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Double HST

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Steve14

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I was coming out of Paddington on the 1657 to Reading and as I was going past OOC, I saw a HST attached to another next to the Relief line (Carriage line). Can't seem to find anything on Realtimetrains, anyone know how this rarity came about!?!?! :D
 
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GrimsbyPacer

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Did you see the emergency coupling bar connecting them together?
And was it in motion or just stabled there?
 

Jonny

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I don't know too much about the particular situation, but I presume that the coupling is not intended to be used in normal service.
 

Steve14

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Coupling was in place and it was in motion heading towards Paddington direction!!!
 

Monkey Magic

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An HST failed at Kingham today and a number of services were cancelled so it might be connected to that.
 

jimm

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Train that failed was the 10.22 Paddington-Hereford, which suffered a suspected electrical fault between Ascott-under-Wychwood and Kingham and was rescued by another HST, but not sure what working the second set came off. Made a mess of the Cotswold Line service into the evening, which wasn't the best timing on a day when the fares structure for the line was changed, resulting in some hefty increases for a lot of people.
 

Steve14

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Train that failed was the 10.22 Paddington-Hereford, which suffered a suspected electrical fault between Ascott-under-Wychwood and Kingham and was rescued by another HST, but not sure what working the second set came off. Made a mess of the Cotswold Line service into the evening, which wasn't the best timing on a day when the fares structure for the line was changed, resulting in some hefty increases for a lot of people.

To be honest, FGW is shambles anyway. I'm surprised they used another HST to rescue it. The Thames Valley is a very busy route and they cannot seem to get the peak times right at all. I mean how could you fit 300+ with a packed out 3 car class 165 in the morning is beyond me.

I've only seen a double HST on youtube where two GC HSTs were back to back; and then another when they showed how to couple two HSTs together
 

VP185

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What else are they going to use to rescue the HST? If using another HST is the quickest option to clear the line surely it makes sense than waiting for a loco from Old Oak?

As for FGW being a shambles I think you'll find it's the DfT who have put them in this position.
 

bnm

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Certain parts of FGW are a shambles. Customer facing staff training, rolling stock maintenance, mucking up the fares database in the latest fares round, information during disruption...

All done without any input from the DfT.
 

jimm

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To be honest, FGW is shambles anyway. I'm surprised they used another HST to rescue it. The Thames Valley is a very busy route and they cannot seem to get the peak times right at all. I mean how could you fit 300+ with a packed out 3 car class 165 in the morning is beyond me.

I've only seen a double HST on youtube where two GC HSTs were back to back; and then another when they showed how to couple two HSTs together

What are you surprised? A 180 or Turbo - the only other trains operating in the area - couldn't go to the rescue and the nearest loco would probably be a DB Schenker one at Didcot, but that assumes there is then a driver available to crew it for a trip to the Cotswolds. Which doesn't appear to have been the case on Monday, hence the HST.

How is FGW supposed to magic up more stock for the Thames Valley peaks? Do tell us. And of course, all other TOCs are models of efficiency, where nothing ever goes wrong....
 

VP185

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Certain parts of FGW are a shambles. Customer facing staff training, rolling stock maintenance, mucking up the fares database in the latest fares round, information during disruption...

All done without any input from the DfT.

Rolling stock maintenance is a shambles? What are you basing this statement on?

Customer facing staff training and information during disruption. Isn't this more a case of the customer doesn't like the answer they are given or has an unrealistic expectation (ie. exactly what time will the line reopen following a fatality?)
 

221129

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Rolling stock maintenance is a shambles? What are you basing this statement on?

Customer facing staff training and information during disruption. Isn't this more a case of the customer doesn't like the answer they are given or has an unrealistic expectation (ie. exactly what time will the line reopen following a fatality?)

I agree with bnm on rolling stock maintenance!
 

richw

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Rolling stock maintenance is a shambles? What are you basing this statement on?

Customer facing staff training and information during disruption. Isn't this more a case of the customer doesn't like the answer they are given or has an unrealistic expectation (ie. exactly what time will the line reopen following a fatality?)
No its a case of staff repeatedly giving incorrect information despite management advising complainants appropriate training will be given. discussed many times on this forum. Gateline staff at Paddington being the main offenders.
 

