Economy Class & Beyond

Avanti West Coast to implement massive cuts next week

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Avanti West Coast (the rail operator which plies services from London Euston) is making massive cuts temporarily to its timetable. The train company is putting the revised timetable in between 7 January and 25 February,  due to staff shortages that they are experiencing.  In summary, the train company plans to operate the following: Hourly Service … [Read more...]

Eurostar trials facial recognition for contactless travel

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As we continue to move away from paper tickets and such, contactless travel is the current buzzword. iProov and Eurostar have launched a trial to Provide Contactless Travel at London St Pancras International The new service "SmartCheck" went live on 6th December. The SmartCheck service enables passengers to complete secure ticket verification and UK exit check on … [Read more...]

TRAIN CHECK: CrossCountry Trains Birmingham to Manchester – Is there enough capacity in the system?

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Time for a transport check to see how mad things are in the world, as I turn my eye to CrossCountry Trains on a Trip to Manchester. And how in some cases, if building it, they will come - but at what price passenger comfort? Booking I took the 10:57 from Birmingham New Street to Manchester Piccadilly. I booked this the day before, with split-ticketing enabled (saving … [Read more...]

Alstom and Eversholt Rail to develop a Hydrogen powered train

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So far in the UK, the work on Hydrogen-powered trains has been focused on upcycling older trains into "new" trains. Well, Alstom is to work with Eversholt Rail to develop a new-build Hydrogen Multiple Unit. Enter the Hydrogen Adventra, Image, Alstom  Both Alstom and Eversholt Rail announced a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at delivering the UK’s first-ever … [Read more...]

Lumo commences operations on the East Coast Main Line

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Open Access Train operator Lumo commenced operations, with the first train departing Kings Cross to Edinburhg on a press trip. Lumo Class 803 Hitachi AT300 - Image, Hitachi Rail. Lumo will operate between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh, operating between the principal stations of Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth, with an end-to-end journey taking 4 and a half … [Read more...]

Southeastern Railway to return to Government control

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It seems all is not well, with Her Majestys government stripping Govia of the operating rights of Southeastern Railway. Southeastern Class 707 "CityBeam" train - Image, SouthEastern. For an action like this to be taken - either a train operator is close or near bankrupt, or there is serious fiscal mismanagement has been caught. And it seems money is the route of … [Read more...]

Enter Lumo – The new East Coast Railway competitor

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FirstGroup has been teasing its new Open Access rail operator between London and Scotland for some time now. Well - a brand has been unveiled - enter Lumo.  Lumo Class 803 train - Image, Lumo. Lumo will commence operations between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh on the 25th October 2021, operating between the principal stations of Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth, with an … [Read more...]

Eurostar to boost international services

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Eurostar is planning a major service boost as vaccinated travellers continue to return and people, with the train company planning to increase services. Eurostar trains at London St Pancras - Image, Economy Class and Beyond The following is planned From 6 September until 1 November: Five Return services between London St Pancras and Paris Gare Du Nord Three … [Read more...]