Grand Central has announced that its plans to run trains between Blackpool and London from Spring 2020 are on track.
These InterCity services were approved in June 2018 by the Office of Rail and Road. Originally planned as Great North Western Railway (GNWR) services they are expected to be operated by established open access operator, Grand Central.
Grand Central currently operates direct trains between towns and cities in Yorkshire and the North East of England and London.
In a move which is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the North West, including a boost to tourism, Grand Central will operate up to five new direct train services to run every day of the week between Blackpool North and London Euston.
Blackpool will gain direct services to London on Sundays as well as later trains to and from the capital Monday to Saturday. Poulton-le-Fylde and Kirkham & Wesham will also have new direct London services throughout the day, seven days a week.
All trains will also call at Preston and Nuneaton, with most stopping additionally at Milton Keynes.
The train operator's expansion plans will create new jobs over the coming months. Grand Central will be recruiting drivers and on-board crew for its Blackpool traincrew hub. More information can be found at www.grandcentralrail.com/careers
It is expected that Grand Central will use Mark 4 coaches, from LNER, and Class 90 locomotives to haul the trains from the seaside to the capital.
What did the officials say?
Richard McClean, Managing Director of Grand Central, said:
“We are delighted to announce our plans to operate direct train services between London and Blackpool from early next year. We will bring our operational expertise and industry-leading customer service to this new route, offering more choice for existing rail users and new opportunities for people to travel by train. The expansion of our services will bring significant economic benefits, empower communities along the routes and offer fantastic new career opportunities.
“For more than a decade, we have been dedicated to making travel affordable and enjoyable for people in the North East and across Yorkshire. This new chapter opens up these opportunities to the other side of the Pennines and beyond, ensuring rail remains relevant and accessible to as many people as possible.”
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I believe it will be operated with Class 91 Mk4 or Class 90 Mk3.