East Coast Main Line Nationalised.

[48111]

Well being a British Railways /British Rail man for 99% of my working life and now a railway pensioner, I am biased, I do not rate privatisation anyway, but having said that over here on the WCML, Virgin seems to be doing well and any delays are usually the fault of other departments and not the train operator. But the company that runs the Local services, a company called LONDON MIDLAND, have really been "going through the mill" recently, in the local press nearly every week. Running 4 car units instead of 8 or even 12, overcrowding, late running, so on and so forth.
Is it the fault of inexperienced train operating that causes this, people managing the running of these trains that think it is an easy job, who are new to railway life ?
Or is it money and the fact that they are not putting enough finance in to the job ?

48111

[60159]

I'm generally not in favour of nationalising businesses with my views coloured also by the stifling nature of "public sector" attitude mainly displayed in local government. (That should stimulate a few replies!) However, our British Railways are crying out for some sort of unification and some sort of nationalised approach.

In bidding for franchises, bidding fever takes over amonst those who have little experience of the realities and are motivated by greed - some parallels in banking? Having offered unrealistic sums to secure a franchise, quite apart from dubious operating expertise and no control over key parts of the jigsaw, is it any wonder they can't make it stack up particularly when the economy takes a downturn - it does every so often as it does in all business.

The government in their usual short sighted way may feel smug about the money taken for a franchise but do they consider, never mind understand, the sustainability issue? Once again the taxpayer pays for the mistakes.

We need to support rail in this country and take a unified long term approach to all transport not just one that has a view corresponding to governments likely term in office or political dogma.

[John_142]

Yeh Virgin are an Very Good TOC to travel with and Very Freinly Staff too never had any problems with them what so ever alwith the exception fo a few late runnig trians but aint bothered about that.

Thogh never really had amy problems with London Midland either always find them reliable and friendly too along with EMT who i must say are pretty good witht here customer services at getting a reservation for a bike on the train quick and pleasent response all the time (touch wood).

ATW on the other hand have got to be the best of the lot everything about this operation except the class 175s is briliant anyone for ARRIVA Trains East Coast or East Coast Trains It would not suprise me if ARRIVA did get the franchise.

[springs branch mickey]

Too many people had a vested interest in flattening the railways. We as a nation
have always thrown the baby out with the bathwater. first the canals were left to neglect, when the new fangled steam engine made it's first forays. Then we had the feeding frenzy of the hauliers and coach companies fighting for the most profitable routes on the best of the railways businesses s. Now the franchises are trying to pick the cream, and beggar the customer. Greed always comes to the surface. I remember with nostalgia and pride our railway.

[martin adamson]

Originally Posted by springs branch mickey

I remember with nostalgia and pride our railway.

Yeah, personally I wouldn't mind the return of the 'swallows' on those 225's, screw the coach corporate slogans!

[Midland Compound]

Originally Posted by John_142

Yeh Virgin are an Very Good TOC to travel with and Very Freinly Staff too never had any problems with them what so ever alwith the exception fo a few late runnig trians but aint bothered about that.

Really ??!! I think Pendolinos are absoultely F**king CR*p - and I have to travel them every day. Virgin are only interested in people travelling to/from London, and want to rook you for every penny you've got.

[60159]

Midland Compound, I would also apply your technical assessment of Pendolinos to the awful Voyager.