The Pretendolino thread

[Rhydgaled]

I think DRS should hire in 86101 and 87002 for the Pretendeleno set.

Don't DRS own/hire that particular DVT anyway, though they don't use it? EDIT: Sorry I read that as 82101 rather than 86101.

 

[FQ]

Don't DRS own/hire that particular DVT anyway, though they don't use it? EDIT: Sorry I read that as 82101 rather than 86101.

Oh no,
I meant 86101 Sir William A Stanier F R S not DVT 82101.

 

[berneyarms]

A tree blocking the up lines between Birmingham International and Coventry forced the Pretendalino on the 20:50 Birmingham New St to Euston to operate on a grand tour via Wolverhampton & Stafford tonight. Currently 1 hour 35 mins late having left Milton Keynes.

 

[TSR :D]

Will this train be running as a blockade buster? If so, is diagram for it available now?

 

[West Ruislip]

Official date for hand back to Porterbrook is 01.59 on the 9th November. This is due to the increased availability of the Pendolino fleet and the fact that it had become increasingly difficult to maintain along with driver competence.

Virgin hopes that this date can be brought forward, subject to agreement from Alstom.

At the same time 90034 will return to DRS.

www.railannouncement.com

 

[theblackwatch]

A farewell charity trip for this rake is planned for October 25th, from Crewe (08.00) to North Wales - expect a formal announcement when things are confirmed in the next few days.

The last service train for the set will probably be the day before (October 24th) from Euston to Birmingham & back. Forum meet perhaps?

 

[crewmeal]

What will happen to the stock? Shame it can't be used generally by other operators as there seems to be a general shortage on different lines.

 

[Manchester77]

Perhaps GA will use it to cover for any mark IIIs which are away for refurbishment?

 

[DarloRich]

A farewell charity trip for this rake is planned for October 25th, from Crewe (08.00) to North Wales - expect a formal announcement when things are confirmed in the next few days.

The last service train for the set will probably be the day before (October 24th) from Euston to Birmingham & back. Forum meet perhaps?

Seems like a plan


As an aside I passed Wembley yesterday and saw the pretendolino rake drawn up with a DRS 90 on the front - I noted one carriage had a "fetching" green splodge down the side!

 

[Blindtraveler]

This will be the end of an eara for MK3 Stock hauled by a Class 90 in daytime passenger service on the WCML. Very sad.↲

 

[dannypye9999]

Why are they getting rid of this? its absurd. At a time when the rail network is in need of more trains and look, they are getting rid of them!!!

 

[sprinterguy]

Why are they getting rid of this? its absurd. At a time when the rail network is in need of more trains and look, they are getting rid of them!!!

Virgin aren't particularly in need of additional stock though, so it does no favours to their annual leasing charges, and the only other operator to whom it could be beneficial would be Greater Anglia, who do their best to strip their rolling stock requirement to the minimum. Aye, it is crackers, but rather sadly that's how the British railway works these days. It's all about the bottom line, unfortunately.

 

[Hadders]

Why are they getting rid of this? its absurd. At a time when the rail network is in need of more trains and look, they are getting rid of them!!!

It's sad that the Pretendolino's going but operationally it must be very inconvenient to have just one train which is different to the rest of the fleet.

The cost of training drivers and guards, and maintaining this knowledge, for just one unique train must be enormous. Train just a few drivers and the chances are they won't be available at the time you need to use it. Train everybody 'just in case' and it would be massive overkill!

The Pretendolino has a top speed of 110mph compared to a top speed for 125mph for the real things. I guess this gives timetabling and performance issues.

 

[carriageline]

And plus, it operated twice a weeks on one trip I believe. A pendolino now operates that working


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....The Pretendolino has a top speed of 110mph compared to a top speed for 125mph for the real things. I guess this gives timetabling and performance issues.

I think it's 15 minutes slower to Birmingham, and yesterday it started out late because of a fault (the fault was coach B, I don't think there was much that was actually working on it!).

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Are ATW or Chiltern or GA likely to snap up the Mk 3s or DVT?

 

[Nym]

It could always operate for LM on Northampton peak express services?

You still have the fleet and training issues there though; it could only really find a home with EC or GA in the long run.

 

[nuneatonmark]

It could always operate for LM on Northampton peak express services?

You still have the fleet and training issues there though; it could only really find a home with EC or GA in the long run.

Why would LM need them now they have 10 more 350/3s to play with?

 

[DarloRich]

Why would LM need them now they have 10 more 350/3s to play with?

becuase they still arent enougth - but LM wont take the soon to be ex virgin Mkiii's

 

[Geezertronic]

Would a loco hauled rake on a 350 diagram be a lot slower than a 350 especially the stop/start nature of most of the LM diagrams in/out of Euston?

 

[87019Chris]

Would a loco hauled rake on a 350 diagram be a lot slower than a 350 especially the stop/start nature of most of the LM diagrams in/out of Euston?

I'm 99% sure a 90 doesn't have as good acceleration, and also unless it underwent a Chiltern style refurbishment (electric Doors) then the dwell times would be absolutely massive compared to a 350 so therefore it wouldn't keep to a 350's timetable unfortunately.

 

[Nym]

If I were scheduling a single diagram of 90+LHCS it would be a non-stop or one stop service from Northampton to Euston, I'd be looking to slot it in between the fast paths into Euston in the same manner that the sleepers are.

Going hard for it out of Milton Keynes platform 5 in front of one of the calling 390s or Leighton Buzzard fasts would probably yield a path.

None of this is relevant though as LM won't run it.

 

[8J]

It has operated a Northern service before now

Maybe GA could get it on a short term lease whilst they refurb their mk3's?

 

[MCR247]

Maybe GA could get it on a short term lease whilst they refurb their mk3's?

They could do. Will they? I doubt it

 

[theshillito]

It has operated a Northern service before now

I just pictured this set doing the Chester to Manchester via Knutsford run in the morning

 

[NorthernSpirit]

It has operated a Northern service before now

Northern could stick it on the 0927? Leeds - Carlisle and the 15?? Carlisle - Leeds. It free up a 158.

 

[hassaanhc]

Anyone intending to go on it today would be disappointed, 390122 taking its place.

 

[matt]

It didn't run last night either

 

[Muzer]

Oh no. I plan to go on it next week. If it's not running I'll be quite sad.

 

[bb21]

Don't forget that Virgin have a history of ending these "unusual" services early as suitable stock become available. The Pendolino drag to Holyhead finished two weeks earlier than anticipated I recall, so if the Pretendolino rake are not well, they may well not make another appearance.

Fingers crossed for you all who are going on it next week and in the final week.