Farewell East Coast. Hello Virgin Trains East Coast.

[whole diary]

[stuving]

Silly question - electric to ABERDEEN ??

You'd be surprised what's possible if you put your mind to it.

With the LNE main line closed on Saturdays in March, all the EC trains are going through Spalding on the GNGE. And that includes some that are electric-hauled! At least, that's what it says on Realtime Trains, so it must be true...

[Rhydgaled]

Silly question - electric to ABERDEEN ??

You'd be surprised what's possible if you put your mind to it.

With the LNE main line closed on Saturdays in March, all the EC trains are going through Spalding on the GNGE. And that includes some that are electric-hauled! At least, that's what it says on Realtime Trains, so it must be true...

You mean like this (not my picture)? Who else thinks that is probably a better solution for Swansea-Paddington services than 5-car IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) when the Severn Tunnel is shut... For Aberdeen though, a diesel loco that had TDM capability (so you could swap it for the 91 where the wires run out, rather than having to drag the 91 along with you and run-round to come back) would probably be better.

[TonyK]

How well I remember (on some trains from Bristol to Blackpool in the 1970s) having a change of engine at Birmingham or Preston, depending on the make-up of the journey.

Much of the argument about the hybrid IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) seems to be focused on the need to have a diesel engine on an electric train, and the consequent weight loss. Looked at as an electric add-on to a diesel train, it doesn't seem so disadvantageous.