FGW HST being loaned

[whole diary]

[John R]

Story on another Forum, which is half confirmed by confirmed by an apologetic statement on the Hull Trains website, that a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is being loaned to Hull at weekends to cover for sickly Adelantes.

[Btline]

Story on another Forum, which is half confirmed by confirmed by an apologetic statement on the Hull Trains website, that a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is being loaned to Hull at weekends to cover for sickly Adelantes.

[willc]

I don't think that attitude is called for, considering how many other operators' DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is using to keep its services running right now... and with the Cotswold Line closure, there must be some spare HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) for the next few weekends anyway.

According to Rail, HT^▸ (Hull Trains) are trying to get another Adelante and two FGW technicians from Old Oak Common have been despatched north to offer expert advice on how to nurse ailing 180s. Rail also has a picture of the first Grand Central-liveried 180 driving car in black and orange. It now has wi-fi but no word on whether they have done any mechanical work.

[Mookiemoo]

I don't think that attitude is called for, considering how many other operators' DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) FGW^▸ (First Great Western) is using to keep its services running right now... and with the Cotswold Line closure, there must be some spare HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) for the next few weekends anyway.

According to Rail, HT^▸ (Hull Trains) are trying to get another Adelante and two FGW technicians from Old Oak Common have been despatched north to offer expert advice on how to nurse ailing 180s. Rail also has a picture of the first Grand Central-liveried 180 driving car in black and orange. It now has wi-fi but no word on whether they have done any mechanical work.

Is this any way connected to the arriva trains 158(?) I saw at WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) this mornign as  was on the delayed 0735

[Btline]

Ok, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will have spare sets during the works. Fair enough.

But if this decision results in ANY "Turbotutions" then it was a bad one.

[Electric train]

Let me see First Great Western are lending First Hull Trains some stock make very good business sense to me, in the past First have been slatted here for not reacting to problems 

[grahame]

Let me see First Great Western are lending First Hull Trains some stock make very good business sense to me, in the past First have been slatted here for not reacting to problems 

It does indeed seem sensible to move stock around within the company (and indeed industry) in this way.   I seem to recall some TransPeninne units that were a long way south of the Pennines at one point, and (looking at the TransWilts) it would be very silly IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) for First to park up a unit while the line is shut for 10 days at the start of August for engineering works ... better to strengthen elsewhere as long as the service is back from 10th August.

Put another way ... we may moan about the daily bus at 05:20 being rather inadequate, but parking up a train isn't exactly going to mitigate the problem.  May as well make better use of it for the period!

[willc]

Ok, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will have spare sets during the works. Fair enough.

But if this decision results in ANY "Turbotutions" then it was a bad one.

Unless HT^▸ (Hull Trains) are still struggling into September - and god help them if they are - that's hardly likely. And you'd still have a train running on FGW. In recent days, many HT passengers have been turfed off at Doncaster to take their chances getting a seat on already busy NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) services, from Leeds or further north.

[brompton rail]

Not sure Hull Trains would find a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) that useful. Do they have drivers and crewe trained on HSTs, previously HT^▸ (Hull Trains) have operated 170s, 222s and now 180s. And where would HSTs be maintained? The 222s and now the 180s go to Crofton near Wakefield where XCs^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyagers are maintained but XCs HSTs go to Neville Hill at Leeds. Would seem to be a lot of effort / new contacts just to borrow one HST. Hopefully HTs 180s will improve their availability.

[vacman]

Not sure Hull Trains would find a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) that useful. Do they have drivers and crewe trained on HSTs, previously HT^▸ (Hull Trains) have operated 170s, 222s and now 180s. And where would HSTs be maintained? The 222s and now the 180s go to Crofton near Wakefield where XCs^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Voyagers are maintained but XCs HSTs go to Neville Hill at Leeds. Would seem to be a lot of effort / new contacts just to borrow one HST. Hopefully HTs 180s will improve their availability.

May well go back to Old Oak every night

[readytostart]

As far as I'm aware FHT crews don't sign HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train), maybe the MkIII coaches from the loco-hauled set they hired in previously.
My guess is that there's some FGW^▸ (First Great Western) crew who are spare with the Cotswolds work going on who could traction conduct on hire, alternatively XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) crew from Leeds could conduct and local NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) crew could work the sets for the duration as they sign Hull right through to KGX. The fees paid to NXEC could keep the Government at bay for an extra day! 

[devon_metro]

IF it does run, it will only be at weekends, and an ecs will run from OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) to Kings Cross.

[eightf48544]

IF it does run, it will only be at weekends, and an ecs will run from OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)) to Kings Cross.

What route does the stock do from OOC to KX?

[devon_metro]

Presume same as Eurostar used to, via the NLL.