ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

[43096]

But the HSTs are maintained at Haymarket are they not?

Power cars at Haymarket, trailers at Inverness isn't it?

 

[najaB]

Power cars at Haymarket, trailers at Inverness isn't it?

I don't know, but it seems odd to maintain the two components of a train some 150 miles apart from each other.

 

[jingsmonty]

But the HSTs are maintained at Haymarket are they not?

Both Haymarket & Inverness are/will be HST depots

 

[jingsmonty]

Sorry, I got you the wrong way round, I thought you meant that the 1742 north comes back as the 1253 south.

I quite agree on the 0650, and I'm one of those business types at Kingussie! As an aside, it also always collects a surprising number of that sort of person at Dunkeld, usually skipped by the expresses, it does make me wonder if this station is a little underserved at present?

I can remember selling quite a few tickets from Dunkeld on the 0650, back in my conductor days...was also noticing that Dunkeld isn't the easiest station to board/alight from with a slam door HST..that platform could really do with being properly rebuilt!

 

[Journeyman]

Two sets sitting in Eastfield just now, one with all green GWR trailers.

 

[jingsmonty]

Two sets sitting in Eastfield just now, one with all green GWR trailers.

Interesting....wonder if this is the start of the marshalling of the unrefurbished sets in preparation for entering passenger service?

 

[chuff chuff]

Interesting....wonder if this is the start of the marshalling of the unrefurbished sets in preparation for entering passenger service?

There's two sets in Aberdeen as well including one with six green coaches.

 

[jingsmonty]

There's two sets in Aberdeen as well including one with six green coaches.

Sounds like Scotrail ARE starting to marshall the sets for passenger service. Think there is still only the training train rake (HA05) currently in Inverness, but plenty of Power Cars (4, I think - not including 43148 & 43003 on the training train).

 

[najaB]

Sounds like Scotrail ARE starting to marshall the sets for passenger service.

Indeed. This is the first I've heard or seen of a 2+6 set, everything's been 2+4 so far.

 

[Journeyman]

Indeed. This is the first I've heard or seen of a 2+6 set, everything's been 2+4 so far.

No plans for 2+6 in service, though, I'm guessing that's just for transporting vehicles.

 

[najaB]

No plans for 2+6 in service, though, I'm guessing that's just for transporting vehicles.

I thought there were going to be two 2+6 sets once the full fleet was rolled out?

 

[Altnabreac]

I thought there were going to be two 2+6 sets once the full fleet was rolled out?

I think they are in the post 2025 plan, if the Franchise Extension is agreed with Abellio along with the 10 extra 385s.

 

[Journeyman]

I think they are in the post 2025 plan, if the Franchise Extension is agreed with Abellio along with the 10 extra 385s.

I'm starting to feel that's looking increasingly unlikely.

 

[43025 Exeter]

Does anyone know the whereabouts to 43028, 43031, 43129, 43133, 43136, 43138, 43152 and 43182? Also, have 43026, 43130, 43139, 43141, 43150 and 43164 been released yet?

 

[scotrail170407]

Will the RMT strikes tomorrow effect the media run(s)?

 

[Journeyman]

Will the RMT strikes tomorrow effect the media run(s)?

What RMT strikes?

 

[chuff chuff]

Overtime ban only.

 

[route101]

Both Haymarket & Inverness are/will be HST depots

Will Eastfield stable any ?

 

[route101]

I’m with the newspapers on this one it’s a disgrace they are using 40 year old carriages. The existing ones on the East coast line are already tired and old and being replaced. The 170’s are about 20 years newer was never any need. I believe the goverment made the choice so I wouldn’t go as far as blame ScotRail. If the current fleet is good enough to hike it up to Aberdeen and Inverness why fix what isn’t broken?

The new trains have been a failure too.

What would you have a comfortable HST with more capacity or hemmed in on a 170?

 

[route101]

Indeed. This is the first I've heard or seen of a 2+6 set, everything's been 2+4 so far.

And 2 plus 5 on busier routes

 

[jingsmonty]

Will Eastfield stable any ?

I'd imagine Eastfield would be a stabling & fuelling point - one of the training trains currently does this already.

 

[Stoney1979]

Given the above evidence of various non-refurbished coaches now appearing here-and-there in Scotland, is it likely that we'll see them slipped into service before the timetable change?

Or will there be a "big bang" on 9th Dec when they all come in?

I suppose it'll ultimately come down to drivers and crew being trained to operate them.

 

[SC43090]

Confirmed Scotrail will introduce its first HST Services next Monday 15th October 2018......

ScotRail's first upgraded Inter7City high-speed train ready for service

The Inter7City train which will run initially between Aberdeen & Edinburgh from Monday 15th October is the first of the iconic upgraded high speed trains that will connect Scotland's seven cities......providing a boost for commuters. tourists. & business travellers....

