Not sure if anyone else was listening this morning, but there was a big boss from Northern Rail in the 'hotseat' from 9am on Radio Newcastle.

Apart from the usual, he also announced 40 additional trains will call at Blaydon with extra services calling at Dunston - all from December this year.

It isn't an area I go to that often, but I am aware of how many buses to/from Newcastle and the Metrocentre from Blaydon. It will be interesting to see how GNE react to this, or whether the new deckers for the 10 was their pre-emptive move.
40 trains a day seems a massive number considering it is single figures at the moment.

Any idea whether these journeys will be covered by Nexus for those Under 16 or not?
(i.e. Will those under 16 be able to use their Nexus CAT ticket as they can for journeys between Sunderland and Newcastle?)

Any idea whether these journeys will be covered by Nexus for those Under 16 or not?
(i.e. Will those under 16 be able to use their Nexus CAT ticket as they can for journeys between Sunderland and Newcastle?)

I know CAT All Day Tickets can definitely be used on Northern Rail services between Sunderland and Newcastle, but I'm not sure when continuing to Metrocentre/Blaydon.

The NEXUS website states that: "The fare for a single journey on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland and Metrocentre/Blaydon is 60p at any time, on any day if you have an Under 16 Pop Card", so I'm guessing that CAT tickets can be used as far as Blaydon?

Any idea whether these journeys will be covered by Nexus for those Under 16 or not?
(i.e. Will those under 16 be able to use their Nexus CAT ticket as they can for journeys between Sunderland and Newcastle?)

I know CAT All Day Tickets can definitely be used on Northern Rail services between Sunderland and Newcastle, but I'm not sure when continuing to Metrocentre/Blaydon.

The NEXUS website states that: "The fare for a single journey on Northern Rail services between Newcastle and Sunderland and Metrocentre/Blaydon is 60p at any time, on any day if you have an Under 16 Pop Card", so I'm guessing that CAT tickets can be used as far as Blaydon?

I'd expect so! Ta for the info - I've always wondered how far you could go.

Not sure if anyone else was listening this morning, but there was a big boss from Northern Rail in the 'hotseat' from 9am on Radio Newcastle.

Apart from the usual, he also announced 40 additional trains will call at Blaydon with extra services calling at Dunston - all from December this year.

It isn't an area I go to that often, but I am aware of how many buses to/from Newcastle and the Metrocentre from Blaydon. It will be interesting to see how GNE react to this, or whether the new deckers for the 10 was their pre-emptive move.
40 trains a day seems a massive number considering it is single figures at the moment.

Hmmm. 40 trains, 20 each way. Trains on the line are every 30 minutes to Hexham, so if you stop most of them, you get your 40 additional trains.

If you are going past, you might as well stop and I think the same applies to Dunston.

I can't comment if any others have been treated, but one of Northern's Class 156 sets has been internally refurbished. The grey bulky seats have been replaced with less bulky seats with a smart purple trimming. There is much more leg room, but despite thinner seats being used, it seems as though seating capacity has been somewhat reduced.

If I'd thought on I would have got a photo and ID of the train set. Will try next time

I'd expect so! Ta for the info - I've always wondered how far you could go.

I'd be careful though, most of the times I've tried using the train between Heworth and Newcastle, the inspectors are pretty clueless when they look at the ticket - I don't think it's that commonly used, to be honest.

I'd expect so! Ta for the info - I've always wondered how far you could go.

I'd be careful though, most of the times I've tried using the train between Heworth and Newcastle, the inspectors are pretty clueless when they look at the ticket - I don't think it's that commonly used, to be honest.

I've only ever had trouble with one Northern Rail ticket inspector saying that I can't use a Nexus CAT ticket on their trains. All of the rest have been fine with me. I use it fairly frequently on weekends (and weekdays if it's the school holidays too) but I guess there's always a chance that they'll not know what that ticket is.

I shall ask an inspector next time I'm on one of their trains just how far you can go.

I can't comment if any others have been treated, but one of Northern's Class 156 sets has been internally refurbished. The grey bulky seats have been replaced with less bulky seats with a smart purple trimming. There is much more leg room, but despite thinner seats being used, it seems as though seating capacity has been somewhat reduced.

If I'd thought on I would have got a photo and ID of the train set. Will try next time

Didn't get a photo of the interior, but did of the exterior. A poor photo, so it didn't go on my Flickr which is now incorporating train photos (if anyone had noticed!), but can be viewed on the attachment below.

142087.

The start date of the next Northern Franchise has now been delayed until 5 February 2016.

Has anyone used the Day Rangers that Northern offer? I have a family and friends railcard and hadn't heard of it until earlier.

The start date of the next Northern Franchise has now been delayed until 5 February 2016.

What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

Actually, that's the whole point of timing both the current Northern and TPE finishing at the same time. To merge the two together again.

What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

Actually, that's the whole point of timing both the current Northern and TPE finishing at the same time. To merge the two together again.

As pointed out above by aureolin, I would be very surprised to see the competitions commision actually allow that, giving the winning operator a would have a virtual monopoly over Northern England.

