The
IEP▸ arrived on time into Platform 1 at Paddington with the front unit named Isambard Kingdom Brunel and the rear Sir Daniel Gooch.
From the outside up to roof the coaches are not that dissimilar to the Class 180s but of course the power units are very different.
You wouldn't want to be reforming these sets too often with all these jumpers!
I spoke to some of those who travelled from Reading. The general consensus was the seats in standard are pretty hard and luggage space might be at a premium on busier services although the overhead luggage racks are bigger. The train ran on diesel power the whole way from Reading to London Paddington but apparently the engines weren't that audible inside.
Standard class appears to have decent legroom, while first class has some large tables and power points between the seats.
Spoke to some catering crew and while not using it in anger today they liked the look of the galley and the seating arrangements in first class.
Needless to say it was a bit of a scrum with a lot of media there with everyone trying to keep out of everyone else's shots.
ITV Meridian interviewing transport secretary Patrick McLoughlinI had a good first impression as someone who didn't ride on it. It certainly sounded quieter than other trains as it edged into Paddington, the air conditioning was still keeping the train cool after nearly an hour of standing in the platform and it didn't feel too cramped when walking through the coaches.
