Currently trying to defend EC on Twitter. They are getting an absolute barrage of abuse over this incident - and it's not even their fault!

Just waiting for my abusive comments back!

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/bus...uk-8404864

Out of interest would it not make more sense for EC Middlesbrough trains to be directed towards Yarm from Northallerton instead of a reversal at Darlington...

And a train to Sunderland, why not send it up the coast, or would that leave Grand Central upset

(10 Jan 2015, 12:27 pm)MrFozz wrote Out of interest would it not make more sense for EC Middlesbrough trains to be directed towards Yarm from Northallerton instead of a reversal at Darlington...

And a train to Sunderland, why not send it up the coast, or would that leave Grand Central upset

It'll probably use Grand Central's paths to be honest!

(10 Jan 2015, 12:27 pm)MrFozz wrote Out of interest would it not make more sense for EC Middlesbrough trains to be directed towards Yarm from Northallerton instead of a reversal at Darlington...

And a train to Sunderland, why not send it up the coast, or would that leave Grand Central upset

East Coast don't run trains to Middlesbrough, David. Also sometimes diversions that seem odd have to take place due to lack of route knowledge (to train a whole depot of around 50 drivers and 50 guards for example would take forever if there were only four allowed on one route learning loco at one time).

(10 Jan 2015, 6:40 pm)Tommy1581 wrote It'll probably use Grand Central's paths to be honest!  

I don't think there's a lack of paths on the DCL to my knowledge.

(15 Jan 2015, 8:13 pm)northern156 wrote East Coast don't run trains to Middlesbrough, David. Also sometimes diversions that seem odd have to take place due to lack of route knowledge (to train a whole depot of around 50 drivers and 50 guards for example would take forever if there were only four allowed on one route learning loco at one time).

Yet - talking about the Virgin East Coast plans to serve Middlesbrough in the future.

Now there is a surprise, reward scheme is changing....

As you may be aware, the Department for Transport (DfT) recently announced that a company led by Stagecoach and Virgin will take over the East Coast Main Line franchise from 1 March 2015. The new company will be called Virgin Trains East Coast. We are emailing you to let you know about the new owner’s plans for the existing East Coast Rewards loyalty scheme. 


Virgin Trains East Coast will be rolling out a new rewards scheme that will deliver a wide range of benefits for Virgin Trains East Coast customers. Nectar, the UK's largest loyalty programme, will replace the existing Rewards scheme. It will be launched on 1 March 2015 and customers will be able to start collecting Nectar points straight away. Nectar points can be collected on any Virgin Trains East Coast journey booked through the Virgin Trains East Coast website. Customers will also be provided with the option to collect Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points. 

Customers will be able to use their Nectar points when booking a Virgin Trains East Coast Advance ticket through the Virgin Trains East Coast website, which is a first for the rail industry. Nectar also offers a range of other exciting rewards for customers to spend their points on with options for days out, entertainment and charity donations. 

Many existing Rewards members will have Rewards Points they want to use, and whilst the scheme will close on 28 February, existing Rewards Points can be redeemed up to and including 30 September 2015 against the current range of rewards. Alternatively, existing Rewards Points can be converted into Nectar points. Virgin Trains East Coast will contact all members of the existing East Coast Rewards scheme from 1 March to provide information on Nectar and how they can redeem their existing Rewards Points or convert them to Nectar points.

Very disappointing.

It already changed a few weeks back, with passengers needing 2.5% more points.

Instantly turned me towards other schemes (or modes of travel), as with Nectar, it takes a LOT of money, just to get a few quids worth of freebies

I suppose that I am showing my age (72) but i reject as much as I can any kind of 'reward' system.

It has to be paid for. It is a modern con just like the unlamented 'green shield' stamps of history.
Reduce the fares instead of concocting AND paying Nectar for all this overblown stupidity.
Sadly 'huff and puff' is in the DNA of Virgin Anything. 
And as for sending VEC trains to Middlesbrough via Northallerton and Yarm. Come on that is too much like simple common sense. Common sense and the DfT? Not in their DNA

(19 Jan 2015, 6:30 pm)AXG675 wrote I suppose that I am showing my age (72) but i reject as much as I can any kind of 'reward' system.

It has to be paid for. It is a modern con just like the unlamented 'green shield' stamps of history.
Reduce the fares instead of concocting AND paying Nectar for all this overblown stupidity.
Sadly 'huff and puff' is in the DNA of Virgin Anything. 
And as for sending VEC trains to Middlesbrough via Northallerton and Yarm. Come on that is too much like simple common sense. Common sense and the DfT? Not in their DNA

I wouldn't mind betting that the Middlesbrough trains will pick up Darlington calls out of other trains that will be speeded up by not having to stop there...

