First Group
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New London-Stirling service expected to launch mid-2026
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New rail services between London and central Scotland are expected to begin in mid-2026 following an agreement for the use of five trains.
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New train services between London and Greater Manchester planned
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New train services could be launched between London and Greater Manchester to encourage more people to switch to rail travel.
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‘No option is off the table’ for TransPennine Express contract
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Transport Secretary Mark Harper has said that “no option is off the table” ahead of his decision on whether to renew the contract of TransPennine Express (TPE).
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Mayors call for TransPennine Express “fresh start”, ask government not to renew FirstGroup’s contract
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TransPennine Express (TPE) needs a “fresh start” after nearly a quarter of trains were cancelled between February and March, mayors in the north of England have said.
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West Coast looks forward with Avanti
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Words: Ben Jones NEW trains, more services and a better customer experience are the priorities for Avanti West Coast (AWC), which replaced Virgin Trains on December 8. First-Trenitalia’s West Coast Partnership joint venture will operate the country’s busiest inter-city railway until March 31, 2031, during which time it will also become the shadow operator for…
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December debut for Hull Trains ‘Paragon’ fleet
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November 25 saw the first of five Hull Trains’ (HT) Class 802/3s make its debut in the company’s home city. The First Group-owned open access operator confirmed that the bi-mode trains will be phased into passenger service over the next two months, releasing its ailing Class 180s for transfer to East Midlands Railway (EMR). The…
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Uninspiring train liveries
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Seeing the photo of the new EMR livery on the front of the September issue highlights what to me is a retrograde step – I think this new scheme is most uninspiring. I have always thought that the old livery, predominantly white with red and blue trim, was rather smart and stylish, and always kept…
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First and Trenitalia to run West Coast Main Line
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By Tony Miles OPERATION of the West Coast Partnership (WCP) will be in the hands of First Group and Trenitalia from December 8, under what will be the first of a new franchise partnership model. With a 70/30 partnership in favour of First, the pair will end Virgin Trains’ domination of the flagship route, which…
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Sir Richard Branson: Virgin Trains name could disappear
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Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has expressed shock at the disqualification from bidding.
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First Group’s open access plans move forward
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FIRST GROUP’S aspiration to run open access services on the East Coast Main Line from Edinburgh to London took a big step forward when an order for five Hitachi AT300 trains was confirmed. The services will begin in autumn 2021. The Class 802 electric-only trains will be worth £100million and are being financed by Beacon…
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