Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

Richard Fairhurst

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Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« on: Today at 12:48:39 »

Arriva's Grand Central arm are apparently applying to run five trains daily each way between Newcastle and Brighton, via Banbury, Oxford, Reading and Gatwick:

https://news.arriva.co.uk/news/arriva-group-submits-open-access-rail-application-to-connect-newcastle-and-brighton-via-london-gatwick

Given that CrossCountry don't show any signs of bringing their own Newcastle–Reading service back up to full strength, good luck to them. Suspect it will be deemed too abstractive though.

(via the Oxford Clarion - https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sehe5pdc7ptfh5ayttdusqpp/post/3lnmxy7cfqk2x )


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eightonedee

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Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« Reply #1 on: Today at 13:51:10 »

That looks like it would be an attractive alternative for getting to Gatwick from Reading compared to the current GWR^▸ Turbo service - assuming decent rolling stock.


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ChrisB

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Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« Reply #2 on: Today at 13:52:34 »

Indeed - and maybe too extractive....I wonder what rolling stock they have identified?


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The Tall Controller

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Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« Reply #3 on: Today at 15:12:05 »

They're saying trains with 300 seats which puts it into 5-car Class 80x territory (302-326 seats), or perhaps the ex-TransPennine Mk5+loco (291 seats)?

Arriva's order of 9 new 'tri-mode' Hitachi units for their East Coast route might be part of the long-term plan, but even they aren't due in service until 2028.


« Last Edit: Today* at 15:19:00 by The Tall Controller* »	Logged

ChrisB

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Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« Reply #4 on: Today at 15:31:07 »

Chiltern has/had its eyes on the ex-TPE^▸ stock....


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ray951

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Re: Grand Central applies for Newcastle–Brighton via North Downs

« Reply #5 on: Today at 19:49:49 »

I saw someone say it was planned to use class 180 units.


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