Thameslink

[yorkie]

well well, first eh. will the stations still have thameslink on them? i,e kings x thameslink... no kings x "first" :cry:

The 'Thameslink' name wasn't invited by GoVia, it's been around since the start of service back in about 1988.

Before that, the 'link' between the Midland main line and Blackfriars was not in use (I believe it was originally a freight line), it was brought back in use specifically for Thameslink. I have an old video that mentiones it, somewhere.

So the name Thameslink is part of the franchise, and I'm sure First will just stick their name in front.

But under the Plans for Thameslink 2000 it will be combined with Great Northern. Eventually.

 

[traveller1030]

You are correct, it was the Holborn Viaduct lines that I believe may even have fell into complete disuse at one point in the 80's. It has had passenger services before since there was a 'Holborn Viaduct' station where City Thameslink now stands (an A-Z circa late 70's I have confirms this).

As for First retaining any hint of 'Thameslink' branding, their PR would be indicating to the contrary.

 

[class 313]

about thameslink 2000, apprantly its ment to start 2007-2008? but this means closure of blackfrairs, wich will disrupt same as the blokade to st pancris? also will trains be disrupted to and from chraing x?

 

[yorkie]

about thameslink 2000, apprantly its ment to start 2007-2008? but this means closure of blackfrairs, wich will disrupt same as the blokade to st pancris? also will trains be disrupted to and from chraing x?

Not sure, I've not read the latest plans (they keep changing due to objections and costs etc), but certainly Blackfriars would not close permanently. Moorgate would close, for Thameslink services (Farringdon could get busy!)

 

[class 313]

what i last read, there will be 5 fold maybe 10 fold more trains going in and out london, how can london cope with this, also ther will be 5 fold amount of trains on the midland mainline line. looks like st albans is become evan busyer! as trains are going to go back down to sevenoaks and as high as kingslangly (i think)

 

[traveller1030]

Farringdon is due an upgrade I believe as part of Crossrail (it may also be in the TL3000 plans, can't remember off-hand)... so a station rebuild is on the cards there should Crossrail ever be built, I'd guess, to relieve any congestion in the station.

 

[bunnahabhain]

No more trains can actually run on the Midland Mainline south of St. Albans, it's actually at 99% capacity, and if you add many more trains then you're gonna end up with a very unreliable service.

More frequent trains are not the solution on the Thameslink services, it's longer trains, that's where the real solution to the problem lies.

 

[Tom]

"First Capital Connect", does anyone agree with me that this is a rubbish name?

 

[Mojo]

Can anyone think of variations on that?

Worst Crapitall Disconnect
Last Crapitup Connect

 

[traveller1030]

"First Capital Connect", does anyone agree with me that this is a rubbish name?

Not only that but First are getting rid of a very strong rail brand in Thameslink. Worst Crapitall Disconnect gets my vote, and my brain cells are too fried at the mo to think of anything cleverer!

 

[RJ]

:roll: Imagine 313s on the Capital Connect Wimbledon/Sutton to Luton services *shudders*.

 

[Tom]

Am doing so now.

 

[class 313]

cl313's are good but on short runs :P i think the new name should be first thameslink.... and first capital connect need to buy more trains (or get more 319's!).

 

[steve158]

i wouldn't be surprised now if NX chucked in rail altogether now having lost two franchises.

please don't let them get west mids

 

[AlexS]

National Express? I want them to get West Mids. They've been great recently, not had a problem with a late train (except for a few Walsall - Wellingtons held for a delayed as usual Arriva service) in months.

 

[lev441]

i wouldn't be surprised now if NX chucked in rail altogether now having lost two franchises.

please don't let them get west mids

National Express have done a good job on most of their franchises. 'One' and Central trains being the exception. But central has really cleaned up their act and are doing very well now. All the other franchises are not so bad are they?! c2c, wagn, etc! all pretty good!

TBH. first capital connect just doesn't have the same ring to it, as thameslink. I really did want Nat x to win it, i just can't bare the thought of 319's in barbie livery

 

[class 313]

wont they use a new livery altogether on the class 319's?

 

[AlexS]

Apparently so. We could be seeing the beginning of the end of First corporate livery on the railways (excepting the TPE 185s).

 

[steve158]

i wouldn't be surprised now if NX chucked in rail altogether now having lost two franchises.

please don't let them get west mids

National Express have done a good job on most of their franchises. 'One' and Central trains being the exception. But central has really cleaned up their act and are doing very well now. All the other franchises are not so bad are they?! c2c, wagn, etc! all pretty good!

