(21 Mar 2016, 8:17 pm)biglugs@yahoo.com wrote There is enough trains stopping at heworth if you count the metro

The only way I could see it working is if they market it like I think Grand Central did Eaglescliffe as 'Heworth for South Shields/South Tyneside' or something like that.

(20 Mar 2016, 8:58 pm)Adrian wrote I don't agree with that one mind. Mainline trains should stick to being of an express nature. Stations like Heworth should be served by regional rail, and of course we have the Metro every couple of minutes too.

Not sure.
I can see both sides of the coin and as the author says, the time lost by calling would be minimal due to the faster acceleration.

It would appeal to me, with a circa 45min trip on the 4, cheaper than a shorter journey on the more expensive 20's.
Of course, it is possible to do that journey now - but that involves a change.

These express services have called at Chester le Street and continue to call (infrequently) at the likes of Morpeth, Alnmouth, Eaglescliffe, Thirsk, Northallerton and to a lesser extent Motherwell, Leuchars and Inverkeithing. Hardly bustling metropolises and certainly lacking the interchange options seen at Heworth.

(20 Mar 2016, 8:58 pm)Adrian wrote I don't agree with that one mind. Mainline trains should stick to being of an express nature. Stations like Heworth should be served by regional rail, and of course we have the Metro every couple of minutes too.

 It would appeal to those who live in the area who get a direct service to London rather than changing at Newcastle or Sunderland, though. I'd imagine the sort of commuter/business type person with baggage, laptops, suitcases etc would like to not have to move their belongings more than once.

(21 Mar 2016, 11:12 pm)northern156 wrote  It would appeal to those who live in the area who get a direct service to London rather than changing at Newcastle or Sunderland, though. I'd imagine the sort of commuter/business type person with baggage, laptops, suitcases etc would like to not have to move their belongings more than once.

It opens up a can of worms I think. If you do it at Heworth for the sake of a handful of passengers a week, then you'd have to do similar elsewhere.

I'd certainly not be keen on Newcastle to London, via about 16 stops.

VTEC reported to be missing targets, but is taking on the airlines the way forward?
http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/ticket-p...-1-4089126

Edit: HSBC comments http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/marke...g-5-4.html

VTEC have signed a sponsorship deal with Darlo

Ahead of an open day in Bristol.
This happened - https://twitter.com/andythorne23/status/...90272?s=08

(30 Apr 2016, 8:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote Ahead of an open day in Bristol.
This happened - https://twitter.com/andythorne23/status/...90272?s=08

That is brilliant!

(30 Apr 2016, 8:18 pm)Andreos1 wrote Ahead of an open day in Bristol.
This happened - https://twitter.com/andythorne23/status/...90272?s=08

(01 May 2016, 7:32 am)8222 wrote That is brilliant!

Bit of a better photo:

HST Going West by Ian Robinson, on Flickr

Something that confused me tonight was this turning up for my VTEC journey between York and Darlington this evening.
East Midlands Trains: 43064 & 43060 by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

Anyone have any info as to why this happened?

That set has been at VTEC for a while now - something to do with refurbishments of the current fleet i think. Should be worth noting that thta particular set only has 8 coaches as opposed to the usual 9 (providing power cars have been switched around).

As above. One set is supposedly always in for refurbishment and to keep the service at the same level they have leased a couple of powercars from EMT.
Set EC64 (which I believe is just coming out of refurb in the next few days) was originally a full EMT set but with the guard vehicle (TGS) that was formed of low back EMT style seating on one side and high backed seating (FGW) on the other. Even had the moquettes of both companies on!

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

I had a BEAM-enabled Mark IV set the other week. I was quite impressed with the offerings.

VTEC are running a late service from Kings Cross, following the Newcastle away game at Fulham

Taken from nufc.com

Following the selection of United's Championship visit to Fulham for live TV transmission on Friday August 5th, Virgin Trains East Coast have added a later service allowing fans to get home after full time.

The train will depart from London Kings Cross at 23.17 and call at York (01.31), Darlington (02.09), Durham (02.27) and terminating at Newcastle (02.57).

Tickets are currently £29 single to Newcastle.

