East Midlands Trains

Last updated

East Midlands Trains
East midl trains logo.svg
East Midlands Trains 222009 .jpg
A Class 222 Meridian at St Pancras in 2015
Overview
Franchise(s)East Midlands
11 November 2007 – 17 August 2019
Main region(s) East Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England
Other region(s) Greater London, North West England
Fleet size24 Class 43 HST power cars
21 Class 153 Super Sprinter sets
15 Class 156 Super Sprinter sets
25 Class 158 Express Sprinter sets
27 Class 222 Meridian sets
Stations called at87
Stations operated89
Parent company Stagecoach
Reporting mark EM
Predecessor Central Trains
Midland Mainline
Successor East Midlands Railway
Technical
Length1,567.5 km (974.0 mi)[ citation needed ]
Other
Website www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk
Route map
East Midlands route map 2010.svg

East Midlands Trains [1] (EMT) was a British train operating company owned by the transport group Stagecoach, which operated the East Midlands franchise between November 2007 and August 2019.

Contents

Following the Department for Transport (DfT) award of the newly created East Midlands franchise to Stagecoach, EMT commenced operations on 11 November 2007, taking over services previously performed by both Midland Mainline and the eastern parts of the Central Trains franchises. Based in Derby, the company provided train services in the East Midlands and parts of Yorkshire, chiefly in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire. Its operations were initially divided between two sub-brands: Mainline for inter-city services, and Connect for urban and suburban services.

Numerous changes were implemented during EMT's tenure, including the introduction of additional trains between Sheffield and London along with infrastructure improvements to enable faster services to be operated. The franchise developed a reputation for its attention to customer service and public safety, winning multiple awards for these aspects. Passenger numbers also grew, necessitating the lengthening of several services to accommodate this. EMT's franchise period was extended on multiple occasions, before rival transport company Abellio was announced as the next franchisee in April 2019 after Stagecoach was disqualified from the bidding process for failing to meet employee pension obligations in its bid. [2] Accordingly, EMT's services were transferred to East Midlands Railway on 18 August 2019.

History

Background

In June 2006, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced its intention to restructure several rail franchises, [3] which included an East Midlands franchise that combined the Midland Mainline franchise with the East Midlands services of the Central Trains franchise. [4] In September 2006 the DfT announced that Arriva, FirstGroup, National Express and Stagecoach had been shortlisted to bid for the franchise. [5] [6]

In June 2007, the DfT awarded the East Midlands franchise to Stagecoach. Services operated by Central Trains and Midland Mainline transferred to East Midlands Trains on 11 November 2007. [7]

Changes

During 2008, EMT introduced extensive timetable revisions; amongst other changes, journey times on the principal Sheffield-London route were reduced considerably, a feat that had largely been enabled by the high performance of its British Rail Class 222 Meridian fleet. [8] One year later, in partnership with the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, EMT expanded its services on the route to encompass two trains every hour. A substantial growth in passenger numbers and associated revenue were recorded; in 2014, EMT observed that it only expected demand to continue increasing for the foreseeable future. [8]

Further decreases in journey times were achieved by EMT during the 2010s. One particularly impactful change was the completion of infrastructure improvements on 9 December 2013 that enabled 125 mph (200 km/h) along major stretches of the Midland Main Line for the first time. [9] To achieve this, EMT had invested £70 million into the improvement of almost 160 miles of track over the course of several years; the scheme was the route's biggest transformation in decades. The operator had worked closely with the national railway infrastructure company Network Rail on this and other initiatives to improve the route, such as a major re-signalling scheme performed in and around Nottingham station at a cost of £100 million largely performed during the summer of 2013. [8]

EMT also implemented numerous schemes to enhance safety; consequently, the franchise was awarded the NRA Safety Award three years in a row. [8] Such measures have included the installation of platform-end fencing and the presence of trespass guards at more trafficked stations; attention was also paid to reducing the risks associated with level crossings and great reduce their misuse via its work with the British Transport Police. EMT also cooperated with agencies including Network Rail, ASLEF, and the Samaritans in the prevention of suicides, which has led to extensive staff training, fund raising events, and campaign signage at several of its stations. [8]

Amidst a background of ongoing rail strikes on a national level, the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) warned in September 2017 that EMT employees could be balloted for potential industrial action following a breakdown in negotiations over an ongoing pay rise dispute. [10] The dispute was eventually settled without industrial action, and the threat of strikes on East Midlands Trains services was dropped.[ citation needed ] As a result of staff engagement surveys, EMT launched its ‘Executive on Tour’ programme during the 2010s to bring about a higher level of contact between the franchise's upper management and its frontline staff, which included regular in-person visits and open discussions about the business between staff to increase engagement and improve understanding. [8]

