Great North Eastern Railway facts for kids
| Franchise(s): | InterCity East Coast 28 April 1996 – 8 December 2007 |
|---|---|
| Main {{{nameforarea}}}(s): | East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England, Central Scotland, Northern Scotland |
| Other {{{nameforarea}}}(s): | London |
| Fleet size: | 31 Class 91 electric locomotives 30 InterCity 225 sets 11 InterCity 125 (HST) sets |
| Stations called at: | 53 |
| Stations operated: | 12 |
| National Rail abbreviation: | GR |
| Parent company: | Sea Containers |
Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) was a British company that ran trains. It was owned by a company called Sea Containers Ltd. GNER operated fast express train services on the East Coast Main Line. This is a very important railway line in the UK. GNER ran these trains from 1996 until 2007. Another company, National Express East Coast, took over the service on December 9, 2007.
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What Was GNER?
GNER was a "train operating company." This means it was a private business that ran passenger trains. In the UK, train services are often run by different companies. These companies get a special agreement, called a "franchise," to operate trains on certain routes for a set time.
GNER's main route was the East Coast Main Line. This line connects London with major cities in the north of England and Scotland. These cities include Leeds, York, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. The East Coast Main Line is known for its high-speed trains.
When Did GNER Operate?
GNER started running trains on April 28, 1996. They took over from a part of the old British Rail system called InterCity. For over 11 years, GNER was a well-known name for train travel on the East Coast Main Line. Their service ended on December 8, 2007. The next day, a new company, National Express East Coast, began operating the trains.
Trains Used by GNER
GNER used several types of trains to carry passengers. These trains were designed for speed and comfort on long journeys.
InterCity 225 Trains
The main trains used by GNER were the InterCity 225 sets. These trains are made up of a powerful Class 91 electric locomotive at one end. At the other end is a special control car. In between are passenger coaches. The "225" in the name comes from their top speed of 225 kilometers per hour (about 140 miles per hour).
These trains were mostly used on the electrified parts of the East Coast Main Line. This means they ran where there were overhead electric wires to power them.
InterCity 125 (HST) Trains
GNER also used InterCity 125 trains, often called HSTs (High Speed Trains). These trains have two diesel locomotives, one at each end. They are very famous in the UK. HSTs were used on parts of the line that were not electrified. They also ran on routes that branched off the main line, like services to Harrogate or Aberdeen.
Special White Rose Service
For a time, GNER operated a special service called the White Rose. This service connected London King's Cross with Leeds. Until December 2005, this route used unique Class 373 Regional Eurostar trains. These were similar to the trains used for international Eurostar services, but adapted for UK domestic routes.
GNER's Legacy
GNER was known for its focus on customer service. They tried to make train journeys comfortable and enjoyable for passengers. Even after they stopped operating, many people remembered GNER for its distinctive blue and red trains and its service on the East Coast Main Line.
Sometimes, trains can have problems. If an electric train broke down on an electrified line, a diesel locomotive from another company might be used to pull it. This happened sometimes with GNER trains too.
