ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

[route101]

Is anyone planning on giving the refurbished set a go on Monday?

Will at some point .

1330 maybe to Dundee if its running on saturday

 

[jingsmonty]

The 04.53 Inverness to Edinburgh (via Aberdeen) & 12.53 Inverness to Edinburgh are proposed for HST from December timetable. The 17.42 Edinburgh to Inverness & (I think) the late Edinburgh to Inverness (via Aberdeen) are the 2 Northbound workings.

The 0554 Inverness to Aberdeen I think will be HST as well. Presume it will form an Edinburgh service after arrival?

09.50 & 11.54 North from Perth are HSTs (think these are off Edinburgh?). 0944 South from Inverness too. Also

 

[Highlandspring]

I've heard elsewhere that the HST set won't run the 09:07 Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley. It will start from Edinburgh on the 13:30 service. Is this information correct?

Confirmation received today that barring any last minute hitches the refurbished set (HA26) will work the full HA901 HST diagram as planned on Monday -

5B18 0749 Aberdeen Clayhills - Aberdeen
1B18 0907 Aberdeen - Edinburgh
5B18 1152 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A65 1252 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A65 1330 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
2A64 1619 Aberdeen - Dyce
1B43 1639 Dyce - Edinburgh
5B43 1953 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A97 2111 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A97 2143 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
5A97 0026 Aberdeen - Aberdeen Clayhills

 

[deltic08]

Confirmation received today that barring any last minute hitches the refurbished set (HA26) will work the full HA901 HST diagram as planned on Monday -

5B18 0749 Aberdeen Clayhills - Aberdeen
1B18 0907 Aberdeen - Edinburgh
5B18 1152 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A65 1252 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A65 1330 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
2A64 1619 Aberdeen - Dyce
1B43 1639 Dyce - Edinburgh
5B43 1953 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A97 2111 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A97 2143 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
5A97 0026 Aberdeen - Aberdeen Clayhills

Why does it need to visit Haymarket twice during the day? Not for refuelling surely.

 

[jopsuk]

Why does it need to visit Haymarket twice during the day? Not for refuelling surely.

Without knowing the specifics, guesses would be:
to clear the platform at Edinburgh
For cleaning (especially toilet emptying)
"Just in case"- makes it easier to swap back to a 170 if there's been problems

 

[jopsuk]

Confirmation received today that barring any last minute hitches the refurbished set (HA26) will work the full HA901 HST diagram as planned on Monday -

On Real Time Trains, these are down as

Operational Information

• Schedule from ITPS
• Timed for 100mph max
• Diesel locomotive, trailing load 324tonnes

 

[cactustwirly]

Why does it need to visit Haymarket twice during the day? Not for refuelling surely.

No, the GWR diagrams were more intensive, and didn't need refuelling

 

[jingsmonty]

Why does it need to visit Haymarket twice during the day? Not for refuelling surely.

Probably just so it isn't taking up space at Waverley - there are specific rules about HSTs on platforms (one of which is not being allowed to stable 2x HST sets on the same platforn)....not 100% sure how this works with other train types (specifically, EMUs & DMUs).

Either that, or it's receiving plenty of TLC!

 

[Highlandspring]

Why does it need to visit Haymarket twice during the day? Not for refuelling surely.

The diagram is less than 500 fuel miles for each powercar so it’s no problem at all.

Probably just so it isn't taking up space at Waverley - there are specific rules about HSTs on platforms (one of which is not being allowed to stable 2x HST sets on the same platforn)....not 100% sure how this works with other train types (specifically, EMUs & DMUs).

Correct, it’s to get it out of the Waverley. As you say there are issues with double docking on top of HSTs in the West end and for the moment there’s quite an array of restrictions on what can and can’t be done. It’ll take a while to bed in the docking arrangments once further HSTs start in traffic in December.

 

[jingsmonty]

The diagram is less than 500 fuel miles for each powercar so it’s no problem at all.


Correct, it’s to get it out of the Waverley. As you say there are issues with double docking on top of HSTs in the West end and for the moment there’s quite an array of restrictions on what can and can’t be done. It’ll take a while to bed in the docking arrangments once further HSTs start in traffic in December.

Similar issues with HSTs docking in Inverness - chronic lack of space! One of the sets we are out early to carry out a full prep in the sidings before departure.

 

[Aictos]

Confirmation received today that barring any last minute hitches the refurbished set (HA26) will work the full HA901 HST diagram as planned on Monday -

5B18 0749 Aberdeen Clayhills - Aberdeen
1B18 0907 Aberdeen - Edinburgh
5B18 1152 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A65 1252 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A65 1330 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
2A64 1619 Aberdeen - Dyce
1B43 1639 Dyce - Edinburgh
5B43 1953 Edinburgh - Haymarket Depot
5A97 2111 Haymarket Depot - Edinburgh
1A97 2143 Edinburgh - Aberdeen
5A97 0026 Aberdeen - Aberdeen Clayhills

Is it just me but why can't they extend 1A65 to Dyce running in the path of 1A65 to Aberdeen then continue as 1A65 to Dyce instead of running as 2A64 to Dyce then work 1B43 from Dyce to Edinburgh?

Equally why not rejig the timetable to retime 1A65/2A62/2A55/1B43 so you have the set do:

1A65
1330 Edinburgh
1549 Aberdeen
1600 Dyce
1614 Inverurie

1B43
1630 Inverurie
1643 Dyce
1700 Aberdeen
1934 Edinburgh

The revised working above instead of using two paths in both direction between Aberdeen and Inverurie only uses one path in both direction instead and means less time dwelling at Aberdeen which can only be a good thing as well as offering a direct Edinburgh to Inverurie service in both directions.

