First Hull Trains
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| Franchise(s): | Open-access operator Not subject to franchising 2002 – 2012 |
| Main route(s): | London - Hull |
| Other route(s): | None |
| Fleet size: | 4 Class 222 Pioneer sets 4 Class 180 Adelante sets[1] |
| Stations called at: | 9 |
| National Rail abbreviation: | HT |
| Parent company: | First Group / Renaissance Trains |
| Web site: | www.hulltrains.co.uk |
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First Hull Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, running up to seven long distance services each day between London Kings Cross and Hull. The company also serves the towns of Stevenage, Grantham, Retford, Doncaster, Selby, Howden and Brough. It is jointly owned by First Group (80%) following the buyout of its previous parent company GB Railways, and Renaissance Trains (20%).[2]
First Hull Trains is one of the three ‘open access’ rail operators in the UK meaning that instead of owning a franchise and operating a level of service laid down by the Strategic Rail Authority, it applied for, and was awarded in 2002, access rights for 10 years by the Office of the Rail Regulator.[3]
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[edit] Performance
The latest performance figures for First Hull Trains to be released by the ORR as of the third quarter of the financial year 2007/8 are 83.5% PPM and 84.2% MAA.[4] These figures are down on those of last quarter and the last 12 months respectively.
[edit] 2008 Rebranding
In June 2008 Hull Trains was rebranded from Hull Trains to First Hull Trains. This is to a move by First Group to bring Hull Trains in line with its other rail companies. Staff will be given First Group uniforms and trains will gain First Group colours later in the year.[5]
[edit] Possible future expansion
In 2008, Hull Trains revealed that they were applying for track access rights to run services between Harrogate and London via York called First Harrogate Trains[6], and from Cleethorpes to London via Lincoln and Spalding.[7]
[edit] Rolling stock
First Hull Trains currently operate a fleet of British Rail Class 222 Pioneer diesel-electric multiple units (similar to the Meridian units of the same class used by East Midlands Trains), 125 mph trains, which have cut the journey time between Hull and London to an average of 2 hours 40 minutes. Previously the service was operated by a fleet of 100mph Class 170 Turbostar sets. Each is named after a 'modern-day pioneer' related to Hull.
The East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) indicated that Hull Trains would seek to replace their entire fleet of 222s with Class 180s by the end of the year.[8] However, in the track access application dated 19th March 2008, Hull Trains indicated they would continue to use the Class 222s on the main services between London and Hull. The operator's planned additional services to Harrogate and Lincoln/Grimsby would utilise the Class 180s.[7]
[edit] Prolonged absence of 222103
In a January 2007 incident at Crofton Works, 222103 Dr John Godber fell from lifting jacks, causing damage to two of the unit's vehicles. 8 of the jack arms collapsed damaging the undercarriage of the rear two coaches. The damaged units were inspected at Derby, where the decision was made to write the damaged vehicles off, with replacements from Bombardier ordered on a lead time of 12-14 months.
Hull Trains made many plans to replace this missing unit. An early, plan was to have a Class 442 Wessex Electric being towed by an EWS Class 67, but this was later abandoned. The next plan was to have an HST on the service, and obtained the use of two Class 43 power cars and a rake of five Mark 3 coaches. These were to be refurbished and put into service until such time as 222103 was either repaired or replaced. The power cars were due to be refurbished at Brush Traction, with an in-service date of mid 2007. This plan was dropped when it was realised the set had been doubly-allocated to CrossCountry.
Hull Trains then settled on a two stage replacement strategy by September 2007. In the short term, Hulll Trains leased a Class 86 electric locomotive from the AC Locomotive Group, no.86101, and would use it to haul a rake of Mark 3 coaches, leased from Cargo D. This formation works the train between London and Doncaster, where passengers detrain on to a class 222 for the non-electrified branch to Hull. This train's top speed is only 110mph, meaning longer journey times[9]. The unit would then be temporarily replaced by up to two 125mph Class 180 Adelante DMUs, once they were returned to ROSCO Angel Trains from their operator First Great Western[10].
[edit] Current fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Top speed | Number | Routes operated | Built | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mph | km/h | ||||||
| Class 180 Adelante |  |
diesel multiple unit | 125 | 200 | 4 (2 operational)[1] |
London King's Cross - Hull | 2001 |
| Class 222 Pioneer |  |
diesel-electric multiple unit | 125 | 200 | 4 (3 operational)[1] |
London King's Cross - Hull | 2004 |
| Pioneer names | |
|---|---|
| 222 101 | Professor George Gray |
| 222 102 | Professor Stuart Palmer |
| 222 103 | Dr John Godber |
| 222 104 | Sir Terry Farrell |
[edit] Past fleet
| Class | Image | Type | Built | Withdrawn | Notes |
| Class 86 |  |
Electric locomotive | 1966 | 2008 | Replaced by Class 180 Adelante |
| Class 170 Turbostar |  |
Diesel multiple unit | 1998 - 1999 | 2004 | Replaced by Class 222 Pioneer |
| Mk. 3 Coach |  |
Passenger Rolling Stock | 1975 - 1978 | 2008 | Replaced by Class 180 Adelante |
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Driving Van Trailer | 1988 | 2008 |
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c "What future for Hull Trains Class 222 'Pioneers'" (2008-04-25). Railway Herald (128). ISSN 1751-8091.
- ^ http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/pdf/2006/FirstGroupAR.pdf First Group Annual review 2006
- ^ Operator contracts & licences
- ^ ORR statistics
- ^ http://www.hulltrains.co.uk/pdfs/pio7.pdf
- ^ www.harrogatetrains.co.uk
- ^ a b Hull Trains - Track Access Rights on the East coast Main Line Office of the Rail Regulator, 19/03/08
- ^ "East Coast Mainline RUS", Network Rail, 2008-02-29. Retrieved on 2008-02-29.
- ^ wnxx.com, 27/09/07
- ^ Rail 577, p.14
[edit] External links
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