East Midlands Trains
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| Franchise(s): | East Midlands 11 November 2007 – 1 April 2015 |
| Main Region(s): | East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England |
| Other Region(s): | London, North West, East Anglia |
| Fleet size: | 25 Class 43 HST power cars 17 Class 153 Super Sprinter sets 11 Class 156 Super Sprinter sets 28 Class 158 Express Sprinter sets 23 Class 222 Meridian sets |
| Stations called at: | 87 |
| National Rail abbreviation: | EM |
| Parent company: | Stagecoach Group |
| Web site: | www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk |
East Midlands Trains (EMT) is a train operating company operating in the United Kingdom, providing train services in the East Midlands and surrounding areas, chiefly in the counties of South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. The franchise, which began 11 November 2007, was formed through the amalgamation of the former Midland Mainline, which operated inter-city services from London to Yorkshire and the Humber, and the eastern side of Central Trains.
Legally known as East Midlands Trains Limited[1], the parent company of East Midlands Trains is Stagecoach Group which also owns South West Trains and 49% of the Virgin Trains franchise. [2]
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[edit] History
Prior to the launch of the franchise, the Department for Transport undertook the task of splitting up the former routes of Central Trains: East Midlands Trains resulted from the letting of the East Midlands franchise.[3]
East Midlands Trains began operating on the East Midlands Franchise from 11 November 2007. [4] EMT has taken over all of the routes formerly operated by National Express Group's Midland Mainline and a few routes from Central Trains.
[edit] Routes
East Midlands Trains initially divided its services between two sub-brands: Mainline InterCity services, and Connect urban and suburban services, which mainly came from the Central Trains franchise. However, from April 2008, East Midlands Trains dropped the "Mainline" and "Connect" branding in favour of "London" and "Local" services. EMT also has four broad routes for the areas in which they operate, except for the high speed and InterCity services which are all out of London.
EMT has promised better integration between Mainline and Connect services, together with increased punctuality and becoming more user friendly.[5]
The proposed timetables indicate a reduction in off-peak departures at many smaller stations on Mainline and Connect routes, which has caused much concern in affected communities. Kettering for example will receive half its current northbound services from 2008. [6]
[edit] London services
[edit] Route 1
| Route | Calling At | |
|---|---|---|
| Express | London St Pancras to Sheffield | Leicester, Derby, Chesterfield |
| Express | London St Pancras - Leeds (limited service) | Leicester, Derby, Nottingham, Langley Mill, Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Wakefield Westgate |
| Express | London St Pancras – Derby | Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway Long Eaton |
| Express | London St Pancras - York/Scarborough (limited winter/summer weekend service) | Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Long Eaton, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Doncaster |
| Express | London St Pancras – Nottingham | Market Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway |
| Express | London St Pancras – Lincoln (proposed limited service) | Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway, Beeston, Nottingham, Lowdham, Newark Castle |
| Express | London St Pancras – Skegness (proposed summer Saturday service) | Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Beeston, Nottingham, Boston |
| Express | London St Pancras – Corby (proposed) | Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering |
| Express | London St Pancras – Melton Mowbray (proposed) | Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Oakham |
Route 1 is the InterCity route on the Midland Main Line.
The service pattern currently is four off peak departures from London: two fast (one to Sheffield and one to Nottingham), and two stopping (one to Derby and one to Nottingham). Sheffield peak hour trains extend from and to Leeds with weekend services also extending to York and Scarborough.
From December 2008 EMT proposes the above service pattern (that shown in the box), representing significant cuts in services for the two most used stations on the route. There will be five off peak departures from London: three fast (one to Sheffield, one to Nottingham and one to Derby) and two stopping (one to Nottingham and one to Corby/Kettering). Sheffield peak hour trains will continue to extend from and to Leeds, with weekend services also extending to York and Scarborough. In addition a Nottingham service will be extended to start from Lincoln[7] and a summer Saturday service will be introduced to Skegness. [8]
EMT has expressed a desire to run two trains an hour from Sheffield to London on its flagship route. The possibility of running trains north of Corby is under review for implementation in 2010.[9]
[edit] Named trains
- The Robin Hood on the 06:30 Sheffield to St Pancras via Nottingham, and returning as the 17:00 St Pancras to Nottingham
- The Master Cutler on the 06:14 Leeds to St Pancras which runs non stop from Chesterfield, and 16:55 St Pancras to Leeds return
- The Midlands Express on the 07:05 Sheffield to St Pancras
[edit] Local services
[edit] Route 2
| Route | Via | |
|---|---|---|
| Express/Stopping | Liverpool to Norwich/Cambridge | Manchester Piccadilly, Sheffield & Peterborough |
Route 2 services cross England from east to west and are the former Central Citylink services. EMT sees this as a mainline route (and want to grow it accordingly), and as such will paint relevant trains in the mainline livery.