In November 2014, EMT was recognised as the Passenger Operator of the Year at RAIL's National Rail Awards for the high quality of customer service that it provided in comparison to other franchises offer. According to the organisation, service levels had substantially increased in the region since the implementation of the franchising system in 1996, and that the company had performed better than most peers in response to service disruptors such as Cyclone Dirk and other natural phenomenon. [8]

Amid EMT's franchise period, there was ambitious plans to electrify the majority of the Midland Main Line by 2020 at an expected cost of £800 million. [11] In January 2013, Network Rail expected the electrification scheme to cost £500 million and be undertaken in stages during Control Period 5 (April 2014 – March 2019; [12] with Bedford to Corby section electrified by 2017, Kettering to Derby and Nottingham by 2019 and Derby to Sheffield by 2020. [13] [ full citation needed ] the organisation also recommended procuring the Class 801 in 10 car formations for the InterCity services, [14] However, these plans were put on hold by the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, in June 2015. [15]

Demise

While originally scheduled to end in March 2015, East Midlands Trains succeeded in having its franchise extended on several occasions. [16] Nevertheless, the company continued to have to periodically submit competitive bids and emerge as the superior offering amongst its rivals to continue operating its services. [17]

In March 2017, the DfT announced that Stagecoach, Arriva UK Trains and a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia had been shortlisted to bid for the next East Midlands franchise. [18] [19] [17] Abellio was added to the shortlist in February 2018. [20] FirstGroup and Trenitalia pulled out of the bidding process in April 2018 to focus on the West Coast Partnership franchise. [21] An Invitation to Tender was issued in June 2018, detailing the improvements that bidders for the franchise must make. [17] In April 2019, the DfT awarded the East Midlands franchise to Abellio; Stagecoach had been disqualified from the process because its submission failed to meet employee pension obligations. [2] [22] [23] Accordingly, East Midlands Trains' services were transferred to East Midlands Railway on 18 August 2019. [24]

Services

Overview

East Midlands Trains initially divided its services between two sub-brands: Mainline inter-city services, and Connect urban and suburban services,[ citation needed ] which mainly came from the Central Trains franchise. However, from April 2008, the company dropped the "Mainline" and "Connect" branding in favour of "London" and "Local" services.[ citation needed ] It also has four broad routes for the areas in which it operates, except for the high-speed services, which all serve London.

EMT promised better integration between "London" and "Local" services, together with increased punctuality and becoming more user-friendly. [25]

On 25 November 2008, Peter Bone (MP for Wellingborough) asked if the Secretary of State for Transport supports the "In the Can" campaign, [26] whereby sardines are sent to the Chief Executive to show dissatisfaction at perceived overcrowding. [27] Helen Southworth (then MP for Warrington South) also raised the overcrowding issue on the same day. [28]

London services

The service pattern at the start of the franchise was of 4 off-peak departures from London: 2 fast (1 each to Sheffield and Nottingham) and 2 stopping (1 each to Derby and Nottingham). Sheffield peak-hour trains extended from and to Leeds, with weekend services also extending to York/Scarborough. 1 peak-hour Derby service was extended to Burton-on-Trent and one to Barnsley. EMT made no significant changes until the introduction of its December 2008 timetable.

In December 2008, EMT made significant changes to the service pattern, which was similar to the current one (see below). There are five off-peak departures from London: 2 fast (1 to Sheffield and 1 to Nottingham), 1 semi-fast (initially to Derby; extended to Sheffield from December 2009) and 2 stopping (1 to Nottingham and 1 to Corby). A smaller number of Sheffield peak-hour trains continue to extend from and to Leeds, with weekend services also extending to York/Scarborough. In addition a Nottingham service is extended to start from Lincoln on weekdays and Saturdays. [29] There were plans initially for 2 return services to Skegness through from London in the summer; however, these currently run through from Derby instead of London, because of speed restrictions around Boston. The Burton-on-Trent and Barnsley services ceased at the beginning of the December 2008 timetable, when Corby services began. One Corby service was extended to Melton Mowbray at the outset, and a second was added to Derby from May 2010.[ citation needed ]

On 9 December 2013, the Midland Main Line officially started running at 125 mph (200 km/h) in some areas, leading to reductions in several journey times. [9]

