

[paul1609]

If cost is the only reason for sending the vehicles by road I'm not surprised the highways agency is being difficult over 5 wide loads using the M5 over August Bank Holiday.

 

[rail-britain]

5 wide loads using the M5 over August Bank Holiday

It is only TWO!
The problem was the Highways Agency wasn't given much notice

Two Power Cars to be moved each week

 

[paul1609]

Whats the latest are these trains running on test yet or are Grand Central secretly trying to sell their paths to National Express?

Posted by satelite from St Kilda!

 

[rail-britain]

No change, some technical problems are currently being resolved (now that the passenger coaches have been formed into a set with a HST power car)
There are no paths for test trains, so they will need to use their passenger paths between Heaton and Kings Cross

Grand Central wouldn't consider selling the paths to National Express
The company is now owned by Prism group, and would be more likely to sell the entire company as a going concern (in the same way as Prism sold all its franchises to NatEx!)

Due to the lack of HST being ready, an additional path has been requested between York and Neville Hill depot, for HST on temporary lease
This comes into effect on 21 September and ends on 05 October

 

[djw1981]

Is that the MML one currently on lease to FGW? Or another MML HST?

 

[schmoo_smith]

so when will the services launch?

 

[rail-britain]

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14382&page=3

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Just to clarify a few things m8internet...
Grand Central are NOT owned by Prism Group. Our Chairman was head of Prism before it was sold to NX, it's all on http://www.grandcentralrail.com/who_is_gc.html yet why have people got some facts wrong?

 

[rail-britain]

Misread what I was reading,

Grand Central is owned by a company called "Equishare Partners"
Giles Fearnley used to be the Chief Exec of Prism Rail

GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
Company No. 03979826
EQUISHARE PARTNERS LIMITED
Registered No. 05889004
Both companies registered at :
2 TEMPLE BACK EAST
TEMPLE QUAY
BRISTOL
BS1 6EG

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Thanks. IIRC Prism was sold in its entirety to NX.

 

[rail-britain]

Yip, Prism was bought by NatEx
The directors were "banned" from being employed by other railway companies for 5 years and from setting up a competing company for 25 years
However, by doing it this way they get round the rules

 

[395 Olympic Javelin]

Should 1 of the HST's for Grand Central Railway is going today

 

[Mintona]

Your sentence makes next to no sense.

 

[devon_metro]

http://railrunner.fotopic.net/p45276087.html

That does

 

[westcoaster]

http://railrunner.fotopic.net/p45276087.html

That does

one word vile.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Lookin' Good! :-P:-P
Logo looks a little lost! I did suggest "Large Logo" to them!!