My idea for Blackpool Trains the new Open Access Operator

[James Kevill]

Since Grand Central Railway has abandoned the Blackpool North to London Euston services, they could make a new Open Access Operator called Blackpool Trains to take over Grand Central Railway to run the Blackpool North to London Euston services calling at, Poulton-le-Fylde, Kirkham & Wesham, Preston, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes Central and London Euston. And Blackpool Trains would look similar to Hull Trains that runs between London King's Cross to Hull and Beverley.

 

[ainsworth74]

I appreciate the dedication but who would you propose would take this over? I suspect perhaps a little more realism is required if Grand Central and Arriva decided it wasn't going to work in current circumstances I don't think anyone else will be able to make it work either Plus Hull Trains and "Blackpool Trains" aren't really comparable. One is a very well regarded and well established operator with a strong local following. The other doesn't exist and is starting from scratch with everything. Veeery different positions to be in!

 

[James Kevill]

Hmmm... Maybe it could be either First or Arriva Group would operate the Open Access Operator. And yes Hull Trains and Blackpool Trains are not comparable. We'll have to see what happens in the future.

 

[ainsworth74]

Hmmm... Maybe it could be either First or Arriva Group would operate the Open Access Operator.

Grand Central is an Arriva company so I'd suggest that's a none starter whilst First Group are mobilising an new operation on the East Coast Mainline so I doubt they'd want to take on yet more liabilities. Again, I admire the optimism but I fear you're going to be disappointed if you think anyone is likely to pick up this service

 

[DB]

Hmmm... Maybe it could be either First or Arriva Group would operate the Open Access Operator. And yes Hull Trains and Blackpool Trains are not comparable. We'll have to see what happens in the future.

Arriva owns Grand Central!

What happens will probably be nothing - if Grand Central don't think it willl work now, nobody else is likely to try.

 

[Man of Kent]

Hmmm... Maybe it could be either First or Arriva Group would operate the Open Access Operator.

Grand Central is an Arriva company so I'd suggest that's a none starter whilst First Group are mobilising an new operation on the East Coast Mainline so I doubt they'd want to take on yet more liabilities. Again, I admire the optimism but I fear you're going to be disappointed if you think anyone is likely to pick up this service

And First is already involved in Avanti West Coast. It would be competing against itself!

 

[Energy]

Arriva only had access arrangements for GC services on the WCML until 2026, if somebody wants to runs these services they better get started quick, setting up a train company takes quite a while.

 

[4-SUB 4732]

This was not a good speculative idea.