Nuneaton gets more Virgin Trains on Sat!

[bengolding]

I see that Virgin are running an hourly direct service from the Midlands to London Euston via High Wycombe and Greenford again, with the line closed between Rugby - MKC.

Previously, Virgin concentrated on running the Chiltern Blockade Busters between Birmingham Interntional - Coventry - Euston, but I notice that this weekend they are running from (some north of) Nuneaton - Coventry - Euston. Virgin must have route learned the Nuneaton-Bedworth-Coventry line for this.

So there is the bizarre scenario of many Virgin services calling at Nuneaton tomorrow, and having an hourly direct Virgin service to/from Euston.

But the online journey planner suggests that it is still quicker to get a Virgin to Rugby, get the bus to Milton Keynes and then a Virgin Train to Euston, than to get the direct train! An early train from Coventry takes just over 2 hours to reach Euston via Greenford, but later trains take over 35 minutes longer. The last time I used this service, we stood at varoius points for several minutes. Is this so much slack on this route?

Also, are Voyagers expected to e used on these direct services or can we also expect a loco-hauled set?

 

[MCR247]

I see that Virgin are running an hourly direct service from the Midlands to London Euston via High Wycombe and Greenford again, with the line closed between Rugby - MKC.

Previously, Virgin concentrated on running the Chiltern Blockade Busters between Birmingham Interntional - Coventry - Euston, but I notice that this weekend they are running from (some north of) Nuneaton - Coventry - Euston. Virgin must have route learned the Nuneaton-Bedworth-Coventry line for this.

So there is the bizarre scenario of many Virgin services calling at Nuneaton tomorrow, and having an hourly direct Virgin service to/from Euston.

But the online journey planner suggests that it is still quicker to get a Virgin to Rugby, get the bus to Milton Keynes and then a Virgin Train to Euston, than to get the direct train! An early train from Coventry takes just over 2 hours to reach Euston via Greenford, but later trains take over 35 minutes longer. The last time I used this service, we stood at varoius points for several minutes. Is this so much slack on this route?

Also, are Voyagers expected to e used on these direct services or can we also expect a loco-hauled set?

They will probably be voyager as I cant see VT hiring in a loco.

I wish I'd done the last ones, because they used EVERY super voyager to form 15 coach services via Chiltern territory! VT were very grateful to Central Rivers for having every voyager ready!

 

[Ascot]

Does this mean Route High Wycombe tickets are valid?

 

[MCR247]

Does this mean Route High Wycombe tickets are valid?

Nope I dont think so. Dosent the train have to stop there, or is that just splitting tickets

 

[Mojo]

Nope I dont think so. Dosent the train have to stop there, or is that just splitting tickets

I don't know if route High Wycombe tickets are valid, but it doesn't mean the train has to stop there - half of Chiltern's Birmingham to London trains are non-stop from Bicester North to Marylebone!

 

[MCR247]

I don't know if route High Wycombe tickets are valid, but it doesn't mean the train has to stop there - half of Chiltern's Birmingham to London trains are non-stop from Bicester North to Marylebone!

Ok thanks for that. I thought I was getting confused!

 

[voyagerdude220]

They definately should be valid on the Super Voyagers via High Wycombe, but i'd double-check, just incase.

 

[thefab444]

They will probably be voyager as I cant see VT hiring in a loco.!

Isn't that what the 57s are for?

But still, these services will be 220/221 (I guess 390s aren't cleared?), although one on a Sunday last year was run with Mark 3s IIRC.

 

[yorkie]

Does this mean Route High Wycombe tickets are valid?

Route High Wycombe tickets are valid for any service that is timed to go via High Wycombe, there is no requirement for the train to call. So fast Chiltern services, Wrexham & Shropshire and diverted Virgin services all accept such tickets.

Equally, Route Birmingham tickets are valid for any service that is timetabled to go through a Birmingham group station (this includes Aston) so Wrexham & Shropshire services must accept such tickets.

There's no requirement in the RG for a train to call at a station that is specified in the route.

 

[MCR247]

Isn't that what the 57s are for?

But still, these services will be 220/221 (I guess 390s aren't cleared?), although one on a Sunday last year was run with Mark 3s IIRC.

OMG!! Forgot about them!!!! Well I cant see them hiring more MK3s? Unless they arent using the LHCS.

 

[The Planner]

Id love to see a 390 through High Wycombe !!

 

[jopsuk]

Isn't that what the 57s are for?

But still, these services will be 220/221 (I guess 390s aren't cleared?), although one on a Sunday last year was run with Mark 3s IIRC.

221s- Virgin have no 220s.

 

[paul1609]

Route High Wycombe tickets are valid for any service that is timed to go via High Wycombe, there is no requirement for the train to call. So fast Chiltern services, Wrexham & Shropshire and diverted Virgin services all accept such tickets.

Equally, Route Birmingham tickets are valid for any service that is timetabled to go through a Birmingham group station (this includes Aston) so Wrexham & Shropshire services must accept such tickets.

There's no requirement in the RG for a train to call at a station that is specified in the route.

As far as WSMR is concerned I dont believe your advice is correct.
All franchised tocs are required to accept all rail settlement plan tickets as described in the routing guide.
However open access operators are under no obligation to do so. I have heard that WSMR have refused these tickets as they do not receive any revenue share. This information is however some months old and I do not know the current score.

 

[1D53]

As far as WSMR is concerned I dont believe your advice is correct.
All franchised tocs are required to accept all rail settlement plan tickets as described in the routing guide.
However open access operators are under no obligation to do so. I have heard that WSMR have refused these tickets as they do not receive any revenue share. This information is however some months old and I do not know the current score.

There are posters at MYB and also announcements onboard stating that route Birmingham tickets are NOT valid onboard.