Virgin HST sets

Kempstem · Post by **Kempstem** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 8:51 am

Virgin are reducing all it HST set to 5 coaches.

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 8:53 am

0 coaches would be even better. Then they will run with only 2 locos coupled together. The five unit train is the Challanger, Class 255.

Kempstem · Post by **Kempstem** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 8:56 am

There not just yet. I saw one when i was walking home from college. On the engine it said class 43.

yorkie2k · Post by **yorkie2k** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 11:31 am

I travelled on one yesterday. It didn't have coach labels and there were no reservations. I think the reason for this is that they can match the acceleration of the Voyagers so run to the same timetable. I voted NO though, because what they should do is operate HSTs on the express services that call at few stations.

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 11:33 am

If I were Virgin, I'd rather buy more HST than Voyagers since the HST is the fastest train in the world for diesel traction.

yorkie2k · Post by **yorkie2k** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 11:57 am

but Virgin are not offering a high speed service (except on the ECML between Doncaster-York-Newcastle-Edinburgh which is the only part that they reach 125mph) and instead are offering a stopping service which calls at many stations, so they want trains with fast acceleration. I think this is a good idea in part but they should have some non-stopping fast trains. I don't want to call at 20 stations when going on a long journey.

One thing that is utterly ridiculous though is using deisel trains from Birmingham-Manchester. This is crazy.

Kempstem · Post by **Kempstem** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 12:00 pm

Sadly HST are not the fastest Diesel anymore some German train is i think

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:12 pm

Kempstem wrote:Sadly HST are not the fastest Diesel anymore some German train is i think

So what is that train? In my book, "Ultimate Trains" by Peter Herring (Doring Kindersley), published 2000 says that. And I've got some older books that say that too.

salopiangrowler · Post by **salopiangrowler** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 2:17 pm

Stooopidperson wrote:
Kempstem wrote:Sadly HST are not the fastest Diesel anymore some German train is i think
So what is that train? In my book, "Ultimate Trains" by Peter Herring (Doring Kindersley), published 2000 says that. And I've got some older books that say that too.

thought this was about length and not speed, anyway 5 car hst's look good but the original length was alot better in the terms of long distant travel without stopping at too many stations

buffy500 · Post by **buffy500** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 3:52 pm

Stooopidperson wrote:
Kempstem wrote:Sadly HST are not the fastest Diesel anymore some German train is i think
So what is that train? In my book, "Ultimate Trains" by Peter Herring (Doring Kindersley), published 2000 says that. And I've got some older books that say that too.

Out of date now stoooooooopid

37714 · Post by **37714** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 4:17 pm

I think they should take the great western approach and increase the length to 8 coaches.

Goingnorth · Post by **Goingnorth** » Sun Oct 27, 2002 6:39 pm

I'm not sure what the idea of reducing the HSTs to 5 coaches is, apart from maybe saving one or two minutes on the schedule.

A couple of years ago when Virgin had a lot of problems with rolling stock - which I think was caused by floods - I travelled on 1E42 from Oxford - Derby in a 3 coach HST! Yeah, Hornby railways eat your heart out. Far better than any Voyager..he he

Stooopidperson · Post by **Stooopidperson** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 7:50 am

buffy500 wrote:
Stooopidperson wrote:
Kempstem wrote:Sadly HST are not the fastest Diesel anymore some German train is i think
So what is that train? In my book, "Ultimate Trains" by Peter Herring (Doring Kindersley), published 2000 says that. And I've got some older books that say that too.
Out of date now stoooooooopid

So what is the diesel train fastest train now, bufffffffffffffffffy500?

Zackybong1 · Post by **Zackybong1** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 9:40 am

One must ask, WHO CARES! (This should have been an extra answer)

If this is all we can find to discuss, and at great lenth too, the privatised railway of today really doesn't have a lot to offer the enthusiast these days.
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The Class 309 was the first 100mph EMU, and entered service in maroon with wrap round windows. It looked gorgeous. Just thought I'd mention it.

Fodda · Post by **Fodda** » Mon Oct 28, 2002 11:57 am

Leave it alone! There was standing room only on the 9:50 from Bristol towards Swindon on Saturday morning! Bloody ridiculous.

Atomic Systems

Virgin HST sets

Do you think it is a good idea for Virgin to reduce its HST set from 7 to 5 COACHES?

Virgin HST sets