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

[whole diary]

[grahame]

... 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.

From http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/luggage_animals.aspx

Accompanied animals and articles for which charges are payable:
Each additional item of personal luggage above the free allowance.
Each seat occupied by luggage, container or other articles when the seat is needed for passenger use.
Each cat, dog or small animal exceeding the free allowance.
Each article exceeding one metre in any dimension that can be carried by one person.

[broadgage]

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?

Welcome to the future of short DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) instead of full length inter city trains.

Years ago I forecast that with half length trains representing the majority of the order, that single 5 car operation would be a regular feature.
Advocates of the downgrade stated that the new fleet was ample in number and that short formations to/from London "simply wont happen"
Then the wretched DMUs entered service, with short formations being a regular feature. Advocates suggested that this was due to the need for staff training, and the late delivery of the trains.
The DMUs are now in general service, and as expected, short formations are still frequent.

And was not the original plan to retain some proper HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) for the Cornish services ?
Then this was dropped, and more DMUs ordered for the longer distance. It was suggested that these extras "could" be higher specification and a bit more like inter city trains.
Then that was ruled out in favour of a uniformly downgraded fleet.
And now the Cornish services wont even be 9 car DMUs, but 5 car west of Plymouth, and presumably sometimes 5 car throughout.

So much for progress !

[IndustryInsider]

I wonder how many times a TM^‡(resolve) has charged or tried to charge a fare for luggage on a seat? 

[TonyK]

I wonder how many times a TM^‡(resolve) has charged or tried to charge a fare for luggage on a seat? 

Probably not much above zero, but it's a good way to get some arse to grudgingly move his bargain microwave oven so that an actual passenger might sit next to him. And enjoy convivial conversation for the rest of the journey...
I've told someone to shift their crap so that I can sit down. It works, it's just not very British. I find, though, that when I tell them that I don't like trains, and only use them to get to my psychiatric appointments, that I get a whole table to myself and my imaginary tropical fish.

[Thatcham Crossing]

So much for progress!

In the name of balance I offer the following, based on my first longer trips on IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)'s over the last few days...

Sat 26th 0950 Newbury to Exeter St Davids (terminated there). 10-coach. Impressed with the space, quietness and smooth ride. Seats a bit hard but seem to encourage good posture. Departed and arrived bang on time. Seemed easily able to keep to (or slightly beat) the existing timetable.

Mon 28th 1955 Exeter St. Davids (started there) to Newbury. 9-coach. Same overall impressions, on-time departure and arrival.

Both services fairly lightly loaded. Trolley reached us about half-way through the 1hr 50min journey in each case and was doing fairly good business.

Overall, quite happy with the experience. Although I do miss the choice of a buffet these journeys demonstrated that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) may well sell more by bringing the service to the seat.

Journey cost - about £45 return for 2 (with 2-together railcard) which I thought was good value.

[didcotdean]

I wonder how many times a TM^‡(resolve) has charged or tried to charge a fare for luggage on a seat? 

A friend of mine found himself on a train from Kings Cross to Leeds a few months ago sitting next to a large cardboard box. The person opposite explained he had a seat reservation and an Advance ticket for this as well as for himself. I don't think this ruse actually holds water in the NRCOT^▸ (National Rail Conditions of Travel) as seat reservations are for people not cargo. However, the train was lightly loaded so this was not challenged by anyone, and had been really a waste of money.

[Incider]

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?

Welcome to the future of short DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) instead of full length inter city trains.

Years ago I forecast that with half length trains representing the majority of the order, that single 5 car operation would be a regular feature.
Advocates of the downgrade stated that the new fleet was ample in number and that short formations to/from London "simply wont happen"
Then the wretched DMUs entered service, with short formations being a regular feature. Advocates suggested that this was due to the need for staff training, and the late delivery of the trains.
The DMUs are now in general service, and as expected, short formations are still frequent.

