Problems with IET trains from April 2021

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

There’s little point making comparisons on ride quality unless it’s on the same track, the same relative position within the carriage, and at the same speed.

[1st fan]

There’s little point making comparisons on ride quality unless it’s on the same track, the same relative position within the carriage, and at the same speed.

And the same seats the lack of padding in places in the Fainsa seats on a Class 8xx probably exacerbates or magnifies any bumps. I now travel with a cushion.

[IndustryInsider]

Just to add this train crew notice to further explain my previous post, and perhaps it might explain your poor ride quality experience?  Even if you weren’t on this particular bit of track it shows how it might be the track and not the train that’s responsible.

[GBM]

Very interesting post on journeycheck today (8th February)
https://www.journeycheck.com/greatwesternrailway/
08:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central due 14:20
Facilities on the 08:50 Penzance to Cardiff Central due 14:20.
This is due to more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time.
Will be formed of 9 coaches instead of 5.

Bonus upgrade!
Usually second class only,  and nine coaches including first.

Welcome upgrade to that service.
Only applies to perhaps one service today, but...

[bobm]

Could happen more often as the Castle sets are withdrawn.

[IndustryInsider]

Looks like it's only a 5-car (800007) and is actually booked for an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) all week and formed off the 06:39 from PLY^» (Plymouth - next trains).  

It then goes on to work the 15:00 CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)-TAU^» (Taunton - next trains), 17:11 TAU-CDF, 20:00 CDF-TAU and 22:44 TAU-BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains).

[GBM]

Seem to be a few more toilet issues over the last few days.
Seemingly not being fixed overnight, and now a few other units having the same problem.
(Noted from journeycheck)

[IndustryInsider]

Seem to be a few more toilet issues over the last few days.
Seemingly not being fixed overnight, and now a few other units having the same problem.
(Noted from journeycheck)

I’m not sure there are more issues, just that they are now being listed on journeycheck when a single toilet is out of use?

We seem to go through these little fads of reporting new things on journeycheck with little consistency over time, so perhaps such detail won’t last long.

I’m not sure such detail is especially helpful anyway.  A reduction of one toilet (or even two) on an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) isn’t likely to cause many issues.  More than that and yes it is useful information, or if it’s one of the Universal Access Toilets.  Also on shorter non IET stock where there are only one or two toilets fitted.  But dozens of listings for a single toilet out on a 9-car set?  Unnecessary IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion).

[Bmblbzzz]

Yesterday I had an unexpected journey on a Castle class; Berry Pomeroy Castle, I think it was. This was from Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads on the service that usually comes from Worcester, but yesterday was starting from Gloucester due to engineering works, and is usually some sort of 3-car DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit). Whatever you think of IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) seats, the ride quality compared to a Castle does show the benefit of 45 or so years' development of suspension. And whether or not the thrum of the underfloor engines disturbs you when they're running, the carriages themselves are so much quieter than the Castles, which make an assortment of squeaks, bumps and rattles. However, the Castle class guard's van cycle space beats anything on an IET hands down!

[AMLAG]

With the greatest of respect you clearly have not been around sharp/sharpish curves such as just to the west of Dawlish Warren and between Dainton and Totnes  where these IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) bogies negotiate in a series of straight jerks compared  to the seamless flow experienced on HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train).
Also depending where you are ( uncomfortably ) seated in an IET the noise and rattles from bogies can at times be alarming.

[Bmblbzzz]

I most certainly have been along that section of track in an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) and doubtless shall again as my son lives in Falmouth!

[GBM]

I most certainly have been along that section of track in an IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) and doubtless shall again as my son lives in Falmouth!

A good place to live.

[FarWestJohn]

I was very surprised of the ride on a non stop run from Bristol to Reading on Easter Saturday. When we got under the wires at Parkway and speeded up the whole train rattled and rolled in a way that I found unbelievable for a so called modern train. Really pleased to get off.

[rogerw]

There appear to be some IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) problems today with journey check showing a number of short forms (several diagrams), plus a failure at Reading.

[GBM]

First 9 car failure of today?
1A71 05:55 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:01
05:55 Plymouth to London Paddington due 09:01 was terminated at Exeter St Davids.
It will no longer call at Taunton, Newbury, Reading and London Paddington.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Now running as 5A71 to Stoke Gifford

My query is that the guessing drivers were changed as the originating Plymouth driver was route signed to ? Taunton or Reading, but would they know the route to Stoke Gifford, or a change of driver at Exeter to someone signed for Stoke who just happened to be 'spare' at Exeter?
Would the train manager(s) and catering staff be turfed out at Exeter to become 'spare'?