|
|
|
|
CrossCountry
|
| |
|
| |
CrossCountry is a train operating company, the brand name of XC Trains Limited owned by Arriva, that has operated Great Britain’s Cross Country rail franchise since 11 November 2007. The franchise was formed through the amalgamation of most of the former Cross Country franchise previously held by Virgin Trains (which consisted of inter-city services that do not terminate in London) with some of the longer-distance routes (including some former Central Citylink services) operated by the former Central Trains.
On 10 July 2007, the Department for Transport announced that Arriva plc had won the rights to the franchise.
Unlike most other franchise operators, CrossCountry does not manage any stations, even though there are certain stations served by no operator other than CrossCountry.
Core
The hourly service operates on each basic route:
e are extensions to the normal service pattern:
Summer Saturdays see trains to Newquay from various parts of the network.
Frequency
Typically, during weekday daytimes, each of these six routes sees one CrossCountry train per hour, with the exception of Birmingham–Leicester and Birmingham–Nottingham (which each see two).
Discussion
Ask a question about 'CrossCountry' Start a new discussion about 'CrossCountry' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
CrossCountry is a train operating company, the brand name of XC Trains Limited owned by Arriva, that has operated Great Britain’s Cross Country rail franchise since 11 November 2007. The franchise was formed through the amalgamation of most of the former Cross Country franchise previously held by Virgin Trains (which consisted of inter-city services that do not terminate in London) with some of the longer-distance routes (including some former Central Citylink services) operated by the former Central Trains.
On 10 July 2007, the Department for Transport announced that Arriva plc had won the rights to the franchise.
Unlike most other franchise operators, CrossCountry does not manage any stations, even though there are certain stations served by no operator other than CrossCountry.
Routes
Core
The hourly service operates on each basic route:
Extensions
There are extensions to the normal service pattern:
Summer Saturdays see trains to Newquay from various parts of the network.
Frequency
Typically, during weekday daytimes, each of these six routes sees one CrossCountry train per hour, with the exception of Birmingham–Leicester and Birmingham–Nottingham (which each see two). These services combine to provide higher frequencies on the following sections:
- Bristol to Birmingham: 2 trains per hour
- Cheltenham to Birmingham: 3 trains per hour
- Reading to Birmingham: 2 trains per hour
- Birmingham to Derby: 4 trains per hour
- Derby to Sheffield: 2 trains per hour
- York to Newcastle: 2 trains per hour
- Birmingham to Leicester: 2 trains per hour
Withdrawal of Brighton services
The requirement for the franchise operation did not include retaining the current services south east of Reading/Guildford to Brighton. As a result all CrossCountry services to Kensington Olympia, East Croydon, Redhill, Gatwick Airport and Haywards Heath ceased on 13 December 2008. Passengers for Gatwick Airport now have to change at Reading onto First Great Western's services.
Future services
Plans were included by CrossCountry to reopen the railway station at Kenilworth. In April 2008, they agreed with Warwickshire county council to draw up a business case.
There are proposals for a station at Worcester (Norton) Parkway near the city of Worcester, which is currently by-passed by CrossCountry's trains. If this station is built, then it may be served by CrossCountry services.
Performance
Initial performance figures released by the ORR rate the new operator slightly better than their predecessor with a PPM of 89.9% over the second quarter of the 2008/9 financial year.
Criticism
CrossCountry have been criticised for its overcrowding on services between Leamington Spa and Birmingham.
Rolling Stock
Multiple Unit fleet
Virgin CrossCountry previously operated the Class 220 and Class 221 DEMUs. Now some 21 Class 221 units have been transferred to the Virgin West Coast franchise to operate the North Wales route and the West Midlands to Scotland services. CrossCountry also use Class 170 Turbostars inherited from Central Trains. Class 220s and 221s are undergoing refurbishment at Bombardier, Derby. This includes removing the shop and extra luggage space. The refurbishment is due to be completed in late 2009
HST Fleet
The first CrossCountry-livered HST powercar was released from its overhaul at Brush, Loughborough on 16 July 2008. To identify its fleet, CrossCountry is renumbering all of its HST units by adding an extra 200 to the old number, the newly repainted HST being 43301 (originally 43101). 43301 had to be completely rebuilt by Brush, as it has been out of service for more than 5 years. As a standard, CrossCountry is installing MTU engines to replace the old Paxman Valenta ones, and is repainting the units into the two-tone CrossCountry livery of grey/silver and chocolate brown.
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Built | Introduced | mph | km/h | | Class 43 High Speed Train | | Diesel locomotive | 148 | 238 | 5 sets | 1976 - 1982 (2008*) | May 2008 (2x 7+2 Unrefurbished sets)
Sept 2008 (1x Full refurbished set, 1x Unrefurbished set)
Now 2008 (2x Fully refurbished sets)
Dec 2008 (5 Refurbished sets) | | Mark 3 coach | | Passenger coach | 148 | 238 | 40 | 1975 - 1988 (2008*) | May 2008 (2x 7+2 Unrefurbished sets)
Nov 2008 (2x Fully refurbished sets)
Dec 2008 (5 Refurbished sets) |
(*) This shows the date refurbished.
See also
External links
|-
|
| |
|
|
