The Ticket Collector

Fares ‘revision’ 18th May.

On the 18th May the new revised fares will be coming into effect on the National Network. Some companies have withdrawn some tickets and replaced them with more expensive tickets.

In January 2008 the overall allowable average increase for regulated fares Peak day and Season Tickets was 4.8%, with variations by flow and ticket type up to a maximum 9.8% increase.

Some Train Companies did not use the full yearly increase and therefore will be increasing the tickets to the yearly maximum this time around.

National Express East Coast (NXEC) will be increasing their already expensive tickets some more in May. We have also received reports (from an unnamed travel centre clerk) that they will charge everyone without an advance ticket a seat reservation charge of £1 for each seat reserved. Is this to stop the season ticket holders reserving seats, or is it to pay for for a new seat reservation printer so they can finally put out reservations 07:20 at Peterborough and late night services out of Kings Cross?

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New Rail Forum Launched.

A new rail forum for employees and enthusiasts working on and around the East Coast Mainline has recently been launched by our friends at Eastcoastchat.co.uk. Launched only in March the site has seen steady growth with a solid user base.

The forum has something for everyone whether you’re a steam enthusiast or working on a station platform. If your interested in anything to do with the East Coast Mainline we would strongly suggest you pay our friends at at Eastcoastchat.co.uk a visit.

Ticket names to change.

As if you were not already confused by the huge number of different ticket names, the powers that be have decided to change the names yet again.

So say goodbye to the SuperSaver, the Saver, the Cheap Day Return, the Standard Day Return and say hello to Super Off-Peak and Anytime.

The new ticket types are as follows.

50 MPH speed restriction on East Coast Mainline

Notwork Rail have issued a 50MPH Emergency Speed Restriction for all trains between Stevenage and Berwick, and Between Stevenage and Royston as from 0900 to 1500hrs”A blanket 50mph ESR will be imposed from Stevenage north to Peterborough and from Stevenage north to Royston on Wednesday 12th March from 09.00 to 15.00hrs. National Express East Coast and First Hull Trains will be further affected by the restriction which runs as far as Berwick. ”

The following trains have currently been confirmed as Cancelled on Wednesday 12 March.

09.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
10.15 Cambridge to Kings Cross
10.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
11.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
11.15 Cambridge to Kings Cross
12.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
12.15 Cambridge to Kings Cross
13.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
13.15 Cambridge to Kings Cross
14.15 Kings Cross to Cambridge
14.15 Cambridge to Kings Cross

NXEC HST broken down at Sandy

Update: Normal Services have resumed.

We are currently receiving reports that an NXEC HST train has caught fire between Hitchin and Sandy. This has now been confirmed as a MTU engine fire

There were several NXEC cancellations due to this:
10:35 London Kings Cross to Leeds due 12:54
11:10 London Kings Cross to Leeds due 13:41
11:35 London Kings Cross to Leeds due 13:55
12:40 Leeds to London Kings Cross due 15:05
13:40 Leeds to London Kings Cross due 15:58

10:30 London Kings Cross to Aberdeen due 17:38
11:30 London Kings Cross to Newcastle due 14:47
Both started from Peterborough

Overhead wire problems at Thirsk

Services got back to normal later on Wednesday 13th.

Due to overhead wire problems at Thirsk (between Newcastle and York) servics have been suspended for the rest of the day.

The lines will remain closed until approximately 06:00 on Wednesday 13 February. On Wednesday, only three out of four lines will be available, so some alterations and delays can still be expected.

Train services are currently operating as follows:
National Express East Coast:
Train services are currently suspended between Darlington and York in both directions, with replacement bus services in operation. Some services from Edinburgh towards London may terminate at Newcastle to ease congestion at Darlington.

CrossCountry:
CrossCountry services to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow are currently suspended between Darlington and York in both directions, with replacement bus services in operation.
CrossCountry services that normally start from and terminate at Newcastle are currently starting from and terminating at Derby. Customers travelling to/from Newcastle should use alternative CrossCountry services between Derby and York, replacement bus services between York and Darlington, and alternative services between Darlington and Newcastle.

First TransPennine Express:
Train services are currently suspended between Darlington and York in both directions, and also between Middlesbrough and York in both directions, with replacement bus services in operation.

Grand Central:
The 16:50 London Kings Cross to Sunderland service will terminate at York. Customers should use bus services between York and Middlesbrough, and Northern Rail services between Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
The 06:46 Sunderland to London Kings Cross service on Wednesday morning is expected to be operating, but may be subject to a late start from Sunderland.

Customers using bus services between York and Darlington / Middlesbrough should allow at least an extra 60 minutes for their journey.

Alternative routes and easements:
Customers travelling between London and Scotland in either direction are advised to travel using Virgin Trains services between London Euston and Glasgow Central.

Customers travelling on CrossCountry services between Southern & South West England and Scotland via Newcastle are advised to change at Birmingham New Street to connect with Virgin Train services to Glasgow Central.

First ScotRail will accept National Express East Coast and CrossCountry customers between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh.

Customers may also use East Midlands Trains services between London St Pancras and Sheffield.

Severe weather warning - Friday 1st and 2nd February.

Severe weather conditions have been forecast by the Met Office for the UK for Friday 1 and Saturday 2 February. The weather warning is valid from 0001 Friday 1st until 0600 Saturday 2nd February.

The Met Office continues to forecast colder weather to spread southwards across the UK during Friday and at first on Saturday giving heavy snow in places. Areas most at risk include Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland from early on Friday, extending to northern and central England and much of Wales on Friday afternoon, and perhaps into southern areas on Friday evening. Northern areas could see accumulations of 10cm of snow, with up to 20cm on higher ground, and blizzard conditions and snow drifts could occur in strong winds. Southern areas could see accumulations of 2 to 5cm of snow by Saturday morning. Disruption to transport and power networks is likely and the public are advised to take extra care. This warning will be updated by 1200 Friday 1st February unless superseded by Flash warnings.