Train fire incident at Exeter - 14 Sep 2017

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

No need, it's all over the press there, particularly as it comes on the day Scotrail were announcing the arrival of the first set. It appears they have been quite tetchy over the subject.  Some media have erroneously reported that the train was on its way north at the time. Well I guess it makes a much better story, never mind the accuracy of it.

Oh I bet it is. 40+ year old sets replacing much younger rolling stock makes for good headlines especially when they catch fire. They will be glad when they get them, much nicer than a turbostar!

[grahame]

Oh I bet it is. 40+ year old sets replacing much younger rolling stock makes for good headlines especially when they catch fire. They will be glad when they get them, much nicer than a turbostar!

The irony indeed is that customers have very little concern indeed for the age of the trains.  They loved the old loco hauled coaches between Cardiff and Taunton - even if they were older that the other trains on the route. And I'll bet passengers LOVE the pocket rockets in preference to the younger 15x they'll be working with on the Cornish main line.

They'll be lovely trains for use north of the lowlands in Scotland - very sensible re-use for them once it was decided to electrify substantial sections out of London of the GW^▸ (Great Western) lines and something electric or bimode was needed.   Mind you- do the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) use electric transmission, and if to, could pantographs be fitted?

[JayMac]

Pantographs on HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)???

I've read some fanciful suggestions about life extending HSTs and Mk3s. This one though is off the scale on the wibble-ometer!!! 

Although, if you like, I'll pop over the road to Brecknell Willis tomorrow and ask if it can be done!

[Western Pathfinder]

Now that would really be something to see 

[Timmer]

They'll be lovely trains for use north of the lowlands in Scotland - very sensible re-use for them once it was decided to electrify substantial sections out of London of the GW^▸ (Great Western) lines and something electric or bimode was needed.   

Couldn't agree more. It's just their age can make for good headlines for an ignorant media. I for one am looking forward to them taking over DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) on the Highland mainline.  Stop me being limited to using the once daily Virgin Highland Chieftain HST^▸ (High Speed Train) service soon to go the opposite direction in becoming a DMU!

[grahame]

From The Scotsman within an article entitled "40 year old train destined for Scotland catches fire"

ScotRail said the trains will provide one third more seats on the routes, more luggage space, power sockets and better catering.

Mr Hynes said: “The arrival of the first high-speed train in Aberdeen is an exciting milestone in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.

"Our refurbished high-speed trains will connect Scotland’s seven cities, offering better connections for commuters, business travellers and an opportunity for tourists to get out and about across this great country.

“The investment we are making in high-speed trains is a clear sign of the ScotRail Alliance’s commitment to building a world class railway for the whole of Scotland.”

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “It is great to see this train arrive in Scotland for driver training, an important step towards delivery.

"Next year sees the start of a transformed inter-city service.

“When the 26 fully-upgraded trains roll out across the country, I know they will be popular with passengers."

Malcolm Brown, chief executive of Angel Trains, which will lease the fleet to ScotRail, said the trains would undergo "interior and technical improvements prior to entering into passenger service to ensure that it can meet the requirements of modern intercity travellers."

Nigel Harris, managing editor of RAIL magazine, said: "Don't be fooled by all this 'old train' nonsense.

"The HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) are great trains as they stand right now.

"Once they have been refurbished, they will be 'as new' and offer some of the best quality long-distance travel in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

"They will play a key role in giving Scotland not only the railway it deserves but the best railway it's ever had.

"If passengers don't love them I'll eat my hat."

[chrisr_75]

Pantographs on HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)???

I've read some fanciful suggestions about life extending HSTs and Mk3s. This one though is off the scale on the wibble-ometer!!! 

Although, if you like, I'll pop over the road to Brecknell Willis tomorrow and ask if it can be done!

I just did a very quick Wikipedia search and class 43's are within 3ft of the overall length of a class 90 electric with same wheel arrangement. Logic would suggest that the class 43 bodyshell would have sufficient interior space that they could be recycled to accommodate AC electric control equipment and a transformer. Class 93 anyone?!

Not quite the bi-mode that I think Graham was hinting at, but nevertheless I think conversion to full AC electric could be done relatively easily if the will or necessary budget existed (which I'm sure doesn't!).

[Thatcham Crossing]

Way off topic I know, but I wonder what maximum linespeed these 125mph-capable trains will be able to achieve on their Scottish routes?

[John R]

100mph apparently is all that is envisaged. Given the nature of the routes, trying to achieve anything higher would bring very little benefit.

But I don't think it's an issue that 40 year old stock will no longer be running at its top speed. Good news that these excellent trains will continue to find a use and in doing so improve the journey experience over the current emu's. 

And don't forget, the Pendolinos and Class 91/Mk4s are all capable of 140mph, but haven't run in service above 125mph. That's more of a waste in my eyes.   

[JayMac]

Pantographs on HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train)???

I've read some fanciful suggestions about life extending HSTs and Mk3s. This one though is off the scale on the wibble-ometer!!! 

Although, if you like, I'll pop over the road to Brecknell Willis tomorrow and ask if it can be done!

I just did a very quick Wikipedia search and class 43's are within 3ft of the overall length of a class 90 electric with same wheel arrangement. Logic would suggest that the class 43 bodyshell would have sufficient interior space that they could be recycled to accommodate AC electric control equipment and a transformer. Class 93 anyone?!

Not quite the bi-mode that I think Graham was hinting at, but nevertheless I think conversion to full AC electric could be done relatively easily if the will or necessary budget existed (which I'm sure doesn't!).

I wandered over to Brecknell Willis earlier. Found these round the back. Will they do?   

[TaplowGreen]

Oh I bet it is. 40+ year old sets replacing much younger rolling stock makes for good headlines especially when they catch fire. They will be glad when they get them, much nicer than a turbostar!

The irony indeed is that customers have very little concern indeed for the age of the trains.  They loved the old loco hauled coaches between Cardiff and Taunton - even if they were older that the other trains on the route. And I'll bet passengers LOVE the pocket rockets in preference to the younger 15x they'll be working with on the Cornish main line.

They'll be lovely trains for use north of the lowlands in Scotland - very sensible re-use for them once it was decided to electrify substantial sections out of London of the GW^▸ (Great Western) lines and something electric or bimode was needed.   Mind you- do the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) use electric transmission, and if to, could pantographs be fitted?

What speed will these "rockets" reach in Cornwall?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Another power car down at the moment! Not going to be easy.

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) certainly going through the wars rolling stock wise at the moment.

One more "than usual" needing repairs?

No, it's rather a case of 'More trains than usual needing extinguishing'.