Local services

The Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington Central, Manchester Oxford Road and Piccadilly, Sheffield, Nottingham, Peterborough and Ely to Norwich service was previously provided by Central Trains. Nottinghamshire County Council has consistently campaigned for better services between the four core cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham. [30] [31] Network Rail's plans for the Northern Hub would deliver extra train paths along the Hope Valley Line, enabling more trains to run from the North West to the East Midlands. [32] In December 2012, double-unit trains were provided for services between Manchester and Nottingham to ease overcrowding. [33]

Routes

East Midlands Trains' services were categorized into two types:

As of January 2018, the typical off-peak weekday East Midlands Trains services, with frequencies in trains per hour (tph), included: [34] [lower-alpha 1]

London
RoutetphCalling atStock
London St Pancras to Sheffield 1 Leicester, Derby, Chesterfield 222
1Leicester, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Long Eaton, Derby, Chesterfield
London St Pancras to Nottingham 1 Market Harborough, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway 43
1 Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering, Market Harborough, Leicester, Loughborough, Beeston 222
London St Pancras to Corby 1 Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough, Kettering
London St Pancras to Leeds via Nottingham 1 Market Harborough, Leicester, East Midlands Parkway, Nottingham, Langley Mill, Alfreton, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Wakefield Westgate 43
Local
RoutetphCalling atStock
Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich (regional express)1 Liverpool South Parkway, Widnes, Warrington Central, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, Stockport, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Alfreton, Nottingham, Grantham, Peterborough, Ely, Thetford 153/156/158
Crewe to Derby 1 Alsager, Kidsgrove, Longport, Stoke-on-Trent, Longton, Blythe Bridge, Uttoxeter, Tutbury and Hatton, Peartree (limited)
Matlock to Newark Castle 1 Matlock Bath, Cromford, Whatstandwell, Ambergate, Belper, Duffield, Derby, Spondon (limited), Long Eaton, Attenborough, Beeston, Nottingham, Carlton, Burton Joyce (1tp2h), Lowdham, Thurgarton (1tp2h), Bleasby (1tp2h), Fiskerton, Rolleston (1tp2h)
Stations served two-hourly are all served by the same train.
Leicester to Lincoln 1 Syston, Sileby, Barrow-upon-Soar, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Beeston, Nottingham, Newark Castle, Collingham, Swinderby (1tp2h), Hykeham
Worksop to Nottingham1 Whitwell, Creswell, Langwith-Whaley Thorns, Shirebrook, Mansfield Woodhouse, Mansfield, Sutton Parkway, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Newstead (Worksop-bound only), Hucknall, Bulwell (Nottingham-bound only)
Mansfield Woodhouse to Nottingham1Mansfield, Sutton Parkway, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Newstead (Nottingham-bound only), Hucknall, Bulwell (Mansfield-bound only)
Nottingham to Skegness 1 Netherfield (limited), Radcliffe (limited), Bingham, Aslockton (irregular), Elton and Orston (limited), Bottesford (1tp2h), Grantham, Ancaster (limited), Rauceby (limited), Sleaford, Heckington, Swineshead (limited), Hubberts Bridge (limited), Boston, Thorpe Culvert (limited), Wainfleet, Havenhouse (limited)
Newark North Gate to Grimsby Town 0.5 Collingham (limited), Swinderby (limited), Hykeham (limited), Lincoln, Market Rasen, Barnetby, Habrough
Some of these services are separated into two at Lincoln.
Lincoln to Peterborough1 Metheringham, Ruskington, Sleaford, Spalding
Doncaster to Lincoln– Gainsborough Lea Road, Saxilby
Limited service; only 4–5 trains each way per day.

Named trains

An East Midlands Trains Class 222 Meridian passing Clay Cross, Derbyshire 222004 , Claycross (1).jpg
An East Midlands Trains Class 222 Meridian passing Clay Cross, Derbyshire

Ticketing

Sheffield is now served twice an hour by faster, modern trains on the London route. Liverpool - Norwich route trains were doubled in 2011 Sheffield Station from Sheaf Square.jpg
Sheffield is now served twice an hour by faster, modern trains on the London route. Liverpool – Norwich route trains were doubled in 2011

Tickets were sold in advance, super off-peak, off-peak and anytime formats, the cheapest of these being advance fares. In addition, East Midlands Trains accepted the wider Stagecoach Group's smart card scheme, branded "Stagecoach Smart".

Penalty fares

The company introduced a penalty fare scheme in late 2009, covering all mainline stations served by EMT from London to Sheffield via Corby, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Alfreton.[ citation needed ] During 2016, the penalty fare scheme was extended in scope to include the Robin Hood Line from Nottingham to Worksop.[ citation needed ]

Megatrain

Stagecoach Group, EMT's parent company, introduced Megatrain fares on its London routes on 2 January 2008 [36] operating to/from London St Pancras International to Leicester, Loughborough, Derby, Nottingham, Chesterfield and Sheffield.

