Grand Union has divulged more details of its planned service between Stirling and London.
As we reported in 2021 the open access operator wants to operate up to four trains a day which would run down the West Coast Mainline (WCML) to London Euston.
By comparison LNER operates a direct but somewhat sparse service between Stirling and London covering the East Coast Mainline (ECML) to London Kings Cross.
Avanti West Coast, the current London-Glasgow incumbent, operates no further north than Glasgow Central.
It means passengers from Stirling bound for destinations along the WCML must change termini in Glasgow (from Queen Street to Central).
Grand Union expects a decision from rail regulator ORR “soon”.
The Scotsman reports that instead of deploying older rolling stock, Grand Union’s managing director Ian Yeowart now wants to invest in a fleet of new trains. They would be built either by Hitachi (presumably at its UK plant is in the Northeast) or Spain’s CAF.
These would provide more spacious 2-1 seating in standard class (normal layout is 2-2).
If the ORR gives the green light then services would start in 2025.
An ORR spokesman told The Scotsman, “We hope to make a decision this summer. We are currently reviewing evidence and waiting for some future submissions.”
In other news the government has granted Avanti West Coast a contact extension until October 15.
It had been due to expire at the end of this month but Avani West Coast has improved the number of trains operated.
