Voyager out...Come back loco hauled trains all is forgiven!
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crosscountry
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AlanP46
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People used the train 'cos it was damn cheap!!!
I did the Manchester Airport - Euston Service (worked with a 322) once. That was quite good, though not right confortable for a 2½ hour journey.
XC - note, that hull trains isn't anglia it's run by GB Railways, which is the same parent company as anglia.
***
Whether VT release any HSTs is a different story altogether...
Alan
I did the Manchester Airport - Euston Service (worked with a 322) once. That was quite good, though not right confortable for a 2½ hour journey.
XC - note, that hull trains isn't anglia it's run by GB Railways, which is the same parent company as anglia.
***
Whether VT release any HSTs is a different story altogether...
Alan
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crosscountry
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basildd
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[quote="yorkie2k"]One thing I've thought.. anyone experience TransPennine Express in the days of loco-hauled services? What were they like? Could you actually get a seat on them?!!!
quote]
I had lots of experience of them as I used to do a fair bit of 'loco haulage bashing' over the TP route, mainly between Leeds and Huddersfield cos you could get more moves in! The trains generally had a healthy loading of passengers - and that was for load 7 or 8. The only time a seat was a difficult commodity was on a friday or saturday if you joined half way through the journey. The exception to this was the 'evening' peak trains from Leeds towards Huddersfield which were always full and standing because of commuters. Morning trains were not quite so bad.
quote]
I had lots of experience of them as I used to do a fair bit of 'loco haulage bashing' over the TP route, mainly between Leeds and Huddersfield cos you could get more moves in! The trains generally had a healthy loading of passengers - and that was for load 7 or 8. The only time a seat was a difficult commodity was on a friday or saturday if you joined half way through the journey. The exception to this was the 'evening' peak trains from Leeds towards Huddersfield which were always full and standing because of commuters. Morning trains were not quite so bad.
Dale / BasilDD
Works Overhaul Stats - 23/04/02-29/02/04
Output - 348 (Stock / Locomotives) Customers - 156,677 downloads!!!
Works Overhaul Stats - 23/04/02-29/02/04
Output - 348 (Stock / Locomotives) Customers - 156,677 downloads!!!
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basildd
- UKTS Loco Painter & Decorator
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I've done KX - Grantham a few times in the turbo when GNERse is in its regular state - its not too bad even though I had to go non stop through Peterborough just to change and go back there (on a central Turbo usually). They are not too bad on that journey - though perhaps its psychological and I am just glad to be on the move...goingnorth wrote:Or Hull to London in a Turbostar....Mind you they are getting 125s now I think.
Dale / BasilDD
Works Overhaul Stats - 23/04/02-29/02/04
Output - 348 (Stock / Locomotives) Customers - 156,677 downloads!!!
Works Overhaul Stats - 23/04/02-29/02/04
Output - 348 (Stock / Locomotives) Customers - 156,677 downloads!!!
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Goingnorth
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AlanP46
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They align with metal panels, that form part of the body shell (re BDDs window comments).
Heres some Comments from Jon Porter (UK.R) that you might be interested:
Much the same . as in the Express I imagine about how the RPC is
criticising Wessex Trains for using old class 31 locos which are popular
with "trainspotters". There was no quote from Wessex Trains. I have however,
contacted the Western RPC with the following e-mail.
I do not always take what I read in the press at face value, but if what I
read is true then I seriously doubt you are serious in your role of
protecting pasenger interests.
I see you are criticising Wessex Trains for using locos and coaches on
trains between Westbury and Weymouth on summer Saturdays. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!
The trains provided are comfortable mark 2 passenger stock with air
conditioning. Plenty of room for bicycles, and are vastly superior to the
Diesel Multiple Units normally provided. They even travel faster!
The locomotives are provided at each end of the train both under power and
driven from one cab push-pull style. The class 31 may be old but it is a
dependable machine and good for many years service, especially if plans to
re-engine with modern power plants come to fruition. Just because something
is old does not mean it is useless! Many locos in the USA are nearing 50
years old and perfectly serviceable. I flew on an airliner last week over 25
years old and have flown on 45 year old examples
Wessex Trains should be congratulated for their initiative, not sniped at! I
speak as a regular on this stretch of line who has actually used the
services. I for one wish these trains were a permanent feature.
If you really wish to investigate or criticise, how about those new Virgin
Trains used to the West Country through Bristol. They are new DMU's being
used to replace far more spacious stock. Travelling on holiday line services
to Devon last week was an absolute nightmare. Air conditioning broken,
crammed in like sardines, insufficient room for luggage, and the seats were
the most uncomfortable imaginable. These are supposed to be long distance
stock! I will use other companies or the car if this is the future of
Virgin's trains.
I therefore challenge the RPC to launch the sort of investigation the
travelling public really want. For example how large seats should be for
long distance travel, or how much space should be allowed for each seat. The
airlines have such standards why don't railway operators? The Virgin Voyager
trains would appear to be the new standard for other companies to adopt,
presumably because they have fewer coaches but can cram more people in. It
won't be long before you get complaints of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) on
their services from Paignton to Newcastle! I was in agony suffering from
cramp between Dawlish and Bristol last week and unable to get up for all the
people stood along the train with assorted luggage, pushchairs etc.