Steve14

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To be honest, FGW is shambles anyway. I'm surprised they used another HST to rescue it. The Thames Valley is a very busy route and they cannot seem to get the peak times right at all. I mean how could you fit 300+ with a packed out 3 car class 165 in the morning is beyond me.

I've only seen a double HST on youtube where two GC HSTs were back to back; and then another when they showed how to couple two HSTs together

What are you surprised? A 180 or Turbo - the only other trains operating in the area - couldn't go to the rescue and the nearest loco would probably be a DB Schenker one at Didcot, but that assumes there is then a driver available to crew it for a trip to the Cotswolds. Which doesn't appear to have been the case on Monday, hence the HST.

How is FGW supposed to magic up more stock for the Thames Valley peaks? Do tell us. And of course, all other TOCs are models of efficiency, where nothing ever goes wrong....


for those who think I am complaining about the HST coming to rescue, reread my post. I ain't complaining about that, fair dues for sending another HST; makes sense if they haven't got a loco in the area. Just like when a freight pushed a HST along one of the western lines when it failed.

As far as jimm is concerned with regards to the shambles bit, every morning it's the same case. You have to be along the line to understand the situation. Paying £21 quid a day to be in a 'cattle market-like' environment where the air con is dysfunctional and bearing in mind that summer is round the corner; the situation is going to get worse. I'm sure if it was a case of understanding what is actually going in, changes would have been made and there are a few turbos around the Reading depot that can be used for peak services by attaching them up. The service I get on starts at Banbury and especially for that time of the morning, it makes sense to send 2 turbos attached or even a 180 to help with the flow but that's not the case at all.
 

Steve14

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What else are they going to use to rescue the HST? If using another HST is the quickest option to clear the line surely it makes sense than waiting for a loco from Old Oak?

As for FGW being a shambles I think you'll find it's the DfT who have put them in this position.

Err... DfT isn't to blame for the incompetent staff, the 'not value for money' service. DfT is responsible and concerned with the investment it made within FGW. Now to my opinion based on using the service for the past 11 years, investments haven't been made to the standard you'd expect especially if you compare the GWML to WCML. Hence why FGW is having to rebrand because whether it's on the Thames Valley or around Bristol area; their reputation is tarnished and it's as simple as that. I'm disappointed as to why the franchise wasn't up for tender and instead an extention was given to FGW to run it for when the IEPs come through. Looking at how First as a company has had two major blows by losing FCC and FSR, it's clearly evident that First aren't fit enough to run a railway. And in all honesty; although the likeliness is unlikely, I'd rather have someone like the Stagecoach/Virgin coalition come along to run the route and section the areas accordingly with one or two brands.
 

CC 72100

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I agree with bnm on rolling stock maintenance!

Any examples on maintenance?

For what it's worth, 'maintenance' and 'interior condition' are two different things, before anybody says that the 15x fleet is looking a little tired. (Which they are, but they're not failing left right and centre from what I see)
 

bnm

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Rolling stock maintenance is a shambles? What are you basing this statement on?

The evidence of my own eyes. Take a look at FGW's Tyrell entries over a week.

Yes, it's partly the age of the rolling stock, but other TOCs seem to manage better with an ageing fleet.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Any examples on maintenance?

Yep. One from very recently. A 150 that decided, twice, to perform an emergency stop. I spoke with the driver. His reply, cleaned up for a family audience, was "I've no idea why this set is even in service. The problem was reported last week and still not fixed."
 
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Strathclyder

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CC 72100

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Yep. One from very recently. A 150 that decided, twice, to perform an emergency stop. I spoke with the driver. His reply, cleaned up for a family audience, was "I've no idea why this set is even in service. The problem was reported last week and still not fixed."

Ouch - hopefully some use of HSTs on the weekends when there is less pressure on them on unit diagrams can alleviate things for the DMU fleet... we've had Cardiff - Taunton in the past.
 

158722

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43185 & 43139 rescued 43154 & 43125. There are some photos of the full formation on the wnxx site.
 

