Thameslink is a private franchise run for the government by a contractor to government specs. Northern's timetable problems seem to stem from overrunning engin

Thameslink is a private franchise run for the government by a contractor to government specs. Northern's timetable problems seem to stem from overrunning engineering work by the nationalised provider, coupled with stock shortages, and an insistence by the government on getting rid of guards Admittably they don't help themselves by refusing to employ enough staff to run all the trains without requiring overtime, a hangover from the BR days.