My ideas for the East Midlands franchise

[Qwerty133]

Fleet

With the main line being electrified no improvements there however 153 and 156 fleets to gain new seats - the same as EMT 158s and all sprinters to gain internal displays.

Services

Replace the Corby service with a 153 shuttle between Corby and Kettering saving 2 222s.
Liverpool to norwich to be split at notts Use the cascaded 222s to operate Liverpool to Nottingham services with doubled up 158s and singles 158s to Norwich.

3 of the four 158s go onto Nottingham to Matlock services with the fourth and 156s of Matlock on derby to Crewe

All other services would remain the same

 

[387star]

wasted opportunity not to fit the EMT 158s with PIS but that has been commented on before. Likewise with the 156s they should have had DDA work!

 

[class222lover]

Fleet

With the main line being electrified no improvements there however 153 and 156 fleets to gain new seats - the same as EMT 158s and all sprinters to gain internal displays.

Services

Replace the Corby service with a 153 shuttle between Corby and Kettering saving 2 222s.
Liverpool to norwich to be split at notts Use the cascaded 222s to operate Liverpool to Nottingham services with doubled up 158s and singles 158s to Norwich.

3 of the four 158s go onto Nottingham to Matlock services with the fourth and 156s of Matlock on derby to Crewe

All other services would remain the same

Those ideas are great! Taking it from me.

Have you thought about writing a letter to EMT about your following ideas. I did last year, and unlike most TOC's I got a reply from them.

Kind Regards, class222lover

 

[Qwerty133]

Those ideas are great! Taking it from me.

Have you thought about writing a letter to EMT about your following ideas. I did last year, and unlike most TOC's I got a reply from them.

Kind Regards, class222lover

I've complained to them so many times and only once got a (unsatafatory) reply and have now given up with them. The customer service staff seem as useful as some of the platform staff at Leicester

 

[class222lover]

I've complained to them so many times and only once got a (unsatafatory) reply and have now given up with them. The customer service staff seem as useful as some of the platform staff at Leicester

I see. Maybe instead of looking at the bad points they have, look on the good points that EMT have to offer. And if you were to write your ideas to them they probably wouldn't listen because you've already complained to them.

I was 12 wen I wrote to them, and I probably just got a reply because i was a child. Got a cabride in a HST and a Meridian because of it.

Kind Regards, class222lover

 

[Qwerty133]

I see. Maybe instead of looking at the bad points they have, look on the good points that EMT have to offer. And if you were to write your ideas to them they probably wouldn't listen because you've already complained to them.

I was 12 wen I wrote to them, and I probably just got a reply because i was a child. Got a cabride in a HST and a Meridian because of it.

Kind Regards, class222lover

I'm still a child (by railway terms). One of the things I've contacted them for is details of diagrams is needed on each route and they replied saying they couldn't tell me.

 

[class222lover]

I'm still a child (by railway terms). One of the things I've contacted them for is details of diagrams is needed on each route and they replied saying they couldn't tell me.

This is rather hilarious, it would be funny if a employee from EMT was reading this.

I'm taking it you live somewhere in the EMT's route?

Kind Regards, class222lover

 

[Qwerty133]

UnFortunately

 

[class222lover]

Why unfortunatly?

 

[Qwerty133]

Why unfortunatly?

Having to use EMTs joke of a service frequently

 

[class222lover]

Having to use EMTs joke of a service frequently

Ahh, I see.

Kind Regards, class222lover

 

[iloveclass66s]

i didnt know the line was being electrified

 

[tbtc]

With the main line being electrified no improvements there

Replace the Corby service with a 153 shuttle between Corby and Kettering saving 2 222s

As you say, the main line is being electrified, which includes the Corby branch, so *all* 222s (and HSTs) would potentially be freed up, not just the ones used on the lightly loaded Corby service.

 

[Qwerty133]

As you say, the main line is being electrified, which includes the Corby branch, so *all* 222s (and HSTs) would potentially be freed up, not just the ones used on the lightly loaded Corby service.

I meant change the Corby into a shuttle from the next timetable change as in December

 

[MCR247]

Somehow I don't think that's going to happen

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I meant change the Corby into a shuttle from the next timetable change as in December

And how would you cover the lost services at Kettering (southwards), Wellingborough, Bedford and Luton?

