Grand Central

Grand Central plans to resume running trains from March 27, following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s confirmed roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions.

Meanwhile, fellow open access operator Hull Trains confirmed it will restart services from April 12, although the company has made 33 people redundant (about a quarter of its staff).

“We are returning with a reduced timetable at this stage while we monitor customer demand and steadily build the business back up,” said Hull

Trains Managing Director Louise Cheeseman.

“Now we have a roadmap out of lockdown, I’m really confident that more people will start to travel by rail again.”

“It’s been a very challenging time for the industry and as an open access operator we have had to hibernate the business three times. This has had an impact on our workforce and sadly, it was necessary to make colleagues redundant.”

Cheeseman added that other challenging cost-saving decisions have been made to protect the long-term future of the business and to safeguard as many roles as possible.

GC Managing Director Richard McClean suggested that services could even start earlier than its intended March 27, depending on circumstances.

The open access operator had previously suggested it was working towards a March 1 restart.

GC stopped its London King’s Cross-Bradford Forster Square/ Sunderland services at the beginning of January, after

England was put into lockdown with the Government advising people not to travel. GC relies on fares for revenue and unlike franchised operators receives no government support other than via the furlough scheme.

McClean said: “In light of the roadmap set out by the Prime Minister, and following discussions with employees and trades union representatives, we now aim to return to service on March 27. However, should circumstances allow us to bring our trains back earlier, we will do so.

“I’m encouraged by recent reductions in the national ‘R’ rate and a drop in COVID-related hospitalisations. This, along with the ongoing vaccination programme, leaves me hopeful that when we return to service it will be permanent - albeit cautious and incremental.”

McLean said GC would continue to use the Government furlough scheme for its staff.

Passengers with reservations for travel between March 1-26 can change their ticket free of charge.

A third ECML open access operator (East Coast Trains) is due to launch King’s Cross-Edinburgh services later this year. Training has begun for staff, using Hull Trains Class 802s.

JOHN RUDD. Mk 4s refurbished for Grand Central’s planned London Euston-Blackpool North service, which was cancelled due to the pandemic, have been stored. Having stood at Wembley for several months, the sets, which were refurbished internally by Alstom at Widnes last year, were taken to Arriva Rail Care’s Eastleigh depot for de-branding before joining former LNER stablemates at Harry Needle Railroad Company’s Worksop storage facility. Rail Operations Group 47813 Jack Frost hauls two rakes through Tallington (north of Peterborough) on February 25.