Grand Central Trains: Tickets, Timetables and Facilities

Grand Central Trains is an open access train operator - not dependent on subsidy from the Department of Transportation - that has been in operation since 2007. It is now a subsidy of Arriva Trains UK, and offers service to cities in Yorkshire, the North East, and along the Durham Coastline, linking them with London. Grand Central runs two types of trains - Class 180 and HST, for the shorter and longer distances. They vary in their layout and seating plans, in the least.

Services on board are divided up into two main classes: Standard and First class. First Class offers more room for the legs, as well as wide reclining seats to relax in. Included in your ticket are also light refreshments and a newspaper. The aim is that both working and relaxing will be easily doable. In Standard class, passengers enjoy more room and services while enjoying free WiFi services, as well as a free coffee and tea. Trains coming from Kings Cross to Sunderland have accessible and standard toilets, boarding ramps, priority seating, auditory information, and staff available for assistance.

Grand Central offers 5 daily services between Sunderland and King’s Cross, calling at Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton, Thirsk, and York. Four daily services between Bradford Interchange and King’s Cross are offered per day, calling at Halifax, Brighouse, Mirfield, Wakefield Kirkgate, Pontefract Monkhill, and Doncaster.

There are four main types of tickets; Advance, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak. Advance can be booked up until one day before travel and both Advance and Anytime gives the options to travel in either class. With Off-Peak and Super-Off-Peak there is only the possibility to travel Standard. The Anytime option gives you more flexibility in terms of the times you wish to travel. Passengers have the option of choosing weekend upgrades to First Class while frequent travellers can get a Carnet package of 10 tickets at a discounted price.