I noticed nothing was done last year when Virgin withdrew services into
Cornwall, they are now withdrawing from Weymouth. At least Wessex are
enhancing the Weymouth service, but you criticise them for it!
Jon Porter, Calne, Wiltshire.
...
Alan
Heres some Comments from Jon Porter (UK.R) that you might be interested:
Much the same . as in the Express I imagine about how the RPC is
criticising Wessex Trains for using old class 31 locos which are popular
with "trainspotters". There was no quote from Wessex Trains. I have however,
contacted the Western RPC with the following e-mail.
I do not always take what I read in the press at face value, but if what I
read is true then I seriously doubt you are serious in your role of
protecting pasenger interests.
I see you are criticising Wessex Trains for using locos and coaches on
trains between Westbury and Weymouth on summer Saturdays. ARE YOU SERIOUS!!
The trains provided are comfortable mark 2 passenger stock with air
conditioning. Plenty of room for bicycles, and are vastly superior to the
Diesel Multiple Units normally provided. They even travel faster!
The locomotives are provided at each end of the train both under power and
driven from one cab push-pull style. The class 31 may be old but it is a
dependable machine and good for many years service, especially if plans to
re-engine with modern power plants come to fruition. Just because something
is old does not mean it is useless! Many locos in the USA are nearing 50
years old and perfectly serviceable. I flew on an airliner last week over 25
years old and have flown on 45 year old examples
Wessex Trains should be congratulated for their initiative, not sniped at! I
speak as a regular on this stretch of line who has actually used the
services. I for one wish these trains were a permanent feature.
If you really wish to investigate or criticise, how about those new Virgin
Trains used to the West Country through Bristol. They are new DMU's being
used to replace far more spacious stock. Travelling on holiday line services
to Devon last week was an absolute nightmare. Air conditioning broken,
crammed in like sardines, insufficient room for luggage, and the seats were
the most uncomfortable imaginable. These are supposed to be long distance
stock! I will use other companies or the car if this is the future of
Virgin's trains.
I therefore challenge the RPC to launch the sort of investigation the
travelling public really want. For example how large seats should be for
long distance travel, or how much space should be allowed for each seat. The
airlines have such standards why don't railway operators? The Virgin Voyager
trains would appear to be the new standard for other companies to adopt,
presumably because they have fewer coaches but can cram more people in. It
won't be long before you get complaints of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) on
their services from Paignton to Newcastle! I was in agony suffering from
cramp between Dawlish and Bristol last week and unable to get up for all the
people stood along the train with assorted luggage, pushchairs etc.
I noticed nothing was done last year when Virgin withdrew services into
Cornwall, they are now withdrawing from Weymouth. At least Wessex are
enhancing the Weymouth service, but you criticise them for it!
Jon Porter, Calne, Wiltshire.
...
Alan
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Goingnorth
- Very Active Forum Member
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You really don't like voyagers Alan, do you? he he 
I haven't sampled one on a long-distance run yet. Although I keep hovering about the Virgin website looking to book a Newcastle-Bournemouth ticket to go and see relatives. I really can't get too excited about a 300 odd mile journey on a voyager..sorry Mr Branston!
I haven't sampled one on a long-distance run yet. Although I keep hovering about the Virgin website looking to book a Newcastle-Bournemouth ticket to go and see relatives. I really can't get too excited about a 300 odd mile journey on a voyager..sorry Mr Branston!
I travelled on a 5-car Voyager, the 1308 Newcastle-Bristol Temple Meads, just from York to Doncaster.
It was a heavily loaded train but everyone got a seat (only just though by the look of it).
It left York at 1409, and reached just outside Doncaster at 1425 only to have to slow down considerably but still got to Doncaster early, at 1429.
I was expecting it to be noisy like a 158 but it was actually a lot quieter than I thought it would be. I was also expecting there to be no legroom but it wasn't too bad actually.
However compared to a Eurostar (which I travelled on next) it is definately louder, less spacious, not as comfortable (but then Eurostar seats are exceptional in that respect). Compared to a 158, it was much better in every way.
Overall, I'd say the Voyager is ideal for mid-distance journeys. But it's not going to be good enough for long-distance journeys.
If it's almost full between York and Doncaster on an off-peak Newcastle-Bristol service, WHAT is it going to be like between, say, Birmingham and Bristol on the Dundee-Penzance service? I dread to think!
It was a heavily loaded train but everyone got a seat (only just though by the look of it).
It left York at 1409, and reached just outside Doncaster at 1425 only to have to slow down considerably but still got to Doncaster early, at 1429.
I was expecting it to be noisy like a 158 but it was actually a lot quieter than I thought it would be. I was also expecting there to be no legroom but it wasn't too bad actually.
However compared to a Eurostar (which I travelled on next) it is definately louder, less spacious, not as comfortable (but then Eurostar seats are exceptional in that respect). Compared to a 158, it was much better in every way.
Overall, I'd say the Voyager is ideal for mid-distance journeys. But it's not going to be good enough for long-distance journeys.
If it's almost full between York and Doncaster on an off-peak Newcastle-Bristol service, WHAT is it going to be like between, say, Birmingham and Bristol on the Dundee-Penzance service? I dread to think!
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crosscountry
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I really can't be arsed playing devils advocate any more
Last edited by crosscountry on Fri Aug 02, 2002 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
This post is worth what you paid for it.