New Cross Country

[voyagerdude220]

Hi all,

I'm just wondering what would happen if VT lost the big for getting the Cross Country franchise.

Would the New XC route from Manchester to Bournemouth/Bristol Temple M still be formed of Voyagers, even if VT didn't keep the XC franchise?

Quote from VT website:
Route 3: Temple Meads to Manchester (with extensions to Cardiff and Taunton)

Does anyone know if a service from Taunton to Manchester will run via Weston-Super-Mare?

Finally, is there possibly any way of seeing the draft timetable for the New XC services?

Thanks for any help.

 

[First ScotRail]

i would think a journey like that would be formed of a voyager, yes. However maybe only a voyager and not a super voyager due to 21 voyagers being transferred to west coast.

 

[devon_metro]

It hasn't been confirmed who is operating it yet.

 

[voyagerdude220]

It hasn't been confirmed who is operating it yet.

I know

 

[Mojo]

The Stakeholder Briefing Document http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/passenger/franchises/ncc/ says there is a minimum requirement of 1 train per day in each direction to Weston-s-M.

 

[thefab444]

Looks like Arriva have nabbed it...

http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=297895&NewsAreaID=2

One interesting thing...

Rolling Stock - Five additional refurbished High Speed Train sets of eight carriages each will be leased for use on the New Cross Country franchise.

Wonder what that could be... Meridians?

 

[332 > 444]

Virgin down to only 1 franchise now unless they win the East Coast.

Arriva, what a suprise..............even though it was rumoured time ago.

Branson must be fuming.

To add further, they should swap the 170s for 175s as they have more of an intercity feel to it

 

[Callufrax]

I had hoped that they'd retain the Cross Country franchise. I just hope that they'd not lower the quality of the service. VRG have done an amazing job over the last few years, since Operation Princess fell apart.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Quite possibly one of the worst decisions ever?

Arriva claim to be increasing capacity - how exactly do they plan to do this properly when they want to provide 25% more luggage space on Voyagers. People moan about Voyager legroom and overcrowding enough as it is, I dread to think how bad they will both get when this happens. As for 170's getting extra seats, I really hope this only applies to the ex-MML sets. Alas, if they plan on adding FC to all 170's and still increasing capacity, I fear that this won't be the case and all Turbostar's will be turned into cattle trucks. Yay! :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Rolling Stock - Five additional refurbished High Speed Train sets of eight carriages each will be leased for use on the New Cross Country franchise.

Wonder what that could be... Meridians?

Nope, actual HST's.

Interestingly, the franchise won't run with Arriva branding, simply being known as just CrossCountry - www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

 

[Callufrax]

Quite possibly one of the worst decisions ever?

Interestingly, the franchise won't run with Arriva branding, simply being known as just CrossCountry - www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

I must admit, I do like the look of that livery.

 

[Mojo]

Glad to see CrossCountry branding is returning. I couldn't quite see Arriva livery on Voyagers following what I'd seen of their 175s, their XC livery looks quite impressive.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ams/images/img1.jpg
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ams/images/img2.jpg
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ams/images/img3.jpg

 

[332 > 444]

Their livery does look impressive, up there with Central Trains and MML (both of which wont exist soon)

 

[Callufrax]

I wonder where they'll place the set numbers.

 

[martyn29]

which trains will they lose(virgin)

 

[Tom C]

This obviously paves the way for Virgin to win the East Coast with Arriva and First running across the border.

I would expect to see Virgin being announced as the winner very soon

 

[Mojo]

Don't forget though, that those who make the decisions don't know the actual bidder until after it's awarded.

 

[martyn29]

does this cross country route go through Nuneaton?

 

[Gizmogle]

does this cross country route go through Nuneaton?

Yes
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ams/routes/networkmap_new.pdf



"introducing five High Speed Trains each with eight state-of-the-art refurbished coaches, providing longer trains with more luggage space on the North East-South West route"

oh dear....refurb hsts?

 

[Daniel]

Oh well, at least it's still HST's!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just noticed that in Dec '08, they'll stop serving Brighton.

No more travelcard cheapskates East Croydon - Kenny O.!

 

[Gizmogle]

Oh well, at least it's still HST's!

Yes, definately. You can't do heads out on a Voyager lol
Any one know what kinda crap they'll be calling the "engine"? Cause I'm guessing they aren't putting Valentas in them

 

[Daniel]

Well, you never know!

They might get some old Midland Mainline ones and keep the VP's and Valentas, at least until a year or two after the launch, when they can afford a re-engine program.

 

[Gizmogle]

Just noticed that in Dec '08, they'll stop serving Brighton.

Hmmm, that would be rather annoying. They might change their mind if enough people use the service? Or ask for it to stay on?

Well, you never know!

They might get some old Midland Mainline ones and keep the VP's and Valentas, at least until a year or two after the launch, when they can afford a re-engine program.

Hope so

 

[Callufrax]

Yes, definately. You can't do heads out on a Voyager lol
Any one know what kinda crap they'll be calling the "engine"? Cause I'm guessing they aren't putting Valentas in them

Though, with the refurbished HST coaches, they may even replace the door windows with sealed ones, and replace the manual door mechanism.

 

[Gizmogle]

Though, with the refurbished HST coaches, they may even replace the door windows with sealed ones, and replace the manual door mechanism.

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!

 

[martyn29]

Yes
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ams/routes/networkmap_new.pdf



"introducing five High Speed Trains each with eight state-of-the-art refurbished coaches, providing longer trains with more luggage space on the North East-South West route"

oh dear....refurb hsts?

cool HST's through Nuneaton!

 

[Gizmogle]

cool HST's through Nuneaton!

Yes That'll be fun for the people stood on the platform when they get one passing through!

Surely HSTs aren't good for the environment though?
They're saying they're gonna "co-operate with the industry and introduce Arriva initiatives to develop alternative fuels", but surely with the Voyagers rather than HSTs.

 

[martyn29]

long live the Hst's I say!

 

[matt]

cool HST's through Nuneaton!

I doubt they would go through Nuneaton, that route will most likely stay with 170s

 

[Gizmogle]

long live the Hst's I say!

Definately, but eventually, they're gonna end up as horrible refurbished, MTU messes with "passenger comfort" as the priority. I think if the HSTs aren't completely withdrawn after so long, they're gonna go to ****.

 

[Callufrax]

Surely HSTs aren't good for the environment though?
They're saying they're gonna "co-operate with the industry and introduce Arriva initiatives to develop alternative fuels", but surely with the Voyagers rather than HSTs.

Maybe part of the refurbishment would involve the power cars being re-engined, with MTU's, as what's been done by FGW and GNER.