Megatrain fares were also introduced on Route 2 between Sheffield, Chesterfield, Nottingham and Peterborough or Norwich. [37]

MegabusPlus

East Midlands Parkway was used as an interchange station for combined multi-modal journeys under the brand name "MegabusPlus", whereby passengers were carried by road coach from the cities in the north of England to East Midlands Parkway, where passengers transferred to rail for the service to London. [38]

Routes operated under the "MegabusPlus" brand were between London and:

The bus from Hull and Scunthorpe also had a stop at Doncaster at the launch of MegabusPlus, but due to lack of demand in Doncaster, the service stopped calling there.

Franchise commitments

Upon its award of the franchise in 2006, Stagecoach publicly revealed its plan to invest in excess of £91 million on a range of service improvements across the service region. [39]

Train services

St Pancras International, the London terminus of East Midlands Trains' services 2000 St Pancras 3.jpg
St Pancras International, the London terminus of East Midlands Trains' services

Perhaps on the most outwardly perceivable undertaking during EMT's tenure was a total fleet refurbishment programme. At a cost of £30 million, the refurbishment involved every single train in the company's fleet receiving upgrades and refits. Benefits of this work include train interiors being improved considerably along with a major year-on-year reduction in delay minutes by 20% by late 2014. [8]

The number of departures from London were also increased from four to five an hour off-peak incorporating Corby services and extending the hours of operation with earlier arrival and later departures, to allow better connections with Eurostar at St Pancras. [39]

On 9 December 2013, 125 miles per hour (201 km/h) running was introduced on extended stretches of the Midland Main Line following a multi-year upgrade programme, involving the installation of improved signalling and additional tracks, at a reported cost of £70 million. [9] The upgraded infrastructure, amongst other benefits, enabled EMT to operate its trains at faster speeds from Nottingham and Sheffield to London St Pancras.[ citation needed ]

Stations

Leicester had received an enhanced service with earlier and later trains so that business travellers can connect with the continent. Leicester Railway Station from south.jpg
Leicester had received an enhanced service with earlier and later trains so that business travellers can connect with the continent.

More than £5 million was pledged for station enhancements. [40] These included the opening of East Midlands Parkway station to serve East Midlands Airport and a new station being opened in Corby. [41] [42]

The provision of Wi-Fi internet at key stations including Leicester, [43] Derby, [44] and Sheffield. Installation of ticket barriers at more stations including London St Pancras, Derby and Nottingham. [45]

To better accommodate the use of its services by cyclists, EMT launched a series of cycle hubs at major stations, including Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham. This initiative led to an additional 1,000 cycle spaces being created, along secure storage and changing facilities, bike repair apparatus and local cycling information facilities onsite. [8]

Derby Etches Park train maintenance depot underwent an extensive upgrade. [46]

Introduction of smart card technology, similar to that used on South West Trains, at all London route stations and all those in the Leicester/Derby/Nottingham commuter triangle, and the installation of more self-service ticket machines across the network. [47]

East Midlands Trains also managed stations at which they did not operate services. These stations were all only served by CrossCountry. They were Hinckley, Narborough, South Wigston, Willington and Burton-on-Trent.[ citation needed ]

On board

Originally, it was proposed to remove the buffet cars from High Speed Train sets as they were relatively heavy and used only to cook breakfast on some trains; they were intended to be replaced by an at-seat trolley service. [48] However, following a review of the decision amid passenger outcry for its retention, the company opted to instead launch an enhanced catering service for the start of the May 2008 timetable. [49] Since September 2010, Rail Gourmet had provided all standard class catering. Wi-Fi had been available on all services from London since 5 September 2010. [50]

Performance

Passenger numbers on the East Midlands franchise from 2010/11 to Q1 2018/19. East Mildlands passengers.png
Passenger numbers on the East Midlands franchise from 2010/11 to Q1 2018/19.

Stagecoach have targeted 90.3% (PPM) on London services and 87% (PPM) on Local services. [53] 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. [54] Latest figures released by NR (Network Rail) rated performance over the last year (up to 12 October 2013) at 91.5% (MAA) and 92.0% (PPM) for the seventh period of the financial year 2013/14. [55]

Rolling stock

The refurbished First Class interior aboard a Mark 3 Trailer First HST carriage EMT Refurbished TF Internal.JPG
The refurbished First Class interior aboard a Mark 3 Trailer First HST carriage
The refurbished Standard Class interior aboard a Mark 3 Trailer Standard HST carriage EMT Refurbished TS Internal.JPG
The refurbished Standard Class interior aboard a Mark 3 Trailer Standard HST carriage

Other than the lines to Liverpool and Manchester, no East Midlands Trains routes were electrified north of Bedford and all trains were diesel-powered.

