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| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 15/08/2012 at 21:23 #34948 | |
moonraker
370 posts 
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Virgin have lost the West Coast Franchise to First Group. First will take over the Franchise on December 9th this year and will run services until 2026. Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has expressed his anger saying that the government's franchising process is flawed and over complicated. Virgin has run the West Coast franchise since 1997 and has overseen a huge modernisation of both the route itself and the trains with a modern fleet of Pendolino trains introduced on the core routes of the network. Branson says that Virgin are unlikely to bid for any franchises in the near future until the government changes the bidding process for franchises. First are set to introduce new 6 car electric trains for direct Birmingham - Glasgow trains once they take over in December.
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| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 15/08/2012 at 22:08 #34949 | |
Sam Tugwell
494 posts |
I think the 6 Car Electric sets you mention are Voyagers with a Pantograph coach Edit: Just realised that they are actually new builds "Signalman Exeter" Last edited: 15/08/2012 at 22:10 by Sam Tugwell Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 15/08/2012 at 22:10 #34950 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:I think the 6 Car Electric sets you mention are Voyagers with a Pantograph coachNope 11 brand new 6 car trains. Must be electric and capable of 125 MPH, which means they must have tilt capability. "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 15/08/2012 at 22:12 #34951 | |
Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
" said:Virgin have lost the West Coast Franchise to First Group. First will take over the Franchise on December 9th this year and will run services until 2026. Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has expressed his anger saying that the government's franchising process is flawed and over complicated. Virgin has run the West Coast franchise since 1997 and has overseen a huge modernisation of both the route itself and the trains with a modern fleet of Pendolino trains introduced on the core routes of the network. Branson says that Virgin are unlikely to bid for any franchises in the near future until the government changes the bidding process for franchises. First are set to introduce new 6 car electric trains for direct Birmingham - Glasgow trains once they take over in December.Sour grapes. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 00:23 #34953 | |
postal
5264 posts |
" said:" said:It is quite likely that there will be sour grapes from the man who promised to make premium payments when he took on the franchise, went into a cost-plus arrangement when the PUG went belly-up (which is a licence to rip off the paymaster) then renegotiated and has been in subsidy since (at an estimated £1.4bn when the renegotiations were completed). If I'd just lost the chance to carry on with a contract where I had creamed off a big wedge instead of spending similar I think I might have had a bit of a lip on as well. And don't don't forget it will hit the finances of Stagecoach just as hard as they have a half-share in the WCML TOC.Virgin have lost the West Coast Franchise to First Group. First will take over the Franchise on December 9th this year and will run services until 2026. Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has expressed his anger saying that the government's franchising process is flawed and over complicated. Virgin has run the West Coast franchise since 1997 and has overseen a huge modernisation of both the route itself and the trains with a modern fleet of Pendolino trains introduced on the core routes of the network. Branson says that Virgin are unlikely to bid for any franchises in the near future until the government changes the bidding process for franchises. First are set to introduce new 6 car electric trains for direct Birmingham - Glasgow trains once they take over in December.Sour grapes. It is even more galling when one of the major points made is that others like GNER and NEx East Coast when bust because of over-imaginative bidding. This over-imaginative bidding would not have been necessary if DaFT had not been trying to recover the shortfall caused by the turnround from receipts to massive payments for the WCML franchise. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Last edited: 16/08/2012 at 00:26 by postal Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 05:59 #34954 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
" said:" said:I understood that GNER lost the franchise because of problems at the parent company (Sea Containers) rather than at GNER." said:It is quite likely that there will be sour grapes from the man who promised to make premium payments when he took on the franchise, went into a cost-plus arrangement when the PUG went belly-up (which is a licence to rip off the paymaster) then renegotiated and has been in subsidy since (at an estimated £1.4bn when the renegotiations were completed). If I'd just lost the chance to carry on with a contract where I had creamed off a big wedge instead of spending similar I think I might have had a bit of a lip on as well. And don't don't forget it will hit the finances of Stagecoach just as hard as they have a half-share in the WCML TOC.Virgin have lost the West Coast Franchise to First Group. First will take over the Franchise on December 9th this year and will run services until 2026. Virgin chief Sir Richard Branson has expressed his anger saying that the government's franchising process is flawed and over complicated. Virgin has run the West Coast franchise since 1997 and has overseen a huge modernisation of both the route itself and the trains with a modern fleet of Pendolino trains introduced on the core routes of the network. Branson says that Virgin are unlikely to bid for any franchises in the near future until the government changes the bidding process for franchises. First are set to introduce new 6 car electric trains for direct Birmingham - Glasgow trains once they take over in December.Sour grapes. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 07:00 #34955 | |
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benstafford
88 posts |
" said:" said:Alstom are touting a mini Pendolino - can they make the windows bigger please!I think the 6 Car Electric sets you mention are Voyagers with a Pantograph coachNope 11 brand new 6 car trains. Must be electric and capable of 125 MPH, which means they must have tilt capability. Also First are redoing the interiors of Voyagers and Pendos, please could they try not to make them worse - the only thing worse currently are East Coast 225s and Great Western 125s. Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 08:06 #34956 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
" said:the only thing worse currently are East Coast 225s .Other than MkI compartment stock the EC MkIV is, in my view, one of the best carriages there has been. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply The following users said thank you: andyb0607, guidomcc |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 08:26 #34957 | |
jc92
3685 posts
