Open access GC & WSMR

[paul1609]

It seems to be very quiet here recently about the 2 new open access operators. Ive still not managed to sample GC but does the silence now mean both operators are operating smoothly? Are they managing to build a customer base?

 

[Techniquest]

Might be that the kids are all back at school now.

Not seen much about either of them myself, so I too hope things have settled down nicely.

 

[91101]

GC are doing quite, well at the moment, one or two obsitcles that could have ruined things have been swiftly overcome, performance has been improving quite a bit as time goes on.

 

[TheSlash]

Might be that the kids are all back at school now.

Thats rich coming from you!

 

[spoony]

Hi all first post on here. Ive used GC a couple of times and found their service to be outstanding on what was a pretty difficult day for the railways in the North East a couple of weekends ago. Im happy to use them especially at £69 return fare from Sunderland to KX

 

[Techniquest]

Thats rich coming from you!

What? The kids are back and now they are, they'll be on here less and out on the rails less often.

 

[First ScotRail]

Im Glad GC are beginning to settle down now, they certainly didnt have it easy...lets just hope it continues.

 

[spoony]

Im Glad GC are beginning to settle down now, they certainly didnt have it easy...lets just hope it continues.

They would be even better if they were given more priority at Sunderland station. When I was waiting for them there was a barrier failure at East Boldon and all metros/trains were suspended for 45 minutes. (This was a couple of weeks ago when the floods were happening) GC was due to leave at 12.30 but once the fault had been fixed they were put to the back of the queue behind 2 metros and the Middlesborough train. We only left at 13.25. I was impressed with the customer service as I asked on board whether this would impact my return journey from York. The conductor took my mobile number and actually sent me a text message with the expected time back into York, I was most impressed8)

 

[Pumbaa]

Any idea when the WSMR stock is due back from Marcroft?

 

[91101]

I'm on 1A60 now at Eaglescliffe, and pax loadings from Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe are really starting to take off!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

It is Monday Morning!! Might be a bit quieter when I go through this evening!!

As to the WSMR coaches, how long is a piece of string?!

 

[37402]

Any idea when the WSMR stock is due back from Marcroft?

Soon.

A.N.Other 67 has been at Marcroft recently, engaged in testing duties.

 

[87015]

Soon.

A.N.Other 67 has been at Marcroft recently, engaged in testing duties.

Is the AAR (or whatever it is) likely to be more reliable than the TDM on Mk3 DVTs? Lots of sitting down in useful places when the DVT 'loses' the engine then...

 

[37402]

Is the AAR (or whatever it is) likely to be more reliable than the TDM on Mk3 DVTs? Lots of sitting down in useful places when the DVT 'loses' the engine then...

AAR, correct. Yes, it uses dedicated cabling rather than sharing the RCH as on the Mk3's. Fitting TDM to the 67s was looked into apparently, but it involved more work than modifying the DVTs to work with AAR.

This was one of the selling points of the 67/DVT setup and there have been no such incidents with the EWS management train apparently.

 

[The Planner]

Last i heard was that the WSMR set should be out in October, mind you I was told that a while ago.

 

[jopsuk]

AAR, correct. Yes, it uses dedicated cabling rather than sharing the RCH as on the Mk3's. Fitting TDM to the 67s was looked into apparently, but it involved more work than modifying the DVTs to work with AAR.

This was one of the selling points of the 67/DVT setup and there have been no such incidents with the EWS management train apparently.

But how often is the EWS management train out and about? Reliability issues can only ever be apparent when something is in regular, heavy, use.

I'm not saying that WSMR will have any issues, and I've no idea of the technical merits of one system over another, or what's fitted with what, just that it doesn't seem that conclusions can be drawn so easily.

 

[williamn]

W+S seem to have lowered their prices, now advertising £9 singles from Thame Bridge Parkway

 

[SouthernCrescent]

From recent pictures I've seen of W+S they seem to be using MK3 FO's which suggests a lot of first class space. Are standard class passengers able to use some of this space?

 

[will1337]

It certainly was declassified, not sure if it is still. Ridiculously comfortable.

 

[matt]

WSMR having been using FO's since they started and as Will has said they are de-classified. The first class accomadation is within the buffet coach with the other 2 coaches being standard regardless of what the coach actually is.

 

[SouthernCrescent]

It certainly was declassified, not sure if it is still. Ridiculously comfortable.

sounds like the way to travel then

 

[djw1981]

IIRC it is because they are still using the CArgo D rake whilst awaitingd elivery of their own carriages from Marcroft. Thus the all Fc seating is time limited IIRC.

 

[paul1609]

On my only trip on WSMR the declassified First coach wasnt much to write home about. It had several windows misted up and the air con wasnt working.

 

[Techniquest]

Hi all,

Somewhere on here (I can't remember where), GC fares from London to Sunderland were told to be £45.55 with a Y-P for a return.

Having looked today, I'm quoted £65.55 on the NXEC Mixing Deck.

Does anyone know where this £45.55 fare is from?

Ta,

Julian

EDIT: Found the fare I wanted through the FGW website. Unusual that, I usually have to use the NXEC site to find the fares I want!

 

[Royston Vasey]

Having looked today, I'm quoted £65.55 on the NXEC Mixing Deck.

Does anyone know where this £45.55 fare is from?

£45.55 is the railcard-reduced £69 Off-Peak return (GC only), £65.55 is the railcard-reduced Super Off-Peak Return (any permitted). If you select off-peak services both ways the former should appear...

Sounds like you're sorted anyway.

Odd if NXEC aren't showing the GC fare - is this legal? CONSPIRACY

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

can I point out that the NXEC website is not giving users the option of buying GC Only fares and hasnt been for some time now. Ive just looked and although you can book seats for GC trains, you cannot actually buy GC Only tickets, those shown are Any Permitted

 

[Techniquest]

Aye, I noticed that now. Bizarre but then I guess they want people on NXEC instead. Can't blame them but it's hardly fair play.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Unless they state on their website that it is independent and therefore will sell only NXEC tickets, then they are in the wrong...

 

[williamn]

Wrexham and Shropshire have announced reduced journey times

http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/news-item.php?id=24

 

[me123]

Arrive before 9am... But 8.57am, whilst correctly being before 9am, doesn't give you much chance to get to work for 9am. (Assuming you start work at 9am, of course!)