EAST Durham passengers using a high-speed link to London have again been affected by problems with a troubled rail operator.
Despite a much-heralded launch earlier this year, the service between Sunderland and King's Cross – which calls at Hartlepool – has been hit by a series of problems.
Several trains have either been delayed or cancelled in recent weeks, forcing p
assengers to make last-minute arrangements with other service providers, while this week it has emerged there are problems with the rolling stock.
Yesterday's 7.10am train broke down due to an electrical failure in York – causing all journeys in each direction to be cancelled for the day.
Grand Central issued an apology on its website – but the early train today was reported to be running behind schedule.
The York-based firm say the early morning service will run as normal but the lunchtime and teatime trains from Sunderland have been temporarily scrapped due to major work needed on four of its six power cars.
Tom Clift, managing director of the company, said: "The train broke down in York and could go no further south.
"We sorted out the passengers who were on the way down and issued them with appropriate tickets on other services so they could continue their journey.
"Sadly this led to a cancellation of all the days services but we are hopeful that there will be no long-term implications.
"There is a temporary new timetable in the meantime and we hope to have an improved timetable up and running soon."
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