Are Voyagers really that bad?

[yorksrob]

That is very true. The annoying thing is, half of the design flaws on the voagers, are simple things. Different seats and luggage racks would go quite a way.

Indeed, it wouldn't take a lot. The networkers also strike me as trains where a bit of padding would go a long way !

 

[185143]

I actually quite Like Voyagers! I've never had a problem with the seats, even on a long journey (GLC-WBQ). I've never really noticed the toilet smell, I find Pendolinos to be so much worse for it. I had to move to the other end of the carriage on a pendo once because the smell knocked you out. The Voyagers acceleration is unbelievable, compared to, lets say, a pendo.

Okay, the Virgin ones are better than the XC ones, but the Virgin Voyagers
Travel at 125MPH
Tilt
Have the onboard shop
Have windows you can see out of
Coach D

Ok, the shop is a bit small, but it's better than a trolley! (Or anything Non-S&C Northern) People may say that it is unfair to compare voyagers to 150's, but 150's are diagrammed for very long journeys in some cases.

My only Real Voyager complaints are the Lack of Tables and Isolated Tilting Equipment on the XC Voyagers.

 

[junglejames]

I've used these trains on shopping trips to Durham. I have to say that the toilet smell is noticeable, but the level of comfort is great for a train.

I know someone who claims voyagers are more comfortable than ECs stock. I just call him a plonker!

 

[transmanche]

I know someone who claims voyagers are more comfortable than ECs stock. I just call him a plonker!

Comfort is very subjective...

 

[junglejames]

Indeed, it wouldn't take a lot. The networkers also strike me as trains where a bit of padding would go a long way !

Thats true, but at least on Networkers the seats have a bit of give in them, so dont feel as bad as voyagers. 365s didnt seem too bad to me from what i remember, but 465s/ 466s- Well, I wouldnt want to do much more than a couple of hours to London. I do like them though. Quite spacious. If im going from Ashford to London and im not bothered about time, then a 465 via Maidstone is my prefered option now.

Just to keep it on topic. If the voyagers ran the maidstone route, I would avoid it!!
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Comfort is very subjective...

Yes it is, but i get the feeling most people would prefer more comfortable seats on a voyager. Thats not even mentioning the stupid armrests. They may as well not be there. Its a chore just to keep your arm on the armrest

 

[yorksrob]

Thats true, but at least on Networkers the seats have a bit of give in them, so dont feel as bad as voyagers. 365s didnt seem too bad to me from what i remember, but 465s/ 466s- Well, I wouldnt want to do much more than a couple of hours to London. I do like them though. Quite spacious. If im going from Ashford to London and im not bothered about time, then a 465 via Maidstone is my prefered option now.

Just to keep it on topic. If the voyagers ran the maidstone route, I would avoid it!!

Voyagers on the Maidstone East line - that would be something to see

Even as an EPB man, I don't mind the networkers. Compared to a "new" train, the lighting and luggage racks seem to give them a space-age quality, but when going from Kent to London, I tend to choose the Tonbridge route, largely due to the outstanding trolley service !

 

[junglejames]

Voyagers on the Maidstone East line - that would be something to see

Even as an EPB man, I don't mind the networkers. Compared to a "new" train, the lighting and luggage racks seem to give them a space-age quality, but when going from Kent to London, I tend to choose the Tonbridge route, largely due to the outstanding trolley service !

I dont mind the 375s on the Tonbridge route, but I start getting withdrawl symptoms when i use them. Oh what i'd give to get the CIGs/ VEPs back.
A friend who grew up with the Nelsons took me to the East Kent to take a ride on it a few weeks back, but even that wasnt a patch on a CIG or VEP.

 

[yorksrob]

I dont mind the 375s on the Tonbridge route, but I start getting withdrawl symptoms when i use them. Oh what i'd give to get the CIGs/ VEPs back.
A friend who grew up with the Nelsons took me to the East Kent to take a ride on it a few weeks back, but even that wasnt a patch on a CIG or VEP.

Oh absolutely ! For the days when I could turn up at whatever London terminal I chose and pick a compartment to go back home in

Never tried a Nelson though, Must make a point of travelling on it at some stage,

 

[junglejames]

Oh absolutely ! For the days when I could turn up at whatever London terminal I chose and pick a compartment to go back home in

Never tried a Nelson though, Must make a point of travelling on it at some stage,

The seats are very very itchy!

I didnt even care if i couldnt get a compartment. Just being on one of the good old slammers was enough

 

[yorksrob]

The seats are very very itchy!

I didnt even care if i couldnt get a compartment. Just being on one of the good old slammers was enough

Ha ha, I'll remember to wear a couple of extra layers !

 

[starrymarkb]

A coach is quieter than a voyager. In fact most coaches nowadays arent too bad. Although legroom can be poor, they are usually fairly quiet.

A Voyager is very smooth riding, something Bombardier did manage to get right, on recent National Express trips I've found both Caetano Levantes and Plaxton Elites to be very rough riding and rattley (though I suspect that may be down to the work that Parks and Bruce's Examples end up on)

Other National Express vehicles I've had (VanHool T9, Plaxton Panther in both standard and Mega 15m form and Irizar Century) have been pretty smooth though...

I must also say that the Megabus MegaPanthers are pretty smooth riding if very basic (more DP bus spec then coach) though they are worked extremely hard

*158/9 has to be the benchmark for ride, even over rough track

 

[junglejames]

A Voyager is very smooth riding, something Bombardier did manage to get right,

Only the 221s. The 220s are bad because of the lightweight bogies

 

[Tiny Tim]

Personally, I find seats that don't line up with a window frustrating, but Voyagers are hardly the only trains to feature this. The engine noise isn't terrible, but it's not good either, especially on a long journey. All in all I'd rather get on something else if I'm going any distance. Voyagers are a pig in a poke, really; A DMU that's overdone it on the steroids.