Good old National Express....again

[class47]

From the beeb

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/7870295.stm

Train spotter decision reversed

The depth of public feeling forced a reversal
A decision not to allow train spotters access to Darlington station to view the new £3m steam engine Tornado has been reversed.

National Express said it would not allow the public onto the platform when the train carries its first passengers to London on Saturday.

Following complaints the company accepted it made "the wrong decision".

A spokesperson said they were concerned over expected bad weather, but will now put safety measures in place.

Enthusiasts in Darlington raised £3m to build the Peppercorn class A1 Pacific locomotive, in a campaign which has taken 18 years to complete.

The train began taking fare paying passengers on 31 January.

A National Express East Coast spokesman said: "We are fully supportive of the Tornado restoration project, and have noted the depth of local feeling in Darlington today.

"In light of that, we accept this was the wrong decision and we have acted quickly to fix it.

"We will welcome all visitors to the station on Saturday

[ashurstdave]

I am pleased that common sense prevailed in the end. Hope everyone gets some great pictures.

[class47]

Looks like there was trouble with the crowds last sat, when it worked down to Kings Cross.

Far too many people wanting to view a legend

[class47]

National express chairman resigns

No wonder Nat Ex shares are sliding down the pan faster that a good curry

from this example he travels the network on a boat


Richard Bowker CBE, Vice Chairman

Richard is the group chief executive of National Express Group Plc, a
leading international transport business. The former chairman and chief
executive of the Strategic Rail Authority, he is also a board member of
the Countryside Alliance, a trustee of the Settle Carlisle Railway
Trust, the deputy president of the Heritage Railway Association and a
member of the Business Development Board of SCOPE. Richard is also a
keen boater having cruised extensively around the network on his own
boat."

> No doubt he will one day be knighted for his services to Sh1t Creek and paddles. ;-)




There is speculation (e.g. in the magazine "Transit") that the
Cosmen family, the previous owners of Alsa, which is now the Spanish
subsidiary of National Express, and who are today largest single
shareholder of NX (17.5%), might take over NX Group completely.
> <http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/transit/news/?id=14805>

Then there is, of course, also that voracious big transport company
this side of the Rhine river, always prepared to take over other
companies...


Which means 91's in red or erm red.

[class47]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/j...ong-track.html

Duncan Bannatyne is less than pleased with the service on a train journey.

Excellent reading

[class47]

http://www.bitterwallet.com/its-offi...er-train/13530


Deserving praise for Grand Central in this article

[Andy]

An excellent article, i hope national vanish soon. busses!!!

[ashurstdave]

It looks as though National Express will no longer be running the East Coast Main Line, if the news today can be believed. Shall we apply for the franchise and re-brand it "Railtalk Express" ! ( lol ).

[class47]

We can't afford it

Anyway, Wouldn't want a franchise under the current system.