Did you see the emergency coupling bar connecting them together?
And was it in motion or just stabled there?
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
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?)
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.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?)
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....
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.
I agree with bnm on rolling stock maintenance!
Rolling stock maintenance is a shambles? What are you basing this statement on?
Any examples on maintenance?
On 26th October 2002, after finishing up on the Western Pilgrim railtour, D1015 Western Champion was called to rescue the 1715 ex-Bristol that had slipped to a stand. It took the HST as far as Swindon (images/descriptions linked below):Didn't a Western once come to the rescue of a GW HST?
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."
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.
Tell us where you are commuting from, and we can work out an alternative route for you...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...
Lol thanks but no thanks for the input
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.
The evidence of my own eyes. Take a look at FGW's Tyrell entries over a week.
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