NEW TRAINS AND SERVICES
BORDERCROSSING
When VTEC introduces Hitachi Azuma trains in December 2018, the ECML will see a much-needed capacity boost of around 20 per cent. VTEC’s existing British Rail era HST diesel trains and electric Mallard sets, although refurbished, are life-expired after racking up huge mileages over the decades. Azuma trains will be limited to today’s maximum of 125mph, but will have better acceleration to cope with the en route stops.
VT’s services over the WCML are already in the hands of modern “tilting” Pendolino trains, and these are not due for replacement. Currently VT/VTEC face no rail competition between London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. But although VT keeps its monopoly, VTEC will have a rival; First Group has been granted open access rights between London and Edinburgh.
First Group’s East Coast Trains Ltd brand aims to ape budget airlines from 2021. It will do this by operating five services a day to provide 1.5 million seats annually, offering wifi for all, having charges from £25 one-way and taking online reservations until the point of departure. Modern trains are planned (details yet to be revealed) and services will call at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth en route.
This raises the question: why are First Group so interested in Morpeth, Newcastle or Stevenage? Because Stevenage and Morpeth are within easy reach of Stansted
...and Newcastle airports, and so appeal to potential air passengers, many of them travelling with low-cost carriers.
So what are the downsides to rail? Unlike air, rail is still not perceived as being ideally suited for day business trips. And some travellers do not necessarily live and/or work close to city-centre train stations; for many people, airports such as Heathrow, Gatwick, London City or Stansted can prove more convenient than King’s Cross or Euston.
In Edinburgh the situation can be even clearer, with many business parks located near the airport, on the tram route. A good number of business people now live in other parts of Scotland’s Central Belt, such as Stirling or Falkirk, which makes the airport more convenient than Waverley – especially if you drive and park.
SLEEPYTIME
Rail is better for business people intending to have an overnight stay, or those who may wish to mix and match air and rail on the same trip. There are also those who may wish to take the Caledonian Sleeper in one or both directions to save on accommodation costs and, in winter (when flights can be subject to heavy fog and other weather delays), ensure you can arrive in time for early appointments.
Right now the Caledonian Sleeper is a 40-year throwback. But, as you will have read online at Business Traveller, major changes are planned for 2018 when the overnight trains will be taken to a new level, and priced for the business and wealthy leisure market. Artists’ impressions of the “hotel standard” trainsets show some rolling stock with en suite showers and toilets.
Whereas other European countries are cutting back, the UK is investing in new luxury rolling stock; the new overnight trains are being partially-funded by the governments on both sides of the border. The Caledonian Sleeper will continue to serve the main cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in addition to Highland routings. The latter appeal not just to leisure travellers but also to parliamentarians.