Grand Central secures track access to Bradford and Sunderland until 2038

Grand Central’s request to extend its track access rights from London to Bradford and Sunderland has been approved, RAIL understands.

The open access operator applied to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in the autumn of 2024 to extend the rights on its current routes from December 2027 until the end of 2038.

Grand Central had said in its application it was proposing to procure a new build fleet of (at least bi-mode trains” to replace the Class 180 and ‘221’ DMUs that currently run under the wires on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). 

RAIL has been told that ORR has approved the application, with the formal announcement expected next week.

Grand Central declined to comment when approached.

In its form, Grand Central said it was not seeking additional rights, meaning it was simply looking continue running its King’s Cross-Sunderland services (six Monday-Saturday, five on Sunday) and four Kings’ Cross-Bradford Interchange (four each day).

“It is anticipated that an order for new trains will follow the extension of access rights as soon as possible, subject to the ongoing fleet procurement process and final internal sign off, with the introduction of the new trains to commence in January 2028,” the operator said in its application.

“The replacement fleet will require a phased introduction throughout 2028 where GC will operate a mixed fleet with Class 180’s, as new units are delivered and brought into service. Full fleet replacement is anticipated to be complete by December 2028.”

Network Rail had been carrying out power modelling to assess the impact of Grand Central using overhead line equipment on the ECML.

The operator has also announced it is applying to the regulator introduce a direct rail service between Cleethorpes, Grimsby, and London.