IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues

[whole diary]

[CMRail]

For the vigilant and regular travellers of members you would have noticed that signage is (finally) appearing on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train). I am working in London again next week after a long time over the place and I will attempt to get a Photo. However at Cardiff Central on Saturday I saw labels for bikes on the side of the trains. In the interior additional safety information posters are appearing and should eventually (alongside the reupholstered seats) will be rolled out over the fleet.

[Timmer]

More shorties running again today...beware.

[tomL]

More shorties running again today...beware.

One of the more noticeable ones being the 0712 Taunton to Paddington via Bristol. I believe it’s the first off peak towards London. Full and standing from Bristol, reportedly.

[Wilf19]

I saw the comments about 5 car sets on here yesterday. Trotted down to Swindon station to go home and lo and behold a 5 car set turns up for the 16:39 from Swindon to Bristol Parkway, that was cosy!

Usual battles with people dumping all their crap on the window seat and then sitting in the aisle seat in the hope that no-one will ask them to move.

[Lee]

Photos as first Intercity Express Train to work 1C91 train arrives in Paignton - https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2019/01/photos-as-first-intercity-express-train-to-work-1c91-train-arrives-in-paignton.html

[patch38]

Does anyone else find the heating on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) a bit hit-and-miss? The majority are OK but I've been on a couple that are ice-cold and some that are very toasty. Presumably it's an electrical system with blown hot air, so the way the train is being powered shouldn't have any effect on it. But I had the distinct impression on an early morning CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) service this week that it was nice and snug until Swindon and then cooled down notciceably after the switch to OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") power. Do they perhaps use waste heat from the diesel packs to supplement the main system or was it just coincidence and the TM^‡(resolve) fiddled with the thermostat at Swindon?

[stuving]

Does anyone else find the heating on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) a bit hit-and-miss? The majority are OK but I've been on a couple that are ice-cold and some that are very toasty. Presumably it's an electrical system with blown hot air, so the way the train is being powered shouldn't have any effect on it. But I had the distinct impression on an early morning CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) service this week that it was nice and snug until Swindon and then cooled down notciceably after the switch to OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") power. Do they perhaps use waste heat from the diesel packs to supplement the main system or was it just coincidence and the TM^‡(resolve) fiddled with the thermostat at Swindon?

I too wondered (and and not just about IETs) whether engine waste heat was used, if only to garner a few green brownie points. I concluded (with no hard evidence) not, as the design is common with all-electric models, and the diesels are squeezed into a size and shape that leaves no scope for "nice to have" design features (for example adequate engine cooling). Plus of course the trailer cars don't have engines, so it would not apply to them anyway - we've got used recently on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) to engine-per-coach DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), but the latest ones (and bi-modes especially) are not like that.

[Incider]

Does anyone else find the heating on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) a bit hit-and-miss? The majority are OK but I've been on a couple that are ice-cold and some that are very toasty. Presumably it's an electrical system with blown hot air, so the way the train is being powered shouldn't have any effect on it. But I had the distinct impression on an early morning CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) service this week that it was nice and snug until Swindon and then cooled down notciceably after the switch to OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") power. Do they perhaps use waste heat from the diesel packs to supplement the main system or was it just coincidence and the TM^‡(resolve) fiddled with the thermostat at Swindon?

There is no connection between the engines and the coach heating (other than supplying electrical power when running in diesel mode).  It’s all controlled by the roof mounted HVAC packs (two per coach).

The T/M cannot alter the thermostat settings, these are only available in maintenance mode.  The electrical supply to the HVAC should be consistent from the APS (auxiliary power supply) whether it is fed from the generator or the OHL^▸ (Over-Head Line).

The heating should kick in at 19°C and cooling at 22°C, so the saloon temp should remain between those temps, obviously having people stood in vestibules causing the vestibule internal doors to keep opening , especially when the external doors are open, will alter the temps in this weather and whilst both the heating and the cooling is efficient, it’s not instant.

[patch38]

An interesting look behind the scenes - thanks.

[1st fan]

Does anyone else find the heating on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) a bit hit-and-miss? The majority are OK but I've been on a couple that are ice-cold and some that are very toasty. Presumably it's an electrical system with blown hot air, so the way the train is being powered shouldn't have any effect on it. But I had the distinct impression on an early morning CNM^» (Cheltenham Spa - next trains) - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) service this week that it was nice and snug until Swindon and then cooled down notciceably after the switch to OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE") power. Do they perhaps use waste heat from the diesel packs to supplement the main system or was it just coincidence and the TM^‡(resolve) fiddled with the thermostat at Swindon?

There is no connection between the engines and the coach heating (other than supplying electrical power when running in diesel mode).  It’s all controlled by the roof mounted HVAC packs (two per coach).

The T/M cannot alter the thermostat settings, these are only available in maintenance mode.  The electrical supply to the HVAC should be consistent from the APS (auxiliary power supply) whether it is fed from the generator or the OHL^▸ (Over-Head Line).

The heating should kick in at 19°C and cooling at 22°C, so the saloon temp should remain between those temps, obviously having people stood in vestibules causing the vestibule internal doors to keep opening , especially when the external doors are open, will alter the temps in this weather and whilst both the heating and the cooling is efficient, it’s not instant.

I find the exterior walls on the IET are often very cold. Don't know if that's just me but it really feels cold especially beneath table height. It's a shame because my last few trips have been extremely efficient with early arrivals.

[mjones]

5 coaches on the 1730 to Bristol this evening, glad I'm only going between Reading and Didcot!

[MVR S&T]

Not sure if this is the right place for this photo, perhaps it should be in 4 track on Filton bank, but intersting to note ex HST^▸ (High Speed Train) coaches are off to Long Marston, presumably for long term storage, what a waste. while there are still short formed trains, still..

http://www.railway-centre.com/uploads/7/2/2/3/7223531/pod-28-01-19_orig.jpg

[Adrian]

5 coaches on the 1730 to Bristol this evening, glad I'm only going between Reading and Didcot!

And a couple of 5-coach diagrams again today, I think?

Why are there any IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) short forms at the moment?  They're not yet running the full IET timetable, yet all the 800s have been delivered now.  So, are there lots laid up in depots for modifications and repairs?

[didcotdean]

A 9 coach running 1A08 from Exeter this morning got no further than Bristol Temple Meads .

[Rob on the hill]

Usual battles with people dumping all their crap on the window seat and then sitting in the aisle seat in the hope that no-one will ask them to move.

That selfish behaviour does annoy me. I was on a very crowded train a while ago and in order to encourage people to move bags from unoccupied seats, the train manager threatened to charge a fare for the bags etc.! This was probably just a method to free up empty seats, but I did wonder whether terms and conditions allowed this charge to be made in practice.