Operations in 2012
Operating Banbury Connections in its 2012 configuration is rather different to running in 1962 mode. Train frequencies increase dramatically causing greater timetabling problems and track congestion. When running 2012 trains 1962 stock is placed into unused sidings from where some trains come out to create the illusion of heritage excursion traffic. A number of assumptions are made in terms of running the railway due to the fact that in the real world some lines such as the Great Central main line were shut.
In terms of franchises running on the railway, Arriva Trains Wales runs from Aberystwyth and Pwhelli to Birmingham with one through train to London via Wolverhampton Low-Level and Banbury. Cross Country runs services from London -Manchester via the Great Central, from Bristol to Sheffield via Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Great Central, and trains from Gosport to Bradford and Birkenhead. South-West Trains runs local services out of Gosport travelling to Banbury via Winchester Chesil. Northern Rail run services from Bradford to Leicester as well as from Cleethorpes to Sheffield. In addition, a fictitious open access operator named Intercity XPT runs trains from London-Marylebone to Bradford Exchange via the Great Central.
Virgin Trains runs a Marylebone to Hollyhead express via Crewe as well as a Manchester to Gosport cross country service.
Chiltern Railways runs suburban services out of Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill. Wrexham and Shropshire continues to operate from Marylebone to Wolverhampton Low-Level, Shrewsbury, Wrexham General and Chester General along the old Western mainline. London Midland City runs a suburban service shuttling between Shrewsbury and Banbury. Lastly, First Great Western operate services from Bristol to Wolverhampton Low-Level as well as Bristol to Birkenhead Woodside.
In addition, the railways have kept the parcels contract on Banbury Connections where Class 67's haul parcels services on the Western, Eastern and Southern regions using old BR parcels stock.
In terms of franchises running on the railway, Arriva Trains Wales runs from Aberystwyth and Pwhelli to Birmingham with one through train to London via Wolverhampton Low-Level and Banbury. Cross Country runs services from London -Manchester via the Great Central, from Bristol to Sheffield via Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Great Central, and trains from Gosport to Bradford and Birkenhead. South-West Trains runs local services out of Gosport travelling to Banbury via Winchester Chesil. Northern Rail run services from Bradford to Leicester as well as from Cleethorpes to Sheffield. In addition, a fictitious open access operator named Intercity XPT runs trains from London-Marylebone to Bradford Exchange via the Great Central.
Virgin Trains runs a Marylebone to Hollyhead express via Crewe as well as a Manchester to Gosport cross country service.
Chiltern Railways runs suburban services out of Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill. Wrexham and Shropshire continues to operate from Marylebone to Wolverhampton Low-Level, Shrewsbury, Wrexham General and Chester General along the old Western mainline. London Midland City runs a suburban service shuttling between Shrewsbury and Banbury. Lastly, First Great Western operate services from Bristol to Wolverhampton Low-Level as well as Bristol to Birkenhead Woodside.
In addition, the railways have kept the parcels contract on Banbury Connections where Class 67's haul parcels services on the Western, Eastern and Southern regions using old BR parcels stock.