Surprised at this.

I noticed that the 'East Coast' was missing from the TV advert. Didn't realise it had been dropped completely though.

Yeah, I'm suprised they've dropped it completely.

I believe it is so they can create a joint brand between the west and east coast.

It was strange Saturday hearing Daz say "Virgin Trains service to" instead of "Virgin Trains East Coast service to"

Oh wow, that's a surprise!

Your tickets are only valid on Virgin Trains services, so no cheeky hopping on Virgin Trains or vice versa!

On Saturday, Virgin Trains dropped the "East Coast" part of the name. Therefore meaning that the TOC is now called Virgin Trains and not Virgin Trains East Coast.

However, the code will remain as 'GR' which actuallty stands for GNER!

The dropping of the 'East Coast' part is to do with reducing confusion for customers. A quick look at both VTWC and VTEC Twitter accounts will show a rather large number of complaints/messages being sent to the wrong TOC.

"GR" is the ATOC code which relates to the franchise, not the operator. With GNER being the first operator to run the franchise since privatisation, this has stuck - likewise with Virgin Trains running the West Coast since privatisation.
"NT" for Northern Rail too; since they were originally Arriva Trains Northern since privatisation until 2004; running as Northern Spirit (with the exception of TransPennine Express services) since 1998.

Why others have changed since; such as London Midland being LM - this may have been to do with the splitting or formation of other franchises. London Midland was formed from Central Trains and Silverlink when it was formed in 2007.

New train service launched for Sunderland

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7480538

Can't find if Virgin/East cost are doing more than just the new 5.40am departure, arriving in London King’s Cross at 9.08am. With the return service departing London at 8pm. Both services will be faster than existing direct trains to Sunderland, by seven minutes southbound and 11 minutes northbound.

New train service launched for Sunderland

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/busin...-1-7480538

Can't find if Virgin/East cost are doing more than just the new 5.40am departure, arriving in London King’s Cross at 9.08am. With the return service departing London at 8pm. Both services will be faster than existing direct trains to Sunderland, by seven minutes southbound and 11 minutes northbound.

Yes, Virgin Trains (on the East Coast) are only doing the one outbound and one inbound service per day. 

Yes, Virgin Trains (on the East Coast) are only doing the one outbound and one inbound service per day. 

Hopefully they add more in the future... i don't have much interest in trains... any idea what they'll use on the service?

Hopefully they add more in the future... i don't have much interest in trains... any idea what they'll use on the service?

HSTs.

HSTs.

Will all 9 carriages be able to fit on the platform or will it be a case of some overhanging/not reaching the platform?

HSTs.

Cheers, =)

HSTs.

Will they go via Newcastle or Eaglescliffe?

Will they go via Newcastle or Eaglescliffe?

They will go to London via Newcastle.

They will go to London via Newcastle.

Assuming there is no stop at Heworth then

Assuming there is no stop at Heworth then

No haha! Non stop from Sunderland to Newcastle vice versa.

Its route according to the East Coast/Virgin website.

5:40am
Sunderland
Newcastle
Durham
Darlington
York
Peterboroug
London Kings Cross

Will all 9 carriages be able to fit on the platform or will it be a case of some overhanging/not reaching the platform?

The GC fit, but obviously they are a few carriages short, of a full VTEC set.

It will be interesting to see.

The other point to make, is that Sunderland has 4 platform numbers, despite only having one island platform.

I am wondering which platforms they arrive/depart from.
If using a southbound platform from London, is the driver going to change ends and head back to Heaton?
Or is it going to arrive on the Northbound platform?

The wiki, has the track layout. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunderland_station

The GC fit, but obviously they are a few carriages short, of a full VTEC set.

It will be interesting to see.

The other point to make, is that Sunderland has 4 platform numbers, despite only having one island platform.

I am wondering which platforms they arrive/depart from.
If using a southbound platform from London, is the driver going to change ends and head back to Heaton?
Or is it going to arrive on the Northbound platform?

The wiki, has the track layout. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunderland_station

The Grand Central trains depart from the South Hylton bound Metro platform. When there are delays / timing 'collisions', the South Hylton bound Metros serve the Airport bound Metro platform.

I would imagine the same will apply?

Its route according to the East Coast/Virgin website.

5:40am
Sunderland
Newcastle
Durham
Darlington
York
Peterboroug
London Kings Cross

It will do the current 0559 from Newcastle which is a HST, just starting at Sunderland.

It will do the current 0559 from Newcastle which is a HST, just starting at Sunderland.

Cheers Citaro, i have no idea about trains haha

From what I've been told at SMT at Newcastle, they will go..

Newcastle - Sunderland - Newcastle

On another note...

Virgin Trains (East Coast) 91114 "Durham Cathedral" is almost ready for service!

On 91129 and it departed NCL 5 Minutes Late due to "Technical Difficulties", just left Alnmouth.

The Grand Central trains depart from the South Hylton bound Metro platform. When there are delays / timing 'collisions', the South Hylton bound Metros serve the Airport bound Metro platform.

I would imagine the same will apply?

I would move it from that platform to the other one

---

On another note...

Virgin Trains (East Coast) 91114 "Durham Cathedral" is almost ready for service!

Looks vvv smart

43238 has just left Newcastle to go to London.

43238 has just left Newcastle to go to London.

It is on 1E07 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

Then...

1S20 London Kings Cross to Aberdeen (Due into NCL at 16:49)
5S20 Aberdeen to Aberdeen Clayhills Car.M.D

It is on 1E07 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

Then...

1S20 London Kings Cross to Aberdeen (Due into NCL at 16:49)
5S20 Aberdeen to Aberdeen Clayhills Car.M.D

Tomorrow:
5E15 XAC (Aberdeen) to Aberdeen
1E15 Aberdeen to Kings Cross (NCL 1358)
1D26 Kings Cross to Harrogate
5D26 Harrogate to XNL (Neville Hill)

Tomorrow:
5E15 XAC (Aberdeen) to Aberdeen
1E15 Aberdeen to Kings Cross (NCL 1358)
1D26 Kings Cross to Harrogate
5D26 Harrogate to XNL (Neville Hill)

I am going to attempt to catch it to Darlington

Will all 9 carriages be able to fit on the platform or will it be a case of some overhanging/not reaching the platform?

VTEC proposes to operate the new service using 2+9 high speed trains (HSTs). These trains are 247 metres in length which is longer than the platforms at Sunderland (by approximately 2 coach lengths). In addition, the leading Power Car would be off the platform. We are working with industry partners, and Network Rail in particular, to agree a solution for the safe operation of a VTEC train at Sunderland. From various site visits and a test train on 22 February, we have identified the need to build a walking route for drivers – this will be approximately 67 metres in length at the south end of the station. In terms of other matters at Sunderland, it would be necessary for Northern Rail staff to isolate the fire alarm sensors at platform level while a VTEC train is occupying the platform, in the same way they do for Grand Central services. 

For further reading see here: http://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file...o-dbtw.pdf

I thought there HSTs had 10 cars with the 225s having 9

I thought there HSTs had 10 cars with the 225s having 9

No. Both the 43/91 sets have 9 cars plus either 2 engine cars (HSTs) or 1 power car + DVT (91s). All trains have 11 parts to it in total.

HSTs have 8 carriages. Coach A is combined with Coach B; A being the cycle storage/guard's compartment.
TSO x 5
Buffet x 1
FO x 2

Mark 4s should have 9 carriages; sometimes being less in the case of any coach failure etc.