The rail regulator will shortly make a decision on whether to open up the lucrative East Coast Main Line to real service competition.

The Grand Central Railway Company is planning to return direct-to-London high speed rail services to Thirsk and Eaglescliffe for the first time in many years, as well as increasing the number of London services calling at Northallerton. These services will be provided as part of the new company's plans to connect Sunderland and Hartlepool to the inter city network.

The attitude of GNER towards this railway upstart has been verging on the arrogant. Firstly it has suggested that it can serve passengers who wish to travel direct to London from Hartlepool and Stockton by laying on buses to take people to Darlington. Secondly, it has suggested that there is no meaningful capacity left on the line while at the same time drawing up plans to run more trains to the capital from Leeds.

GNER has certainly something to fear from Grand Central Railway Company, particularly on price. The standard fares being promised by the newcomer significantly under-cut current prices and offer the business customer, for a long time now the milk cow for GNER, a much better deal.

GNER has been a good operator for many years, which is why it was recently re-awarded the franchise to run trains on the very popular North-South route. Some real competition from the likes of the Grand Central Railway Company can only make it better.