|
Btline
|
 |
« Reply #45 on: February 05, 2009, 12:54:39 » |
|
This is great news. Chiltern really are a do railway.
I hope they get a franchise extension.
My only concern is whether they'll find sufficient paths and platform space at Marylebone.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
gwr2006
|
|
« Reply #46 on: February 05, 2009, 13:51:01 » |
|
This is great news. Chiltern really are a do railway.
I hope they get a franchise extension.
My only concern is whether they'll find sufficient paths and platform space at Marylebone.
It isn't that Chiltern Railways are a can do company but more to do with them being in the uneviable position of having the only 20-year franchise. The Government is still paying for most of the investment through the subsidy payments it makes to Chiltern Railways but it does show that with a longer franchise the financial return for them and the franchise holding company, DB» Regio ( UK▸ ) Ltd. justifies them doing that. One can only think what some of the other TOCs▸ would do if they had the same terms. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Btline
|
|
« Reply #47 on: February 05, 2009, 14:18:16 » |
|
But you have to ask why Chiltern were given such a long franchise!
Because they are so good.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
autotank
|
|
« Reply #48 on: February 05, 2009, 15:24:35 » |
|
Personally I think they are the best TOC▸ in the country by far. Big shame that the North Warwickshire and Dorridge services were not handed over to them when Central Trains were disbanded. Their services are always comfortable, reliable and reasonable. Can't wait for them to get into Oxford, hopefully they will scare FGW▸ into more action. I just hope that the plans for Oxford station are joined up and the various parties talk to each other to give the station well overdue extra capacity and better facilities.
Thame and Bourne End (from High Wycombe) next?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Btline
|
|
« Reply #49 on: February 05, 2009, 15:32:08 » |
|
It would have been nice to have Chiltern running the Snow Hill lines; still, LM▸ are doing a much better job than National Express!  It also would have meant 3 TOCs▸ at Worcester, making timetable integration harder. The new LM Snow Hill timetable is a lot better for commuting to Worcester; ditto for the Hereford - Worcester - B'ham timetable. But it could have meant reliable services to London from Worcester (with customer care thrown in as well)!  Ok, a bit long at >3:10 mins...  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
IndustryInsider
|
|
« Reply #50 on: February 05, 2009, 16:08:08 » |
|
It isn't that Chiltern Railways are a can do company but more to do with them being in the uneviable position of having the only 20-year franchise.
Surely that's an enviable position to be in then?  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
|
|
|
gwr2006
|
|
« Reply #51 on: February 05, 2009, 19:28:49 » |
|
It isn't that Chiltern Railways are a can do company but more to do with them being in the uneviable position of having the only 20-year franchise.
Surely that's an enviable position to be in then? Thats true...I should have read back what I'd written before pressing send!!! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
willc
|
|
« Reply #52 on: February 05, 2009, 22:35:44 » |
|
But you have to ask why Chiltern were given such a long franchise!
Because they are so good.
No, because they were very lucky and got the deal signed before someone in Whitehall got cold feet about the idea of such long agreements. Southern was meant to be a 20-year deal, but ended up as seven. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Btline
|
|
« Reply #53 on: February 05, 2009, 22:39:46 » |
|
But I expect that Govia will retain the South Central Franchise anyway.
At least I hope they do - they have re-branded all signage in South London and Sussex!
And I was under the impression that Chiltern were awarded the long franchise as a result of the improvements - long franchises are not given out lightly! Southern have had problems and complaints about the service.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
IndustryInsider
|
|
« Reply #54 on: February 05, 2009, 23:08:07 » |
|
As Will says, it was, for a short while, considered by those responsible in the Government to be the best way of letting a franchise. For some reason that perspective changed - probably because it resulted in less money flowing into the DfT» 's coffers more slowly than these silly deals that have been struck with the likes of National Express and First Group. Thankfully, the new team at the top in the DfT appear to be thinking of a shift back to longer franchises.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
|
|
|
willc
|
|
« Reply #55 on: February 06, 2009, 00:57:18 » |
|
long franchises There's only one lasting 20 years - Chiltern. The only other approaching that is ATW▸ , with 15 years. And technically, if Chiltern don't deliver Evergreen 3 and other enhancements, then DafT can ask for its train set back long before 2022. |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: February 06, 2009, 01:15:55 by willc »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Electric train
|
|
« Reply #56 on: February 06, 2009, 08:10:52 » |
|
As Will says, it was, for a short while, considered by those responsible in the Government to be the best way of letting a franchise. For some reason that perspective changed - probably because it resulted in less money flowing into the DfT» 's coffers more slowly than these silly deals that have been struck with the likes of National Express and First Group. Thankfully, the new team at the top in the DfT appear to be thinking of a shift back to longer franchises.
But then there is a General Election in just over a year, if / when (just to keep it balanced) there is a change there could be a change to short franchises because "that will let market forces determin whats best" to quote the 1990's privatisation mantra ...... I hope its not the case |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent,”
|
|
|
|
IndustryInsider
|
|
« Reply #57 on: February 06, 2009, 09:33:41 » |
|
long franchises There's only one lasting 20 years - Chiltern. The only other approaching that is ATW▸ , with 15 years. There's also Merseyrail of course. Though that isn't directly let by the DfT» . |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
|
|
|
Btline
|
|
« Reply #58 on: February 06, 2009, 20:20:04 » |
|
Don't worry, Chiltern won't fail. They know how to run a railway!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
stebbo
|
|
« Reply #59 on: February 06, 2009, 21:33:54 » |
|
But then there is a General Election in just over a year, if / when (just to keep it balanced) there is a change there could be a change to short franchises because "that will let market forces determin whats best" to quote the 1990's privatisation mantra ...... I hope its not the case
Not wishing to be controversial, in my personal opinion I believe Jeremy Clarkson's recent opinion expressed on Ozzie TV about a certain well known politician to be spot on - so you can guess my general political leaning - but I say renationalise. What did BR▸ do seriously wrong within the constraints it was stuick wth?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Click on the map to explore geographics