 

[MCR247]

Run a Leicester/Derby/nottingham slow as was before

 

[Tomnick]

This is rather hilarious, it would be funny if a employee from EMT was reading this.

I'm sure at least one probably is, and I can certainly arrange it if not...

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Run a Leicester/Derby/nottingham slow as was before

Would that be possible with current levels of rolling stock? I'm guessing here but wouldn't that require at lest 2 more units than Corby-London does?

 

[Whistler40145]

If paths were available, start the current Corby service back at Leicester via Harringworth, thus maintaining the current station stops south of Kettering.

 

[trentside]

Having to use EMTs joke of a service frequently

I'd be interested to know how the services provided by EMT constitute a 'joke'? The company has recently recorded record punctuality figures of over 92%. Not only this but the rolling stock refurbishment is now complete, and yes the trains may not have all the mod-cons like CIS but at least they are smart, clean and (for the most) comfortable. This is what most passengers require, and compared to Central Trains the local services are hugely improved.

 

[tbtc]

I meant change the Corby into a shuttle from the next timetable change as in December

But since the justification for cutting it was to "free up a couple of 222s" then the fact that all 222s are potentially freed up by MML electrification (which will includes Corby) then it's not really an issue - cutting Corby back into a shuttle may make sense for a few reasons (some of which I agree with) but "freeing up 222s" isn't one of them.

Doing it in December wouldn't work as you'd need trains to work a Corby shuttle and trains to replace the Kettering - London stations, and as we know from the "derby - stoke" thread, EMT don't have any Sprinters spare for a Corby shuttle.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'd be interested to know how the services provided by EMT constitute a 'joke'? The company has recently recorded record punctuality figures of over 92%. Not only this but the rolling stock refurbishment is now complete, and yes the trains may not have all the mod-cons like CIS but at least they are smart, clean and (for the most) comfortable. This is what most passengers require, and compared to Central Trains the local services are hugely improved.

Totally agreed - they've done very well with the hand they were dealt

 

[Qwerty133]

I'd be interested to know how the services provided by EMT constitute a 'joke'? The company has recently recorded record punctuality figures of over 92%. Not only this but the rolling stock refurbishment is now complete, and yes the trains may not have all the mod-cons like CIS but at least they are smart, clean and (for the most) comfortable. This is what most passengers require, and compared to Central Trains the local services are hugely improved.

For a start some of the staff operating them. And which line do you think the trains are clean on the ones I use seem full of coke bottles and last weeks newspapers. And you obviously don't use the 153s if you think there trains are comfortable. And the grotty blue handles on the top if the seats on 153/156s should and could have been replaced. I only can remember 1 bad experience of central trains and that is when a 153 turned up after a breakdown. And they even knew how to make trains look nice. Central trains 170s interiors can only really be beaten by an midland mainline 222
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But since the justification for cutting it was to "free up a couple of 222s" then the fact that all 222s are potentially freed up by MML electrification (which will includes Corby) then it's not really an issue - cutting Corby back into a shuttle may make sense for a few reasons (some of which I agree with) but "freeing up 222s" isn't one of them.

Doing it in December wouldn't work as you'd need trains to work a Corby shuttle and trains to replace the Kettering - London stations, and as we know from the "derby - stoke" thread, EMT don't have any Sprinters spare for a Corby shuttle.

Freeing up 222s to go on liv to not which in turn frees up 158s for Crewe/Matlock which then frees up a 153 for corby

 

[Tomnick]

Some of the staff operating them

Care to elaborate?

 

[trentside]

For a start some of the staff operating them. And which line do you think the trains are clean on the ones I use seem full of coke bottles and last weeks newspapers. And you obviously don't use the 153s if you think there trains are comfortable. And the grotty blue handles on the top if the seats on 153/156s should and could have been replaced. I only can remember 1 bad experience of central trains and that is when a 153 turned up after a breakdown. And they even knew how to make trains look nice. Central trains 170s interiors can only really be beaten by an midland mainline 222

I'm a regular user of EMT services, accross the company network.

