InterCity Shuttle

[Indigo Soup]

I've heard of some shorter InterCity routes being branded as 'Shuttle' in the later BR era. Does anyone know which routes were involved, and was there any change to the service offering other than just a new name?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've heard of some shorter InterCity routes being branded as 'Shuttle' in the later BR era. Does anyone know which routes were involved, and was there any change to the service offering other than just a new name?

Euston-Wolves was one, I think it was a promotional tool for the increased half-hourly service.

 

[hexagon789]

I've heard of some shorter InterCity routes being branded as 'Shuttle' in the later BR era. Does anyone know which routes were involved, and was there any change to the service offering other than just a new name?

I don't know about branded as 'shuttle', but the Edinburgh to Glasgow express service has long been referred to as "The Shuttle".

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Euston-Wolves was one, I think it was a promotional tool for the increased half-hourly service.

Paddington - Bristol

Basically a way to provide a bit more service - trains available to board pretty much anytime at terminals, bit of enhanced staffing and longer buffet hours. Done in the teeth of the Major recession.

Ditto "Silver Standard" , times were tough and less business 1st class , so a full fare standard included some goodies in a reserved section , drinks , newspapers and a light food offer. No extra charge.

 

[pdeaves]

I've heard of some shorter InterCity routes being branded as 'Shuttle' in the later BR era. Does anyone know which routes were involved, and was there any change to the service offering other than just a new name?

I don't know about the routes necessarily being the shorter ones.
I was going to mention Bristol but ChiefPlanner's message has just appeared stating this. I'm pretty sure I remember Shuttle notices at St Pancras, too. I expect Liverpool St-Norwich was 'Shuttle', though I don't think Victoria-Gatwick was.

 

[zebedee104]

I don't know about the routes necessarily being the shorter ones.
I was going to mention Bristol but ChiefPlanner's message has just appeared stating this. I'm pretty sure I remember Shuttle notices at St Pancras, too. I expect Liverpool St-Norwich was 'Shuttle', though I don't think Victoria-Gatwick was.

Trains out of St Pancras were definitely Shuttle, as I travelled regularly at that time. From memory on the Midland Main Line, Shuttle also added a trolley service in Standard.

 

[ag51ruk]

Birmingham to Euston was included - there is a photo of a window label including Shuttle branding that was recently advertised for sale on E-Bay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/British-...622218?hash=item3d85bae18a:g:k6cAAOSwCR9cYIpj

 

[JB_B]

See https://ageofthetrain.retropia.co.uk/post/128099925354/intercity-shuttle-1993

Confirms, London - Norwich/Wolverhampton/Nottingham/Sheffield...

I agree with Phil in post#5 - Victoria-Gatwick wasn't InterCity Shuttle AFAICR.

Re Paddington-Bristol I'm not sure - I was travelling through Paddington a lot in the early '90s but can't remember seeing the ICS branding - though it would have made sense.

 

[James H]

Not InterCity, but in the early privatisation years London-Southampton was branded SWT Shuttle when a half-hourly service was introduced

 

[WesternLancer]

See https://ageofthetrain.retropia.co.uk/post/128099925354/intercity-shuttle-1993

Confirms, London - Norwich/Wolverhampton/Nottingham/Sheffield...

I agree with Phil in post#5 - Victoria-Gatwick wasn't InterCity Shuttle AFAICR.

Re Paddington-Bristol I'm not sure - I was travelling through Paddington a lot in the early '90s but can't remember seeing the ICS branding - though it would have made sense.

I'd have to check but I think this is covered in Chris Green's Book on the history of inter city - improve service frequency, make sure always a train standing at the terminus platform, doors open, buffet open etc etc. In fact the sort of 'innovative customer focus' only the private sector could have brought to bear'....(as you wait for a barrier line to be opened, and then find the catering offer not fully available because there was no stock loaded, my experience last night...)

as Chief Planner describes above.