And was not the original plan to retain some proper HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) for the Cornish services ?
Then this was dropped, and more DMUs ordered for the longer distance. It was suggested that these extras "could" be higher specification and a bit more like inter city trains.
Then that was ruled out in favour of a uniformly downgraded fleet.
And now the Cornish services wont even be 9 car DMUs, but 5 car west of Plymouth, and presumably sometimes 5 car throughout.

So much for progress !

Forgetting the likes or dislikes of the multiple unit, which would you prefer, a cancelled train or a short formed train.  If the train was booked to worked by a HST or loco and coaches and it fails, that’s the service cancelled.  If a 2 unit train has a failure, then the option is to run with one unit, so is 50% of a service better than no service?

Also, as happened yesterday, a ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection) fault which would have meant the cancellation of a HST, was just a delay, as the defective cab was run round and boxed in.  So a full service and the subsequent services saved by being a multiple unit.

[jdw.wor]

I don’t think Broadgage’s comments were IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) v HST^▸ (High Speed Train) but why, after so much promising things would be “better” , are we still seeing reduced formations so regularly.

[IndustryInsider]

Still lots of training going on, probably about 75% of the full number of drivers who will eventually sign them done now.  Availability remains poor, but oh so much better than not so long ago.

[TonyK]

I finally lost my duck, or broke my cherry, on the IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)!

I rather liked it. The seats were. as reported, firmer than those on the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train), and rubbish for slouching, but my orthopaedist said some time ago that I should manage my posture better. They are no different to the new aircraft seats in the later A320 and A330 aircraft, plus the similar models who copied or inspired them.

The train rather shot out of the traps, even from Exeter St Davids. I think I was above a motor, but it mattered little.

The lights were bright. Some said too much so, but some on the HSTs complained that they were too dim.

Moving on...

[broadgage]

I don’t think Broadgage’s comments were IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) v HST^▸ (High Speed Train) but why, after so much promising things would be “better” , are we still seeing reduced formations so regularly.

Indeed, whilst it would have been nice to keep the HSTs for a bit longer, I am realistic and fully accept that firstly they wont carry on forever, and that secondly something longer is called for.

I am not opposed to new trains as such, only to the (almost) inevitable downgrades that are part of replacing old trains with new.
I would have accepted the downgrade to DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) operation if said DMUs had been of proper inter-city specification, such as;

Most of the fleet to be 10 car, fixed formation.
Gangwayed throughout.
With a proper full sized hot buffet (not a micro-buffet, nor a mini-buffet, or a parked trolley)
At least 50% of the seats at tables, 100% in first class.
First class at one end, not at two different and random locations.
Padded seats.
Reliably available toilets.
Reliably working reservations.

With such a design, I would reluctantly forgive the underfloor engines, one must expect some downgrading when new trains are introduced.
The IETs however represent too many downgrades at once. No buffet, often too short, usually no reservations, AND underfloor engines.

I fully understand the need for some shorter and lower specification units for shorter workings.

[IndustryInsider]

Moving on...

Yes, let’s...

I would have accepted the downgrade to DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) operation if said DMUs had been of proper inter-city specification, such as...

Oh, maybe let’s not then... 

[TaplowGreen]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm just starting to get the impression that broadgage isn't 100% keen on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)?

I don't know why I'm thinking that way, maybe just a hunch? 🙂

[Celestial]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm just starting to get the impression that broadgage isn't 100% keen on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train)?

I don't know why I'm thinking that way, maybe just a hunch? 🙂

It's a point of view that I have some sympathy with.  But simply repeating it every time there is some mention of a failing with IETs is rather monotonous. I'm getting bored with it after only 3 months on here.

[Celestial]

Still lots of training going on, probably about 75% of the full number of drivers who will eventually sign them done now.  Availability remains poor, but oh so much better than not so long ago.

Presumably lack of drivers can't be the problem of short formations though, so most of them will be down to Hitachi?