And you have to bear in mind, that a lot of people will have given up relying on using the train permanently, after seeing it turn up already rammed and ending up stranded.
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Northern trains
- Thread starter SAFCTEES
- Start date
Curly Tops
Goalkeeper
I use trains in Kent regularly. Fast, big, roomy and always run on time. Lots of standing in rush hour going to London but off peak and weekends, they have 10-12 carriages on some routes with about 50 people on.
Then I come home and have to experience the Hartlepool-Sunderland two carriage matchday battletrains.
The North/South divide at its best
Then I come home and have to experience the Hartlepool-Sunderland two carriage matchday battletrains.
The North/South divide at its best
Sgt Pepper
Striker
I’ve used loads of trains down south as well and that’s always been my experience. Even East Anglia when I’ve used trains there have been similar to what you describe, just in the balance of being aware nowhere in or around London is going to be comparable. Not sure what the south west is like?
Butcher's Coat
Striker
Are the Kent trains on an electrified line?
Just wondering, as the east coast line from the Boro up to Newcastle via Sunderland isn't.
The trains are the old diesel ones.
Clock Stand
Full Back
In the year 2028 some things might change .... so don't hold your breath
I travel from Hartlepool to Sunderland matches ... so use the Grand Central when I can ... so some goodish news
The Sunderland London route might get some of these .. and it is not that helpful for the NE region ... too little too late as ever.
These will be hybrid trains ... they ain't going to electrify the coastal line no plans that I know of ... if Grand Central uses them locally that is.
I travel from Hartlepool to Sunderland matches ... so use the Grand Central when I can ... so some goodish news
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.... but as ever ... not enough.The Sunderland London route might get some of these .. and it is not that helpful for the NE region ... too little too late as ever.
These will be hybrid trains ... they ain't going to electrify the coastal line no plans that I know of ... if Grand Central uses them locally that is.
yes ... it is unfortunately a totally different world as the OP points out
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Disco_Pants93
Striker
E-mailed them Monday, still not had any response despite them saying they'll respond within 48 hrs. Not overly surprised
SAFCTEES
Midfield
Keep at them, drop them a message on twitter too.
Grand central stopping at Seaham should make sure everyone can get into the town from there on a matchday.
Those getting on at Horden might still struggle
They’ll probably take off a 4 carriage and make it into 2 x 2 carriage trains instead
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kyle's left foot
Winger
Last train back still 2205Keep at them, drop them a message on twitter too.
Grand central stopping at Seaham should make sure everyone can get into the town from there on a matchday.
Those getting on at Horden might still struggle
They’ll probably take off a 4 carriage and make it into 2 x 2 carriage trains instead
Unless you get off at hpool.Last train back still 2205
Why is that? Can they just not be arsed to graft any later?
Surely 99% of other routes actually complete the journey.
(Im alright Jack like).
SAFCTEES
Midfield
Absolutely mental that!Last train back still 2205
Especially when the busses run for another hour.
Northern plan to replace all their current rolling stock, aiming for all new trains by 2032.
The existing two car diesels will be replaced with three car battery electric or multi modal units running in a mix of electricity, battery and diesel.
So the current units are likely to be around for at the very least five more years, there will be no additional trains even after that date unless regional mayors come up with more cash to pay for them.
The oldest units are 40 years old, are hard to maintain and so cancellations will continue due to maintenance problems.
One solution to the shortages and poor performance would be to take on units being replaced in Wales and going straight for scrap ffs.
Yes, they would need to be refurbished to give them at least 5 years life but the cost of leasing them is incredibly low compared to new trains so the mayor would make a huge difference on this neglected line for a very small outlay.
Two extra units have been found to strengthen the Ashington line on a Sunday evening though the line has been open less than a year.
Where are the extra units for match days between Hartlepool and Sunderland?
A different kind of north south divide!
For information, my local station (Berwick upon Tweed) is going from 28 to 20 daily London trains in the new timetable, a massive kick in the bollocks for us North Northumberland MLF’s.
The existing two car diesels will be replaced with three car battery electric or multi modal units running in a mix of electricity, battery and diesel.
So the current units are likely to be around for at the very least five more years, there will be no additional trains even after that date unless regional mayors come up with more cash to pay for them.
The oldest units are 40 years old, are hard to maintain and so cancellations will continue due to maintenance problems.
One solution to the shortages and poor performance would be to take on units being replaced in Wales and going straight for scrap ffs.
Yes, they would need to be refurbished to give them at least 5 years life but the cost of leasing them is incredibly low compared to new trains so the mayor would make a huge difference on this neglected line for a very small outlay.
Two extra units have been found to strengthen the Ashington line on a Sunday evening though the line has been open less than a year.
Where are the extra units for match days between Hartlepool and Sunderland?
A different kind of north south divide!
For information, my local station (Berwick upon Tweed) is going from 28 to 20 daily London trains in the new timetable, a massive kick in the bollocks for us North Northumberland MLF’s.
Disco_Pants93
Striker
Absolutely insane that in 2025 we can't get a train 28 miles north after a football match that finishes well before 10pm. Imagine that in LondonLast train back still 2205
Im probably being naive but why cant these firms buy trains out of profits (well, if they collected fares) rather than the govenment?
No other private firms get assistance like that.
Northern Trains are wholly owned by the Government for a start.
They received over £600m subsidy in the year 24/25 and made an operating profit of a little over £10m.
They pay a huge amount (£300m) to Network Rail (also owned by the government) the rest in rolling stock lease costs, wages etc.
If effect, they make huge losses and cannot afford more, newer trains unless they increase revenue or get more subsidy from the taxpayer.
The train fleet they have is the oldest in the country but because of that is cheap to lease.
The new fleet planned to be introduced by 2032 will cost a lot more to lease so will require more subsidy.
Government wants to decrease the subsidy it shells out to keep the railways running by reducing costs and increasing revenue.
Watch out for cuts in services or increasing fares, more likely both.
Not sure what will happen over the next few years, probably more of the same with a few tweaks though the combined authority could play an increasing role as per Scotland and Greater Manchester, fingers crossed.
Disco_Pants93
Striker
I see the 10:37 from thornaby isn’t on the sale but the one before and after are, champion
The Pensioner
Full Back
Yep, messed up my Seaham to Thornaby trip for TPE’s Thornaby to Manchester service.