TBH. first capital connect just doesn't have the same ring to it, as thameslink. I really did want Nat x to win it, i just can't bare the thought of 319's in barbie livery

i mean don't let first get the WM

 

[Sprog]

i wouldn't be surprised now if NX chucked in rail altogether now having lost two franchises.

please don't let them get west mids

National Express have done a good job on most of their franchises. 'One' and Central trains being the exception. But central has really cleaned up their act and are doing very well now. All the other franchises are not so bad are they?! c2c, wagn, etc! all pretty good!

TBH. first capital connect just doesn't have the same ring to it, as thameslink. I really did want Nat x to win it, i just can't bare the thought of 319's in barbie livery

HAHAHA , you mean the Central that cancelled all its sunday services last week because there wasnt enough 'voluntry' drivers to run it! :roll: :roll:

You sure where talking about the same Central here! :? :?

ONE are cr*p - 80-odd cancellations one day last week, and 80+ the following day!, wagn or okish, MML are alot better than last year...BUT only because NatEX is focusing most of its resources on it, and c2c is a simple franchise - ok, the chavs are a challange, but thats what shotguns are for.......

First are gonna improve FCC

You just wait and see........

 

[steve158]

i wouldn't be surprised now if NX chucked in rail altogether now having lost two franchises.

please don't let them get west mids

National Express have done a good job on most of their franchises. 'One' and Central trains being the exception. But central has really cleaned up their act and are doing very well now. All the other franchises are not so bad are they?! c2c, wagn, etc! all pretty good!

TBH. first capital connect just doesn't have the same ring to it, as thameslink. I really did want Nat x to win it, i just can't bare the thought of 319's in barbie livery

HAHAHA , you mean the Central that cancelled all its sunday services last week because there wasnt enough 'voluntry' drivers to run it! :roll: :roll:

You sure where talking about the same Central here! :? :?

ONE are cr*p - 80-odd cancellations one day last week, and 80+ the following day!, wagn or okish, MML are alot better than last year...BUT only because NatEX is focusing most of its resources on it, and c2c is a simple franchise - ok, the chavs are a challange, but thats what shotguns are for.......

First are gonna improve FCC

You just wait and see........

as someone said in the birmingham mail last week, are train drivers not allowed to have sundays off sometimes, like normal people??

 

[Sprog]

Uh huh :roll: , well, as someone who spent all of yesterday talking (and drinking ) with drivers and Central staff, i think im in a position to say this:

Im not saying drivers shouldnt have Sundays off, im saying (and this is 'form the horses mouth') that Centrals shift system is cr*p, as it uses a voluntry principal on Sundays.

This is because they are to penny pinching to cough up the extra wages for Sunday work. So really, theyve shot themselves in the foot, which relly makes me laugh. Chrstmas is here, and drivers want breaks, so CT shouldda realised that volunteers for working Sundays should have dropped off.

Thats what i think. I dont see why CT cant just pay their drivers (and staff) properly and fairly....... :x

 

[steve158]

it always seems to be left to the last minute any of these arrangements. every year.

 

[Tom]

Uh huh :roll: , well, as someone who spent all of yesterday talking (and drinking ) with drivers and Central staff, i think im in a position to say this:

Im not saying drivers shouldnt have Sundays off, im saying (and this is 'form the horses mouth') that Centrals shift system is cr*p, as it uses a voluntry principal on Sundays.

This is because they are to penny pinching to cough up the extra wages for Sunday work. So really, theyve shot themselves in the foot, which relly makes me laugh. Chrstmas is here, and drivers want breaks, so CT shouldda realised that volunteers for working Sundays should have dropped off.

Thats what i think. I dont see why CT cant just pay their drivers (and staff) properly and fairly....... :x

It's a union rule I believe so they get their way I would presume.

 

[Sprog]

? Huh..whats a union rule?

 

[steve158]

i think what he means it has been pre-arranged between the union and management to a certain extent. but every so often a gap occurs, is spotted and the union ask for more money/time off.

 

[class 313]

is it just me or was this topic about thameslink and not c2c or central?

 

[steve158]

is it just me or was this topic about thameslink and not c2c or central?

it sort of turned into a discussion of how good/bad NX train companies are.

 

[class 313]

oh i see well silverlink are pretty good