(02 Mar 2015, 11:27 am)tyresmoke wrote Would cause major issues with capacity! The extra services being proposed all over the place should help with capacity issues though, even in the North East we are proposed to get earlier and later services.
Something as small as that would, but wouldn't put it past any of the bidders to come up with something like it - but on a larger basis.
Touching on the extra services line, I am keen to see how these services will fit on to those lines, ready close to capacity on top of the likes of VTEC looking to extend services.
Just as an example, East Midlands Trains have just announced a massive increase in services along the Castle Line between Nottingham and Newark Castle, with extensions to existing services between Newark Castle and Lincoln. VTEC have said they're planning to fit in 11 (5 in one direction, 6 the other) trains along a stretch of the line between Newark Northgate and Lincoln.
Whilst there will be no competition between the two TOC's (due to the Stagecoach influence), the line will be close to full to bursting with those two and any freight using it.
Then you have any trains arriving from the direction of Gainsborough, Grimsby and Sleaford thrown into the mix once they hit Lincoln.
Saying all of that, I have a feeling the VTEC trains to/from Lincoln, will be at the expense of East Midlands trains between Northgate and Lincoln, which could in theory help with line capacity issues.
Going back to Northern, line capacity issues to/from Pelaw with the Metro and then VTEC, should mean that Sunderland doesn't see much of an increase - unless they're going to/from Teesside?