I'm inclined to say that's as they're more concerned with the number of seats available. The majority of passengers won't have bikes nor oversized luggage.
In all honesty, if it's anything but an HST will you be happy?
As I work down Paddington way, I can assure you there are plenty of bikes and oversized luggage item put on the HSTs, especially at holiday times..
We'd hope not, but it's better to have a back-up... Especially one so low-tech and simple to provide- I can't imagine it would add a huge amount to the total cost of the units.
Not something that would work out too well for me I'm afraid - as a LAN party goer I periodically have to cart around an XL sized suitcase on the train. It's hard work, but I accept that as an inevitability with large luggage. When the luggage rack is full, I sit in the vestibule so the case remains supervised. No big deal, it's not exactly pleasant for a 2 hour journey but it's something I'm willing to do. On the other hand, I am staggered sometimes at the hostility I get from other passengers who would rather take the lower shelf on the luggage rack, despite the upper ones being empty, because 'I can't reach' - and even decline offers to be helped down with their case when they need to alight. I think a maximum size of suitcase to be officially supported by train luggage racks is fair, but I don't really see the necessity for banning them over a certain size.It would probably make sense to ban such large bags on trains, rather than find ways to accommodate them, as it's quite amazing the sizes now available and the problems people have moving them around.
It seems I'm in a small group of forum members who are looking forward to seeing the IEP. That said I was quite interested in the plans for the HST's replacement over 10 years back, which I believe was when the Siemens Ventura (I think that's what it was, it's been a long time since I read the relevant documents!) was being strongly considered by FGW.
I've watched that ITV News video (page 2 for those newcomers, like I was, to the thread) and I've got to say I'm liking much of what I see. I was already aware construction had begun in Japan, but I'm definitely interested in seeing the 800s and 801s for myself eventually.
As for the luggage topic, I must concur with jonmorris0844, in that some cases you see are ridiculously huge. Some people take several cases like those with them too, how they manage I don't know. So it's definitely something to bear in mind.
Regarding MK3 ride quality, I'd rather one of those to a MK4, Meridian or Voyager. Mind you, my last Voyager trip (Chesterfield to Birmingham New Street on my most unsatisfying Derbyshire Wayfarer trip, 7th April 2014) went by really smoothly. Plenty of legroom - it did help it was a pair of 220s so lots of seats - and I didn't really notice the engine noise.
Only a few years to go until we all get to see what the IEP is actually like, so best get cranking HSTs to/from Bristol and Swansea now!
There are already size restrictions though aren't there? Can't remember what they are, and I'm not saying they're enforced, but they do exist.
Now if your bag can fit in the bottom of a luggage rack, it's probably not as big as the ones I've seen.
CONDITIONS OF CARRIAGE FOR LUGGAGE, ARTICLES, ANIMALS AND CYCLES
47. Accompanied luggage, articles and animals
You may take a single item of hand luggage that must be capable of being held in your lap if required, plus up to 2 items of luggage each not exceeding 30x70x90 cm in size.
Unless you are disabled or have reduced mobility and have made arrangements in advance for assistance, you should be able to manage your luggage without additional help.
Luggage is carried subject to sufficient space being available in the train service you wish to use. Luggage should not occupy seats intended for passengers; if it does so, it may be charged for as set out in Appendix B.
Additional items of luggage and larger items may be carried at an additional charge (as set out in Appendix B), but you should check in advance with the Train Company. Each Train Company provides information about their specific luggage conditions on request, and this can be found either from their website or from the Ticket Seller before you buy your ticket.
Some domestic animals are permitted to travel with you (as set out in Appendix B). Animals are not allowed on seats in any circumstances.
The terms, conditions and restrictions for the carriage of luggage, articles and animals are set out in Condition 49 and Appendix B.
Also, windowless FC seats? Who would want to pay for those?
Well we could try the increasing numbers of people who seem to spend entire journeys staring at laptops, iPads, etc... what would they need a window for?
Well exactly! Download stuff from the BBC iPlayer and you're entertained for hours! I love travelling by train and yet I seldom look out of the window.
I'm the opposite - even when I have hours worth of entertainment with me, I will usually end up looking out of the window watching the scenery go by; in busier areas, the railway beside the train.
Had a quick look on google for a pic of an 800, only artists impressions and mockups atm. Is there a date for when the first class 800 is completed and we get a proper look at what they're like?
Had a quick look on google for a pic of an 800, only artists impressions and mockups atm. Is there a date for when the first class 800 is completed and we get a proper look at what they're like?
Had a quick look on google for a pic of an 800, only artists impressions and mockups atm. Is there a date for when the first class 800 is completed and we get a proper look at what they're like?
There's a picture of a driving car on the production line at Hitachi's factory in the current issue of Rail.
Go to this link and you will see it on one of the page spreads
http://www.railmagazine.com/page_viewer.asp?page=The Latest Issue&pid=22
I have completed a near 7 hour journey on a 5 coach voyager from Edinburgh to Bristol via ECML (221116 when Virgin XC) and it was a packed, unpleasant experience that I do not wish to repeat. I have also completed the same journey a few years earlier by VXC HST (43062+43159) and it was a far more comfortable journey and less crowded. I agree the HST will take some beating on long journeys for comfort. I have no idea why the DFT have spent so much money on these IEP's when the tried and tested design is right in front of us and has been for over 35 years....the HST. Just build some more new bi-mode and electric HST's and make some modernisation to the designs of the new HST (toilet retention tanks, electric doors etc) Terry Millers design for the HST was world beating and the HST has served us all very well since 1976 - The IEP? Well I'll only give my real verdict on it when I travel from South Wales to London in 2018....but somehow I don't think it will be as good an experience as the HST.
Good points there.....but my basic point is we already have a tried and tested successful design with the HST, so why not use that design and bring it into the 21st century? It would be far cheaper than the IEP project and far less of a risk.....it would make more financial sense. We could have bi-mode and electric HST's with more coaches for more passengers....I'm sure IEP will be a success....but at what price? Don't forget, if they do prove to be problematic, then the GWML and the ECML are stuck with them for the next 30 years......
How can you compare the results of derailment with those of a collision with another train (in terms of damage) ?
Not saying that the Pendolino isn't stronger etc., but you are comparing chalk-and-cheese in terms of the energy dissipation situations.