This route is subject to much speculation, as the trains only operate at up to 90 mph but use a busy part of the ECML through Grantham. It has been suggested that this train will in future operate via Leicester.[verification needed]
Nottingham County Council is working with Network Rail to try and introduce an additional train towards Manchester which would avoid Sheffield creating a faster journey.[10]
[edit] Route 3
| Route | Via | |
|---|---|---|
| Local stopping | Nottingham to Derby/Worksop | Hucknall, Mansfield |
| Local stopping | Derby to Crewe | Uttoxeter, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent |
| Local stopping | Derby to Matlock | Belper, Cromford |
| Local stopping | Leicester to Lincoln Central | Loughborough, Nottingham, Newark Castle |
Route 3 services link towns in the East Midlands and provide direct services to Crewe and Stoke. The Derby to Matlock service links to the Peak District.
Nottingham County Council has paid for a study into increasing the linespeed between Newark and Lincoln from 60mph to 90mph; they have also requested a doubling of service on the line.[11]
[edit] Route 4
| Route | Via | |
|---|---|---|
| Local stopping | Newark North Gate to Cleethorpes | Lincoln Central, Grimsby Town |
| Local stopping | Peterborough to Doncaster | Sleaford, Lincoln Central |
| Local stopping | Nottingham to Skegness | Bingham, Sleaford |
| Local stopping | Leicester to Lincoln Central | East Midlands Parkway, Nottingham, Newark |
Route 4 services link the East Midlands with eastern England.
[edit] Ticketing
- See also: Megatrain
Fares are set to rise by an average of 3.4% plus inflation each year. Stagecoach says that it needs to increase prices to keep its service going and to meet Government profit demands. 3.4% plus inflation over the franchise could mean a 58% fare increase over the length of the franchise, although the percentage increases relate to averages across a range of fares and deals. [12]
Stagecoach Group, EMT's parent company, introduced Megatrain fares on its mainline routes between London and Leicester/Loughborough/Derby/Nottingham/Chesterfield/Sheffield on 2 January 2008. [13]
[edit] Services
Services are split into two distinct groups, London and Local, the former relating to express services (formerly Midland Mainline) the latter to more regional connecting services (formerly Central Trains). The Department for Transport in their franchise specification gave an indication as to the planned timetable; this mainly related to former Midland Mainline services operating to and from London St Pancras.
| St Pancras – Sheffield (stopping only at the key locations of Chesterfield, Derby and Leicester with faster timings of 2hr 08min). | |
| St Pancras – Kettering. This train would run as a dedicated commuter/short distance service and in the future extend to Corby station. | |
| St Pancras – Derby (fast service). | |
| St Pancras – Nottingham (fast) | |
| St Pancras – Lincoln (stopping service, extended from Nottingham at peak times). | |
| The current morning and evening services from and to Leeds are expected to continue as the HST fleet will continue to be maintained at Neville Hill depot in Leeds. | |
| Weekend services to York and Scarborough will continue beyond the December 2008 timetable change and will be complemented by Summer Saturday services to Skegness. | |
| Services to and from Barnsley and Burton upon Trent and will cease to operate from the December 2008 timetable. | |
| There has been no mention of the proposed timetable in Lincolnshire and the other rural lines although it is expected that service patterns will remain as now until the 2008 timetable change when there will be extensive consultation sessions. Standard hourly timetables are expected to be introduced on many routes. |
[edit] Enhancements
Stagecoach have pledged to spend more than £91 million on service improvements.[14]
[edit] Train services
Faster trains from Nottingham [15], and from Sheffield to London St Pancras by introducing Meridians on all off-peak Sheffield services will save twelve minutes.
