Why am I expecting an over bid situation like there was on the East Coast Mainline a few years ago
I guess we could get lucky seeing as the west coast already has new trains etc.
But I'm expecting a few job cuts, which will mean the RMT will follow their policy of "we strike therefor we are" and cause chaos for passengers.

I am 100% behind RMT in any strikes. I'd even take London midlands train just to spite Worst.
Worst have talked out off their a**** and are going to destroy this line which is the best running in the UK and one of the only ones where it beats air travel.

We had a wonderful branding fail on the railways here. The line was at one stage operated by an outfit called “One”.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_E ... e.27_brand

It always sounded odd when the train announcement went along the liens of “Thankyou for ravelling with One”.

It’s now being run by an offshoot of Abelio under a different name. Because the operators have changed so many times, the rolling stock liveries have not yet caught up, so we get trains with the One colours, National Express and others.

I think we'll have to agree to disagree.

The only good thing I've heard today is that the figure paid was less that some industry analyists predicted. Hopefully that mean they haven't overspent too much.

From my own limited experiences, First run a better operation the Virgin.

You musnt't live near reading or ever stood all the way between cornwall and london then.

Oh yay, give it to Worst Group; nice move DfT.

I would've sat on the floor

Have you used the Great Western line? Ever?

In my head that still counts as standing AKA I paid £60 for not having a seat for 4.5hrs.

I can only limit my knowledge of railways to either travelling around Birmingham (Metro is better than train), between Birmingham and Hampshire/Dorset, or travelling around Hampshire/Dorset.

Virgin trains are nicer, more comfortable, less noisy. When I first started uni, I could get a return 2 weeks in advance for £13. Downside is this seemed to have disappeared after two years and I had to pay £36 return. Still better and nicer than travelling on other regional train companies.

I take the London Midlands trains by choice, I've rarely had trouble finding a seat and the Virgin trains make me feel sick, the seats are really uncomfortable and I spent 2 hours having to stand and sway with the train in the corridor rather than sitting in the end to stop myself throwing up. Once was once too many.

Not as uncomfy at the seats on Turbostars. I'm glad Eastmidland Trains got rid of them. Pity Scotrail still have them. They just make my neck ache.

I live just outside reading - and given the limitations of the crowded lines dont think its that bad a service