(30 Jun 2014, 6:22 pm)aureolin wrote Yeah that's what I thought. Was just a bit confused when Marcus had said he'd bought his.

It was my dad who bought them (his definition of 'bought' could be anything )

(15 Jun 2014, 7:15 pm)Dan wrote That doesn't seem to have lasted two minutes! Gutted I didn't get to see it in the flesh.

It's still going but not with the coaches 91116 has the mk4's.

Will stick it in here - Labour looking at Nationalisation options.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28349630

(17 Jul 2014, 5:14 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Will stick it in here - Labour looking at Nationalisation options.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-28349630

Even if by some miracle Labour gain enough seats to produce a majority in the House of Commons at next years' general election, I seriously doubt they'll push through with this if elected.

It's comes across as a ploy to win and secure votes from disgruntled rail-users and union members.

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/bus...ns-7489940

New pub for Central Station.

ISS staff to strike

http://m.sunderlandecho.com/news/north-e...-1-6781286

(14 Aug 2014, 12:25 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote ISS staff to strike

http://m.sunderlandecho.com/news/north-e...-1-6781286

Good on them. They're treated like crap from their employer. I know the article states 2011, but there are ISS staff in other areas that haven't had a single increase in a lot longer than that.

According to a punter on twitter, EC have diverted at least one train via Sunderland.

EC have tweeted the fact there are electricity supply problems affecting signals - but there is nowt on RTT, showing the diversion.

Any ideas anyone?

(21 Aug 2014, 6:09 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote According to a punter on twitter, EC have diverted at least one train via Sunderland.

EC have tweeted the fact there are electricity supply problems affecting signals - but there is nowt on RTT, showing the diversion.

Any ideas anyone?

Signalling problems at Newcastle so delays up to 12:00?

Route affected

CrossCountry services between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Newcastle and Reading / Plymouth / Southampton

East Coast services between Edinburgh / Glasgow Central / Newcastle and London Kings Cross

First TransPennine Express services between Newcastle and York / Liverpool Lime Street

Northern Rail services between Morpeth / Newcastle and Hartlepool / Carlisle and also between Hexham and Middlesbrough

Description

Signalling problems at Newcastle means trains are currently being delayed by up to 60 minutes. This is expected to continue until 12:00.

Alternative Travel Options

East Coast passengers may use Grand Central, First TransPennine Express, CrossCountry and Virgin Trains services on all reasonable routes. Affected passengers at York should use First TransPennine Express services to Leeds and change for connections towards London Kings Cross.

First TransPennine Express passengers may use East Coast, CrossCountry and Northern Rail services on all reasonable routes. Passengers are also advised that there is a shuttle bus in operation between Newcastle and Chester-le-Street.

CrossCountry passengers may use East Coast, Grand Central, First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains services on all reasonable routes.

Northern Rail passengers are advised that buses are in operation from Newcastle to Carlisle.

Source - National Rail

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29127788

Revenue and profits increase again for publically owned operator

(10 Sep 2014, 1:59 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29127788

Revenue and profits increase again for publically owned operator

God help us passengers when it's re-privatised. I'm hoping Eurostar get it, I don't trust Virgin or Stagecoach.

(10 Sep 2014, 12:59 pm)JoshP wrote God help us passengers when it's re-privatised. I'm hoping Eurostar get it, I don't trust Virgin or Stagecoach.

Not keen on it being re-privatised at all.
It is strange how both GNER and NX made a balls up of it. Yet, in its current guise, it is lining the treasury coffers with millions of pounds.

If it is privatised and the winner can't make the same and can't line the treasury with the same levels, then serious questions need asking.

My questions are already written

(10 Sep 2014, 4:36 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Not keen on it being re-privatised at all.
It is strange how both GNER and NX made a balls up of it. Yet, in its current guise, it is lining the treasury coffers with millions of pounds.

If it is privatised and the winner can't make the same and can't line the treasury with the same levels, then serious questions need asking.