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.

All Class 158 units had been refurbished in a style similar to sister company South West Trains' fleet, although with a higher seating capacity. [56] [57]

East Midlands Trains announced in March 2008 that it was to reform its Class 222 sets to prevent overcrowding. This saw 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 long-distance routes was provided by running pairs of 5-car sets coupled together. [58]

Hull Trains made a decision to use only Class 180 Adelante units, with its Class 222 Meridian units transferring to East Midlands Trains. [59] [ full citation needed ]

East Midlands Trains began the service from Corby on 23 February 2009. [60] Initially, this was made up of one train per day in each direction, using the existing Meridian fleet. [61] The full Corby service started on 27 April 2009.

The Sprinter fleet that EMT inherited at the start of the franchise was in a very poor state. [62] [ full citation needed ] Problems ranged from basic and simple to major complicated faults. The fleet was put together from various sources – around four different previous companies, with some coming directly from passenger work but some that had been lying idle surplus to requirements off lease in sidings. East Midlands Trains claimed that it would take the lifetime of the franchise to get the trains to a standard that it was happy with. In addition to the various sources of the trains, passenger figures given to the Department for Transport prior to the franchise were incorrect, leading to a shortfall in the number of seats provided (a 26% decrease in capacity on route 2 [62] ) compared with what was required.

Four additional Class 156 DMUs, leased from Angel Trains were cascaded from Northern to enable more route 2 services to run as four-coach trains by using these cascaded Class 156s on Skegness services instead of Class 158s. From December 2012 when the Sprinter refurbishment programme was complete, all route 2 services between Liverpool and Nottingham were able to operate as four-coach trains. In addition, from December 2011 the 13:52 from Liverpool operated through to Norwich. [63]

In early 2018, East Midlands Trains obtained an additional three 6-car InterCity 125 sets from Grand Central, which were used to improve capacity on the Midland Main Line by replacing Class 222 units on some services. [64] The first of these powercars entered service in February 2018, with powercar 43467 being named "Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service"/"British Transport Police Nottingham" in commemoration of the services' work during the fire at Nottingham station earlier in the year. [65]

In mid 2018, East Midlands Trains received an extra four Class 153s from Great Western Railway. [66]

Fleet at end of franchise

ClassImageTypeTop speedNumberCarsRoutes operatedBuilt
mphkm/h
InterCity 125 trains (HSTs)
43 IC125@40 - 43073 arriving at Kings Cross.JPG Loco 125201306 or 81975–1982
Sheffield - EMT 43467 rear of London service.JPG
Mark 3 Nottingham railway station MMB 96 43046.jpg Coach 1361975–1988
Class 43 MK3 East Midlands Trains Diagram.PNG
Multiple units
153 Super Sprinter 153311Doncaster.jpg DMU 75120211Regional routes1987–1988
156 Super Sprinter Duffield railway station MMB 08 156473.jpg 1521987–1989
158/0 Express Sprinter 158857 . North Wingfield.jpg 90145261989–1992
Class 158 East Midlands Trains Diagram.PNG
222 Meridian 222 003 at Chesterfield by Hugh Llewelyn.jpg 12520144Inter-City routes2003–2005
175
67
East Midlands Trains Class 222 Meridian Drawing.png

Incidents

Barrow upon Soar

On 1 February 2008, an East Midlands train was involved in an incident at Barrow upon Soar. The train hit a footbridge 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. [67]

Market Harborough incident

On 20 February 2010, an express from London St Pancras to Sheffield was derailed north of Market Harborough, causing track damage and major disruption to rail services for three days. East Midlands Trains put an emergency timetable into place, running services via Melton Mowbray on 21, 22 and 23 February. A complete safety check found no problems in the rest of the fleet. [68] [69]

Depots

Train crew depots were located at:

Trains were maintained at:

Shunter drivers were employed by EMT at Derby, Nottingham and Leeds.

