The
Bristol Post is living up to its proud history of never letting accuracy get in the way of a page-filler of an editorial.
We say
By The Bristol Post | Posted: March 24, 2015
THEY'VE served us well. But the time has finally come to say goodbye to the aging rolling stock of Class 43 High Speed Trains (HSTs▸ ) that take Bristolians to London. And not before time.
The diesel locomotives were state-of-the-art technology when they were launched in the mid-1970s.
But the HSTs do not live up to their name in the 21st century.
For too long now, and despite some refurbishment by operator First Great Western, Bristol train travellers using the London line have had to put up with engines and carriages that were, frankly, past their best.
In fact, compared to many other train services around the country, the services were slightly embarrassing.
No longer. The outdated facilities, seating and technology of the HSTs will be replaced by modern "Turbo" trains, bringing more services, faster journey times, more capacity, better comfort and even free wifi.
Bristol is a modern city.
As proud as we are of our rail heritage, rail visitors from the capital need to arrive by modern means.
Now, at last, they will.
Turbo indeed. Someone at the Post has Turbo on the brain.
I like this though, from
Hitachi Rail Europe's website:
AT300 FOR THE WEST OF ENGLAND Hitachi Rail Europe named as FirstGroup^s preferred supplier to provide fleet of new AT300 trains for the South West
In March 2015 Hitachi Rail Europe announced that it had been named by FirstGroup as preferred supplier, subject to contract, for the supply of 29 trains for the new First Great Western franchise.This is subject to approval by the Department for Transport.
29 bi-mode AT300 trains running primarily from London Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance
The fleet of 29 bi-mode AT300 trains would run primarily from London Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance, replacing 40-year-old High Speed Trains on the key intercity route to the south west. Made up of seven nine-car and 22 five-car trains, with an option for 30 more, the mixed fleet would allow for flexible use, including 10-car formations (two five-cars coupled together) for through-services to/from the capital.
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of First Great Western said: ^Following the direct award of the franchise announced by the Department for Transport, I am delighted that we have selected Hitachi Rail Europe as our preferred supplier for new intercity trains, should the
DfT» approve our plans. The fleet currently running on routes in the South West of England, is nearly 40 years old, and passengers would greatly benefit from brand new, highly comfortable trains. FirstGroup has conducted a competitive procurement exercise for these trains and we are close to securing private financing for the deal shortly. The DfT will be making a final decision by the end of June^.
Andy Barr, Chief Operating Officer, Hitachi Rail Europe said: ^The Class 800 bi-mode trains were initially designed for the Great Western and East Coast main lines and we have refined the design further for the challenges of the route to Plymouth and Penzance. We have put a lot of thought into ensuring a passenger environment that is comfortable for short and long-distance journeys, incorporating feedback by passenger groups.
^The announcement cements our already strong relationship with FirstGroup and we are looking forward to working closely to progress negotiations and start building the trains, ready for use in the South West of England from 2018.
(More at source)
Nice shot of a Turbo, there...
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