My questions are already written

And as far as I'm concerned there's no business case. There's no way that privatisation would generate that sort of profit for the treasury, or would deliver both a better service AND big fare reductions for the public.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/why-we-need-take-action-rail
http://actionforrail.org/

(10 Sep 2014, 6:21 pm)aureolin wrote And as far as I'm concerned there's no business case. There's no way that privatisation would generate that sort of profit for the treasury, or would deliver both a better service AND big fare reductions for the public.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/why-we-need-take-action-rail
http://actionforrail.org/

Hence my questions already being written

Only South West generated a bigger profit amongst all of the toc's.
If you look at their operation (using the busiest station in the country - without competition), there is no comparison.

If you compare EC, to the other intercity stuff on the Great Western or West Coast lines, then it hits home how they and others (financially) are better off being in public hands.

(13 Dec 2013, 10:01 am)Andreos1 wrote Cross Country carriages are cramped and smelly - the toilets are spacious and smelly.

To bring up the issue of XC trains, was unlucky to be on one from Glasgow all the way back to civilization...

And the smell was lifting, only 4 shithouses on the whole train were in operation and I broke one of them somehow, had to use the emergency door release on the bog, not good after a particularly potent shit [emoji13] probably good for anyone wanting to go after me lol...

I have always preferred GNER/NX/East Coast over Virgin/XC

Cleaners on strike.

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news...-1-6845647

It is those spaceship people again! :p

(18 Sep 2014, 6:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote Cleaners on strike.

http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news...-1-6845647

Doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Not a single pay increase since 2011. Workers working for £6.67 an hour in this day and age is an utter disgrace.

Thoroughly enjoyed my quiet ride on 91124 today from Durham to Newcastle. Much better than what TransPennine offered on the way back.....

(28 Sep 2014, 3:51 pm)Marcus wrote Thoroughly enjoyed my quiet ride on 91124 today from Durham to Newcastle. Much better than what TransPennine offered on the way back.....

Worth the extra pennies compared to the 21?

(28 Sep 2014, 3:53 pm)Dan wrote Worth the extra pennies compared to the 21?

Considering it took about 15 mins, I think it was. Standing for 20+ minutes on a crowded First TransPennine however, I felt like jumping out of the emergency doors!

There's engineering works on the line between Berwick and Edinburgh this weekend, so East Coast are diverting trains along the Tyne Valley line to Carlisle and up the West Coast mainline through Lockerbie before heading across to Edinburgh. Saw an HST go past the Metrocentre at about 12ish.

Was wondering why CrossCountry are terminating at Berwick today.
East Coast did the same last week, but were caught up in the landslide.
Chaos apparently. 

Saw on Facebook that East Coast are dedicating a loco for the centenary of the start of WW1 with an official ceremony at Newcastle Central. It's happening this Tuesday at 9:50am.

I don't start uni until 11 so I might pop along to see it.

(12 Oct 2014, 11:08 am)Adam wrote Saw on Facebook that East Coast are dedicating a loco for the centenary of the start of WW1 with an official ceremony at Newcastle Central. It's happening this Tuesday at 9:50.

I don't start uni until 11 so I might pop along to see it.

What a lovely opportunity for me to start off my Flickr photostream!

Damn - shame that wasn't on a Thursday or Friday otherwise I'd have been able to attend.

(12 Oct 2014, 11:23 am)Dan wrote Damn - shame that wasn't on a Thursday or Friday otherwise I'd have been able to attend.

I won't be able to photograph it on the day, but no doubt if I'll try on Saturday. The problem is - there's an East Coast goes through Chester in each direction about once every ten minutes, which seems decent, but they've got 50 odd train sets, if I recall. I guess I'll have to try and contact them and see what it's doing on the day.

(12 Oct 2014, 11:24 am)Marcus wrote I won't be able to photograph it on the day, but no doubt if I'll try on Saturday. The problem is - there's an East Coast goes through Chester in each direction about once every ten minutes, which seems decent, but they've got 50 odd train sets, if I recall. I guess I'll have to try and contact them and see what it's doing on the day.

Some bloke reckons it's 91111. Don't know if that's any help

(12 Oct 2014, 11:08 am)Adam wrote Saw on Facebook that East Coast are dedicating a loco for the centenary of the start of WW1 with an official ceremony at Newcastle Central. It's happening this Tuesday at 9:50am.

I am on the 0729 to KGX....so no where near unfortunately....

That's usually the one I use citaro5284 and was on it just last week.
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