TOGETHER WEEKLY
TPE CHARTER TRAIN IS HUGE SUCCESS
Our ‘TransPennine Pull Together’ special train operated last week and helped to raise £675 for the Railway Children charity.
Organised by colleagues from our Train Planning team, the charter train ran from Manchester to Scarborough, and back, using some of the diversionary routes we operate during Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineering blockades.
More than 100 people were onboard the special train; colleagues from TPE were joined by contacts from across the industry and invites were
also extended to some of our former train planners and retirees.
William Murchison, Head of Train Planning, said: “We’re really pleased with how the day went. It was a great way for people to network and meet new contacts whilst also experiencing travelling on some of our lesser-known diversionary routes.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who helped make the event such a success including our drivers and conductors who worked the train and Rail Gourmet for donating refreshments. A big thank you also
goes to Dominic Carey our Head of Business Change, who donated some prizes for the raffle. Dominic, a silversmith in his spare time, very kindly donated a silver and gold necklace, with a matching bracelet.”
At the end of the day, everybody had the opportunity to visit picturesque Marsden. Marsden is a key point on the TRU route and all the guests had the opportunity to learn a little bit more about TRU and the communities the route serves.
Take a look at some pictures from the day here
More than 100 people were onboard the charter train, with colleagues joined by contacts from across the industry and former train planners and retirees.
BUSY WEEK IN HUDDERSFIELD
Team TRU was out in full force in Huddersfield last week, actively engaging with the local community to raise awareness about the upcoming engineering work at the station and to talk about the improvements once all the work is completed.
Stakeholders were welcomed for a presentation and a tour of Huddersfield station.
They witnessed engineers carefully dismantling the timber tearooms, as well as the scaffolding towers on the Manchester end of the station, which will soon be used to start restoration works on the iconic roof.
Following the successful stakeholder event, colleagues from Network Rail, Northern and TPE stayed on the platform to tell customers about
upcoming engineering work. A similar customer session took place on Thursday at The John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield, where colleagues from Northern and TPE spoke with fans before the rugby match between Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos. The team now shifts its gaze to Saturday 3 August, the first of four weekends
of engineering work at Huddersfield station. During these weekends, engineers will install scaffolding towers on the Leeds end of the station, start roof restoration works on the Manchester end, and continue dismantling the tearooms. The weekend work, which will exclude the bank holiday weekend, will be completed on Sunday 1 September.
NEW CUSTOMER INFORMATION POINTS FOR GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH
During our Innovation Roadshow in Glasgow earlier this year, the local teams advised on the need for a focal point to engage with
customers in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Thanks to the hard work of Zack Hallam and Chloe Jamieson, who project-managed this as
part of their apprenticeship, we have now delivered new Customer Information Points to the local teams.
A big thank you also goes to Carrie Donaldson and William McGeouch in Glasgow, and Nathan O'Kane in Edinburgh for their help and support.
At Huddersfield Giants. From left to right: James Taylor (Northern), Samantha Emms, Greg Marah, another James Taylor (Northern), Liz Annett, and Mike Farini.
L-R: Zack Hallam, William McGeouch, Carrie Donaldson and Chloe Jamieson
Local stakeholder Chas Bal (Environmental Projects in Kirklees, right) discusses with Scheme Project Manager Alexander Keighley (left).
L-R: Zack Hallam, Nathan O'Kane and Chloe Jamieson
TPE TO RUN EXTRA SERVICE FOR FANS HEADING HOME FROM JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE’S MANCHESTER GIG
An extra late-night service between Manchester and Liverpool will run for Justin Timberlake fans wanting to take back the night without worrying about their journey home.
To ensure customers don't miss a beat, a special service will depart Manchester Victoria at 12.23am on Friday 9 August after the pop star performs his Thursday night gig at Co-op Live Arena.
This train will stop at Newton-le-Willows and Lea Green before arriving at Liverpool Lime Street at 1.02am.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience and Transformation Director, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer this extra service to help get fans home after enjoying the concert.
