Success on the agenda for Grand Central?

Open access operator has won plaudits and will soon expand

Giles Fearnley (left) and Kevin Tribley of Angel Trains launch the first Grand Central Adelante

Giles Fearnley (left) and Kevin Tribley of Angel Trains launch the first Grand Central Adelante

Of all the new entrants to the embryonic open access rail market, Grand Central had something of a long drawn-out labour.

After a decade-long struggle, and numerous applications to begin a variety of services, Grand Central finally opened for business in?December 2007 with a restricted service linking Sunderland and London via the Durham coast line and York. The decision to allow the Grand Central to begin operations was memorably branded “arrogant”, “stupid” and...