Rail Changes Afoot
Published on 4th July 2006 
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutesAs I pen these words, a sense of melancholy lingers over me, as I ponder the impending alteration to one of Britain's railway networks: the CrossCountry rail franchise. In November 2007, the northern segment of the West Coast Mainline will vanish from the network, allowing trains to be redirected towards the London-Holyhead route. This change, while not imminent, stirs unease within me.
The consequences of this reconfiguration are suboptimal: CrossCountry services will no longer extend beyond Manchester or Crewe. According to recent reports in Rail magazine, Transpennine Express (TPE) has been earmarked for the responsibility of managing services between Manchester and Scotland. I cannot help but view this as a step backwards.
The first challenge that presents itself is capacity. The Voyagers, the trains slated for these services, are four to five-carriage affairs. This may seem adequate, but when considering the sheer volume of passengers that travel northwards, it becomes clear that capacity will be strained.
Another concern lies in the quality of train travel. So long as TPE operates their newer trains, this might not be a significant issue; however, historically, their offerings have been two to three-carriage affairs. One can only hope that we do not encounter the older models, where air conditioning failure is a very real possibility.
Yet, there remain alternative options for those who wish to journey north. Virgin West Coast trains will continue to serve Glasgow, offering solace to those with an appetite for adventure beyond Manchester and Crewe. And if the spirit of extravagance stirs within you, the East Coast Mainline awaits, ready to whisk you away on a journey through England's heartland.
As I gaze out at the horizon, I cannot help but reflect on the changes that lie ahead. The West Coast Mainline, a veritable artery of movement and connection between our great cities, will soon be incomplete. But as one door closes, another opens: a new chapter awaits. Let us hope that it is one filled with comfort, efficiency, and the spirit of adventure that has defined the West Coast Mainline for generations.
