Chiltern Railways update from Meet the Managers...

I am told on good authority that Malcolm Holmes is NOT returning to London Overground but he has definitely relinquished his role as General Manager Mainline and will be leaving Chiltern at the end of October. Apologies for not cross-checking the Rail 705 new item

(Following on from Rail 705 news item on the return of Malcolm Holmes (General Manager Mainline) to London Overground,) Chiltern have confirmed that Chad Collins, currently General Manager South*, will become Head of Stations, and that Alan Riley, currently Head of On-Board Services, will become Head of Trains.

The latest refurbished Silver Set, currently undergoing testing, is to be split for the Autumn to provide extra coaches on the two existing Silver Set diagrams, the peak hours trips of which are nearing capacity**. Alas, hopes that overcrowding on the 1915 ex-Marylebone will be eased by deployment of a Silver Set are not to be realised.

Talking of the Silver Sets, the experimental meal service is set to continue on certain trains but it does depend on staff rotas as to when the meals will be available... Alas, the introduction of the Leamington Spa stop into the current 90 minute runs is confirmed from December so Chiltern's fastest south will be 93/94 mins (shame).

The December timetable is still being tweaked by Network Rail so the version of the online planners is correct in outline but may have minor timing changes in practice.

Finally, Chiltern are planning a robust response to Andi Swain's letter in Rail 705 about the confusion at Marylebone over the Silver Set Business Zone provision. No doubt, management are also taking the comments on board!

* Many thanks to Chris Bates for correcting the current designations of Malcolm and Chad

26 September: Chiltern have now confirmed that the full relevant management structure is:

Jenny Payne – Customer Services Director

Is reported to by:

Chad Collins – Head of Stations AND Alan Riley – Head of Trains

Chad has reporting to him:

Sandra Harper – Regional Manager North (responsible for stations and staff Bicester North northwards)

Debbie Osborne – Regional Manager South (responsible for stations and staff south of Bicester North) 

** Additional capacity to be introduced from Monday 8th October. Each Silver Set to gain an additional standard class carriage http://bit.ly/Sm9IcL NOTE too that a Class 172 two carriage set will be added to the formation of the 0733 from Moor Street from the 8th. This set is NOT to Mainline standard (no WiFi etc) and is there to relieve overcrowding from Banbury. Chiltern will be advising Moor Street passengers not to use this portion of the train!