Actually, that's the whole point of timing both the current Northern and TPE finishing at the same time. To merge the two together again.

That totally goes against the governments policy on putting contracts out to tender. If you look at any other department where they've outsourced work, you'll find they're now creating silos, rather than giving one organisation the lot. I'd be extremely surprised if this is any different. The system works for them - it creates competition across the board, and usually means they end up getting a lot more for paying a lot less.

Isn't it more likely that we'll see a transfer of routes between the two franchises, while remaining separate. There are rumours that York-Blackpool will transfer back to TPE, perhaps extended through to Scarborough.

Isn't it more likely that we'll see a transfer of routes between the two franchises, while remaining separate. There are rumours that York-Blackpool will transfer back to TPE, perhaps extended through to Scarborough.

I'd love them to put something quicker along to Blackpool. It's crazy how long it takes at the moment to get from York - Blackpool North.

What is the chances of TPE being merged into the Northern Franchise

Highly unlikely I'd say. Something like that chance to catch the eye of the competition commission. More so with what happened with the West Coast franchise.

Wouldn't be a problem for the DfT. It would be more of a problem for the operator, but there are checks in place on First Scotrail and First in Glasgow.

The government has chosen to slim down most operations, with Arriva operating Wales, First in Scotland and the South West.

To be honest, a lot of it is up in the air with local Authorities appearing to want to get involved but balking at the financial risk.

The RMT union are balloting for strikes regarding the use of sub-contractors for tasks the union feels Northern Rail staff are able to carry out.

New Northern Rail timetables come into force from Sunday 19 May across the regions routes. Having had a quick skim through, I don't believe there are any changes to times between Newcastle, Heworth and Sunderland; but if I find that there are, then the sites Metro timetable will be updated accordingly.

http://www.northernrail.org/travel/timetables

New Northern Rail timetables come into force from Sunday 19 May across the regions routes. Having had a quick skim through, I don't believe there are any changes to times between Newcastle, Heworth and Sunderland; but if I find that there are, then the sites Metro timetable will be updated accordingly.

http://www.northernrail.org/travel/timetables

Having had a more in-depth read, there are minor changes to times between Newcastle, Heworth and Sunderland. A small number of journey's are revised to operate one minute earlier or later.

[attachment=4435]
[attachment=4441]

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The information in these timetables is provided in good faith and should be checked on nexus.org.uk prior to travel.

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In addition to the Tyne and Wear Metro replacement bus service being provided tomorrow (19 May) between Gateshead Stadium and Hebburn/Brockley Whins, there will be a Rail replacement bus service operating between Sunderland and Newcastle -

Northern Rail between Sunderland and - Tyne And Wear
16th May 2013 6:54pm
Advance Warning - Replacement bus service running on Northern Rail between Sunderland and Newcastle due to engineering works. Buses replace trains on Sunday before 13:30. Until 13:30 on 19th May.

Source - Sun FM http://www.sun-fm.com/sunderlandtraffic.php


Bus replacement timetable -
[attachment=4434]

Source - Northern Rail http://www.northernrail.org/

Delays of approx. 10 to 15 mins.

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A member of staff has just handed out a form to those who didn't board/alight at Sunderland so that they can claim for a refund.
I believe I overheard something about passengers having to change trains at some point soon also, though I'm not sure on that one.

EDIT: Make that 1hr 20m... Something happened to the previous one too.

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According to the CrossCountry app, the 15:30 from Sunderland is on time and at Billingham currently.
Must have been cleared.

However the GrandCentral from Sunderland due out at 14.06 is 50 mins late - guessing that was stuck earlier on heading North or it may be late for totally unrelated issues...

A member of staff has just handed out a form to those who didn't board/alight at Sunderland so that they can claim for a refund.
I believe I overheard something about passengers having to change trains at some point soon also, though I'm not sure on that one.

EDIT: Make that 1hr 20m... Something happened to the previous one too.

2N31 arrived Sunderland 1350 and left 1352, 22 late then terminated at Newcastle. The previous service (2N27) terminated at Seaham.

According to the CrossCountry app, the 15:30 from Sunderland is on time and at Billingham currently.
Must have been cleared.

However the GrandCentral from Sunderland due out at 14.06 is 50 mins late - guessing that was stuck earlier on heading North or it may be late for totally unrelated issues...

They use the 1450 arrival from London to do the 1406 departure, all down to issues with the 180s...

Have sent Dan a PM with more detail as I was on 2N31 and 2N27.

Basically signal failure 2N27 copped a 1 hr 25 delay, 2N31 just 25 mins.
Both terminated at Newcastle
2N27 and 2N31 actually coupled up at Ryhope to continue to Newcastle

Was hoping to find a MoTrain today but had no luck. Have noticed however that there are Nexus logos on board a Class 142... Does anyone know how long these have been on board for?

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Was hoping to find a MoTrain today but had no luck. Have noticed however that there are Nexus logos on board a Class 142... Does anyone know how long these have been on board for?

They have been on a while.
Not sure how long, but have noticed them in the past (glass divider between doors and seats).

If it was recent, I'd hazard a guess the stylised R logo would have been used.