Hull Trains
 |
| File:Hull trains logo.gif | |
| File:222102 at Doncaster.JPG | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Franchise(s) | Open-access operator Not subject to franchising 2002 – 2012 |
| Main route(s) | London - Hull |
| Other route(s) | None |
| Fleet size | 4 Class 222 Pioneer sets |
| Stations called at | 9 |
| Parent company | First Group / Renaissance Trains |
| Reporting mark | HT |
| Other | |
| Website | www.hulltrains.co.uk |
^ Pick up northbound,
set down southbound;
selected weekday services only
|}
Hull Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, running up to seven long distance services each day between London Kings Cross and Hull. The company also serves the towns of 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%).[1]
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.[2] It has also been voted for the National Rail ‘Rail Company of the Year’ award.
Performance
The latest performance figures for Hull Trains to be released by the ORR as of the third quarter of the financial year 2007/8 are 83.5% PPM and 84.2% MAA.[3] These figures are down on those of last quarter and the last 12 months respectively.
Rolling stock
Hull Trains currently operate a fleet of British Rail Class 222 Pioneer diesel-electric multiple units (similar to the Meridian units of the same class used by East Midlands Trains), 125 mph trains, which have cut the journey time between Hull and London to an average of 2 hours 40 minutes. Previously the service was operated by a fleet of 100mph Class 170 Turbostar sets. Each is named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull.
| Pioneer names | |
|---|---|
| 222 101 | Professor George Gray |
| 222 102 | Professor Stuart Palmer |
| 222 103 | Dr John Godber |
| 222 104 | Sir Terry Farrell |
Following an incident at Crofton Works, in which 222103 Dr John Godber fell from lifting jacks, which saw two of the unit's vehicles badly damaged, Hull Trains made many plans to replace it. A first, early, plan was to have a Class 442 Wessex Electric being towed by an EWS Class 67. This was later abandoned.
The next plan was to have an HST on the service. They did obtain the use of two Class 43 power cars and a rake of five Mark 3 coaches, which were to be refurbished and put into service until such time as the damaged Class 222 was either repaired or replaced. The power cars were due to be refurbished at Brush Traction, with an in-service date of mid 2007. This plan was also later dropped as somehow the set was allocated to CrossCountry.
In September 2007, it was announced that Hull Trains had obtained replacement rolling stock for the missing Class 222 in the short term, through the leasing of a Class 86 electric locomotive and a rake of Mark 3 coaches. The Class 86 locomotive, on hire from the AC Locomotive Group, works the train between London and Doncaster, where the passengers detrain on to a class 222. This is due to the fact that the branch to Hull is not electrified. This train's top speed is only 110mph, meaning longer journey times.[4] It was unclear whether Hull Trains will be able to obtain 125mph capable rolling stock in the near future, as virtually all of the available units capable of that speed are already in service with other operators. The only units that were due to be available were the Class 180 Adelante DMUs currently in service with First Great Western. In November, it was confirmed that Hull Trains would take a Class 180 once the fleet has been returned to Angel Trains and operate it until its Class 222 is repaired.[5] It was planned that this would involve the construction of two new vehicles to replace the two damaged ones. However, the East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) indicates that Hull Trains will seek to replace their entire fleet of 222s with Class 180s by the end of the year.[6]
Current fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 86 | 
|
Electric locomotive | 110 | 177 | 1 | London King's Cross - Doncaster | 1966 |
| Class 222 Pioneer | File:222102 at Doncaster.JPG | diesel-electric multiple unit | 125 | 200 | 4 (3 operational) |
London King's Cross - Hull | 2004 |
| Mk. 3 Coach | 
|
Passenger Rolling Stock | 125 | 200 | 5 | London King's Cross - Doncaster | 1975 - 1978 |
|
Driving Van Trailer | 110 | 177 | 1 | London King's Cross - Doncaster | 1988 | |
Future fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | Introduced | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | |||||||
| Class 180 Adelante | 
|
diesel multiple unit | 125 | 200 | 2 | London King's Cross - Hull | 2001 | 2008 |
Past fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Built | Withdrawn | Notes |
| Class 170 Turbostar | 
|
Diesel multiple unit | 1998 - 1999 | 2004 | Replaced by Class 222 Pioneer |
Notes
- ^ http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/pdf/2006/FirstGroupAR.pdf First Group Annual review 2006
- ^ Operator contracts & licences
- ^ ORR statistics
- ^ wnxx.com, 27/09/07
- ^ Rail 577, p.14
- ^ "East Coast Mainline RUS" (PDF). Network Rail. 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
