Grand Central are running 'extra unreserved' coaches over the next few days, starting on the 0842 and 1731 SUN-KGX, as well as the 1251 KGX to SUN. I wonder how they're doing it... Might be a chance to get a coupled 180 or an extended HST.

From photos I've seen online they've been running 8 car HSTs

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(28 Aug 2017, 2:41 am)Stephen James Peter Johns wrote From photos I've seen online they've been running 8 car HSTs

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Do you have a pic? I would love to see this. I know in the past during engineering works they have coupled a 180 to a Hull Trains's 180.

Sad times. I love the GC HSTs.

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/about-u...hst-fleet/

(03 Dec 2017, 12:04 pm)8222 wrote Sad times. I love the GC HSTs.

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/about-u...hst-fleet/

https://www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

More on the farewell tour.

Had a GC 43 the other week. Didn't realise it would more than likely be my last go!

(03 Dec 2017, 12:22 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://www.branchline.uk/fixture.php

More on the farewell tour.

Had a GC 43 the other week. Didn't realise it would more than likely be my last go!

I love them. Especially the little hack that if you've got one, coach A is never reserved and is a de-classified first class coach from when they were originally refurbished. I want to see what they're doing to the 180s. They're an absolute disgrace internally and the first class refurb seems a bit done on the cheap to me.

(03 Dec 2017, 3:46 pm)8222 wrote I love them. Especially the little hack that if you've got one, coach A is never reserved and is a de-classified first class coach from when they were originally refurbished. I want to see what they're doing to the 180s. They're an absolute disgrace internally and the first class refurb seems a bit done on the cheap to me.

I also want to see what these refurbs look like on the 180 internally.

(01 Jan 2018, 11:05 am)8222 wrote I also want to see what these refurbs look like on the 180 internally.

There was a class 43 parked at Neville Hill on Monday when I passed. Tried to get a better look in Tuesday and hopefully id the set. However, it had gone.
RTT might give a clue where that and others have ended up

(04 Jan 2018, 9:20 am)Andreos1 wrote There was a class 43 parked at Neville Hill on Monday when I passed. Tried to get a better look in Tuesday and hopefully id the set. However, it had gone.
RTT might give a clue where that and others have ended up

All 43s heading to East Midlands Trains.

Interesting late departure proposal of a 10-car operation

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/about-u...ng-routes/

I saw this in person last night. Looks lovely in standard now; potentially nicer than first class!

https://www.facebook.com/grandcentralrai...59/?type=3&theater

Worth noting that Northern and GC have managed to sort something out with Eaglescliffe and Chester le Street ticket offices too.

Anyone know what's going on with GC at the moment? They seem to be cancelling lots of trains from BDI due to shortage of drivers and they seem to be having constant issues with their 180s. Bit worrying...

I wonder what rolling stock will be used? Used class 91s?

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/popular...Kge67Yo2vg

(27 Jun 2019, 6:08 pm)8222 wrote I wonder what rolling stock will be used? Used class 91s?

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/popular...Kge67Yo2vg

Yeah they're getting them, would be nice to see them in GC livery and spec!

Oh - do you have a source? I was under the impression a while ago they wanted new-build 390's. Will be interesting to see.

I personally hate their 180's.

(29 Jun 2019, 11:59 am)omnicity4659 wrote

Yeah they're getting them, would be nice to see them in GC livery and spec!

Grand Central Rail are delighted to announce they have received approval to operate an additional daily return service on our North East route, bringing you an extra 3,800 seats between Sunderland and London Kings Cross per week!

More info, please visit: http://bit.ly/gcnewservice

(09 Oct 2019, 9:19 pm)Michael wrote Grand Central Rail are delighted to announce they have received approval to operate an additional daily return service on our North East route, bringing you an extra 3,800 seats between Sunderland and London Kings Cross per week!

More info, please visit: http://bit.ly/gcnewservice

https://twitter.com/railandroad/status/1...71520?s=19

More here, including proposals which were rejected.

To provide extra capacity for customers, the Grand Central services shown below will operate in 10-car formation today instead of standard 5-car.

Please listen out for local announcements when getting on and off the train.


1530 Sunderland to London Kings Cross
1927 London Kings Cross to Sunderland

Reservations are still available for customers travelling between York and London on these trains.


Glad the service is busy again, i see the weekend runs from Sunderland are also have no seats left although 2 are not running, due to work.

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/news/20...orth-west/

Class 90 with mk4 rakes.

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/coronav...#timetable

Grand Central calling at Yarm.

Grand Central suspended their services last night, initially for 2 months
https://www.grandcentralrail.com/suspens...l-services

Grand Central are reinstating services on July 26th, even if not to the previous service level
https://www.grandcentralrail.com/coronav...nd-central

Blackpool plans shelved. 

https://www.grandcentralrail.com/news/20...-covid-19/

Seems that Grand Central are hiring in 2 ex-Avanti 221s for Bradford to Kings Cross runs

(09 Jul 2023, 3:41 pm)8222 wrote Seems that Grand Central are hiring in 2 ex-Avanti 221s for Bradford to Kings Cross runs

They are indeed 221142/3 for a period of 12 months I believe...

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Seeing as LNER are pulling trains from Sunderland in December, I can see some experimental early/late Grand Central trains running even if they are not every day...

(09 May 2024, 10:46 pm)logidoodah wrote Seeing as LNER are pulling trains from Sunderland in December, I can see some experimental early/late Grand Central trains running even if they are not every day...

Can't due to paths if I remember rightly the LNER was only an extention to an existing service that used to start and terminate at Newcastle 

Problem with the early and late one was all the last buses had gone or the buses hadn't started so couldn't connect with passengers unless they walked or taxi

(09 May 2024, 10:46 pm)logidoodah wrote Seeing as LNER are pulling trains from Sunderland in December, I can see some experimental early/late Grand Central trains running even if they are not every day...

Supposedly the numbers aren't particularly high on these journeys, so probably wouldn't be worth it.

Think it's mainly political the fuss kicked up about the removal of these journeys, the main point being removal of tourism to the city although I doubt there's many this would affect considering it leaves Sunderland at 0539 and gets back at 2322 at night.

The Sunderland late evening service terminates at Newcastle on a semi-regular basis ever since Covid and the subsequent industrial relations breakdown. It’s not what you would call reliable and getting rid of a service that only exists for political reasons is the smart move. What I will say is it’s currently the final heavy rail service of the day between Newcastle and Sunderland so it’ll likely have to be replaced by a Northern train to maintain the connection.