https://www.allaboardxc.co.uk/recruiter/...search.php?&id=456

26k to.play on twitter all day, you say?

1-0 East Coast.

Cross Country list is live just missing a couple of Mk3s since wikipedia included em in there fleetlist i thought id include em under the HSTs enjoy
http://busncoachfleetlists.comli.com/XC.html
there is a listings page i have yet to finish

(01 Jul 2015, 4:54 pm)jamessolomon wrote Cross Country list is live just missing a couple of Mk3s since wikipedia included em in there fleetlist i thought id include em under the HSTs enjoy
http://busncoachfleetlists.comli.com/XC.html
there is a listings page i have yet to finish

Very professional

been moved here http://uktrainfleetlists.herobo.com/

Does anyone know if Cross Country are deploying all of their HSTs for the Summer diagrams as they used to? It was always fun seeing a GNER HST turn up in Devon.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/catering
Crosscountry start new menu.

(27 Aug 2015, 10:47 am)Andreos1 wrote http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/catering
Crosscountry start new menu.

Is it for all classes, or just First? 

It seems a far more customer-orientated service and far better than the trolley. I wonder how they are going to deliver them and what the practicalities are for service on board, especially if it's a full service (as so often the EDI-PLY route is). I still think it's a shame they did away with the shop. It was always nice to go and wander for a stretch of the legs.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:12 pm)8222 wrote Is it for all classes, or just First? 

It seems a far more customer-orientated service and far better than the trolley. I wonder how they are going to deliver them and what the practicalities are for service on board, especially if it's a full service (as so often the EDI-PLY route is). I still think it's a shame they did away with the shop. It was always nice to go and wander for a stretch of the legs.

Looks to be standard, because the food and drink is complimentary in first? It's only on the Edinburgh-Plymouth and Manchester-Bournemouth routes though.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:21 pm)aureolin wrote Looks to be standard, because the food and drink is complimentary in first? It's only on the Edinburgh-Plymouth and Manchester-Bournemouth routes though.

That's what you would think. Does anyone else offer such a service? It's going to trump a lot of operators! Smart move from Cross Country! 

My only concern is how it will be carried out. A bit different, but BA started a similar choose your food before you fly service for World Traveller on a few routes. It was available on both flights I was on over the summer, and it just seemed a bit clumsy as the trays were carried out rather than put out on trollies. I hope they use a trolly or bag it, otherwise I can see food going everywhere...

(27 Aug 2015, 4:39 pm)8222 wrote That's what you would think. Does anyone else offer such a service? It's going to trump a lot of operators! Smart move from Cross Country! 

My only concern is how it will be carried out. A bit different, but BA started a similar choose your food before you fly service for World Traveller on a few routes. It was available on both flights I was on over the summer, and it just seemed a bit clumsy as the trays were carried out rather than put out on trollies. I hope they use a trolly or bag it, otherwise I can see food going everywhere...

It'll be interesting to see how it takes off. I just hope it's not to reduce the staff, as I find on board staff already seem to be at a bare minimum.

I think just about every TOC could do a lot more when it comes to catering. It's expensive and often poor quality. I generally pop into a station shop before I board, as most of them now do a meal deal of some sort, which tends to be a lot nicer! It's also a gripe of mine that they try and serve you warm 'chilled' drinks.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:42 pm)aureolin wrote It'll be interesting to see how it takes off. I just hope it's not to reduce the staff, as I find on board staff already seem to be at a bare minimum.

I think just about every TOC could do a lot more when it comes to catering. It's expensive and often poor quality. I generally pop into a station shop before I board, as most of them now do a meal deal of some sort, which tends to be a lot nicer! It's also a gripe of mine that they try and serve you warm 'chilled' drinks.

I think it'll be quite the opposite - to make the people who operate the trolley at the moment work a bit more and increase their productivity by bringing in more money this way. 

As for staff on board, it's always been, more or less, a team of three providing service when I used to do SHF-DHM/SUN. My issue was that on some services, you wouldn't actually see the train manager at all. If they work on commission, like other TOCs do, you think you would. On their sister company, Grand Central, who I use pretty much every other week, you constantly see them passing through the train after every stop to take fares and check tickets.

I honestly think the worst thing they did was get rid of the shop, though. I concur with the expensive and rubbish quality statement. Have you been on Eurostar of late? They're supplied by Waitrose. Yes, it's expensive but the food I had last year was top notch. Although, it's not a patch on the SNCF TGV food. Mmmmmmm.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:12 pm)8222 wrote Is it for all classes, or just First? 

It seems a far more customer-orientated service and far better than the trolley. I wonder how they are going to deliver them and what the practicalities are for service on board, especially if it's a full service (as so often the EDI-PLY route is). I still think it's a shame they did away with the shop. It was always nice to go and wander for a stretch of the legs.

As aureolin mentioned, it looks like it is available in standard.
However, I am not sure I would want to be tucking into a salmon fillet whilst on a crowded XC, that smells a bit suss.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:21 pm)aureolin wrote Looks to be standard, because the food and drink is complimentary in first? It's only on the Edinburgh-Plymouth and Manchester-Bournemouth routes though.

Last time I did first on XC, it was just a hot drink and biscuit. No hot meals or sandwiches - or salmon.
They do hot sandwiches like bacon rolls (nuked in a microwave jobbies).

(27 Aug 2015, 4:39 pm)8222 wrote That's what you would think. Does anyone else offer such a service? It's going to trump a lot of operators! Smart move from Cross Country! 

My only concern is how it will be carried out. A bit different, but BA started a similar choose your food before you fly service for World Traveller on a few routes. It was available on both flights I was on over the summer, and it just seemed a bit clumsy as the trays were carried out rather than put out on trollies. I hope they use a trolly or bag it, otherwise I can see food going everywhere...

