Aurora, Paragon, Azuma, IET, Nova 1, Javelin

[whole diary]

[grahame]

The AT300 / class 80x trains on the Midland Main Line will be known as "Aurora" - a sixth class name for trains in the same family.

Come the next year or two, will they be joined by "Cyflym rhwng dinasoedd" from Cardiff to Holyhead and "luath eadar-bhaile" from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness?

[broadgage]

I suspect that "IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train)" has become a somewhat toxic brand.
Hence other operators of what is indeed largely the same train wish to call it something else.

A comparison might be with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) when these were in more widespread use. They were generally liked and invariably known as HSTs, no matter where used or whom operated them.

IETs however have become linked in many peoples minds with a lower quality product, hence the desire to call them something else.

[Bmblbzzz]

Possibly. Or perhaps just that when HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were introduced, there was only one operator with one identity, (and that HST name was well known to the travelling public by the time of privatisation) whereas now each operator seeks to stamp its own identity as much as possible.

[IndustryInsider]

Possibly. Or perhaps just that when HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were introduced, there was only one operator with one identity, (and that HST name was well known to the travelling public by the time of privatisation) whereas now each operator seeks to stamp its own identity as much as possible.

A rather more likely answer I think! 

If you asked the "man in the street" what an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) was, or even the "woman on the platform" most would shrug their shoulders, let alone consider it a toxic brand.  After all, it's rarely referenced in train announcements, CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) displays, timetables, or other advertising.

According to Wikipedia the name Azuma^▸ (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER) was announced as a brand name before IET was anyway.

[Red Squirrel]

The AT300 / class 80x trains on the Midland Main Line will be known as "Aurora" - a sixth class name for trains in the same family.

Come the next year or two, will they be joined by "Cyflym rhwng dinasoedd" from Cardiff to Holyhead and "luath eadar-bhaile" from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness?

...or possibly the 'ble mae'r bwffe'?

[TonyK]

We could ask that man in the street. Here are my guesses at the answers:

"The Train" - 89%
"AT300 / Class 80x" - 4%
"A zoomer/Javelin/Eisteddfod/Whatever" - Eh?
"High Speed Train" - 3%
"Intercity 125" - another 3%
"EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) with no buffet" - 1 (person, not %)

For the Spanish visitor, "Nova" will always sound like "Does not work".

...or possibly the 'ble mae'r bwffe'?

Oooh, Gwiwerod coch!
 

[grahame]

IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) however have become linked in many peoples minds with a lower quality product, hence the desire to call them something else.

I would question whether it's many people's minds, or some people's minds but they are the more vocal ones.  Oh - and I have to be careful what I write because it's coming to you through the WiFi system on an IET between Swindon and Bath, and I don't know what software filters the train has in place.  It might be listening to me 

[TonyK]

I would question whether it's many people's minds, or some people's minds but they are the more vocal ones.  Oh - and I have to be careful what I write because it's coming to you through the WiFi system on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) between Swindon and Bath, and I don't know what software filters the train has in place.  It might be listening to me 

"EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) with no buffet" - 1 (person, not %)

Good point. Better make that 2 (people, not %)

[PhilWakely]

IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) however have become linked in many peoples minds with a lower quality product, hence the desire to call them something else.

I would question whether it's many people's minds, or some people's minds but they are the more vocal ones.  Oh - and I have to be careful what I write because it's coming to you through the WiFi system on an IET between Swindon and Bath, and I don't know what software filters the train has in place.  It might be listening to me 

I did an informal survey amongst regular passengers in South Devon at the beginning of last year (about 50 pax) asking for their thoughts about the IETs without asking leading questions. You could count the number of positive responses regarding catering on the fingers of one hand. Probably 80% of responses referred to 'inferior catering' with a number adding 'if and when it is available'.

Also, the dozen or so First Class pax who were polled all suggested 'First Class isn't what it was'

[Surrey 455]

A comparison might be with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) when these were in more widespread use. They were generally liked and invariably known as HSTs, no matter where used or whom operated them.

I've always known them as (Inter City) 125s. It's only since I joined this forum that I've seen them called HST's instead.

[Bmblbzzz]

A comparison might be with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) when these were in more widespread use. They were generally liked and invariably known as HSTs, no matter where used or whom operated them.

I've always known them as (Inter City) 125s. It's only since I joined this forum that I've seen them called HST's instead.

I can't remember not using both names, and probably HST125 as well, ever since I first travelled on one (about 1978). So if one train can have multiple names even with one operator at one time, there's no chance of limiting the names with multiple operators!

[TonyN]

Its Voyagers and Pendalinos that listen to you. Next time you are on one look at the grab handles on the seats. They look like ears

[Trowres]

What happened to the steam-age way of naming?

With the predominantly grey interiors, and the prevailing economic climate at the time of introduction, surely the trains should be Austerities

[TonyK]

What happened to the steam-age way of naming?

With the predominantly grey interiors, and the prevailing economic climate at the time of introduction, surely the trains should be Austerities

That would complement the new home-built non-WTO car to replace the VW Golf GTi: the Leyland Brexit WTf.

[bobm]

At one point they were IEPs^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.).