Earlier arrival and later departure time of trains into London St Pancras, to allow better connections with Eurostar services from December 2008. Five off-peak departures from St Pancras per hour incorporating future Corby services. Additional early morning train from Derby to London. London to Lincoln daily service via Nottingham. Summer Saturday service from London to Skegness on the east coast. Internal and external refit of all trains to include provision of Wi-Fi Internet. Other changes to the timetable are planned, but these need to have approval from Network Rail, Office of Rail Regulation and the Department for Transport. Journey times will be further improved after planned infrastructure works are completed. [16]
East Midlands Trains Local Matlock to Derby services will run hourly and will be extended to Nottingham. A new Sunday Service will run on the Robin Hood Line between Nottingham and Mansfield Woodhouse.[17] Trains will be lengthened on the west to east Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich route on weekdays.[14] There will be an internal and external refit of all of the old trains to incorporate the new logo and livery.[18]
In several interviews, East Midlands Trains’ managing director Tim Shoveller has indicated that services will be speeded up, not denying that some stations will lose their current high frequency of trains off peak.
[edit] Stations
More than £5 million has been pledged into station enhancements for most of the stations under the EMT's control.[14]
The upgrade of many station concourses to meet better standards. The provision of Wi-Fi Internet at key stations including Sheffield. Installation of ticket barriers at four more stations including London St Pancras Domestic, Derby Midland, Nottingham and Sheffield. As well as the extensive upgrade of Derby's Etches Park train maintenance depot.
Introduction of smart card technology, similar to that which is used on South West Trains, at all mainline stations and all those in the Derby/Nottingham commuter area. Self service ticket machines at more stations operated by EMT.
Passengers who use Loughborough and Long Eaton Stations have begun lobbying East Midlands Trains regarding the short platforms at these stations, which are shorter than the trains using them. This can be particularly problematic for passengers with bicycles or heavy luggage.
[edit] On board
Midland Mainline's policy of free tea and coffee for standard-class passengers ended after the timetable change on 9 December 2007.[citation needed] Season ticket holders are no longer able to reserve seats on the former Midland Mainline routes.[citation needed] Originally it was proposed to remove the buffet cars from High Speed Train sets as they were very heavy and used only to cook breakfast on some trains, they were to be replaced by an at-seat trolley service.[citation needed] The company reviewed its decision and launched an enhanced catering service for the start of the May 2008 timetable. [19]
Liverpool to Norwich regional services will retain a similar catering provision of an at-seat trolley service.
[edit] Performance
Stagecoach plan to achieve a 90.3% (PPM) on Mainline services and 87% (PPM) on Connect services. [20] Previously the Central Trains franchise had had difficulties with timekeeping due to the high number of potential clashes with late running other services en route and use of insufficient stock, causing long dwell times at stations due to slow unloading and loading. Figures released rated Central Trains' performance at 87.8% for the PPM (Public Performance Measure) over the first quarter of the financial year 2007/8. [21] Initial figures released by the ORR rated performance overall at 86.2% (PPM) for the second half of the third quarter of the financial year 2007/8. [22]
[edit] Incidents
[edit] Barrow upon Soar
On 1 February 2008, an East Midlands Connect Class 158 158856 working a service from Nottingham to Norwich was involved in an incident at Barrow upon Soar. The train hit a footbridge that was in its path, after a road vehicle had struck and damaged the bridge causing it to be foul of the line. Six passengers were on board the service and the driver had to be cut free from the driving cab.[23]
[edit] Rolling stock
East Midlands Trains inherited Midland Mainline’s InterCity 125 (HST) and Class 222 Meridian diesel-electric high-speed trains, along with some of the Sprinter diesel units (classes 153/156/158) formerly operated by Central Trains.
