Northern and TransPennine Express future

[JonathanH]

Indeed. But, as with other fleet coach numbers, we simply don't know what the number may have been 526xx for example.

It could have been anything. My point is just that it doesn't prove that there was a missing vehicle, which was the OP's point.

 

[heathrowrail]

It would be better to break up TPE and pass its longer distance "prestige" services to other operators:

• WCML services from NW England to Scotland - to Avanti WC
• Liverpool to York and NE England (Tyneside/Teesside) - to LNER
• Newcastle to Edinburgh semi-fast services - withdraw but incorporate extra stops within existing XC services between these points
• Liverpool to Cleethorpes - to EMR

I would also transfer the local Northern services from Sheffield to Lincoln and Sheffield to Nottingham to EMR.

The rest should be merged into a single Northern franchise with a totally new management structure. Its remit would be to operate dmus/emus only on basic short/medium-distance services, with no first-class and no on board catering, and operating services essentially only within the northern regions of England. Given the current staffing issues, services should be reduced (at least for now) to what can realistically be operated reliably. However, there should be a focus on ensuring that essentially all local urban stations within 10-15 miles of the major cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull and Newcastle-upon-Tyne are provided with a 30 minute frequency 0730-1830 Mon-Sat to encourage rail use in congested urban areas.

Current confidence in railway services in Northern England is at an all time low due to widespread unreliability and short-notice cancellations, and unless the management problems are addressed, the future is grim for local passenger rail services in this region.

I would agree with most of this apart from Liverpool to Cleethorpes merged into Northern. Northern itself should then be split up in two. NE to LNER and NW to Avanti. I think the GWR franchise especially pre-covid has shown local and intercity routes combined into one franchise allows for more integration, better timetabling and a much better service for most passengers.