Slightly different to Silver Standard as I recall that specifically was aimed at people who had full fare (now called 'Anytime') rtn tickets in standard class but who could essentially be on trains that also conveyed people on cheaper tickets - or say with railcards, but who didn't get anything much more for the money associated with the full price ticket, to offer a bit extra.

some great leaflets scans here:
http://www.srpublicity.co.uk/brs/brs23.htm
Silver Standard was introduced on 1st February 1988 on eight key business trains on the London - Liverpool route. All passengers paying for a full price Standard Class ticket were eligible for “Silver Standard Service”. This included: exclusive carriages, special menus, at seat service, seat reservation and complimentary light breakfast or afternoon tea.

 

[Highlandspring]

I don't know about branded as 'shuttle', but the Edinburgh to Glasgow express service has long been referred to as "The Shuttle".

I have never, ever, ever heard anyone refer to it as that.

 

[Starmill]

I have never, ever, ever heard anyone refer to it as that.

Even some guards still announce it as that.

 

[krus_aragon]

My October 1993 timetable' References and Symbols page describes InterCity Shuttle trains as having:

• First and Standard accommodation
• Reserved seats available
• Frequent and regular service
• Enhanced welcome and access at London Terminal Stations
• At-seat service of food and hot and cold drinks in First Class and Standard accommodation

Whereas InterCity trains have:

• First Class and Standard accommodation
• Light refreshments and hot and cold drinks (available for whole or part of the journey)
• Reserved Seats available

And some trains have an extra symbol to indicate Pullman, Restaurant, or Silver Standard service.

A quick flick through the timetable pages didn't reveal any routes not already mentioned above.

 

[Highlandspring]

From The Intercity Story by Mike Vincent and Chris Green, Oxford Publishing 1994:

 

[Bald Rick]

A very much younger Bald Richard in (metaphorical) short trousers spent the whole month of January 1993 stood on platforms 4-7 at Euston assessing the turnaround times of the EBW (Euston - Birmingham / Wolverhampton) services to work out what needed to be improved to launch them as IC Shuttle services. This was done in the summer TT that year I think.

The main sell for the EBW was that there would always be one ready to board, so that rather than waiting on the concourse, the time poor executive could sit in comfort on the train and perhaps make a few calls on his shiny brand new Motorola flip phone. Having a train always ready for a half hourly service with (back then) 40-45 minute turnarounds was quite a challenge. But we did it.

This was also, coincidentally, my first experience of ‘not invented here’ syndrome, with a member of the platform team at Euston telling me that we couldn’t possibly service trains in 15 minutes as ‘this isn’t Fenchurch St’.

 

[hexagon789]

I have never, ever, ever heard anyone refer to it as that.

Not officially, but in books, magazines and by individuals. I thought it was a well-established nickname for the service.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Not officially, but in books, magazines and by individuals. I thought it was a well-established nickname for the service.

There used to be flag type banners at Waverley and Queen Street advertising the "9/14* shuttle" - that being a reference to the regular platform numbers at the time.


*I'm not sure if I've remembered the numbers accurately, though!

 

[hexagon789]

There used to be flag type banners at Waverley and Queen Street advertising the "9/14* shuttle" - that being a reference to the regular platform numbers at the time.


*I'm not sure if I've remembered the numbers accurately, though!

So "shuttle" did gain some official use them.

14 from Waverley would be right for the late-1980s certainly, 6 seemed to be the usual departure platform out of Queen Street.

 

[Jensen]

I was working with InterCity West Coast at the time of the introduction of what was known as the EBW Shuttle (Euston Birmingham Wolverhampton). A lot of work went into "sweating asset" as at that time InterCity received no direct government support (all through the fare box) and purse strings were very tight. However, the near two years I had with ICWC prior to privatisation were very enjoyable and rewarding. A core team of dedicated experience and new ideas that if only OforQ (organising for Quality) had been allowed to run to conclusion may have left a totally different railway organisation in this country. Not to be thanks Mr Major but that could be me with rose tinted glasses on.

 

[Bald Rick]

I was working with InterCity West Coast at the time of the introduction of what was known as the EBW Shuttle (Euston Birmingham Wolverhampton). A lot of work went into "sweating asset" as at that time InterCity received no direct government support (all through the fare box) and purse strings were very tight. However, the near two years I had with ICWC prior to privatisation were very enjoyable and rewarding. A core team of dedicated experience and new ideas that if only OforQ (organising for Quality) had been allowed to run to conclusion may have left a totally different railway organisation in this country. Not to be thanks Mr Major but that could be me with rose tinted glasses on.View attachment 62101

I had one of those mugs too!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

14 from Waverley would be right for the late-1980s certainly, 6 seemed to be the usual departure platform out of Queen Street.