Key features of the high speed train include

More Seats
Increased luggage space
At seat power sockets
More toilets
Better on board hospitality


SC43090

 

[chuff chuff]

Confirmed Scotrail will introduce its first HST Services next Monday 15th October 2018......

Told ya..........

 

[Journeyman]

Does anyone have a link to the press jolly on RTT?

 

[385001]

Article on BBC.

Interesting that it claims the cost of refurbishing the HSTs is estimated at £54m with 26 sets leased for 12 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-45800463

First refurbished high-speed train starts on Aberdeen-Edinburgh line next week

ScotRail
The first of the upgraded trains at Edinburgh's Haymarket station when it arrived in Scotland
The first of a fleet of upgraded high-speed trains (HSTs) is to enter service in Aberdeen next week, it has been announced.

Rail operator ScotRail said the first of the 26 newly-refurbished Inter7City trains would run from Aberdeen to Edinburgh via Dundee from Monday.

The diesel trains date back to the 1970s but they have all been renovated, at an estimated total cost of £54m.

The first of the refurbished trains had been supposed to be introduced in May.

But ScotRail admitted the refurbishment project had been "a challenge".

The Intercity 125 Class 43 HSTs (high-speed trains) will operate on the lines from Aberdeen and Inverness to Glasgow and Edinburgh, which take in Dundee, Perth and Stirling.

The rail operator's boss Alex Hynes is also reported to have told an SNP conference fringe meeting earlier this week that "people don't care how old their trains are".

Scotrail
He said the upgraded trains would offer a third more capacity on some trains, quicker travel and a more comfortable journey than the old Class 170 diesel multiple units (DMUs).

The HST was the mainstay of British Rail's inter-city service and is still the world's fastest diesel train.

However, ScotRail HSTs will have a maximum speed of 100 mph.

The operator said the first of the trains would help deliver Scotrail's improved timetable from 9 December.

ScotRail hopes the other trains will be phased in on the Inverness and Aberdeen lines over the next year.

The Class 43 HST trains were first introduced in the late seventies and have millions of miles on the clock.

The refurbished trains have been released by Great Western Railway (GWR), which operated them on long distance journeys between London and the south west of England.

The carriages have been refurbished in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and the power cars in Loughborough.

They had been previously refurbished just over a decade ago.

The trains will be in sets made up of two Class 43 power cars, one at each end of four or five Mark 3 carriages.

Scotrail
Abellio Scotrail has leased 26 sets for 12 years, spending an estimated £54m on refurbishments.

Overall, 17 upgraded five-carriage trains and nine four-carriage trains are scheduled to be used on lines across Scotland by late 2019.

ScotRail said the trains would eventually make journey times shorter and have more seats and luggage space available for passengers.

They will also offer an enhanced food and drink service, with a new cafe area on board in addition to the usual trolley selection.

Mr Hynes, ScotRail Alliance's managing director, said: "This is another major milestone in our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.

"Our Inter7City service will provide more seats, better services, and more comfortable journeys for our customers.

"The investment we are making in these iconic trains is a clear sign of the ScotRail Alliance's commitment to building a bigger and better railway for the whole of Scotland."

Transport Minister Michael Matheson said: "The entry into service of the first fully upgraded high-speed train is to be welcomed and I look forward to seeing more follow in the months ahead.

"The boost in seating provision will help support the overall 23% increase in capacity being delivered during 2019 as rail continues to grow in popularity across Scotland."

 

[Highlandspring]

I would suggest these are the links.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G14204/2018/10/10/advanced - Haymarket to Dundee 1059-1209

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G14205/2018/10/10/advanced - Dundee to Haymarket 1224-1350

Using platform 0 at Haymarket so people should be able to get a decent peek if they are in the area.

That's a driver training trip. The realtimetrains link for today's Aberdeen - Edinburgh - Aberdeen run has already been posted eaelier in the thread.

 

[GusB]

Gotta love local "journalism"! Our beloved Press and Journal has posted an article too, along with a picture of a GWR IET, and the caption "The new Hitachi Intercity Express train"...

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...ed-train-from-aberdeen-to-edinburgh-unveiled/

The first of a fleet of new high-speed trains will travel from Aberdeen next week.

Scotrail announced that the inaugural version of its much-lauded Inter7City trains will enter service on Monday, en route to Edinburgh.

It's good to know that we've finally got a start date for the HST services, though. I just have to wait a bit longer for them to reach north of Aberdeen. :-/

 

[385001]

That's a driver training trip. The realtimetrains link for today's Aberdeen - Edinburgh - Aberdeen run has already been posted eaelier in the thread.

Thanks.

Apologies for the duff information.

 

[385001]

Alex Hynes has just posted this from Aberdeen Station.

https://twitter.com/AlexHynes/status/1049963384895094784