Grand Union's proposed Stirling – Euston service now authorised by ORR

[dk1]

oh dear. they aren't exactly renowned for being reliable...

Compared to some on the table they ain’t that bad & with several engines they usually manage to limp home.

 

[Bald Rick]

Only thing I can see is grand union purchasing brand new rolling stock for the Carmarthen service, possibly an add on to the LNER order from CAF

Wont be much use west of Cardiff!

 

[anthony263]

Wont be much use west of Cardiff!

Bi mode so yes wont be a issue west of Cardiff

 

[sprinterguy]

oh dear. they aren't exactly renowned for being reliable...

They very much are renowned for reliability, and I'm unsure how you'd arrive at the opposite conclusion: The 22x fleets in general have consistently been amongst the most reliable diesel fleets in the country.

The 222s in particular have been achieving miles between failures above 50,000 over a period of several consecutive years, which is quite notable for a diesel fleet.

 

[321362]

They very much are renowned for reliability, and I'm unsure how you'd arrive at the opposite conclusion: The 22x fleets in general have consistently been amongst the most reliable diesel fleets in the country.

The 222s in particular have been achieving miles between failures above 50,000 over a period of several consecutive years, which is quite notable for a diesel fleet.

They're in awful condition in my opinion, especially the XC units, which does tend to lead to failures. Presumably they would receive a massive overhaul however.

 

[paul1609]

Now come on, it really should be from Fenny Stratford, should it not?

Customer lounge and showers in the still derilect MFI?
(it may be gone now I havent been to MK since they were relegated to L2)

 

[sprinterguy]

They're in awful condition in my opinion, especially the XC units, which does tend to lead to failures. Presumably they would receive a massive overhaul however.

Appearance doesn't necessarily indicate reliability - For example, the Crosscountry Voyager fleet is one of the most reliable diesel fleets of their era, and consistently achieve higher reliability figures than the Avanti ones, particularly in the past couple of years. Presumably the active tilt equipment on the Avanti units imparts an additional source of faults.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Apologies if this has been covered before as I am new to this thread and have not been through it post by post, but references to services from Larbert to/from London being new are incorrect. Served by the Euston Perth sleeper which probably didn't come off until sometime in the 1980s if not later, and until the early 70's by the daytime Euston - Perth train, and of course also the southbound trains.

 

[hexagon789]

Apologies if this has been covered before as I am new to this thread and have not been through it post by post, but references to services from Larbert to/from London being new are incorrect. Served by the Euston Perth sleeper which probably didn't come off until sometime in the 1980s if not later, and until the early 70's by the daytime Euston - Perth train, and of course also the southbound trains.

The Highland Chieftain also used to serve Larbert, and in a couple of timetable periods The Clansman as well.

 

[Zontar]

Everything I've read, outside of Grand Union's website, suggests that service isn't due to commence until 2027 now, to accommodate the delivery of new bi-mode stock.

Have you got any useful links please?

 

[sprinterguy]

Have you got any useful links please?

Unfortunately it's difficult to find anything that doesn't require a subscription to view. In case anybody does have a subscription to either Modern Railways or International Rail Journal, though, there are the links and relevant quotes below:

GU Carmarthen service delayed

Service may not start until 2027

www.modernrailways.com

Delayed start: delays in ordering rolling stock mean Grand Union may not start its Paddington-Carmarthen service until 2027.

British rail regulator approves open-access London-Scotland service

Britain’s rail regulator, ORR, has approved the operation of open-access passenger services between London and Stirling .

www.railjournal.com

Delays to procuring these trains, which have still to be ordered, mean that the anticipated start date for these services is now 2027

The closest admonition from Grand Union that new trains won't be ready in time for the originally intended start date is this quote from their website, though it doesn't rule out attempts to secure existing stock in the interim:

Home - Grand Union Trains Ltd

Railways to our Core At Grand Union we are passionate about Britain’s railways. We are committed to the traditional values of providing a high-quality customer service and a comfortable journey experience at a fair price. Find out more Grand Union is proposing

www.granduniontrains.co.uk

Grand Union is proposing to launch its new service between Carmarthen and London as soon as it is able to secure the necessary rolling stock. The planned start of 2025 is not currently achievable with the long lead times on new build trains, and Grand Union is exploring various options to deliver this important service as soon possible.

 

[Mgameing123]

Anyone who thinks that yet another ‘chance our arm’, revenue abstracting Open Access effort is a better use of scant intercity rolling stock than an existing TOC running essential services with constant chronic overcrowding, probably needs to give their head a wee wobble. Those ‘powers that be’ micro manage who’s allowed to run what and have done for years, they need to make better decisions than this.

As if Avanti actually will do something to improve their service. Competition will atleast pressure them to improve.

Are all open access operators viewed as just ‘playing trains’ ?

Hull trains & Lumo shouldn't be as they have improved services for riders. Sure they might extract revenue from the franchises operator but then the franchises operators needs to set up their game.

Anyone want to take bets on who the first travel vlogger will be to sample the new services once they're up and running?.

My guess is Scott from Trains, Planes, Everything

If the inaugural run is from Scotland then its def Scott.

 

[Towers]

As if Avanti actually will do something to improve their service. Competition will atleast pressure them to improve.

That ball should be very much in the DfT’s court going forwards, not Avanti’s.

With the gradual development of the industry climate away from franchises and towards National Rail Contracts the gvmnt has more opportunity than ever before to ensure that services and their operators are fit for purpose, and part of that should be seizing the obvious opportunity to simplify the network for customers and prioritise often limited capacity to where it is most beneficial.

 

[James Kevill]

6 Class 221 Super Voyagers might be used for the Grand Union's London Euston to Stirling services due to the tilt mechanism, which they will be able to tilt on the curve lines on the West Coast Main Line, while Class 222 Meridians don't. Class 222s would also be used for Grand Union's Cardiff Central to Edinburgh Waverley services, despite CrossCountry proposing to launch the daily services between Cardiff to Edinburgh.