(05 Feb 2018, 8:00 pm)Andreos1 wrote VTEC to operate for 'just a few more months

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42945709

Stagecoach could take over the franchise in full,which would bea disgrace.virgin have been handed an extension to the west coast franchise, without any tendering.chris Grayling is a dammed disgrace,and it the uk tax payers who will be footing the bill.

(05 Feb 2018, 9:21 pm)Northern4555 wrote Stagecoach could take over the franchise in full,which would bea disgrace.virgin have been handed an extension to the west coast franchise, without any tendering.chris Grayling is a dammed disgrace,and it the uk tax payers who will be footing the bill.

The ECML basically is fully operated by Stagecoach, Virgin hold a token 10% stake which is essentially for branding purposes. After the GNER and NX fiasco this shouldn't still be happening, Stagecoach overbid for the franchise and they should have to see out their obligations and face the consequences.

Looks like the Azuma has visited Sunderland:

https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC

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(18 Apr 2018, 7:48 pm)8222 wrote Looks like the Azuma has visited Sunderland:

https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC

Sorry - https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC/stat...0806766592

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(18 Apr 2018, 7:48 pm)8222 wrote Looks like the Azuma has visited Sunderland:

https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC

Sorry - https://twitter.com/Virgin_TrainsEC/stat...0806766592

VTEC cease operations on the 24th June.

LNER to run East Coast Mainline services from London to Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lner-...d-scotland
http://www.lnerailway.co.uk/

(16 May 2018, 1:14 pm)omnicity4659 wrote LNER to run East Coast Mainline services from London to Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lner-...d-scotland
http://www.lnerailway.co.uk/

Interesting to see private organisations involved in the running of LNER.
Arup (see involvement with Carillion) and French Canadian firm SNC Lavalin (see involvement with Gadaffi) amongst others.
The group will be led by Arup and will work under Government control.

This is infuriating. I'm still waiting to hear from Mr Horne about the service to Sunderland that has never made it there the 4 times I have used it... 

(16 May 2018, 2:24 pm)Andreos1 wrote Interesting to see private organisations involved in the running of LNER.
Arup (see involvement with Carillion) and French Canadian firm SNC Lavalin (see involvement with Gadaffi) amongst others.
The group will be led by Arup and will work under Government control.

LNER is to continue to use the Azuma name on the fleet of Class 800/1s.

Also, LNER branding is virtually everywhere. Seems like the Virgin brand will be eliminated within weeks.

Check out @LNER’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/LNER/status/10623204...58944?s=09

There's a blast from the past!

Such a fantastic livery!

(13 Nov 2018, 4:14 pm)Andreos1 wrote Check out @LNER’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/LNER/status/10623204...58944?s=09

There's a blast from the past!

Also - with the new Azuma branding - does it remind anyone of the prototype HST livery (albeit a red version of it!)?

91117 & 91120 have gone to europhoenix think there off to Belgium or bulgaria

(06 Oct 2019, 8:40 pm)GNE6312 wrote 91117 & 91120 have gone to europhoenix think there off to Belgium or bulgaria

They're being used on the MML first to test the OHLE, then 20 of them are going to Bulgaria where they'll be regeared for freight.

An azuma has appeared to crashed into 43300 at Neville hill

(14 Nov 2019, 10:06 am)GNE6312 wrote

An azuma has appeared to crashed into 43300 at Neville hill

800109 the Azuma.

Photos appearing on twitter.

https://twitter.com/MRWLogistics/status/...30464?s=09

https://twitter.com/nodrogvlogs/status/1...29248?s=19

Doesn't look good!

Ooooh Dear. Good news is both are rebuildable.

However HST after that would have to be scapped, however another company has brought HST's from LNER when Azuma comes in and replaces them. So its to be repaired and ready for new owner.

Azuma can and will be repaired. 43300, very unlikely.

From today, LNER are publishing the fleet numbers of their Azuma fleet on Real Time Trains - as with ScotRail, you need to click on the detailed page of the service.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...ssing.html

Stolen car crashes in to coach.

LNER looks like they have a tender out for someone to build trains... they'll replace the class 225's

Delivery- up to 26 Apr 2029
Value - £500M

Deadline is 7.6.21


https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2021/W19/750583864

Not sure if anyone's aware but there's been LNER Azumas regularly operating up and down the Durham Coast line. Headcodes are: 

5Z60 Heaton to Shell Junction (Seaham pass 08:09)
5Z62 Northallerton East Jn to Heaton (Seaham pass 10:32)
5Z63 Heaton to Shell Junction (Seaham pass 13:58)
5Z66 Shell Junction to Heaton (Seaham pass 18:37)

Just a quick one to say I've travelled to London and back in the last few days. Both times travelling on azuma and was impressed with the comfort and speed they travelled.

(19 Aug 2021, 3:14 pm)idiot wrote Just a quick one to say I've travelled to London and back in the last few days. Both times travelling on azuma and was impressed with the comfort and speed they travelled.

I agree, they are spot on.  Folk say the seats are not good, but tbh, I have done London a few times in both Standard and First, and they are both fine.

I wasn't comfortable on the way back I felt very restless but wasn't because of the seats lol.

Not sure if it has made the press yet, but the LNER revisions for next year aren't now going ahead.
A number of reasons have been given according to an email I've not long received. 

It will be interesting to see what the implications are for the other tocs.

(26 Aug 2021, 4:03 pm)Andreos1 wrote Not sure if it has made the press yet, but the LNER revisions for next year aren't now going ahead.
A number of reasons have been given according to an email I've not long received. 

It will be interesting to see what the implications are for the other tocs.

I wonder why. It'll be interesting to see. Haven't they still got a tender out for additional rolling stock?

Tweet from LNER to push their new First Class menu for services: https://twitter.com/LNER/status/1478667394994348039 (direct link: https://www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast-ex...class/menu)

Although it seems to be at their discretion which menu is available on which service, there's a reply to one of the comments that may be of interest: "The menus are determined based on the busier services with the aim to eventually make all trains Dine and Dish. No specifics...yet!"

There seems to be more on the Deli and Dish menus for both breakfast and rest of day, although a real focus on vegetarian or vegan options, with a limited carnivore selection. The Dine menu is due to be released later in Jan.

LNER & Nexus are currently in talks for staff to have discounted travel for all employees in Tyne & Wear on their respective services. Nexus had reportedly asked for Free Travel on LNER Services in initial discussions however this was rejected by LNER as Nexus weren't willing to do the same for LNER staff on Tyne & Wear Metro plus this would be more costly from a financial aspect for LNER.