NXEC

[52A]

They allow bus companies to take over trains, erode standards down to the level of their cheap coach services, more people on buses!

[Ferrybridge Flyer]

I wonder if we'll see a new livery?Most of their stock seems to be still in GNER colours.

[chaz harrison]

Just another way to waste money if they do. I'm not happy about taxpayer's money being used to repaint something that doesn't need it.

Chaz

[52A]

The sets are beginning to look rather tatty so perhaps a quick coat of varnished teak would help.

This has just appeared on the news today, seems rather strange in light of the proposed electrification of the Falkirk route.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8348133.stm

[stembok]

Re: the proposed changes. I know I am a suspicious, cynical person ,but am I alone in scenting a furry rodent with a long scaly tail here? What are they playing at? More precisely what are they preparing for? Remember the inch by inch strategy which we saw on BR so often, eg Great Central and later Settle & Carlisle. Hope I'm only being paranoid!!!

[52A]

Yes who can tell what will be next, Aberdeen, Inverness?

It does appear short sited to cut the Glasgow service when trains will be adversley affected by electrification works on the Falkirk route, which they will be. Remember the shambles that still is the West Coast Route mod, good ole Notwork Fail will surely rise to the occasion again.

[third-rail]

The sets are beginning to look rather tatty so perhaps a quick coat of varnished teak would help.

This has just appeared on the news today, seems rather strange in light of the proposed electrification of the Falkirk route.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/8348133.stm

i wonder if grand central will take on the yorkshire trains??????

[stembok]

I imagine that some of these changes are linked to the idea of further promoting the WCML as the 'preferred' route to Glasgow and also just possibly to Edinburgh for passengers from the south. Any requirements for Glasgow passengers on the ECML would presumably be taken up by Cross Country, Trans Pennine or whoever else might compete. All in time for the next saga in the re-letting of the East Coast franchise in 2011. Apart from any cost savings and franchise changes there is also the possibility of longer term changes in the offing. Similar ideas were floated in the early 1960s with some downgrading of the ECML envisaged north of Newcastle and the idea of the WCML as 'the' route north. And of course the new high speed line -if ever built - would probably follow this template. I loved the statement from the Dept for Rail that any changes were the concern of the franchise operators. Yeh right! Who would they be on the ECML at the moment?

[52D]

Interesting comments above, I can remember the proposals for North of Newcastle it would have turned the section into the LNERs withered arm. I think the proposal was to single the line once you were out of the coalfield with a much reduced passenger service.

[Bryan]

I will add this to the comment re Glasgow.
A couple of years ago I missed the direct train back to York from Glasgow, but a quick walk across the centre and I caught the local train to Edinburgh and caught the train I had missed. (Didn't half upset the body that had acquired my reserved seat)

[60041]

Interesting comments above, I can remember the proposals for North of Newcastle it would have turned the section into the LNERs withered arm. I think the proposal was to single the line once you were out of the coalfield with a much reduced passenger service.

The Serpell Report commisioned by Thatcher in the early '80s suggested single track north of Alnmouth and complete closure north of Berwick. It envisaged a total national route mileage reduction of 84% which would have made Beeching look like a minor blip in railway history.
Luckily even Thatcher lacked the bottle to do to the railways what she had already done to the mining and shipbuilding industries, although she would have loved to have done so.

[60041]

The new company taking over the franchise has issued the following statement:

"As you may know, the Government last Thursday made an announcement in connection with the East Coast rail franchise – and I thought it would now be helpful to write to you with an update.

On 1 July 2009, National Express Group PLC announced that discussions with the Department for Transport had not secured an improved outlook for the National Express East Coast rail franchise. As a result, the loss-making franchise would continue to be supported by National Express in line with its franchise support commitments until the committed funding was fully utilised.

During the last five months, National Express has worked with the DfT and Directly Operated Railways (as the new operator) to ensure an orderly handover. The franchise has continued to operate on all its existing terms, with the contractual support of the National Express Group.

In order to effect the handover from NXEC to DOR, the DfT issued a Termination notice last Wednesday evening, and as a result, the operation of the National Express East Coast franchise will transfer to Directly Operated Railways at 23.59 on 13th November 2009.

The background

In his statement to the House of Lords on I July, the Rt. Hon. Lord Andrew Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport, announced the establishment of a publicly owned holding company called Directly Operated Railways Limited. The Transport Secretary also announced my appointment to lead this company.

The Government has promised that the continuity of service to passengers will be seamlessly maintained – and that there is no reduction in service standards. To that end, early in the summer, I assembled a team of highly experienced rail managers and we have been working with National Express East Coast to effect a smooth transition of the franchise into temporary public ownership.

The new franchise

From the point of Transfer on 14 November, the operation of the East Coast franchise will pass to a company called East Coast Main Line Company Limited, which is wholly owned by Directly Operated Railways. The company will trade as East Coast.

Directly Operated Railways will be charged with the stewardship of the East Coast Main Line Company’s rail operations – and for preparing the organisation for subsequent transfer to a new franchisee in the future. The franchise will be re-let following an open competition and this process is likely to take around two years. It is the Government’s intention that a new private operator will re-commence the provision of services in 2011.

Our commitment to you

I want to give you my personal assurance that we shall do everything possible to keep you well informed about what’s going on in the future – especially about our plans for the new franchise.

In summary therefore, it remains my firm intention that East Coast Main Line customers experience the absolute minimum of impact related to these changes. Inevitably, by exception, the branding of the service will change, but importantly, things like ticketing, timetables and general service provision will remain unchanged.

We look forward to working with you in the future and I shall write to you again with more information, shortly.

Yours faithfully

Elaine Holt

Chief Executive

Directly Operated Railways Ltd."

[Ferrybridge Flyer]

Very interesting-we'll see how they go.I know some mark3's have been overhauled at Wabtec in Doncaster-wonder if they'll get EAST COAST branding?

[60041]

It looks like there are going to be major changes to the service on the ECML, at least in my neck of the woods. I have received the following message from the Alnmouth Rail Users Group:

NOTE TO ALL ARUG MEMBERS

Dear All

Murray Davies (Chair) and Peter Groves (ex Chair) have recently represented ARUG committee at Stakeholder meetings held in Edinburgh and Newcastle to discuss the Office of the Rail Regulator / Network Rail ECML Draft 2010 Timetable .

This Timetable Revision is the biggest on East Coast since 1991 when the route was electrified. There are several major concerns around the Weekdays Timetable with current omissions which if left unaddressed amount to proposed cuts of 6 out of our 14 daily southbound services and 7 out of 15 of our daily northbound services. The weekend timetable has still to be presented for discussion.

An additional cause for concern is station staffing. If the above services get cut then staffing levels at Alnmouth may be at risk. (Some of you may recall that the additional posts were created on the back of the introduction of the additional services Neil Forsythe and Peter Groves secured back in 2004.)

It is now critical that ARUG committee and members meet with the Train Operating companies, Network Rail, NCC, Passenger Focus, Politicians etc as soon as possible. It is hoped that this meeting will take place in January 2010. It is also critical that as many members as possible attend. We must strive to retain as many of our current services as possible. Once we have a firm date we will be in touch again to notify you

Regards

ARUG

[StevieG]

Very interesting-we'll see how they go.I know some mark3's have been overhauled at Wabtec in Doncaster-wonder if they'll get EAST COAST branding?

The "national express"es have already disappeared from some coaches still in GNER colours.