On-train catering for standard-class passengers on routes 1 and 2 was, as of September 2010, contracted out to Rail Gourmet, which had depots at Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.[ citation needed ]

Although all stations are owned by Network Rail, their day-to-day management is handled by train operating companies. EMT managed the following stations: Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Market Harborough, Leicester, Melton Mowbray, Oakham, Stamford, Narborough, Hinckley, Loughborough, East Midlands Parkway, Long Eaton, Derby, Kidsgrove, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Beeston, Nottingham, Alfreton, Sleaford, Boston and Skegness. They also had staff at St Pancras International, although the station itself is managed by Network Rail.[ citation needed ]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ London services are shown in the outbound direction, while local services are shown from west to east.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midland Mainline (train operating company)</span> Train operating company

Midland Mainline was a train operating company in the United Kingdom that operated the Midland Main Line franchise between April 1996 and November 2007. It was owned by the British transport company National Express.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midland Main Line</span> Railway in the UK

The Midland Main Line (MML), sometimes also spelt Midland Mainline, is a major railway line from London to Sheffield in Yorkshire via the East Midlands. It comprises the lines from London's St Pancras station via Leicester, Derby/Nottingham and Chesterfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Pancras railway station</span> Railway terminus in central London

St Pancras railway station, officially known since 2007 as London St Pancras International, is a major central London railway terminus on Euston Road in the London Borough of Camden. It is the terminus for Eurostar services from Belgium, France and the Netherlands to London. It provides East Midlands Railway services to Leicester, Corby, Derby, Sheffield and Nottingham on the Midland Main Line, Southeastern high-speed trains to Kent via Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, and Thameslink cross-London services to Bedford, Cambridge, Peterborough, Brighton, Horsham and Gatwick Airport. It stands between the British Library, the Regent's Canal and London King's Cross railway station, with which it shares a London Underground station, King's Cross St Pancras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheffield station</span> Combined railway station and tram stop in Sheffield, England

Sheffield station is a combined railway station and tram stop in Sheffield, England; it is the busiest station in South Yorkshire, and the third busiest in Yorkshire & the Humber. Adjacent is the Sheffield Supertram stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leicester railway station</span> Railway station in Leicester, England

Leicester railway station is a mainline railway station in the city of Leicester in Leicestershire, England. The station is managed by East Midlands Railway and owned by Network Rail. The station is served by CrossCountry and East Midlands Railway services. It is the busiest station in Leicestershire, the second busiest station in the East Midlands, and the fifth busiest station in the Midlands as a whole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Rail Class 222</span> Diesel multiple-unit high-speed passenger train

The British Rail Class 222 Meridian is a group of 5- or 7- car diesel-electric multiple-unit high-speed passenger train capable of 125 mph (200 km/h). Twenty-seven sets were built by Bombardier Transportation in Bruges, Belgium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chesterfield railway station</span> Railway station in Derbyshire, England

Chesterfield railway station serves the market town of Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England. It lies on the Midland Main Line, which connects Sheffield with London St Pancras. Four tracks pass through the station which has three platforms. It is currently operated by East Midlands Railway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derby railway station</span> Railway station in Derby, England

Derby railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Derby in Derbyshire, England. Owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway, the station is also served by CrossCountry services. It is the busiest station in Derbyshire, and the third busiest station in the East Midlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derwent Valley line</span> Railway line in Derbyshire, England

The Derwent Valley line is a railway line between Derby and Matlock in Derbyshire, England. It follows the Midland Main Line as far as Ambergate Junction, just south of Ambergate; it continues to Matlock, following the course of the River Derwent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luton Airport Parkway station</span> Railway station in Bedfordshire, England

Luton Airport Parkway station is on the Midland Main Line in England, serving south Luton and Luton Airport in Bedfordshire. The station is situated in Luton's Park Town district, being 29.27 miles (47.11 km) from London St Pancras between Harpenden to the south and Luton to the north. Its three-letter station code is LTN, also the IATA code for the airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luton railway station</span> Railway station in Bedfordshire, England

Luton railway station is located in the town centre of Luton, Bedfordshire, England. The station is about three minutes' walk from The Mall Shopping Centre. It is situated on the Midland Main Line and is operated by Thameslink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megatrain</span> UK low-cost train operator

Megatrain was a provider of low-cost train travel in the United Kingdom. A subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group, its operations have been associated with its parent's East Midlands Trains, South West Trains, Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin Trains West Coast train operating companies. Even though Stagecoach ceased operating train franchises in its own right in August 2019, Megatrain services continued to operate on East Midlands Railway services. In May 2024 Megabus confirmed they were no longer offering the Megatrain service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wellingborough railway station</span> Railway station in Northamptonshire, England

Wellingborough railway station is a Grade II listed station located in the market town of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire, England. It lies on the Midland Main Line and is 65 miles (104 km) from London St. Pancras. The station is operated by East Midlands Railway, which is also the primary operator serving the station with passenger services under the Luton Airport Express brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kettering railway station</span> Railway station in Northamptonshire, England

