Interestingly NeX will have not announced the replacement to the GNER scheme - instead have said they want to wait "a few months" to get to know us all. Isn't that nice.

So all those that renew over the Christmas/ New Year period won't be getting any benefits.

And if I'm not mistaken, the discount when you renew your period season/ Travelcard is going, to be replaced by a similar scheme to First Capital Connect, that you claim when your individual journey is delayed by longer than a certain time period.

GNER have relaunched their website. Very pretty it is too. No mention of the new franchise. I can't figure out why they've bothered for two weeks. I do wonder how much it cost.

Has a new blog site been established prior to GNER being moved to the sidings? I want to rant about the cost of tickets but don't know where to post!

Yeah, and I wanna rant about the south entrance of the car park being closed due to 'health and safety'!

Hello. Christopher here. It's been a few months since I've last visited this blog, and I have to say it's been a bit neglected to say the least. Has no one got anything to say these days, now that the old girl is slipping gently under the waves in a few days time. And what's happened to Razors? He's become a bit of a Wuss Puss. Where's your fighting spirit man?

Talking about waves, I'm currently on the old yacht, anchored in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, enjoying some sunshine before Xmas. This Olympic commitee stuff is a bit of hard work if you ask me? Something I'm not used to so it's good to get away for a few days, enjoy some cocktails on the old afterdeck.

I've just been faxed some photos of the new livery for NXEC. All I can say is There goes the Neighbourhood. Classy or evoking memories of the Golden era of rail travel is not something I'd describe this effort. Frankly, a chimpanzee armed with a tin of crayons could've done a better job if you ask me? Ah well, I shall definitely be casting a tear or two when the last train under GNER rule pulls into Kings Cross next week.

Spoke to Jonathan a few days ago. He's still considering his options. Told the dear boy that a friend of a friend had tipped me the wink that there was a Regional Manager North position going with Pizza Hut. Company Vectra with all the bells and whistles too. He didn't seem too enthusiastic I have to say. Don't think pizzas are quite his cup of tea after running the East Coast.

Richard keeps badgering me to buy in on his Northern Rock deal. I keep telling him I keep all my cash under the bed but he won't take no for an answer. He's also not too impressed that the NXEC livery looks very like his Pendolinos. He was cussing like a trooper when I spoke to him last.

Well, it's time to get back to my white wine and lobster before six bells. I shall be checking into the blog every now and then, to see how you commuter chappies fare under these new bods.

All I can say is good luck dear boys (and girls), and I hope you eventually grow to miss good old GNER and all we did for you in terms of service, car parking excepted.

I have good memories of GNER but then again I never used them for commuting, just long distance travel which is definitely where they'd excel. I personally can't see parking prices go down NXEC repeated the mistakes of Christopher and overbid for the franchise paying even more than GNER had bid.

To make a profit they're going to need to raise prices, cut service quality or both. GNER were a fine operator throughout their first franchise and were still better than the rest even when they were struggling with their new franchise. However, flexible fares continued to rise to pay for this franchise and they're very close to the level of not being worth it, NX needs to tread carefully.

Hey, "Alf" your mate Jonathon Metcalfe will be joining you in a new boat soon..... So what you two got planned?
He leaves on the 10th, and a "NEW TOP TEAM" will be joining us.
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Better the devil you know......