Renaissance Trains

[Ivo]

I've just stumbled upon the above whilst scanning through various Wikipedia articles, and noticed that the information about them never seems to change. To that extent, I had a quick look at their website, and my is it out-of-date! To give an obvious example, note the "Latest News" banner at the top. It also says (at the bottom) "(C) Renaissance Trains 2009".

Do they just not care, or are there problems (besides the non-existence of WSMR) at the company? Either way, what message does this give out to other prospective Open-Access operators, including of course GOCO?

 

[swt_passenger]

That website has been distinctly odd for quite a few years now. I think the text on the page referring to Glasgow Trains and their proposed Nottingham service has been there for about 4 or 5 years - it still reads as though 2009 is in the future... :roll:

 

[rail-britain]

Plans were put on hold after the original application was rejected
They had advised that once the West Coast franchise restrictions are lifted they would make a fresh application, however they have not done so probably due to a lack of guaranteed rolling stock

 

[Oliver]

Plans were put on hold after the original application was rejected
They had advised that once the West Coast franchise restrictions are lifted they would make a fresh application, however they have not done so probably due to a lack of guaranteed rolling stock

The people behind Renaissance Trains are mainly involved in First Class Partnerships. http://www.firstclasspartnerships.com/who-we-are.php

As the Open Access projects aren't progressing at present they are probably doing project work for FCP.

 

[WestCoast]

We bring a blend of financial and operational expertise and our successes include Hull Trains, Wrexham & Shropshire and the soon-to-be-launched Glasgow Trains.

Doesn't look professional at all to any type of investor.

 

[rail-britain]

Doesn't look professional at all to any type of investor.

It would have at the time of that first application, in 2008 / 2009

If they plan to make another application then a complete website replacement would be likely
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The people behind Renaissance Trains are mainly involved in First Class Partnerships. http://www.firstclasspartnerships.com/who-we-are.php

As the Open Access projects aren't progressing at present they are probably doing project work for FCP.

Yes, the cross-links are quite obvious
Equally, there are some hints on that website what they are currently working on!
Since Renaissance Trains they have been joined by three Directors / Senior Managers from Stagecoach and GNER, and they still refer to their experience of trains on the ECML as well as being involved as OLR

 

[route:oxford]

Plans were put on hold after the original application was rejected
They had advised that once the West Coast franchise restrictions are lifted they would make a fresh application, however they have not done so probably due to a lack of guaranteed rolling stock

The really daft thing is, they could have ordered a dozen 8 car tilt enabled, WIFI installed Voyagers back in 2008 and had them delivered early 2009.

Whilst they don't have paths themselves, you can be sure that someone out there would be willing to hire them in - and could probably have made a fair profit in the meantime.

 

[rail-britain]

The really daft thing is, they could have ordered a dozen 8 car tilt enabled, WIFI installed Voyagers back in 2008 and had them delivered early 2009
someone out there would be willing to hire them in

Too high risk though
Franchises are restricted, the TOC could add additional rolling stock, but at their cost
The benefits are minimal, so they don't

As an example, GNER could have invested massively in new trains, giving a half-hourly service between Newcastle and London, an hourly service between Glasgow and London, etc
At the end of the franchise they would still own those trains and the new franchisee could then be held to ransom for this "additional" rolling stock

TOCs operate and own the absolute minimum required

 

[xtradj]

They wanted to do a Glasgow to Preston hourly, with Nottingham 2 hourly, and Liverpool on the other hour

 

[dfishw]

if you check the network rail website for the ECML concultation a proposal appears for a train every two hours between nottingham and glasgow and glasgow and hull. Have no idea who put it forward or if its an attempt to run the original proposals but via the ECML instead. Pathing restrictions make it unlikely to go ahead esp those between york and newcastle.
For the liverpool-glasgow service i thought (i could be wrong) that it was included in the WCML review RUS.