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| December 2002 |
| Virgin
Trains Rail Replacement |
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| Marshalls R8FWM
loads at Milton Keynes. |
Coaches prepare
for departure at Milton Keynes rail station, headed up by a Zaks vehicle. |
| Virgin
Trains have had no luck. Late deliveries of rolling stock, speed restrictions after
Hatfield, and now disruption due to the mammoth upgrading
of the West Coast main line for high speed trains.
The first stage of the West Coast modifications has resulted in the
closure of the track between Hemel Hempstead and Milton Keynes at weekends
from August till December. Passengers
transfer to coaches that provide a shuttle service between
both stations. Silverlink services are also affected and some coaches
call at intermediary stations on their behalf.
The whole operation is masterminded by Fraser Eagle who find
themselves stuck in the middle between Virgin and Silverlink. |
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| Fraser Eagle
organised the whole operation in a quiet, friendly and efficient manner. |
Seven Fraser
Eagle staff help one passenger with her luggage at Hemel Hempstead. |
Coaches operated
to a timetable, according to red stickers in each vehicle. |
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| With such a large
number of coaches it is only to be expected that the profiles of the
vehicles would vary. Representing opposite ends of the scale
are above left Arriva 4040 (YIB2396), an elderly Volvo/Plaxton
and above right Yorks impressive Noge bodied MAN, S604VAY. |
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| All Virgin trains
terminate at Milton Keynes (above left) where connecting coaches
carry passengers down the M1 to Hemel Hempstead (above middle).
Rail company Silverlink operate a four trains per hour shuttle service
from London to Hemel Hempstead (above right). |
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| Around
every corner in Bucks and Beds lurks a Dunn-Line coach. Left:
Their M325VET, a Volvo/Van Hool, waits patiently at
Berkhampstead station and right: S597KJF, a Volvo/
Jonckeere passes through Autumn leaves after departing Tring station
on its way to Milton Keynes. |
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| Coaches wait at Hemel
Hempstead station car park for the service to Milton Keynes. |
Milton Keynes bus station has
never been so busy. Coaches at rest. |
| Virgin
Rail Replacement |
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| All photos
taken on Saturday 19th October 2002. Click to enlarge. |
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