In order not to 'traumatise' Middlesbrough passengers too much perhaps there will be some VEC liveried 142's for those journeys?!?!
The mind boggles and I hope I jest.
However we are dealing with the DfT...........
AXG675

(15 Jan 2015, 8:13 pm)northern156 wrote East Coast don't run trains to Middlesbrough, David. Also sometimes diversions that seem odd have to take place due to lack of route knowledge (to train a whole depot of around 50 drivers and 50 guards for example would take forever if there were only four allowed on one route learning loco at one time).


I don't think there's a lack of paths on the DCL to my knowledge.

Hey Sean...

I was on about Virgins plans to start serving The 'Boro

Managed to squeeze £200 worth of tickets in, just days before the scheme stops running.

Just got to make sure that and the 930points I have are used before September! Fancying a trip to Inverness and milking a 1st for all its worth! Although the 082x northbound to Dundee/Aberdeen is useful as you get breakfast by Alnmouth and dinner just after crossing the Forth.

Need to top it up, to get the balance just right for a standard single too somehow.

Can't see Nectar being as generous and not letting the points go to waste.

We all love a good conspiracy.

Here, two Jags lines up Souter and Norman Baker.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/joh...an-5037971

(25 Jan 2015, 12:30 pm)Andreos1 wrote We all love a good conspiracy.

Here, two Jags lines up Souter and Norman Baker.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/joh...an-5037971

Souter at the centre of it all again? 

As the Stagecoach/Virgin franchise nears the start.

91117 (West Riding Limited) has had it's East Coast logos removed.

Also, I have created a list of East Coast's locomotives.
East Coast Fleet List

When is the repainting scheme due to start? Will all trains be ready before March 1st or will repainting begin on March 1st?

(05 Feb 2015, 7:37 am)JoshP wrote When is the repainting scheme due to start? Will all trains be ready before March 1st or will repainting begin on March 1st?

GNER had the white interim stripe placed on a few trains well in advance of NXEC's takeover. I'm sure that East Coast's grey livery was designed so the purple stripe and logos could be peeled off for the new franchise. The debranding scheme is already underway with 91117 confirmed to have its logos off on both sides.

(You can always check my website for the unbranded (EU) /branded locos (EC)/ advertising livery (AL), see my signature and click "East Coast")

Watchdog threatens East Coast probe

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stage...hise-award

(07 Feb 2015, 6:04 pm)citaro5284 wrote Watchdog threatens East Coast probe

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stage...hise-award

Talk about investigating after the horse has bolted.
Can think of a few more areas where competition is limited or non-existent too.

A rail enthusiast has told me that on 28th February, East Coast will be giving away goodies etc.

(07 Feb 2015, 6:04 pm)citaro5284 wrote Watchdog threatens East Coast probe

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stage...hise-award

A related comment piece has appeared on Labour List, written by Michael Dugher - Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
http://labourlist.org/2015/02/warnings-a...-railways/

Train worker 'sacked for telling the truth about sub-standard food on board' and now his colleagues are threatening to strike

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...l?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

(12 Feb 2015, 9:06 pm)citaro5284 wrote Train worker 'sacked for telling the truth about sub-standard food on board' and now his colleagues are threatening to strike

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...l?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Pretty shocking. That's like firing a bus driver for telling a customer there are no ticket rolls!

(12 Feb 2015, 9:13 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Pretty shocking. That's like firing a bus driver for telling a customer there are no ticket rolls!

It's disgusting. Good on the RMT for immediate support. 

New (Virgin Trains) East Coast website: http://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/

Currently just a FAQ page, it'll probably become fully active on 1st March.

(15 Feb 2015, 12:59 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote New (Virgin Trains) East Coast website: http://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/

Currently just a FAQ page, it'll probably become fully active on 1st March.

It's a good read, even though its only got the answers for frequent questions. 

I don't think the HST sets will suit the current Virgin beading very well at all! Even the class 91's will struggle to pull it off I reckon! I hope my mind will be changed when I see one hopefully soon

(15 Feb 2015, 8:13 pm)JoshP wrote I don't think the HST sets will suit the current Virgin beading very well at all! Even the class 91's will struggle to pull it off I reckon! I hope my mind will be changed when I see one hopefully soon

This is what they looked liked previously...

(15 Feb 2015, 8:19 pm)citaro5284 wrote This is what they looked liked previously...

If this is anything to go bye then my opinion has already been changed! Looks sweet