Ah, the banners probably said "The 6/14 Shuttle" then.

 

[edwin_m]

The Shuttle from St Pancras was in the era when the Nottingham and Sheffield services were each hourly - it may even have coincided with the start of that hourly service. There wasn't a train to both destinations accessible all the time but they would normally be opened up half an hour before departure so Leicester passengers always had a train to sit on. For anyone who thinks the current St Pancras was bad for waiting the old one was far worse, with the choice of some freezing red benches by the barrier or a litter-strewn "lounge", no shops to speak of and a couple of fairly desultory catering units. So getting on the train as soon as possible made a lot of sense.

After privatisation the service was enhanced with overtakes at Leicester so the fast Sheffield and Nottingham HSTs also connected to Nottingham and Derby respectively. But I think they reverted to traditional practice about that time and didn't let people onto the train until shortly before departure.

 

[hexagon789]

Ah, the banners probably said "The 6/14 Shuttle" then.

Having watched a video of Queen Street in 1986, it looks as though 6 was for the Edinburgh shuttle and 7 for the Aberdeen services.

 

[DuncanS]

Even some guards still announce it as that.

Never heard it called "the shuttle" on the train, only ever hear it as "this is xxxx from Glasgow to Edinburgh" or relevant stations.

 

[Starmill]

There's definitely at least one guard who uses the term "ScotRail Shuttle service" in his announcements.

 

[LOL The Irony]

My October 1993 timetable' References and Symbols page describes InterCity Shuttle trains as having:

• First and Standard accommodation
• Reserved seats available
• Frequent and regular service
• Enhanced welcome and access at London Terminal Stations
• At-seat service of food and hot and cold drinks in First Class and Standard accommodation

Whereas InterCity trains have:

• First Class and Standard accommodation
• Light refreshments and hot and cold drinks (available for whole or part of the journey)
• Reserved Seats available

And some trains have an extra symbol to indicate Pullman, Restaurant, or Silver Standard service.

A quick flick through the timetable pages didn't reveal any routes not already mentioned above.

Shuttle seems a bit of a crap name for a more premier service as it sounds more like a short extension of an exsisting service using something like a 156 or 158. Maybe even a bus/coach service to a town centre/airport. BR really could've thought up of a better name.

 

[transmanche]

Shuttle seems a bit of a crap name for a more premier service as it sounds more like a short extension of an exsisting service using something like a 156 or 158. Maybe even a bus/coach service to a town centre/airport. BR really could've thought up of a better name.

At the time, they were probably thinking of BA's Shuttle service...

 

[GusB]

Shuttle seems a bit of a crap name for a more premier service as it sounds more like a short extension of an exsisting service using something like a 156 or 158. Maybe even a bus/coach service to a town centre/airport. BR really could've thought up of a better name.

At the time, they were probably thinking of BA's Shuttle service...

It seems a bit strange branding services as "Shuttle", when at one point BR had a sleeper advert that used the slogan "The shut-eye beats the shuttle" (referring to what I assume was the BA Shuttle).

 

[Bald Rick]

At the time, they were probably thinking of BA's Shuttle service...

It was exactly that. Chris Green told me (at the time) personally!

 

[Helvellyn]

At the time, they were probably thinking of BA's Shuttle service...

It was exactly that. Chris Green told me (at the time) personally!

By this time BA had rebranded the 'Shuttle' as 'Super Shuttle' due to competition from British Midland who were offering 'Diamond Service' on board.

Interesting though that the InterCity Shuttle didn't actually compete with any of the airline routes. The shortest BA domestic route was still Manchester to Heathrow but with a full hot meal and bar service on a flight of under an hour! I think InterCity was still operating the Super Pullman sets on the Manchester to Euston route in the early 1990s though - 228 First Class and 376 Standard Class seats in 12 coach Mark 3 push-pull sets compared to 198 seats in a BA 757-200. There were three Southbound workings with these sets and one Northbound in the morning with the reverse in the evening.