Kettering railway station serves the market and industrial town of Kettering in Northamptonshire, England. It lies south-west of the town centre, on the Midland Main Line, 71 miles (115 km) north of London St. Pancras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loughborough railway station</span> Railway station in Leicestershire, England

Loughborough is a Grade II listed railway station in the town of Loughborough, Leicestershire; it is on the Midland Main Line and is located 111 miles (179 km) north of London St Pancras. The station is sited to the north-east of the town centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Midlands Parkway railway station</span> Railway station in Nottinghamshire, England

East Midlands Parkway railway station is located north of Ratcliffe-on-Soar on the Midland Main Line in the East Midlands of England. It provides park and ride facilities for rail passengers on the routes from Leicester to Derby and Nottingham. It is also the closest station to East Midlands Airport, some 4 miles (6.4 km) away, but without public transport link.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corby railway station</span> Railway Station in Northamptonshire, England

Corby railway station, owned by Network Rail and managed by East Midlands Railway, is in Corby, Northamptonshire, England. The current station, opened on 23 February 2009, replaces an earlier one dating from 1879, first closed on 18 April 1966 but reopened between 1987 and 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombardier Voyager</span> Diesel-electric multiple unit

The Bombardier Voyager is a family of high-speed 125 mph diesel-electric multiple units built in Belgium by Bombardier Transportation, for service on the railway network of the United Kingdom. Construction of the Voyager family took place between 2000 and 2005, consisting of three classes - the Class 220 Voyager, the Class 221 Super Voyager and the Class 222 Meridian.

The Robin Hood is one of the four flagship named passenger trains operated by East Midlands Railway inherited from Midland Mainline in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Midlands Railway</span> British railway company

East Midlands Railway is a British train operating company owned by Transport UK Group, and is the current operator of the East Midlands franchise.

