Azumas to and from Scotland

[whole diary]

[bobm]

The automatic announcements use the same voice as GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) but the text is slightly more customer friendly - "Hello and welcome on board this LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) Azuma^▸ (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER) service" rather than simply "Welcome..." and "where we end our journey" as opposed to "where this service terminates".  It was however very annoying to hear Kirkcaldy continually mis-pronounced.

Looks like the problem is going to be solved, according to the Scotsman.

Train operator LNER is having to re-record onboard announcements after Scottish passengers complained that hearing stations mispronounced was like “nails on a blackboard”.
Travellers have vented their frustration at the firm on social media for pronouncing Kirkcaldy with an “l” and Kingussie as “King-goosey” rather than “King-youssie”.

[JontyMort]

I was in the third coach from the front going to Aberdeen and certainly heard and felt the engine start at Haymarket.

Coming back from Inverness I was in the same coach (and the train was in reverse) but couldn’t detect the switch. 

If the train ran via Gleneagles it would be at the Stirling stop, wouldn’t it?

[Timmer]

If the train ran via Gleneagles it would be at the Stirling stop, wouldn’t it?

The wires run as far north as Dunblane so the switchover can take place as the train passes through there.

[JontyMort]

If the train ran via Gleneagles it would be at the Stirling stop, wouldn’t it?

The wires run as far north as Dunblane so the switchover can take place as the train passes through there.

They do indeed. I wasn’t sure if things are geared up to allow change on the hoof, bearing in mind it’s just the odd Azuma^▸ (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER) to which it applies.

[IndustryInsider]

I doubt they would bother with the extra wire tensioning needed for a changeover on the move at linespeed for such an infrequent service, when Stirling is only a few miles away.

[JontyMort]

I doubt they would bother with the extra wire tensioning needed for a changeover on the move at linespeed for such an infrequent service, when Stirling is only a few miles away.

That was my assumption too. Are there only certain points where it can be done? I notice on the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) from Worcester, they go over the ladders at Didcot East and several chains up the Up Main before the distinctive shove in the back arrives.

[IndustryInsider]

Yes, just where wires are tensioned and approved by the signage, otherwise only whilst stationary or at a maximum of 20mph.