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Also First are redoing the interiors of Voyagers and Pendos, please could they try not to make them worse - the only thing worse currently are East Coast 225s .[/quote] the Mallard stock is probably the most comfortable pleasing stock i have been on. the windows line up correctly, there is plenty of floorspace and the interiors are pleasing to the eye. Voyagers are in a completely different league "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 08:55 #34958 | |
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postal
5264 posts |
" said:I understood that GNER lost the franchise because of problems at the parent company (Sea Containers) rather than at GNER.Peter I didn't say it didn't; I said that it was claimed that GNER had handed the keys back due to over-bidding. When has truth ever got in the way of sour grapes. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 09:04 #34959 | |
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benstafford
88 posts |
" said:" said:Obviously personal opinion, but while I couldn't fault the leg room and window view, both are far superior to Pendolino and Voyager, I found that I couldn't find a comfortable seating position and ended up with backache on a York to London journey. As with most new stock the seats are far too high (elf and safety brigade!) and too hard. I went to York on a GC 180 and it was far more pleasant, all seats line up with windows and they are not so high that you can't see the rest of the carriage. I actually find the seats on Pendos OK just as long as you have a window seat. FGWs 125s are absolutely appalling, uncomfortable, high seats and claustrophobic. Besr long distance recently for me was East Midlands 125s as they still have old fashioned seats in old fashioned layout.the only thing worse currently are East Coast 225s .Other than MkI compartment stock the EC MkIV is, in my view, one of the best carriages there has been. Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 11:19 #34960 | |
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AndyG
1842 posts
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Richard Branson's announcement
I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 11:40 #34962 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
And this report just in from my favourite news source. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply The following users said thank you: guidomcc, Sam Tugwell, Steamer, jc92, andyb0607, GoochyB, Class 86 |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 18:05 #34967 | |
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jc92
3685 posts
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hmmm no more pretendolino livery then.... probably no more pretendolino at all actually
"We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 19:01 #34970 | |
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ozzyd9001
131 posts |
carn`t we have a brand new build of mk 3s? best coach ever built Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 19:13 #34971 | |
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benstafford
88 posts |
As long as First Great Western don't specify the seats!
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| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 20:09 #34972 | |
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Northern Line
5 posts |
A bit of news for you, so all is not lost, Virgin have re-bidded and hopefully win back the franchise
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| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 20:53 #34973 | |
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headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:A bit of news for you, so all is not lost, Virgin have re-bidded and hopefully win back the franchiseLinks or it didn't happen? "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 16/08/2012 at 21:03 #34974 | |
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Peter Bennet
5402 posts |
" said:" said:I think he was joking.A bit of news for you, so all is not lost, Virgin have re-bidded and hopefully win back the franchiseLinks or it didn't happen? Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 20/08/2012 at 21:17 #35052 | |
Steamer
3984 posts |
Northern Line said:bit of news for you, so all is not lost, Virgin have re-bidded and hopefully win back the franchiseI don't know anything about this, however Virgin Trains have set up an e-petition. "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply The following user said thank you: peterb |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 21/08/2012 at 04:21 #35055 | |
GeoffM
6376 posts |
" said:Northern Line said:I doubt that was Virgin - especially with a comment along the lines of "Virgin aren't perfect"!bit of news for you, so all is not lost, Virgin have re-bidded and hopefully win back the franchiseI don't know anything about this, however Virgin Trains have set up an e-petition. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 21/08/2012 at 08:22 #35056 | |
andyb0607
260 posts |
Virgin Atlantic London to Manchester Coincidence? They say not, but.... Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 21/08/2012 at 10:25 #35057 | |
Guts
604 posts |
I work with Virgin (Not for), I believe they are a great company and do very well on West Coast. I think 'sour grapes' is a bit harsh considering the service on WC, and I deal with some problems the public never see. Those of you who hate the seating are going to get worse seating when First Group start changing things, who do you think changed the seating on FGW!! I honestly don't see how First can run more trains than run at the moment on West Coast, don't forget that WC don't have a diversionary freight route as with East Coast. I personally just don't see where they are going to get paths especially from Euston, we just don't have it. (I do the platforming and working with planning) I think that new destinations are a plus but the logistics for some don't make operational sense, and are more of a gimmick. As for the 6-car trains, my understanding is that it will be a Pantograph car in Voyagers, but I can't confirm it. I doubt First Group who are already in huge debt can afford new trains. Bear in mind they have promised to pay £500million versus the £160million Virgin were paying. As you can see that's more than triple, so I doubt they can afford new trains. This is MY PERSONAL view and we will have to wait and see what happens, and considering First Group's history I'm skeptical. Guts Last edited: 21/08/2012 at 10:26 by Guts Log in to reply |
| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 21/08/2012 at 10:30 #35058 | |
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Stephen Fulcher
2078 posts
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I would not now be surprised to see FirstGroup lose the Greater Western franchise at the end of the year as they now have a very large number of franchises compared to anyone else (although DB has quite a few too).
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| Virgin loses West Coast Franchise to First Group 21/08/2012 at 11:33 #35059 | |
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Guts
604 posts |
I heard they already decided not to renew it #FGW
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