(06 Jan 2016, 11:59 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-sc...s-35240697
Dumfries diversion to be extended
It turns out that the diversion of the VTWC services will have an impact on Scotrail services on the route.
Although VTWC are only calling at Kilmarnock, a number of Scotrail trains which would normally use the route and call at all stations, are being replaced by road transport.
I assume this diversion will last longer than the Tyne Valley line closure and there will be some impact on Scotrail services to Newcastle.
Story is a bit of out of date now. Current talk is late March early April for reopening!
Tyne Valley expected to be shut til March at least too
(04 Dec 2016, 10:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-gl...t-38200123
Incident involving a VT Voyager
Service involved for anybody who cares was 1S76. It is usually the 14:30 from Euston but was cancelled and started at Carlisle due to overhead line issues which is the reason given at the top of the RTT page. However, using the news articles and Google maps (last report is the last point prior to Carluke station and Cleghorn LC is just south of Carluke), the times appear to match.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y8...3/advanced
(05 Dec 2016, 5:48 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Service involved for anybody who cares was 1S76. It is usually the 14:30 from Euston but was cancelled and started at Carlisle due to overhead line issues which is the reason given at the top of the RTT page. However, using the news articles and Google maps (last report is the last point prior to Carluke station and Cleghorn LC is just south of Carluke), the times appear to match.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y8...3/advanced
Aye it was 1S76. It was suppose to be a Class 390. I think it started at Preston and not Carlisle mind
(05 Dec 2016, 6:29 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Aye it was 1S76. It was suppose to be a Class 390. I think it started at Preston and not Carlisle mind
Thought so - not too sure how it would have ended up over 200 minutes late if not involved in that incident (assuming all trains not involved would be terminated before they got to the incident site) Duh! I don't even know why I said Carlisle haha.
390010 now carries the interim Virgin Trains "Flowing Silk" livery, it's a basic version of the Azuma.
(14 Sep 2017, 3:35 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]390010 now carries the interim Virgin Trains "Flowing Silk" livery, it's a basic version of the Azuma.
I am desperate to see this!!
They could have done so much more....
What's your thoughts?
My views on First are mixed - FCC was a disaster when I used them several times and FGW outside of London seemed to be bad; but the FGW I've used into and out of London has been fine.
They seem to be trying their best to modernise TransPennine which is good.
(14 Aug 2019, 6:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Franchise winners announced!
https://news.sky.com/story/first-trenita...s-11785017
(15 Aug 2019, 12:47 pm)8222 wrote [ -> ]What's your thoughts?
My views on First are mixed - FCC was a disaster when I used them several times and FGW outside of London seemed to be bad; but the FGW I've used into and out of London has been fine.
They seem to be trying their best to modernise TransPennine which is good.
I'm glad to see the over-hyped, NHS suing Virgin brand disappearing from the network.
They did nothing for me, other than annoyed at their own PR spin - as seen on the ECML too.
I've used FGW quite a bit in and out of Paddington and on local stuff around Hampshire, Berkshire Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and don't have any major issues with them. Others may say different.
I haven't used C2C since TrenItalia moved in on the Fenchurch St routes, so can't comment on ops there.
My first instinct is that Trenitalia are using the First brand to get a foothold on longer distance stuff within the UK.
However, I wonder if it is actually the other way round and First will be stealing one or two of the Italians ideas.
I agree with Virgin. The whole ECML-thing was a shocker. I flew VS for the first time this year (as it was that or Iberia, who I despise) and there was too much 'happy jazz' - but the actual service was quite poor compared to BA. BA crews don't mind you going to the galley for extra snacks, drinks and will chat. These seemed like we had put their noses out of joint by asking for a glass of water. I felt the Birmingham first class offering were pretty poor with Virgin (had to do that a few times from Euston). It'll be interesting to see what will happen. I also wonder if they'll take any 222s from EMR when they become available.
There's a sense of irony about this. Yet again we're privatising part of a franchise, to a state-ran operator from another EU country.
I'm pleased Virgin were disqualified from bidding, but its a shame it was over Pension rules, rather than the huge burden they put on the tax payer when they threw the keys for the East Coast franchise back. Any operator that does that, should not get anywhere near a bidding process for another franchise. At least until they pay up the money they committed to in their franchise agreement.
I whole-heartedly agree. Though we keep tarnishing Virgin - it's as much Stagecoach's fault. I don't think they get the same amount of grief as Virgin.
I'll be interested to see what the additional trains are. I want to know where the EMT 222s are going to go when the 80x series come online.
(16 Aug 2019, 6:53 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]There's a sense of irony about this. Yet again we're privatising part of a franchise, to a state-ran operator from another EU country.
I'm pleased Virgin were disqualified from bidding, but its a shame it was over Pension rules, rather than the huge burden they put on the tax payer when they threw the keys for the East Coast franchise back. Any operator that does that, should not get anywhere near a bidding process for another franchise. At least until they pay up the money they committed to in their franchise agreement.