Cross Country Rail

[220389]

I have to say they are a Brillant company in my views, espically for the Journey back from Darlington to Birmingham New Street on Wenesday the Train Manager who was annoucing Station Stops etc was quite Happy and an Lively Person, some body who i meet on the train got a lot off help from the Ticket Collector about how to get to Southampton.

All i can say i will try and travel with them as much as Possible, also not sure what they have done to the Voyagers but they no longer smell


Chris

[chriscooper]

Better than East Midlands trains then. Arrived at Nottingham intime for the 17:35 to Leicester, didn't turn up until 37, then we got on and sat and waited. At 17:46 we finally left, no explanation, no apology. Actual reason was no driver, which I knew since I'd seen the cab was empty when I got on.
This is the third time I've used EMT since they took over the franchise. First time was also Loughborough to Nottingham and return, yet the train I was going for was cancelled in both directions. Also, on the first and second occasions I saw cancellations of Nottingham to Norwich trains.

[AlistairW]

Sadly EMT is suffering due to the hideous performance of its 153's and the fact that 5 158 engines went bang within the first month, not to mention the unit that is currently out of service after the bridge incident which accounts for cancellations, late running not so. I read the other day that performance has actually improved since EMT took over, I think with time other aspects will improve, would be nice to see additional carriages on the Norwich – Liverpool services.

Back on topic, I also had a very cheery guard between Britsol and Derby in January, made the trip so much more plesant, also I've just booked Sheffield - Edinburgh return in March for £15.60! AMAZING!

Cheers,
Ali

[enotayokel]

The 2 SWT units have been re-loaned and will transfer imminantly (or might already be there) so they might be on the up - AIUI refurbs are due to start when the 159/0s are done - if they are to the same standard you will be a lot luckier then FGW who are using recovered seats from FSR in the 158s/153s

[shaun123]

Yep there already here 158886 and 158887 been working Liverpool-Norwich services throughout the week.

[bthornhill]

When I travelled with EMT last weekend, I fet as if the franchise hadnt changed hands, all staff were still in Central Trains uniforms, and there was not even a temporary vynal sticker on the units to show that it was now East Midlands Trains. This is a big difference to what I have seen of NEEC and CX where all staff have had new/modified uniforms, and all trains have had some element of rebranding.

[220389]

Also to say for the XC service i was on going to Darlington we were about 4 minutes early which i thought was rather good and on the train back we arrived bang on time

[enotayokel]

When I travelled with EMT last weekend, I fet as if the franchise hadnt changed hands, all staff were still in Central Trains uniforms, and there was not even a temporary vynal sticker on the units to show that it was now East Midlands Trains. This is a big difference to what I have seen of NEEC and CX where all staff have had new/modified uniforms, and all trains have had some element of rebranding.

Hmm, SWT have never really had in your face branding, rather like Virgin. I suspect EMT would rather rebrand when the units are in a habitable state. I'm also sure that they announced that branding (apart from the launch) wasn't high on the priorities list, unit reliability seems to be a biggy. It would also appear that the sprinter merry-go-round is still ongoing with EMT loosing the Centre 158 vehs at relatively short notice.

[AlistairW]

When I travelled with EMT last weekend, I fet as if the franchise hadnt changed hands, all staff were still in Central Trains uniforms, and there was not even a temporary vynal sticker on the units to show that it was now East Midlands Trains. This is a big difference to what I have seen of NEEC and CX where all staff have had new/modified uniforms, and all trains have had some element of rebranding.

Hmm, SWT have never really had in your face branding, rather like Virgin. I suspect EMT would rather rebrand when the units are in a habitable state. I'm also sure that they announced that branding (apart from the launch) wasn't high on the priorities list, unit reliability seems to be a biggy. It would also appear that the sprinter merry-go-round is still ongoing with EMT loosing the Centre 158 vehs at relatively short notice.

Yep, as I just mentioned in another thread, Tim Shovller (EMT Managing Director) doesn't want to but the branding or name on the trains until reliability has improved and the trains are actually nice to sit in.