VP185

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Now to my opinion based on using the service for the past 11 years, investments haven't been made to the standard you'd expect especially if you compare the GWML to WCML. Hence why FGW is having to rebrand because whether it's on the Thames Valley or around Bristol area; their reputation is tarnished and it's as simple as that.

The investment made in the WCML with infrastructure and trains was made using public money. That's down to the DfT.

I'm disappointed as to why the franchise wasn't up for tender and instead an extention was given to FGW to run it for when the IEPs come through.

It was not an extension to the franchise, it is a new franchise. Handing the franchise to another company would not have provided any benefit whatsoever. Still exactly the same amount of rolling stock and same type of train with the same staff in a different coloured uniform.

Looking at how First as a company has had two major blows by losing FCC and FSR, it's clearly evident that First aren't fit enough to run a railway. And in all honesty; although the likeliness is unlikely, I'd rather have someone like the Stagecoach/Virgin coalition come along to run the route and section the areas accordingly with one or two brands.

With the likes of Thameslink passing over to Go-Via from First has there has been a marked improvement in the quality of the service? Some passengers were calling for the return of FCC, some don't even know it has changed hands. There were even rumours a few months ago that Go-Via wanted to hand the franchise back.
It makes absolutely no difference who runs the franchise. They run it under the instruction from the DfT. This is so the average passenger blames the private companies instead of central government. The only time MPs take an interest is in the run up to an election where they can bash the private companies to win a few extra votes
Virgin/Stagecoach will never bid for Great Western. There isn't enough profit in the franchise. Virgin will not have its name associated with rural or commuter services.
 

Flamingo

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for those who think I am complaining about the HST coming to rescue, reread my post. I ain't complaining about that, fair dues for sending another HST; makes sense if they haven't got a loco in the area. Just like when a freight pushed a HST along one of the western lines when it failed.

As far as jimm is concerned with regards to the shambles bit, every morning it's the same case. You have to be along the line to understand the situation. Paying £21 quid a day to be in a 'cattle market-like' environment where the air con is dysfunctional and bearing in mind that summer is round the corner; the situation is going to get worse. I'm sure if it was a case of understanding what is actually going in, changes would have been made and there are a few turbos around the Reading depot that can be used for peak services by attaching them up. The service I get on starts at Banbury and especially for that time of the morning, it makes sense to send 2 turbos attached or even a 180 to help with the flow but that's not the case at all.
Tell us where you are commuting from, and we can work out an alternative route for you...
 

jimm

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for those who think I am complaining about the HST coming to rescue, reread my post. I ain't complaining about that, fair dues for sending another HST; makes sense if they haven't got a loco in the area. Just like when a freight pushed a HST along one of the western lines when it failed.

As far as jimm is concerned with regards to the shambles bit, every morning it's the same case. You have to be along the line to understand the situation. Paying £21 quid a day to be in a 'cattle market-like' environment where the air con is dysfunctional and bearing in mind that summer is round the corner; the situation is going to get worse. I'm sure if it was a case of understanding what is actually going in, changes would have been made and there are a few turbos around the Reading depot that can be used for peak services by attaching them up. The service I get on starts at Banbury and especially for that time of the morning, it makes sense to send 2 turbos attached or even a 180 to help with the flow but that's not the case at all.

I do live in the area, so I understand what you call the "shambles" - as I already said, it's called a lack of rolling stock, hence all the controversial faffing around with accommodation on HSTs to try to compensate and handle the ever-growing crowds using the trains. Which will all change radically once electrification happens and Crossrail kicks in as well, with lots of extra stock on hand.

You think those Turbos at Reading are just sitting around, do you? Have you ever heard of maintenance? Not everything can be done overnight, so just because you can see something parked up in the sidings doesn't mean it's actually able to run, or was being worked on until a few minutes earlier/is about to go into the shed.

And if you think any other operator than First could have somehow waved a magic wand and found lots more trains or sent out every last piece of rolling stock in the peaks, dream on...
 

Flamingo

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The evidence of my own eyes. Take a look at FGW's Tyrell entries over a week.
"

Given that as far as I know it's password protected operational information for staff, how are you able to do that?
 
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