(05 Mar 2013, 3:36 pm)Daniel wrote Any idea whether these journeys will be covered by Nexus for those Under 16 or not?
(i.e. Will those under 16 be able to use their Nexus CAT ticket as they can for journeys between Sunderland and Newcastle?)

(05 Mar 2013, 5:31 pm)tom.robinson206 wrote

(05 Mar 2013, 3:36 pm)Daniel wrote Any idea whether these journeys will be covered by Nexus for those Under 16 or not?
(i.e. Will those under 16 be able to use their Nexus CAT ticket as they can for journeys between Sunderland and Newcastle?)

I know CAT All Day Tickets can definitely be used on Northern Rail services between Sunderland and Newcastle, but I'm not sure when continuing to Metrocentre/Blaydon.

The NEXUS website states that: "The fare for a single journey on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland and Metrocentre/Blaydon is 60p at any time, on any day if you have an Under 16 Pop Card", so I'm guessing that CAT tickets can be used as far as Blaydon?

(05 Mar 2013, 1:49 pm)Andreos1 wrote Not sure if anyone else was listening this morning, but there was a big boss from Northern Rail in the 'hotseat' from 9am on Radio Newcastle.

Apart from the usual, he also announced 40 additional trains will call at Blaydon with extra services calling at Dunston - all from December this year.

It isn't an area I go to that often, but I am aware of how many buses to/from Newcastle and the Metrocentre from Blaydon. It will be interesting to see how GNE react to this, or whether the new deckers for the 10 was their pre-emptive move.
40 trains a day seems a massive number considering it is single figures at the moment.

(05 Mar 2013, 6:07 pm)Daniel wrote I'd expect so! Ta for the info - I've always wondered how far you could go.

(07 Mar 2013, 3:39 pm)tom.robinson206 wrote

(05 Mar 2013, 6:07 pm)Daniel wrote I'd expect so! Ta for the info - I've always wondered how far you could go.

I'd be careful though, most of the times I've tried using the train between Heworth and Newcastle, the inspectors are pretty clueless when they look at the ticket - I don't think it's that commonly used, to be honest.

(05 Mar 2013, 8:47 pm)Brandon wrote I can't comment if any others have been treated, but one of Northern's Class 156 sets has been internally refurbished. The grey bulky seats have been replaced with less bulky seats with a smart purple trimming. There is much more leg room, but despite thinner seats being used, it seems as though seating capacity has been somewhat reduced.

If I'd thought on I would have got a photo and ID of the train set. Will try next time

(01 Apr 2013, 6:37 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The start date of the next Northern Franchise has now been delayed until 5 February 2016.

(14 Apr 2013, 9:31 am)fozzovmurton wrote What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

(14 Apr 2013, 1:09 pm)aureolin wrote

(14 Apr 2013, 9:31 am)fozzovmurton wrote What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

(14 Apr 2013, 1:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote

(14 Apr 2013, 1:09 pm)aureolin wrote

(14 Apr 2013, 9:31 am)fozzovmurton wrote What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

Actually, that's the whole point of timing both the current Northern and TPE finishing at the same time. To merge the two together again.

(14 Apr 2013, 1:21 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Actually, that's the whole point of timing both the current Northern and TPE finishing at the same time. To merge the two together again.

(14 Apr 2013, 8:52 pm)tyresmoke wrote Isn't it more likely that we'll see a transfer of routes between the two franchises, while remaining separate. There are rumours that York-Blackpool will transfer back to TPE, perhaps extended through to Scarborough.

(14 Apr 2013, 1:09 pm)aureolin wrote

(14 Apr 2013, 9:31 am)fozzovmurton wrote What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

New Northern Rail timetables come into force from Sunday 19 May across the regions routes. Having had a quick skim through, I don't believe there are any changes to times between Newcastle, Heworth and Sunderland; but if I find that there are, then the sites Metro timetable will be updated accordingly.

http://www.northernrail.org/travel/timetables

Northern Rail between Sunderland and - Tyne And Wear
16th May 2013 6:54pm
Advance Warning - Replacement bus service running on Northern Rail between Sunderland and Newcastle due to engineering works. Buses replace trains on Sunday before 13:30. Until 13:30 on 19th May.

(30 Aug 2013, 1:03 pm)Daniel wrote A member of staff has just handed out a form to those who didn't board/alight at Sunderland so that they can claim for a refund.
I believe I overheard something about passengers having to change trains at some point soon also, though I'm not sure on that one.

EDIT: Make that 1hr 20m... Something happened to the previous one too.

(30 Aug 2013, 1:51 pm)Andreos1 wrote According to the CrossCountry app, the 15:30 from Sunderland is on time and at Billingham currently.
Must have been cleared.

However the GrandCentral from Sunderland due out at 14.06 is 50 mins late - guessing that was stuck earlier on heading North or it may be late for totally unrelated issues...

(02 Nov 2013, 2:50 pm)Dan wrote Was hoping to find a MoTrain today but had no luck. Have noticed however that there are Nexus logos on board a Class 142... Does anyone know how long these have been on board for?