 

[Callum Waring]

Does anyone know how the first class seating will work on the MK3’s? They’re doing it in row number and seat letter (e.g. Coch A: seat 05A) instead of just a seat number. Presumably this is the same in Standard.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Does anyone know how the first class seating will work on the MK3’s? They’re doing it in row number and seat letter (e.g. Coch A: seat 05A) instead of just a seat number. Presumably this is the same in Standard.

I thought that was just Caledonian Sleeper? It makes little sense to do that on regular UK rolling stock as the rows don't actually line up unlike planes.

 

[Deltic1961]

I will pop over to Dyce station (5 minutes from my house) and have a looky around 16:30 if it's not broken down by then or there's some other usual Monday network meltdown.

I still have a soft spot for the HST. It's legendary.

 

[Callum Waring]

I thought that was just Caledonian Sleeper? It makes little sense to do that on regular UK rolling stock as the rows don't actually line up unlike planes.

Seemingly not. I have a ticket for the train tomorrow and it’s presented with row numbers and letters. It’s beyond me, but I’ll be sure to take photos of the interior tomorrow.

 

[jopsuk]

Does anyone know how the first class seating will work on the MK3’s? They’re doing it in row number and seat letter (e.g. Coch A: seat 05A) instead of just a seat number. Presumably this is the same in Standard.

Are you sure about that? "A" after seat numbers is perfectly normal, a hangover from when it was common for seats facing across a table to have the same number with a "F" for facing direction of travel or "B" for Backwards, with "A" for Airline (and no indication of direction)- it was decided it was better to give all seats individual numbers, especially with the likes of Cross Country reversing and sets occasionally being in the wrong orientation.

 

[Callum Waring]

Are you sure about that? "A" after seat numbers is perfectly normal, a hangover from when it was common for seats facing across a table to have the same number with a "F" for facing direction of travel or "B" for Backwards, with "A" for Airline (and no indication of direction)- it was decided it was better to give all seats individual numbers, especially with the likes of Cross Country reversing and sets occasionally being in the wrong orientation.

Ah, that might be it. Thanks!

 

[jopsuk]

A little investigation indicates Scotrail may indeed be using B & F in their reservations. My point still stands.

 

[Callum Waring]

This is what I mean by the seating arrangements (these were taken by a friend with a similar question about the seats)

 

[jingsmonty]

Is it just me but why can't they extend 1A65 to Dyce running in the path of 1A65 to Aberdeen then continue as 1A65 to Dyce instead of running as 2A64 to Dyce then work 1B43 from Dyce to Edinburgh?

Equally why not rejig the timetable to retime 1A65/2A62/2A55/1B43 so you have the set do:

1A65
1330 Edinburgh
1549 Aberdeen
1600 Dyce
1614 Inverurie

1B43
1630 Inverurie
1643 Dyce
1700 Aberdeen
1934 Edinburgh

The revised working above instead of using two paths in both direction between Aberdeen and Inverurie only uses one path in both direction instead and means less time dwelling at Aberdeen which can only be a good thing as well as offering a direct Edinburgh to Inverurie service in both directions.

May have something to do with crew training requirements - often, crews will change at Aberdeen, on the Edinburgh to Inverurie trains. Only Aberdeen & Inverness crews are passed on the route West from Aberdeen, wheras, South of Aberdeen, you also have Perth, Dundee & (I think) Waverley crews. The training for HST is still ongoing & a long way from completion.

 

[Highlandspring]

Refurbished coach seat layouts and numbers -

 

[Aictos]

May have something to do with crew training requirements - often, crews will change at Aberdeen, on the Edinburgh to Inverurie trains. Only Aberdeen & Inverness crews are passed on the route West from Aberdeen, wheras, South of Aberdeen, you also have Perth, Dundee & (I think) Waverley crews. The training for HST is still ongoing & a long way from completion.

Do Aberdeen crews sign all the way to Edinburgh and Glasgow then or just as far as Perth?

 

[Highlandspring]

Aberdeen sign to Edinburgh and Queen Street, yes.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I had a wander down the platform at Inverness and had my first good look at a pair of the Scotrail HST's:

Even better you can see all seven cities in one go!

I noticed they were doing some work around the unused rail beside Morrisons, there was talk about the lack of capacity for the 2+5 HSTs at Inverness and there was some discussion on that unused rail being developed back into a platform - is this work anything to do with that or just some unrelated and minor tidying up?

 

[CC 72100]

Refurbished coach seat layouts and numbers -

View attachment 53752
View attachment 53753
View attachment 53754
View attachment 53756

Thanks for posting this.

Shame they've gone for facing/back seat numbering around tables, I always think this is a lot more confusing than just numbering each seat once. Cue arguments about 'no that's my number 17' 'no it's my 17, look' etc.

 

[absolutelymilk]

The HST made it to Aberdeen from the depot, anyone aboard for the run to Edinburgh?

 

[Journeyman]

Thanks for posting this.

Shame they've gone for facing/back seat numbering around tables, I always think this is a lot more confusing than just numbering each seat once. Cue arguments about 'no that's my number 17' 'no it's my 17, look' etc.

Agree - people seem to find it remarkably difficult to find seats, and this is the more complicated of the systems currently in use. Bad move.

 

[Highlandspring]

The HST made it to Aberdeen from the depot, anyone aboard for the run to Edinburgh?

I'm the only punter in first class so far!

 

[twpsaesneg]

Has it left yet? RTT appears to have it still sitting in Aberdeen.

Edited to add - I can see it's now running!

 

[kje7812]

Has it left yet? RTT appears to have it still sitting in Aberdeen.

Maybe a glitch on RTT as it now says it left on time, though seems to lost a few mins after Stonehaven.