High speed rail network

[cookiemonster]

I'd add though, at a risk of being a bit of a train spod, that I thought the Aberdeen line was now mostly operated with fairly recent trains, Turbostars and Voyagers? Also, the old 125s are still a pretty good train and much to be preferred to more modern trains like the cramped Voyager.

The trains that run to Glasgow and Edinburgh are pretty modern, no idea what they are called though, but as I travel to London around once a month, I was making my comments about the 125's which are slow, noisy and the front carriages smell of diesel.

 

[jonesy]

The trains that run to Glasgow and Edinburgh are pretty modern, no idea what they are called though, but as I travel to London around once a month, I was making my comments about the 125's which are slow, noisy and the front carriages smell of diesel.

Slow? They are amongst the fastest trains on the network! Never had problems with diesel smell or noise either... you do sometimes get a burning smell from the brakes, but I think that has also been reduced in the refurbished ones FGW uses.

 

[domd1979]

Yes, I use them most days... actually my only real objection to the refurb is to those horrid high backed seats that put everyone into their own little cell and obscure the view. Why did they do them like that? Was it because of excessive health and safety zeal?

Yep, high back seats are because of crash worthiness standards and because that puts the price up that means less money on making them comfortable... Read an article on the subject a while back which proposed all seats should pass a managing director test - that the MD of a TOC should be made to travel on the longest journey the TOC does sat in whatever seats they've chosen....! So when Cross Country got Voyagers that would have been Dundee to Penzance....

The other thing I don't like about the FGW refurb is the lighting seems to be excessively bright, as it is on lots of trains.

 

[cookiemonster]

I do have to admit I haven't been on the UK rail network since July last year. Also, I may just be unlucky with the HST's from Aberdeen as that's been my personal experience.

 

[jonesy]

. Read an article on the subject a while back which proposed all seats should pass a managing director test - that the MD of a TOC should be made to travel on the longest journey the TOC does sat in whatever seats they've chosen....! .
..

... and having to bring a large rucksack!

 

[cookiemonster]

So, Voyagers are the trains that Virgin use?

So I know what you folks are talking about.

 

[Will1985]

I propose high speed rail between Norwich and Birmingham for me, and the opposite direction for the old people going on holiday to Yarmouth and Cromer.

 

[domd1979]

I was making my comments about the 125's which are slow, noisy and the front carriages smell of diesel.

Would have to disagree there.... They have 125mph capability (hence the name!!) so any slowness would be down to the line speed. Never noticed any diesel whiff travelling in an HST. I'd say they're reasonably quiet to travel in because unlike Turbostars and Voyagers you haven't got the engine strapped underneath the carriage. The ride quality on HSTs is extremely hard to beat as well.

 

[jonesy]

So, Voyagers are the trains that Virgin use?

So I know what you folks are talking about.

Voyagers are mostly used by Cross Country Trains (Arriva), who took them over from Virgin Cross Country when the franchise changed. Being smallish (4 or 5) coach trains with limited luggage space they were obviously perfectly designed for the long distance leisure market that Virgin was going after...

Voyagers are also used by Virgin West Coast for Birmingham to Glasgow services, again a very sensible use of a diesel train on an entirely electrified route...

 

[domd1979]

Cross Country use them and Virgin West Coast use them on London - Holyhead and Birmingham - Glasgow (ironically electrified throughout!).

Edit: can't remember if Brum - Glasgow is now with Cross Country!

So, Voyagers are the trains that Virgin use?

So I know what you folks are talking about.

 

[domd1979]

Yeah, and the whistling as it pulled away...

Sadly they've almost all been re-engined and don't make such a hellfire racket as they once did!!

 

[jonesy]

C...
Edit: can't remember if Brum - Glasgow is now with Cross Country!

...

Pretty sure it is Virgin West Coast? Which has meant an end to South West and South coast to Glasgow trains, additional changes at Birmingham and, I gather, badly timetabled connections.

 

[domd1979]

Pretty sure it is Virgin West Coast? Which has meant an end to South West and South coast to Glasgow trains, additional changes at Birmingham and, I gather, badly timetabled connections.

I think it is. I had a moment of wibblement. Apparently at one point on paper one direction was Cross Country and the opposite direction was West Coast!!!

 

[jonesy]

I think it is. I had a moment of wibblement. Apparently at one point on paper one direction was Cross Country and the opposite direction was West Coast!!!

It is bizarre, isn't it. Diesel trains used on an electrified route, while the rest of the XC network suffers severe overcrowding and no of getting additional trains for ages.

 

[cookiemonster]

I did use a Voyager from Aberdeen to Brum last year. It was really cramped when the train filled up in Edinburgh.