“We’re asking our customers to plan ahead and check before they travel – and of course remember to Rock Your Body.”
LONG SERVICE MILESTONES FOR AUGUST
Congratulations to our colleagues who are celebrating long service milestones this month.
Five years
• Shannon Cassidy, Driver, Liverpool
• Liam Wheatley, Driver, York
• Matthew Weightman, Driver, York
• Craig Bell, Operational Development Manager, York
• Gavin Sim, Driver, Newcastle
• Gary Easton, Driver, Newcastle
• Ryan Keepin, Driver, Newcastle
• Alistair Mcintyre, Driver, Newcastle
• David Dixon, Driver, Newcastle
• Daniel Hewitt, Driver, Newcastle
• David Flynn, Conductor, Preston 10 years
• Christopher Pickard, Driver, York
• Stephen Greenwood, Driver Manager, Manchester Piccadilly
• Adam Carter, Station Team Leader, Huddersfield
CONDUCTOR CHRIS TAKES ON EIGHT-HOUR DRUMATHON FOR CHARITY
On Wednesday 21 August, our colleague Chris Gunns who is a conductor in Sheffield, will be completing an eight-hour drum marathon to raise money for the mental health charity, Mind.
Chris will be drumming for eight hours, with a five-minute break every hour. If you’d like to show your support and sponsor Chris, his JustGiving page can be found here
Good luck, Chris!
WEST COAST KITCHENLIMITED NUMBER OF MEALS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
In case you missed it, following the introduction of our new menu last week, we have a limited number of meals available for purchase from Rail Gourmet (RG). We have our:
• Highland Breakfast which includes Lorne Sausage, Bacon, Black Pudding, Frittata and Baked Beans
• Cauliflower & Potato Curry with Basmati Rice
• Braised Beef Stew with Carrots, Mushrooms Onions served with Mash Potatoes
• Ratatouille Chilli with Basmati Rice
The meals are supplied frozen for cooking at home (full cooking instructions will be provided). The meals cost £3 each, 2 for £5 or the fantastic offer of 5 for £10. Pop down to the RG Service Centre at Manchester Piccadilly from 9.00am to 6.00pm to purchase. Please note that RG can only accept card payments.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE!
Our customers are always sending us amazing comments about our colleagues, and in fact, we received 64 positive comments praising our fantastic people in Period 4. Here are just a few of the comments we’ve received recently:
“Warren our conductor on the @TPExpressTrains to Sheffield this morning is an absolute breath of fresh air such a nice guy and his announcements always perk up an otherwise tough Monday morning.”
“@TPExpressTrains big thanks to your train guard for allowing me to board the delayed 12:55 train from Manchester Vic to Leeds using my Northern ticket. (This was due to an earlier Northern delay). Random act of kindness left me feeling quite emotional. Thank you.”
“I just wanted to pass on some good feedback for the guard on the 2117 YRK to MAN who has been fantastic at keeping passengers informed and gone the extra mile to ensure everybody on the train makes onward connections or sorted alternate arrangements for everyone. Gone above and beyond and a great ambassador for your business.”
“I travelled with TPE on Tuesday 02/07/2024 on the Manchester to Lancaster 8.22pm train in First Class. It was the first time I have travelled First Class and can honestly say it was one of the best experiences I have had. I was assisted at the train station when I needed to purchase my ticket, nothing was a problem to the staff. Once on the train I was assisted by Justin and Nicola (Carlisle hosts) who couldn't do enough for me. I feel they went above and beyond their responsibilities to provide me with a fabulous service.”
“The conductor you have working the 09:13 from Carlisle to Glasgow Central is the friendliest most professional conductor I have ever come across, he deserves some recognition. What a difference it makes!”
“@TPExpressTrains @TPEassist - Praise to staff on the 18:42 from Doncaster through to Liverpool for handing out free bottles of water for all passengers. Very needed on this train!”
