2+7 HST's

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

Its timetabled for 110mph running, linespeed 125mph.

Mad really.

[Shazz]

Was on the 16:55 from cardiff that was timetabled to be non buffet, aparently the trial has been caned outright

On the plus side, the MML^» (Midland Main Line. - about) set it was has stupidly comfy seats!

[smokey]

Was on the 16:55 from cardiff that was timetabled to be non buffet, aparently the trial has been caned outright

On the plus side, the MML^» (Midland Main Line. - about) set it was has stupidly comfy seats!

I sure hope the trial has been canned, now hopefully the unrefurbished buffet cars will go for refurbishment and return with Standard class seats and Tables

[John R]

Its timetabled for 110mph running, linespeed 125mph.

Mad really.

Not only mad, but a disgrace when our services are so much slower than 30 years ago. Other routes have huge investment to speed them up. Our TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) can't be bothered to run at linespeed on a large portion of its journey. Presumably it's just an economy measure? Usually the thinking is that the faster you make the services the more people travel and hence the extra cost is justified. So why is the GW^▸ (Great Western) Main Line any different?

 

 

[vacman]

Its timetabled for 110mph running, linespeed 125mph.

Mad really.

Not only mad, but a disgrace when our services are so much slower than 30 years ago. Other routes have huge investment to speed them up. Our TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) can't be bothered to run at linespeed on a large portion of its journey. Presumably it's just an economy measure? Usually the thinking is that the faster you make the services the more people travel and hence the extra cost is justified. So why is the GW^▸ (Great Western) Main Line any different?

 

 

I think 90% of the travelling public would prefer a slower reliable service than a faster service that will run even later!

[smokey]

Its timetabled for 110mph running, linespeed 125mph.

Mad really.

Not only mad, but a disgrace when our services are so much slower than 30 years ago. Other routes have huge investment to speed them up. Our TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) can't be bothered to run at linespeed on a large portion of its journey. Presumably it's just an economy measure? Usually the thinking is that the faster you make the services the more people travel and hence the extra cost is justified. So why is the GW^▸ (Great Western) Main Line any different?

 

 

I think 90% of the travelling public would prefer a slower reliable service than a faster service that will run even later!

The main considerations for passengers are the Price of the journey and not so much the time taken but realiability of arriving.
Of course if the train takes all day, flying might be considered better, but when cheap tickets from Waterloo to Manchester via Bristol and Shrewsbury were sold on SW&W services they were quick to go. Journey time is only part of the equation.

Also running at less than line speed adds more charter recoverery minutes to the timings hence more trains arrive "on time"

[vacman]

Not STRICTLY true about pricing either though, yes it does come into it but most passengers tell me that they wouldn't mind paying higher fares for a more reliable service. If speed were that important then noone would ever travel from cornwall to Exeter!

[smokey]

Not STRICTLY true about pricing either though, yes it does come into it but most passengers tell me that they wouldn't mind paying higher fares for a more reliable service. If speed were that important then noone would ever travel from cornwall to Exeter!

Maybe some would pay more for a more reliable service, but with some of the high prices being charged some people are already being priced off the trains. You don't get to here from these people when working on trains.

[vacman]

Not STRICTLY true about pricing either though, yes it does come into it but most passengers tell me that they wouldn't mind paying higher fares for a more reliable service. If speed were that important then noone would ever travel from cornwall to Exeter!

Maybe some would pay more for a more reliable service, but with some of the high prices being charged some people are already priced off the trains, you don't get to talk to these people when working on trains.

No, but I got to talk to all the VERY happy half term families last week who were absolutely gobsmacked by how cheap Devon and Cornwall fares are, people who were saying "I don't know why we bother taking the car"!, when you have fares like Looe to Plymouth at ^5 CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')), which on a groupsave is ^1.25 each then people don't ditch the train!

[oooooo]

you have fares like Looe to Plymouth at ^5 CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')), which on a groupsave is ^1.25 each then people don't ditch the train!

Maths lesson: Group Save is four people for price of two. Looe to Plymouth CDR = ^5. Two people therefore = ^10. Therefore with a group of four for the price of two: ^10 divded by 4 people = ^2.50 each. Not errr ^1.25... 

[swlines]

It's quite practical to time a railway at a speed lower than its maximum theoretical speed. If the service is running normally, you can arrive early at stations - if the service is running to pot, it aids service recovery due to longer running times.

The South Western division of the Southern Region is timed for 90mph running - whereas all the trains with exception of the 455s and 159s can attain 100mph.

[devon_metro]

Its timetabled for 110mph running, linespeed 125mph.

Mad really.

Not only mad, but a disgrace when our services are so much slower than 30 years ago. Other routes have huge investment to speed them up. Our TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) can't be bothered to run at linespeed on a large portion of its journey. Presumably it's just an economy measure? Usually the thinking is that the faster you make the services the more people travel and hence the extra cost is justified. So why is the GW^▸ (Great Western) Main Line any different?

 

 

Service recovery in simple terms. If 5 minutes late at Reading you can be practically be running right time if you blast it between Reading & Swindon. I'm sure HSTdriver would confirm.

[smokey]

Not STRICTLY true about pricing either though, yes it does come into it but most passengers tell me that they wouldn't mind paying higher fares for a more reliable service. If speed were that important then noone would ever travel from cornwall to Exeter!

Maybe some would pay more for a more reliable service, but with some of the high prices being charged some people are already priced off the trains, you don't get to talk to these people when working on trains.

No, but I got to talk to all the VERY happy half term families last week who were absolutely gobsmacked by how cheap Devon and Cornwall fares are, people who were saying "I don't know why we bother taking the car"!, when you have fares like Looe to Plymouth at ^5 CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')), which on a groupsave is ^1.25 each then people don't ditch the train!

I agree but the fact is a lot of familes are led by the media to believe that trains are Expensive, Slow, Overcrowded, Dirty and Unsafe.

The Media (fleet street especially) have always targeted the Railways!!

Why if a Car leaves the road lands on the Railway and is hit by a train is it a Train Crash?

Next time a Plane crashes onto a Motorway I bet big bucks it's NOT called a Car Crash!

On the point of Safety (I'm touching wood) it's to the best of my knowledge that NO train passenger has been killed on the Railways of Devon and Cornwall, unless the passenger was responsible (at least in part) for there death, such as leaning out of the train, trying to board a moving train, or in the case of Bere Ferrers (Beer Ferris) alighting from the wrong side of the train.

[devon_metro]

Why if a Car leaves the road lands on the Railway and is hit by a train is it a Train Crash?

Couldn't agree more! (for once smokey  )

[oooooo]

On the point of Safety (I'm touching wood)

Got your hand on your head then 

it's to the best of my knowledge that NO train passenger has been killed on the Railways of Devon and Cornwall, unless the passenger was responsible (at least in part) for there death, such as leaning out of the train, trying to board a moving train, or in the case of Bere Ferrers (Beer Ferris) alighting from the wrong side of the train.

I do believe you are correct!! Maybe! Will investigate