East Midlands Trains has revealed that the Class 222 Meridian trains will be used on the off-peak London to Sheffield services. This will allow the London to Sheffield run times to be reduced by the 12 minutes promised. The HST trains will then be used on all Nottingham fast services.[citation needed]
The former Central Trains class 158 units are to be fully refurbished
East Midlands Trains announced in March 2008 that it was to reform its Class 222 sets to prevent overcrowding. This will seen the remaining 4-car Class 222 units receive an extra vehicle to become 5-car sets. This was accomplished by reducing one of the 8-car sets to a 5-car, with the remaining 8-car sets reduced to 7-cars. Extra capacity on its long distance routes is provided by running pairs of 5-car sets coupled together. This has been completed on all but 3 4-car Meridians.[24]
[edit] Current fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 43 High Speed Train |  |
diesel-electric locomotive | 125 | 200 | 25 | Mainline services from London St Pancras to the North | 1976 – 1982 |
| Class 153 Super Sprinter |  |
diesel multiple unit | 75 | 120 | 17 | Local Connect Services | 1987 – 1988 |
| Class 156 Super Sprinter |  |
diesel multiple unit | 75 | 120 | 11 | Local Connect Services | 1987 – 1989 |
| Class 158 Express Sprinter |  |
diesel multiple unit | 90 | 145 | 28 | Local Connect Services and Norwich - Liverpool | 1989 – 1992 |
| Class 222/0 Meridian |  |
diesel-electric multiple unit | 125 | 200 | 23 | Mainline services from London St Pancras to the North | 2003 - 2004 |
| Mk.3 Coach |  |
Passenger Rolling stock | 125 | 200 | 108 | Mainline services from London St Pancras to the North | 1975 - 1988 |
East Midlands Trains has the following named units / locos.
| HST names | |
|---|---|
| 43048 | T.C.B. Miller MBE |
| 43049 | Neville Hill |
| 43072 | Derby Etches Park |
| Meridian names | |
|---|---|
| 222004 | City of Sheffield |
| 222005 | City of Nottingham |
| 222006 | City of Leicester |
| 222007 | City of Derby |
[edit] References
- ^ East Midlands Trains Corporate Information. East Midlands Trains (25 May 2008).
- ^ The Stagecoach Group. East Midlands Trains (23 April 2008).
- ^ Media briefing: Central Trains remapping. Department For Transport (January 30, 2003).
- ^ Corporate Information. East Midlands Trains (April 23, 2008).
- ^ More services and extra capacity for the Midlands. Department for Transport (22 June 2007).
- ^ Train campaign is backed by 1,200. Northants Evening Telegraph (05 December 2007).
- ^ ‘Direct Train Link’ Pledge. Lincolnshire Echo (June 23, 2007).
- ^ Direct rail link to London by May 2009 - Skegness Today
- ^ Rail service could run north of town. Northants Evening Telegraph (February 21, 2008).
- ^ 125MPH TRAINS TO CUT JOURNEY TIMES. Nottingham Evening Post (April 12, 2008).
- ^ 125MPH TRAINS TO CUT JOURNEY TIMES. Nottingham Evening Post (April 12, 2008).
- ^ 'Highway Robbery - Train fares set to go up. Lincolnshire Echo (July 3, 2007).
- ^ East Midlands Trains announces brand new low cost fares starting at just £1!. East Midlands Trains (November 28, 2007).
- ^ a b c Plans for the future of the East Midlands franchise. Stagecoach Group (23 June 2007).
- ^ "City concern over new rail links", BBC, October 23, 2007.
- ^ "Buisness Plan 2007 on the Midland Main Line and East Midlands".
- ^ "Sunday service gets the green light for Robin Hood Line", East Midlands Trains, April 4, 2008.
- ^ "East Midlands Trains launches first re-branded Class 156 train", East Midlands Trains, April 4, 2008.
- ^ East Midlands Trains (2008-05-19). "East Midlands Trains listens to SOS plea from passengers!". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-05-31.
- ^ "About East Midlands Trains franchises better performance". East Midlands Trains
- ^ National Rail Trends Office of Rail Regulation
- ^ National Rail Trends Office of Rail Regulation
- ^ Train Driver Critically Injured After Lorry Smashes Into Bridge |Sky News|UK News
- ^ East Midlands Trains Class 222 reformations The Railway Centre, 18/03/08
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- East Midlands Trains official website
- Government News Network
- Department for Transport Stock Market Statement for East Midlands Franchise
| Preceded by Central Trains Central franchise |
Operator of East Midlands franchise 2007 - present |
Incumbent |
| Preceded by Midland Mainline Midland Main Line franchise |
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