References

  1. ↑ "Companies House extract company no 5340682", East Midlands Trains Limited
  2. 1 2 "Virgin Trains 'could disappear' after franchise bar". BBC News. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "New Cross Country Franchise Consultation Document" (PDF). Department for Transport. June 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 September 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  4. ↑ "Central Trains franchise extended". BBC News. 2 April 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. ↑ Millward, David (19 September 2006). "Hong Kong bid to run Midland trains". The Telegraph. London.(subscription required)
  6. ↑ Davidson, Ros (19 September 2006). "Virgin prepares for rail franchise battle". The Guardian. London.
  7. ↑ "Department for Transport announces winner of East Midlands franchise" (Press release). Department for Transport. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Foster, Stefanie (14 November 2014). "EMT - excellence in the face of adversity". railmagazine.com.
  9. 1 2 3 "Midland Main Line celebrates at 125mph". Rail News. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "RMT warns of looming dispute in fight for pay justice on EMT – rmt". www.rmt.org.uk.
  11. ↑ "Investing in rail, investing in jobs and growth" (Press release). Department for Transport. 16 July 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "Network Rail to spend £500m electrifying Midland Mainline". BBC News. 8 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Rail Magazine . No. 729. 2013. p. 6.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ↑ Network Rail: East Midlands Draft Route Utilisation Strategy Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Today's House of Commons debates – Thursday 25 June 2015: Network Rail". UK Parliament. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  16. ↑ "New East Midlands direct award franchise agreed". Railway Gazette International . 16 September 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 "Rail Franchise Schedule" (PDF). UK Department of Transport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2017.
  18. ↑ "Three bidders shortlisted for 2019 East Midlands franchise". Rail Technology Magazine. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  19. ↑ "Three prequalify for next East Midlands franchise". Railway Gazette International. 1 March 2017.
  20. ↑ "Abellio joins East Midlands franchise shortlist". Railway Gazette. 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 11 March 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  21. ↑ "First Group-Trenitalia JV pulls out of East Midlands franchise bidding". Global Rail News. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "East Midlands, South Eastern and West Coast Partnership franchise updates". Department for Transport. 10 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "Liverpool-Norwich service to be split". Modern Railways . No. 838. July 2018. p. 14.
  24. ↑ "New train company to run services from Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and Harborough". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Kettering. 10 April 2019.
  25. ↑ "More services and extra capacity for the Midlands" (Press release). Department for Transport. 22 June 2007. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009.
  26. ↑ "Train Sardine campaign", www.trainsardine.org.
  27. ↑ "25 November 2008: Column 603". Hansard. 25 November 2008.
  28. ↑ "25 November 2008: Column 1189W". Hansard. 25 November 2008.
  29. ↑ "Direct Lincoln to London train link begins". Lincolnshire Echo . Lincoln. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 30 January 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2010.
  30. ↑ "Network RUS: Scenarios and Long Distance Forecasts – Nottingham City Council Consultation Response – point 5" (PDF). Network Rail. Nottingham City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  31. ↑ "125mph trains to cut journey times". Nottingham Evening Post . 12 April 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  32. ↑ "£530m rail investment proposed for North England cities" (Press release). Network Rail. 16 February 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011.
  33. ↑ "More seats now available on our services between Liverpool and Nottingham". East Midlands Trains. 9 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  34. ↑ "Download & Print Train Timetables – East Midlands Trains". www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.
  35. 1 2 "Passengers and staff name two new business trains for Sheffield". East Midlands Trains. 9 October 2008.
  36. ↑ "East Midlands Trains announces brand new low cost fares starting at just £1!". East Midlands Trains. 28 November 2007.
  37. ↑ "From the New Year passengers can visit more destinations with East Midlands Trains for a crazy credit crunching price of just £1!". East Midlands Trains. 4 December 2008. Archived from the original on 3 January 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  38. ↑ "Britain's 'greenest' mainline station opened by Hoon". Rail News. Stevenage. 26 January 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
  39. 1 2 "Plans for the future of the East Midlands franchise". Stagecoach Group. 23 June 2007.
  40. ↑ "Plans for the Future", East Midlands Trains.
  41. ↑ "Station beats first year target". BBC News. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
  42. ↑ "Corby railway station's 'massive' impact marked 10 years on". BBC News. 23 February 2019.
  43. ↑ "Free WiFi for First Class passengers at Leicester station" (Press release). East Midlands Trains. 3 July 2008.
  44. ↑ "Free WiFi for First Class passengers at Derby station" (Press release). East Midlands Trains. 3 July 2008.
  45. ↑ "Installation of gates at Sheffield station" (Press release). East Midlands Trains. 2 July 2008.
  46. ↑ "East Midlands Trains announces £20M depot upgrade contract award" (Press release). East Midlands Trains. 4 November 2008.
  47. ↑ "East Midlands Trains introduces the first of 45 brand new ticket vending machines" (Press release). East Midlands Trains. 24 October 2008.
  48. ↑ "East Midlands Trains saves the great British breakfast". East Midlands Trains. 25 April 2008. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2008.
  49. ↑ "East Midlands Trains listens to SOS plea from passengers!". East Midlands Trains. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  50. ↑ "East Midlands Trains starts roll out of on board WiFi". East Midlands Trains. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  51. ↑ "Display Report - Office of Rail Regulation - National Rail Trends Portal". dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Office of Rail and Road. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  52. ↑ "Display Report - Office of Rail Regulation - National Rail Trends Portal". dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Office of Rail and Road. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
  53. ↑ "About East Midlands Trains franchises: better performance". East Midlands Trains.
  54. ↑ "National Rail Trends" Archived 29 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Office of Rail Regulation
  55. ↑ "Rail performance results period 7". Network Rail. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
  56. ↑ "East Midlands Trains awards refurbishment contract to local company". East Midlands Trains. 19 June 2008. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
  57. ↑ "East Midlands Trains reveal first refurbished train". East Midlands Trains. 4 November 2008. Retrieved 4 November 2008.
  58. ↑ "East Midlands Trains Class 222 reformations". The Railway Centre. 18 March 2008. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  59. ↑ Modern Railways . No. 772. November 2008.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  60. ↑ "Train service will leave from Corby this month". Northants Evening Telegraph. Kettering. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
  61. ↑ "New Corby rail service up and running". Northants Evening Telegraph. Kettering. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 24 February 2009.
  62. 1 2 Today's Railways UK . p. 30.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  63. ↑ "Train Tickets - Cheap Train Tickets to London | East Midlands Trains" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 September 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  64. ↑ Pritchard, Robert (December 2017). "GC HSTs set for March withdrawal and transfer to EMT". Today's Railways UK . No. 192. p. 67.
  65. ↑ "Ex-Grand Central HST Named After Nottingham Fire Heroes". Railway Magazine. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  66. ↑ "EMT receives GWR Class 153s". Rail Magazine . No. 857. 18 July 2018. p. 33.
  67. ↑ "Train Driver Critically Injured After Lorry Smashes Into Bridge". Sky News. 1 February 2008. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2008.
  68. ↑ Robinson, Jo (22 February 2010). "Investigation begins into train derailment". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on 26 January 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  69. ↑ "Trains investigation may take a year". Harborough Mail. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 17 March 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to East Midlands Trains at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Central Trains
Central Trains franchise
 Operator of East Midlands franchise
2007–2019		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Midland Mainline
Midland Main Line franchise
  1. ↑ note that https://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/ redirects to https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.