Responding to queries as to whether this may be repeated after the QPR away game on a Tuesday night in September, Emma Vincent (General Manager for Virgin Trains on its east coast route), said: 

"We're delighted to have been able to arrange, at short notice, an additional later train from London King's Cross at 23:17 which will allow those wanting to travel to the game by train to get back home after the match.

"It's very much a one-off at this stage but if it proves popular, subject to the practicalities, we would certainly consider looking at similar options for games later on in the season."

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-11651546

Virgin Trains East Coast strike ballot to be held over threats to jobs and conditions

Does anyone know if the 91s ever operate under their own power over the High Level Bridge? I know it's electrified but I've never seen it happen.

Cheers.

(05 Aug 2016, 12:33 pm)8222 wrote Does anyone know if the 91s ever operate under their own power over the High Level Bridge? I know it's electrified but I've never seen it happen.

Cheers.

I have heard of it but I would guess it is rare

The only thing i can think of is that it would mean the set was the wrong way around (ie 91 facing south instead of the regular north).

It has happened before, Though there isn't one booked to run over it daily.
So is indeed pretty rare.

Cheers! I hope to see one some day cross it.

I've done that before!
Must have been around 10 years ago. Really heavy snow and I was travelling to York to see my family. Wiper didn't work on the DVT as far as I recall so the decision was made to run it 91 leading around via Gateshead. Think we ended up around 20' late because of it.

(06 Aug 2016, 11:46 am)northern156 wrote I've done that before!
Must have been around 10 years ago. Really heavy snow and I was travelling to York to see my family. Wiper didn't work on the DVT as far as I recall so the decision was made to run it 91 leading around via Gateshead. Think we ended up around 20' late because of it.

That's cool! Yeah - I'm sure the 91s, especially if they're leading 'blunt' cannot get to 125mph because of the aerodynamics of the pantograph.

99.9% sure I have been over on a 91. Definitely have on a XC set - on numerous occasions.
Pretty sure Adam posted in an outings review about going over the High Level whilst on a EC Reward ticket.

(07 Aug 2016, 12:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote 99.9% sure I have been over on a 91. Definitely have on a XC set - on numerous occasions.
Pretty sure Adam posted in an outings review about going over the High Level whilst on a EC Reward ticket.

Yeah - Cross Country often do it and I've seen plenty of VTEC HSTs do it - but never seen a 91 do it. Would quite like to see it happen. I know only one track is fully electrified to complete the loop. Part of the down line is, but not all of it from what I remember.

(07 Aug 2016, 2:57 pm)8222 wrote Yeah - Cross Country often do it and I've seen plenty of VTEC HSTs do it - but never seen a 91 do it. Would quite like to see it happen. I know only one track is fully electrified to complete the loop. Part of the down line is, but not all of it from what I remember.

There's a daily Crosscountry run over the High Level Bridge, I've had that train ( 1S49 ) the past few times I've returned from Leeds on a daytrip. 1708 off Leeds for Dundee.
Its also booked for a double Voyager set, And is always busy between Leeds and Newcastle.
They do it for to keep Driver Knowledge of the route incase of a Diversion.

Another note is one set detaches at Newcastle Central as most passengers alight there, One set continues to Dundee and the other forms a service to Birmingham New Street later on.

Here it is http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C7...8/advanced

I've been over that bridge many times on a MetroCentre to Morpeth Northern service, back when they used to reverse the train formation at NCL heading to MPT.

(07 Aug 2016, 8:11 am)8222 wrote That's cool! Yeah - I'm sure the 91s, especially if they're leading 'blunt' cannot get to 125mph because of the aerodynamics of the pantograph.

IIRC 100 or 110 max blunt end first.

(08 Aug 2016, 7:49 pm)northern156 wrote IIRC 100 or 110 max blunt end first.

110 max.

VTEC staff (RMT), are amongst the latest to vote for strike action.

Edit:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-11724742

(09 Aug 2016, 4:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote VTEC staff (RMT), are amongst the latest to vote for strike action.

Edit:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nort...e-11724742

Also : https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-ballot-o...to-strike/

Looks like another example of a private company bidding over the odds for public sector work, and immediately struggling to 'deliver' to their shareholders.

I wonder what the Virgin Group think about Stagecoach dragging their name through the mud with this dispute? They only own 10% of the franchise, yet will be on the end of 100% of the blame.