UK Cross Country Change

[x568wcn]

From November Virgin loose the Cross Country Contract, and Arriva are taking over.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6286904.stm

[karlrestall]

Yes and I think the livery is better than Virgins current one;

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/

Regards

Karl

[x568wcn]

As long as they put the numbers higher up than below platfrom level!

[CVR1865]

definately like the new livery. Does this mean then that virgin will get the east coast franchise then. Pendalinos through york anyone?

Simon

[Bullhead]

Pendolinos through York?

The cost of installing TASS balises from Kings Cross to Waverley and Leeds would be substantial and the benefit of tilting on the ECML minimal, as it isn't as "curvy" a route (with the notable exception of Morpeth) as the West Coast.

[karlrestall]

definately like the new livery. Does this mean then that virgin will get the east coast franchise then. Pendalinos through york anyone?

Simon

God no They are horrible things, plus GNER have just revamped their HST and 91 sets so I can't see whoever gets it replacing them, unnecessary costs. I personally hope 'First' get it, from my experiences they are an excellent company and will not put any of this Pendalino or Voyager rubbish on the line.

Regards

Karl

[jwealleans]

I'm afraid whoever gets it will screw fares up quicker than you can say 'non-regulated'. The most reasonably priced TOCs in my experience were Central and Midland Mainline - I'd hesitate to say that it is coincidence that they've lost out in this round.

[richard]

Bring back the swallow livery for the Class 91s, that's what I say!

And blue "flying banana" for the HSTs whilst we're at it


Richard

[52D]

Paint em all apple green and name them after Racehorses and Regiments

[Tom Quayle]

As long as the toilets don'y back up anymore of XC I don't care whos got it. As for the ECML franchis and livery The main runners are National Express, Virgin, Arriva and First. Only one I wouldn't want is Virgin, GNER will proberbly keep it. I think first would be interesting though, prberbly improve connections to TPE in the North England area and Imagine the thunderbird locos, proberbly form FGBRF. We could be lucky with 87s, 66s, and even pairs of 73s Id like to see the latter. The livery Id like to see is Intercity swallow on everything but it ain't going to happern. Could be soon see the arrival of First East Coast or possibly if were going with wishful thinking Intercity swallow livery under the First Intercity brand (lol as if). What Id like to see is First get the WCML, Blue Penderlenos and possible extended 185 sets in place of the voyagers (flying porta loos)

[Bullhead]

GNER will probably keep the ECML franchise.

I wouldn't bet on it. On current "lose a franchise, gain a franchise" form, ORR will hand it to Virgin.

[Tom Quayle]

If virgin get it thats the end of escape routes from the stupid livery. This might meen that IC125s carry Rred and silver I think Iam going to throw up.

[CVR1865]

It was reported in the evening standard recently that GNER were trying to join the bidding process with either Virgin or First. That may be the save from the silver and red livery.

Quite how the company losing the franchise can re-bid is a complex propersition

[Ben]

It was reported in the evening standard recently that GNER were trying to join the bidding process with either Virgin or First. That may be the save from the silver and red livery.

Quite how the company losing the franchise can re-bid is a complex propersition

As I understand it, GNER will be taking a 10% stake in the joint Virgin and Stagecoach bid, the idea would be then to keep the current management team in control, and would mean all the good links with stakeholders will be kept, in theory anyway!

[CVR1865]

This should perhaps be a new topic, however National Express have just been awarded the ecml franchise

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6945367.stm