Confused

chriscooper · Post by **chriscooper** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:03 pm

Just wondering if anyone can clear up something I've heard. A couple of days ago someone told me that they saw something on the local news about Central Trains hiring in a train of MML to do Nottingham - Lincoln runs in the run up to Christmas. I didn't see this report myself and the person only caught a bit of the report anyway and couldn't give any details about what sort of train, or times, only that it starts on Thursday. I've not been able to find any other information on it and if I didn't trust this person (its my mum) I would think they were having me on. Can anyone confirm if Central is going to hire a train of MML and if so what sort and what times it will be running. Bearing in mind MML have no HSTs or Turbostars to spair the only thing I can think of is the Loco Hauled set they still have on loan from Fragonset (saw one of the 47s a few months ago picking up a powercar from Luton).

thedarkness · Post by **thedarkness** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:07 pm

Theres a Central trains 158 {855} on hire to Wessex trains atm. It was kicking round Fratton yard last week with a burst airbag, it couldnt get home due to the chaos at Salisbury.
Maybe because this unit is on loan, Central trains have suddenly come up short.

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 8:03 pm

MML and CT are always hireing turbostars of each other, mainly MML borrowing them from CTs mind. But it has been known in the past for MML to use a CT turbo on a London train even through it has no first class, so I dont see why it couldnt be reversed. Maybe CT is even shorter for stock then MML is and since they are sister companys they can spare one. I dont know why it would be designated to a particular working though.

Does that make any sence because ive just confused myself

pepsipowell · Post by **pepsipowell** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:24 am

Is the CT 158 one of the ones with CT green livery and Alphaline stickers? I usually see them at Aberystwyth/Machynlleth, but last week or so did see one at Southampton Central.

Jonathan

jonhewes · Post by **jonhewes** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:59 am

I've heard it on good authority that Central Trains will be hiring a full MML HST set to provide extra capacity for the Lincoln Christmas Market Traffic. It wll be running betwene Lincoln and Nottingham, for this weeend only as far as I know.

It's cost Central Trains Â£9K to hire, so I really hope they get a good turn out so it'll be repeated next year too.

I don't know if we've ever had a Christmas HST Run before (anyone know?), or how successful it will be. It'll be nice to see proper trains going through Lincoln again, and will allow me to remenisce over the days before Lincoln was Sprinterised and we had 47 hauled & HST expresses. Now we don't even have HSTs or a London service anymore

Tomnick · Post by **Tomnick** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 7:17 pm

Lincoln Central station is always chaos on Xmas Market weekend! I don't think the usual Sprinters will cope with the crowds either - last year's looked a bit crowded. The signalling system is amazing to watch in operation too - the layout and semaphore signalling regulations are incredibly restricting, with only one platform for trains from Nottingham, Sheffield and Doncaster to arrive on, before being shunted to the Down platforms.

I can't remember whether an HST ran Lincoln - Nottingham last year - it was certainly talked about. It'll certainly be successful - as I said earlier, Sprinters will never cope!

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 8:28 pm

Nice, I hope they use a full new refurbished set so people get a good impression of MML not a bodge of Virgin, New MML, Old MML and FGW. And that it doesnt get trashed.

Tomnick · Post by **Tomnick** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:17 pm

Excellent collection of charters through the weekend too, from 37s to Deltics to proper steam!

jonhewes · Post by **jonhewes** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:31 pm

Tomnick wrote:Excellent collection of charters through the weekend too, from 37s to Deltics to proper steam!

Are we actually getting steam then this weekend? Last I heard was we had a steam tour from Blackpool, replaced by Diesel Doncaster onwards

Tomnick · Post by **Tomnick** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 10:37 pm

Hope not! I had read that, but secretly hoped it was wrong! The Deltic display should be good though

jbilton · Post by **jbilton** » Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:10 pm

Tomnick wrote:Hope not! I had read that, but secretly hoped it was wrong! The Deltic display should be good though

Hi
Do you have the arrival times for Lincoln...love to see the deltic.
Only thing I know was coming was a duff on friday around 12.30pm

jonhewes · Post by **jonhewes** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 10:54 am

Unfortunately not as of yet!

I'd be interested why the steam is running only as far as Doncaster. We've had plenty of heavy steam locos in the past, Clan Line to name as an example!

petermakosch · Post by **petermakosch** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 11:42 am

Tomnick wrote:Lincoln Central station is always chaos on Xmas Market weekend! I don't think the usual Sprinters will cope with the crowds either!

hehehe, a one-car 153 suddenly springs to mind *chuckles*

nightbeaver911 wrote:MML and CT are always hireing turbostars of each other, mainly MML borrowing them from CTs mind.

Actually Midland Mainline dont borrow any off of CT, except on a very Rare occations.
CT have one MML Turbo for the Coventry line, but i dont know of any others. AND i dont know who will drive the HST as MML drivers dont know the line, and CT drivers cant drive the HST's because they not learned on them.

jonhewes · Post by **jonhewes** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 1:02 pm

They'll probably hire a driver from EWS or something. The same could be said for the Deltic Rail-tours running to Lincoln.

There is an element of doubt, whether the HST will actually used,despite having been hired, because the CT staff are no longer trainedto despatch an HST.

jbilton · Post by **jbilton** » Wed Dec 03, 2003 3:22 pm

Not too fused about the HST....its only a glorified bog unit.
Times change(and not always for the better).. I remember Summer Saturdays with 7 Loco hauled specials being sorted before midday...including using platforms 7,8,10,11.