During normal service litter is unavoidable. When trains have sufficient stand time at places such as Nottingham, St Pancras and Lincoln there are cleaners who empty the bins, pick up litter and clean tables etc. On the whole they do a very effective job and I find that EMT trains are now some of the cleanest on the network - I rarely find soiled seats and the toilets are usually clean. In my honest opinion a few drinks bottles and newspapers don't make a dirty train - I'm sure on train staff could tell you of worse things.

I concede that the 153s aren't the most comfortable units but EMT have made the best of them through refurbishment. To make them more comfortable would have likely involved a reduction in seating capacity - something which is at a premium on most 153 routes. It's not ideal, but it's the stock we've got.

 

[MCR247]

Would that be possible with current levels of rolling stock? I'm guessing here but wouldn't that require at lest 2 more units than Corby-London does?

It would just require going back to the pre-Corby timetable which used four less 222s Although they'd probably need to kept! The timetable isn't much different except that the xx00 path ran through to Derby (would now be Sheffield I guess) and there was no xx25(?) train which is fast to Leicester.

Going back to this would mean a slight reduction in capacity so I would remove the Market Harborough calls from the Nottingham fasts and run a Leicester fast calling at Mkt Harborough only. Not the best but its the best I can come up with a 11 at night

With a 15/20 minute turnaround this could pick up the same path back to London

 

[Qwerty133]

Care to elaborate?

This guard had left the cap over the buttons to operate the doors with open and when I told her she muttered something and then continued to talk to other members of staff.

And one of the staff at Leicester station was telling passengers that the delayed 16:35 to Sheffield would be on this platform in 6/7 minutes at16:55 however the rear portion of the 17:16 to new street was already on this platform. After I pointed this out to him he continued to tell other passengers this. I thought told you so when it arrived on a different platform.

And then there's the train manger who decided there wasn't room for bikes in the bike storage area. Asked them to board at other doors instead of refusing access.

And the train manager who announced through the train that someone's luggage was on the floor in coach b and asked them to put it on the luggage rack.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm a regular user of EMT services, accross the company network.

During normal service litter is unavoidable. When trains have sufficient stand time at places such as Nottingham, St Pancras and Lincoln there are cleaners who empty the bins, pick up litter and clean tables etc. On the whole they do a very effective job and I find that EMT trains are now some of the cleanest on the network - I rarely find soiled seats and the toilets are usually clean. In my honest opinion a few drinks bottles and newspapers don't make a dirty train - I'm sure on train staff could tell you of worse things.

I concede that the 153s aren't the most comfortable units but EMT have made the best of them through refurbishment. To make them more comfortable would have likely involved a reduction in seating capacity - something which is at a premium on most 153 routes. It's not ideal, but it's the stock we've got.

They couldn't even be bothered to change the grotty handles own the top of the seats. LM did and it makes the train look considerably better by having handles that match the seat covers

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It would just require going back to the pre-Corby timetable which used four less 222s Although they'd probably need to kept! The timetable isn't much different except that the xx00 path ran through to Derby (would now be Sheffield I guess) and there was no xx25(?) train which is fast to Leicester.

Never thought about it that way. I can't remember much of the old ML timetable, but do seem to recall that Luton got shafted by the new one, losing a Nottingham (?) service for Corby, which means a change is now required at Bedford for Nottingham or two for Derby and Sheffield!

 

[Tomnick]

Ok, I don't know about the first (was this at a station?), but the second sounds like someone doing the best with the information he's been given (never assume - for all he and you knew, the plan could have been to shunt the unit elsewhere or use it for another service!), the third sounds like he was taking a sensible approach to accommodate everyone and the fourth sounds entirely correct. Judging a whole TOC's staff on the actions of four of them hardly sounds convincing anyway.

Edit - above is in response to Qwerty's post above. Currently (funnily enough) on a clean EMT train to Leeds with decent traincrew, and my phone's not cooperating!)

 

[Bakerbloke]

I like the trains but I am comparing them to the bumpy northern stock on the hope valley line.

I think splitting services at Nottingham makes sense. I think, however, that trains should only go to Norwich every other hour and so serve a place like bury st Edmunds or Cambridge.

I also think that reversing out of Sheffield then again at Ely does add significantly to journey times. Are there any other ways that change of route could speed up the service? Or better serve passengers.