First Hull Trains

First Hull Trains

Info
Franchise(s):	Open-access operator Not subject to franchising 2002–2016
Main route(s):	London - Hull
Other route(s):	None
Fleet size:	4 Class 180 Adelante sets
Stations called at:	9
National Rail abbreviation:	HT
Parent company:	First Group / Renaissance Trains
Web site:	www.hulltrains.co.uk
Route map

First Hull Trains route map
Hull Paragon Brough Howden Selby Doncaster Retford Grantham Stevenage ^ London Kings Cross ^ Pick up northbound, set down southbound; selected weekday services only Note: No First Hull Trains services stop at Peterborough.

Hull Trains logo (2002-2008)

First Hull Trains is a British train operating company running up to seven long-distance services per day between London (King's Cross) and Hull. The company also serves Stevenage, Grantham, Retford, Doncaster, Selby, Howden and Brough. It is jointly owned by First Group (80%) following the buyout of its previous parent company GB Railways, and Renaissance Trains (20%).

First Hull Trains is one of the three 'open-access' rail operators in the UK, meaning that instead of owning a franchise and operating a level of service laid down by the Strategic Rail Authority, it applied for, and was awarded in 2002, access rights for 10 years by the Office of the Rail Regulator. This was extended to December 2014 in January 2009, and in March 2009 was further extended to 2016.

Service Levels

In 2000, when First Hull Trains first began to operate, it ran three return services a day using Class 170 Turbostars. With the introduction of the Class 222 Pioneers, the service levels had increased to six return services a day by 2006. By 2008 this number had increased to seven return services a day using faster and better-equipped Class 222 Pioneers. In 2009 Hull Trains campaigned to increase this number yet further to eight services a day to provide a regular two-hourly pattern, using Class 180s.

In 2009 Hull East MP John Prescott launched a scathing attack on Hull Trains following a period of dire performance. Speaking from London Kings Cross, Prescott stated "the toilets do not work, trains are cancelled, the delays, and no hot or cold food".

In July 2011 Hull Trains was recognised as one of the highest-rated rail operators in the UK, with 95% of passengers rating the service good. However, in the same month the company was plagued with yet more Class 180 problems, forcing it to run a much-reduced timetable and make a public apology.

On 20 July 2011 the Hull Daily Mail reported that John Prescott was calling for Hull Trains to be nationalised following disruptions to the service caused by a lack of serviceable rolling stock.

Performance

The latest performance figures for First Hull Trains to be released by the ORR as of the second quarter of the financial year 2010/11 are 83.6% PPM and 85.9% MAA. These figures are both up on those of last quarter and the last 12 months respectively.

2008 rebranding

In June 2008 Hull Trains was rebranded from Hull Trains to First Hull Trains. This was a move by First Group to bring Hull Trains in line with its other rail companies. Staff were given First Group uniforms and rolling stock has gained First Group livery.

Possible future expansion

In 2008, First Hull Trains revealed that it was applying for track access rights to run services between Harrogate and London via York under the name First Harrogate Trains, and from Cleethorpes to London via Lincoln and Spalding.

In January 2009, the ORR released some decisions on the ECML route planning and TOCs. The application for First Harrogate Trains was rejected, and the plan is no longer being pursued.

The driving force behind the business for a long time was its first Managing Director, Mark Leving, who started on the railway in 1978 in a frontline job under British Rail. FirstGroup replaced Leving in early 2010 with James Adeyishan who came from National Car Parks and latterly, the transport firm National Express. Leving has now left FirstGroup to work for the rail watchdog Passenger Focus.^{[citation needed]}

First Hull Trains hopes soon to achieve a regular two-hourly service from Hull to Kings Cross.

Rolling stock

Geographical representation of the Hull Trains route

Bombardier Class 222 Pioneer No. 222102 at London Kings Cross.

First Hull Trains currently operate four Class 180 Adelante diesel multiple units. Previously the service was operated by a fleet of 100 mph Class 170/3 Turbostar sets and Class 222/1 Pioneer sets.

Class 170/3 'Turbostar'

When First Hull Trains began operating in 2000, it originally used Class 170/3 Turbostar units that it shared with Anglia Railways. These units would be swapped on a regular basis so many different units were used. In 2004, the Strategic Rail Authority changed leasing rules and First Hull Trains were forced to procure their own rolling stock. An order for new units was added onto an existing order Class 170/3 units for First ScotRail, and four brand new Class 170/3 units was delivered to First Hull Trains. Almost immediately, the new units had a severe lack of capacity and the units were soon transferred to First ScotRail to help bolster its services.

Class 222/1 'Pioneer'

In 2005, First Hull Trains introduced new Class 222/1 Pioneer trains onto its services. These trains had the added benefit on an extra carriage and a higher speed (125mph) over the previous trains. This allowed First Hull Trains to add more services to the company. Each train was named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull, hence the term Pioneer to refer to the units. In 2007, an accident involving 222103 caused severe damage to two vehicles in the train, deeming that train out of action. At this point, First Hull Trains started to use cover trains to help with the loss of 222103, and eventually First Hull Trains started to replace the Pioneer units.

Currently, the Class 222/1 Pioneer units have been redeployed with East Midlands Trains on the Midland Main Line.

Class 180 'Adelantes'

In 2008, First Hull Trains began to replace its fleet with Class 180 Adelante units. These were in service with First Great Western, until they were taken on by First Hull Trains. Again, these trains helped First Hull Trains gain more capacity by an extra carriage, however when the units first arrived, they were plagued by technical difficulties, and a string of poor reliability for the company soon followed. However, First Hull Trains employed technicians who had previously worked on the units for First Great Western, and reliability improved dramatically.

The units have also been given a refresh internally with new seat covers and a deep clean. New catering facilities for first class have also been provided, and externally the units have been re-branded with the standard First Group 'neon' livery and First Hull Trains branding.

Maintenance of the 180 is undertaken Old Oak Common. However, 2 of the 4 sets are stabled at Hull each night where they are washed, fuelled, CET, cleaned and watered. For part of the month when a set is not being examined at Old Oak, a third set is usually spare at Hull. Hull Trains use Northern Rail facilities at Botanic Gardens and there are usually 2 fitters on at night to undertake basic fault repair, diagnostics and routine maintenance. A day fitter is based at Hull during the daytime. This is in stark contrast to when previously much of this work was undertaken at Crofton by Bombardier and there was only ever 1 set left in Hull each night.

Current fleet

Class	Image	Type	Top speed		Number	Routes operated	Built
			mph	km/h
Class 180 Adelante		diesel multiple unit	125	200	4	London King's Cross - Hull	2001

Past fleet

Class	Image	Type	Built	Number	Withdrawn	Notes
Class 170 Turbostar		diesel multiple unit	1998–2005	3	2004	Replaced by Class 222 Pioneer
Class 222 Pioneer		diesel multiple unit	2005	4	2009	Replaced by Class 180 Adelante
Class 86		Electric locomotive	1965–1966	1	2008
Mark 3 Coach		Passenger Coach	1975–1988	5	2008
		Driving Van Trailer	1988	1	2008

External links

• First Hull Trains website
• Renaissance Trains official website