How to fix Britain's Railways (Part 2): Intercity and Regional

In this second part of my series on transforming Britain's rail network for the better, we'll cover the two main sectors that should make up British Railways: Intercity and Regional.
Discord: / discord
Music:
Josef Suk, Serenade, Op 6 - performed by A Far Cry
Photography:
kitmasterbloke, Gillett's Crossing from Bristol, The Basingstoker, Tom and Nanda Sluijsmans from Den Haag, Nederland, CC BY 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Txllxt TxllxT, Albinfo, Samuel George Baugh, Geof Sheppard, Wanfried-Dublin, Hhwheat, AlejandroLinaresGarcia and Kaviyadharshini Selvakumar, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
CrossCountry
GWR
TheFrog001, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

[@lukeherring8275]

Your description of XC as a sort of plague which spreads its main symptom of delay to other unsuspecting services is both accurate and very funny.

[@HesterClapp]

Also we need integrated timetables between intercity and regional trains

[@kevinrichard100]

In other words, organise as per the European Standard:

[@alfredlamowen]

Had a proper "remember what they took from you" moment when I saw a 323 in regional railways livery in service

[@pleaseinsertfunnyname]

I would really appreciate More of a focus when it comes to making the railway more accessible to disabled passengers not just on the trains but making automated announcements a absolute must for people with seeings difficulties maby even reinstating staff at more stations

[@kritterz3889]

I gotta say man, your channel is too underrated. Keep the work up with the uploads, its always so entertaining to even re-watch your railway overview videos.

[@stepheng7586]

I would bring back Network South East and of course Intercity.......both very recognisable brands.

[@tomwatts703]

Sorry in advance for the long comment but you make a lot of good points. Firstly, absolutely agreed on Cross Country, and I'm extremely disappointed that the very recent contract renewal didn't address some of those points. It would've been the perfect time to begin procuring new bi-mode trains to coincide with MML electrification (sure the IETs aren't the best but other operators are already running/will run bi-mode variants so they're virtually off-the-shelf by now). Instead we're getting a refurbishment that doesn't even fix the biggest passenger complaints like luggage space.

[@ergotot45]

Great videos......Far too many sensible ideas here to ever be adopted by any government of the UK unfortunately......too many aspects of the UK rail industry are broken, the majority since privatisation. The railway,s like the NHS, are destined to be a "political football" forever. But we, like you, can dream I suppose!

[@philipdouglas5911]

Totally agree about Cross Country as since Ariva took it over it has become a Cinderella again. The intention with the Voyagers was to transform it into a princess. But as in Cinderella midnight came and the idea unravelled. 7 into 4 cars never went and the trains suffered from overcrowding, smelly toilets and inadequate luggage storage. A total disaster that is not up to the job they are used for. Should be replaced by 9 car trains as you say as that is the only way to cope with ridership on the core sections. Ideally should be trimode to work off the various electric routes. 5 car voyagers are really only suitable for secondary routes such as Nottingham to Cardiff. Its routing should be electric but as it does not serve London its unlikely to happen. Would love to see the back end of the voyagers but this will depend on the Treasury funding.

[@missgfaulkner]

as somebody who books the quiet coach regularly, i wonder why i bother when the noisy passengers use it anyway!!! i book it to get away from those passengers! i love your suggestion for making the decor more soothing and different from the rest, interior design can potentially make all the difference for behaviour

[@thetrainspotter43]

Fantastic video once again, a fascinating insight into what needs to be done. We need you as transport secretary.

[@damienbalbriggan]

This video was hilarious. Thanks for the entertainment! :)

[@ravenmusic6392]

5:23

[@wisehat_yt]

can you fix my marriage please?

[@Arghans]

The last point reminded me of stories I’d heard of goods being taken on branch line passenger services. Plenty of station buildings on routes could have parcel lockers and allow local couriers to avoid urban areas. Most people already collect from lockers at supermarkets or on their way home. Would also provide a presence at lesser used stations that might be handy collection points.

[@monoonyx]

One thing I see as an upside to privatisation has been the regionalisation of branding. Of course this applies to the regional and local services, but after LNER's 225 repaint with the oxblood Swallow livery it made me think it could be really good idea to have a general livery, but with slight alterations for the routes the stock run on. Though having the downside that if the WCML needed more stock taking XC stock to run the services that dont have an allocation of stock, it could be confusing to passengers, particularly in stations like New Street.

[@lnerb1class3172]

This is the earliest I've ever seen a video

[@AndrewG1989]

British Rail used to operate good train services in the UK with Regional Railways, Network Southeast and other rail companies that operated better rail services in the Midlands, North of England, London & Southeast and Southwest England. As well as Wales & West, Scotrail and of course Intercity.

[@A-Trainspotter-From-Berkshire]

Reading to Weymouth should be electrified with OLE.