I have no idea how they will sort it.
The bacon sandwich I mentioned above, was ordered via the trolly person (can't remember their official title) and brought through the train by the person working in first class.
Not sure how the trollies would work on a busy train, especially for one meal for a bloke sitting in the quiet coach.

(27 Aug 2015, 4:42 pm)aureolin wrote It'll be interesting to see how it takes off. I just hope it's not to reduce the staff, as I find on board staff already seem to be at a bare minimum.

I think just about every TOC could do a lot more when it comes to catering. It's expensive and often poor quality. I generally pop into a station shop before I board, as most of them now do a meal deal of some sort, which tends to be a lot nicer! It's also a gripe of mine that they try and serve you warm 'chilled' drinks.

Conductor, first class attendant and trolly person - even on the HST's. Not sure if it is double crew on a doubled up Voyager.

22005 has an advert for 'the Big Hoot Brimingham'.

(26 Sep 2015, 9:07 am)DanPicken wrote 22005 has an advert for 'the Big Hoot Brimingham'.

Both 220 005 and 221 138 carry the brand.

They have had it for a couple of months now.

(26 Sep 2015, 10:26 am)LeeCalder wrote Both 220 005 and 221 138 carry the brand.



They have had it for a couple of months now.

First time I'd saw it or heard of it.

220012 having issues at Darlo.
It set off for Plymouth from p2, slammed breaks on and has been cutting out since.

Passengers on the platform have been told to stand clear.
But passengers on board, are being told to sit tight.

edit: Away now. No idea what the problem is/was.

No trains between Berwick Upon Tweed and Edinburgh due to damage to the overhead line.

#NEfollowers #NorthEast #traffic #travel #VTEC #CrossCountry

A CrossCountry Scotland-Penzance train has hit a tree near Bodmin Parkway. All lines blocked.

(08 Feb 2016, 10:29 am)GX03 SVC wrote A CrossCountry Scotland-Penzance train has hit a tree near Bodmin Parkway. All lines blocked.

If it happened near Bodmin would it not be a Penzance to Scotland train....bloody good going to get to Bodmin from Scotland this early in a morning 

By the looks of things it was the Penzance - Glasgow that has struck the tree

I'm travelling 1st class on Cross Country next week from Edinburgh to Darlington. What is XC 1st actually like if any of you here have used it? I've read into it and it seems quite dire compared to Virgin East Coast. I've read you get complimentary soft drink but not alcohol - you have to purchase this!?

(14 Mar 2016, 9:14 pm)JoshP wrote I'm travelling 1st class on Cross Country next week from Edinburgh to Darlington. What is XC 1st actually like if any of you here have used it?  I've read into it and it seems quite dire compared to Virgin East Coast. I've read you get complimentary soft drink but not alcohol - you have to purchase this!?

Aye thats about right.  Whenever possible go for VTEC.  I travelled from Birmingham to Newcastle once and was given a soft drink, 2 bags of crisps, a piece of cake and a piece of shortbread - and that was it!

(14 Mar 2016, 9:33 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye thats about right.  Whenever possible go for VTEC.  I travelled from Birmingham to Newcastle once and was given a soft drink, 2 bags of crisps, a piece of cake and a piece of shortbread - and that was it!

Talk about bring deprived!

I recently rode on CrossCountry in standard class between Darlington and Wakefield and the seats were uncomfortable has hell! May be heading to Leeds on CrossCountry on Saturday, using them there and First TransPennine Express back to Darlington.

(14 Mar 2016, 9:42 pm)Jimmi wrote Talk about bring deprived!

I recently rode on CrossCountry in standard class between Darlington and Wakefield and the seats were uncomfortable has hell! May be heading to Leeds on CrossCountry on Saturday, using them there and First TransPennine Express back to Darlington.

Voyager seats can be uncomfortable - it's the same on VTWCs examples too.

AXC's HSTs are the beauties to go for if you can plan your trip around them!

(14 Mar 2016, 9:14 pm)JoshP wrote I'm travelling 1st class on Cross Country next week from Edinburgh to Darlington. What is XC 1st actually like if any of you here have used it?  I've read into it and it seems quite dire compared to Virgin East Coast. I've read you get complimentary soft drink but not alcohol - you have to purchase this!?

Ive only done it once, York-Sheffield on a Sunday afternoon so nothing in terms of snacks but larger seat and extra space which on XC's routes is hardly available in spades...

(14 Mar 2016, 9:33 pm)citaro5284 wrote Aye thats about right.  Whenever possible go for VTEC.  I travelled from Birmingham to Newcastle once and was given a soft drink, 2 bags of crisps, a piece of cake and a piece of shortbread - and that was it!

More than you get from Grand Central in terms of food!

(14 Mar 2016, 9:42 pm)Jimmi wrote Talk about bring deprived!

I recently rode on CrossCountry in standard class between Darlington and Wakefield and the seats were uncomfortable has hell! May be heading to Leeds on CrossCountry on Saturday, using them there and First TransPennine Express back to Darlington.

The best seats are URBAN 90's
I was travelling Cross Country in standard class Durham to Newcastle on Saturday, it was DIRE. The seats were messy, it was standing only and there were rowdy passengers

(14 Mar 2016, 10:10 pm)northern156 wrote Voyager seats can be uncomfortable

I agree, I had one York - Newcastle; it was like sitting on a rock!

(15 Mar 2016, 4:53 pm)NK53 TKT wrote The best seats are URBAN 90's

In your opinion....

(15 Mar 2016, 5:06 pm)Davie wrote I agree, I had one York - Newcastle; it was like sitting on a rock!


In your opinion....

I'd better not go any further