mancunian1001 Class 142, Class 319, DMUs, EMUs, First Transpennine Express, Greater Manchester, Merseyfailers, Nodding Donkeys, Northern England, Northern Rail, Pacer units, Rail franchises, Railways, Tickets, Trains, Transport, Travel

Serco Loses Northern Franchise to Arriva

FirstGroup and Keolis retain Transpennine Express franchise

  • Pacers peddled with new rolling stock in place;
  • Evolution of Smart Ticketing and free WiFi at stations;
  • New connections throughout Northern England.

The Department for Transport today [09 December] has awarded the Northern franchise to Arriva/DB Regio today. As part of their franchise, the unpopular Class 142 and 144 Pacer units will be scrapped. In their place would be a mix of brand new and nearly new rolling stock. Their franchise term will be active from April 2016 to March 2025. Continue reading “Serco Loses Northern Franchise to Arriva” →

mancunian1001 Advent Calendars, Christmas, Defunct Retailers, Shopping, The Lost Precinct

The Lost Precinct Advent Calendar – #9 MFI

It’s Boxing Day, and I’ve built a shelf…! 

The Ad of Christmas Past

Throughout the 1980s, MFI’s advertisements were as much a fixture of Christmas telly as James Bond films. During that decade, the man behind the MFI voice was, for most part then Radio One DJ Tommy Vance. The advert we have in our Advent Calendar window dates from 1978. Continue reading “The Lost Precinct Advent Calendar – #9 MFI” →