Heritage Train Company Launches First Class Service In Competition With Avanti West Coast
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Business Live.
These are the two introductory paragraphs.
A heritage train company is launching a charter service between London and the North West to help passengers frustrated by Avanti West Coast’s severe disruption.
Crewe-based Locomotive Services Group will begin operating a first class-only charter service to and from London Euston on Friday.
These are more details of the service.
The train’s air-conditioned carriages are restored British Rail Mark 3 stock with three-abreast seating, tables, power points and large windows.
The service will only operate on Fridays for the next three weeks, and will run at 110mph using electric locomotives.
It will depart from Crewe at 2.29pm, running non-stop to arrive at London Euston at 4.12pm.
The train will set off to return north at 5.27pm, calling at Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe and Wilmslow before arriving at Manchester Piccadilly at 8.45pm.
I have a feeling that the Mark 3 coaches, were acquired from Greater Anglia.
Locomotive Services Group, also owns a couple of main-line registered Class 90 locomotives.
I am seriously, thinking of taking one of their trips.
I can travel in Mark 3 and Mark 4 coaches, all Stadler and Hitachi trains, but if I travel in a Class 390 train, the air-conditioning plays havoc with my body.
Avanti West Coast can’t put Class 807 trains on London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street. too soon for me!
The Anonymous Widower 
Good luck to them shame that Grand Central had to pull out of the Blackpool service they were about to launch just before Covid struck
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | August 20, 2022 |
There were rumours, that Virgin were thinking of running a Liverpool service too.
Comment by AnonW | August 21, 2022 |
Well given Avanti have all but trashed what Virgin had delivered on that route then it would be divine retribution!
Comment by Nicholas Lewis | August 21, 2022
As I said earlier, the sooner the Class 390 go or get fitted with decent air-con the better.
The next time I go to Liverpool, I’m tempted to go via Leeds or Sheffield.
Comment by AnonW | August 21, 2022 |