Class 802s

[whole diary]

[The Tall Controller]

Thanks Bob. I'm glad it's not just me who thinks the seats are fine. I'm 6'7 tall and I actually prefer the new seats as they promote a better seating posture. (Something I struggle with in most train seats, including HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)). Leg room also feels significantly better on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

[IndustryInsider]

The B&H^▸ (Berks and Hants - railway line from Reading to Taunton via Westbury) ride track quality has been getting worse over the past few years, even on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train).  I used to commute weekly from the far Southwest to London (and back, of course) and the Up Line has always been the worst of the two.  Although I haven't sampled one of the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) along there yet, Im sure its still going to be poor trackwise.

Seems to be generally getting worse.  I had a nice little trip along the Cotswold Line in a HST the other week and was being bounced all over the place.

[Timmer]

Can't be doing the trains themselves any favours where the track quality has deteriorated and not yet replaced/repaired.

[IndustryInsider]

Thanks Bob. I'm glad it's not just me who thinks the seats are fine. I'm 6'7 tall and I actually prefer the new seats as they promote a better seating posture. (Something I struggle with in most train seats, including HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)). Leg room also feels significantly better on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).

I’m not quite that tall but I too appreciate the very generous leg room.  I find the shape of the seats very pleasing but would prefer a smidge more padding.

A trip on an old Mk I compartment carriage on a heritage railway reminded me just how well padded those seats were (bounce, bounce, bounce...), but I found my back was aching after I got off!

[bobm]

Seems a dip has been reported on the up near Kintbury on the Berks & Hants this morning which is being attended to by permanent way staff at the moment.

[bobm]

Looking at the customer information screens, it seems today's 07:30 to Penzance and return is being worked by an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (in reverse formation to boot!).

[martyjon]

Looking at the customer information screens, it seems today's 07:30 to Penzance and return is being worked by an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (in reverse formation to boot!).

Perhaps after yesterdays outing the 802 needs its post running in period service, my way of saying  is there trouble ?

[The Tall Controller]

Class 800s ran PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) vice 802s before being replaced by a HST^▸ (High Speed Train). This needed to happen as 800s are not cleared beyond Newton Abbot towards Plymouth in passenger service.

With only 4 802s in service, any issue will result in some form of HST/800 replacement until more sets are available to do like-for-like swaps (which normally go unnoticed)

[old original]

Looking at the customer information screens, it seems today's 07:30 to Penzance and return is being worked by an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (in reverse formation to boot!).

Right way 'round, 1st at London end

[bobm]

CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) has been updated - when it was approaching Plymouth it was shown as first class being at the front.   Now nearing Camborne it is at the rear.  (Perhaps it went for a spin around Laira triangle  )

[martyjon]

Looking at the customer information screens, it seems today's 07:30 to Penzance and return is being worked by an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (in reverse formation to boot!).

Perhaps after yesterdays outing the 802 needs its post running in period service, my way of saying  is there trouble ?

So was there trouble, no one is saying as it would be bad publicity if it was.

[devonexpress]

There seems to be issue at the moment across GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) where IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s are being decoupled and re-coupled and are running as 10 cars.  But the plan is eventually that at Plymouth the 10 cars will split, 5 going to Penzance and 5 terminating.  So the issue you mentioned won't be for long. Except for the summer when 9 car IET's will operate instead. 

There's been a lot going on ... and I think I may have missed something in my reading up.  Is there a plan to switch 9 and 5 car duties around every summer to provide more seats through Cornwall?   If so, does this mean that 9 car sets used (perhaps) on London to Oxford will be swapped for 5+5, with five cars headed on though Evesham during the summer rather than 9 cars bearing in mind reduced commuter demand in the holiday season?

I believe so Grahame as far as the research i've done, I do know GWR management would like this to happen, but what they would like and what happens are two very different things.  It would be easier if the fleet was managed and maintained by GWR but as 'progress' has it, thats been outsourced to Hitachi, so I think GWR only get told in the morning what trains are available and then have to rush around to put them on services.

[woody]

05.53 Plymouth/Paddington IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) cancelled this morning!

[devonexpress]

05.53 Plymouth/Paddington IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) cancelled this morning!

No surprise any replacement or did passengers have to get the Golden Hind and hour later instead?

[PhilWakely]

05.53 Plymouth/Paddington IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) cancelled this morning!

No surprise any replacement or did passengers have to get the Golden Hind and hour later instead?

No replacement, and yes, the Golden Hind was the suggested alternative.