ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

[Tim R-T-C]

The HST has had stopping board installed at many, many stations. It does not mean they will stop there during normal working, however.

Sounds like some good contingency thinking there - allowing the HST to put in an extra stop if a DMU service is cancelled or special events are going on locally.

Joined-up thinking that seems to be absent all too often these days.

 

[fgwrich]

For those in the south wanting to see a ScotRail Power Car, 43163 has escaped again and is currently on hire to LNER. Currently down for working this diagram. Info from Facebook.

1E03 - 0626 Edinburgh to London
1D13 - 1203 London to Leeds
1A36 - 1445 Leeds to London
1S28 - 1800 London to Edinburgh

 

[kkong]

I took a trip from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and back on this set today.

My opinion - it's probably the best first class passenger environment in the UK today.

Many complimentary comments from the passengers in first class, as well from ScotRail staff who were seeing it for the first time.

Ulike LNER, there's no complimentary alcohol!

There seemed to be a travelling project manager proving on-the-job coaching of the guards in relation to door opening, dispatch procedures etc.

The PIS has problems, it seems the GPS position isn't reliably being received or processed, as it repeatedly got out of sync and had to be reset.

There were on-board "train presentation staff" as well, clearing up regularly.

Feedback was being well received by staff - one point which should be quick to address is to get hold of some anti-slip mats for the tables because currently drinks, phones, etc are sliding out of control every time it goes round a curve or over some points (e.g. Carmont...)!

Some photos are attached.

 

[Clansman]

drinks are sliding out of control every time it goes round a curve or over some points (e.g. Carmont...)!.

Don't get me started on Carmont! Had the same issues with my drinks also, regardless of the place mats!

 

[Wst71Pa2]

Don't get me started on Carmont! Had the same issues with my drinks also, regardless of the place mats!

Keeping it at 75 instead of 80 helps

 

[PG]

In your picture https://www.railforums.co.uk/attachments/img_20181018_090455-jpg.53966/
of the first class saloon kkong I'm curious what the large grey box with a grille located in the overhead luggage rack is?

Something to do with the air conditioning? I don't recall seeing it on other TOC Mk3 coaches... maybe it's only in 1st class or I've just never noticed it before?

 

[GrimShady]

Very nice pictures. Glad to finally see the first set in service! Lots of high praise, even as far as saying the refit exceeds the Mallard Mk3s, it must be good!

Now the next hurdle will be getting the other sets through the same refit in good time, one year per set at present is no good.

Good to see ScotRail finally getting somewhere!

 

[Highlandspring]

HA26 failed last night before working 1A97 and is currently being fixed on Haymarket.

 

[SC43090]

Understand there's a 0952 Ely to Haymarket with 4 coaches

43026

44004

42013

42012

41010

43128

SC43090

 

[Highlandspring]

HA26 made it out onto 1A97 2143 Edinburgh to Aberdeen tonight after a powercar swap (43033 off and 43169 on) then after departure failed at Haymarket with a speedometer defect. Train cancelled and set run straight back to the sheds!

 

[chuff chuff]

Speedo failure seems to come up regularly.

 

[scotraildriver]

The ATP system fitted to these power cars for use on GWR is causing Speedo issues after being isolated for Scotrail use.

 

[chuff chuff]

The ATP system fitted to these power cars for use on GWR is causing Speedo issues after being isolated for Scotrail use.

Yeah that.

 

[hexagon789]

HA26 made it out onto 1A97 2143 Edinburgh to Aberdeen tonight after a powercar swap (43033 off and 43169 on) then after departure failed at Haymarket with a speedometer defect. Train cancelled and set run straight back to the sheds!

Any word on what caused last night's failure at all?

 

[chuff chuff]

Possibly the lack of cab heater in one of the power cars.

 

[route101]

I took a trip from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and back on this set today.

My opinion - it's probably the best first class passenger environment in the UK today.

Many complimentary comments from the passengers in first class, as well from ScotRail staff who were seeing it for the first time.

Ulike LNER, there's no complimentary alcohol!

There seemed to be a travelling project manager proving on-the-job coaching of the guards in relation to door opening, dispatch procedures etc.

The PIS has problems, it seems the GPS position isn't reliably being received or processed, as it repeatedly got out of sync and had to be reset.

There were on-board "train presentation staff" as well, clearing up regularly.

Feedback was being well received by staff - one point which should be quick to address is to get hold of some anti-slip mats for the tables because currently drinks, phones, etc are sliding out of control every time it goes round a curve or over some points (e.g. Carmont...)!

Some photos are attached.

Nice report , i was on the 1330 from Edinburgh to Dundee , only seen one person in first class when i seen it depart Dundee

 

[route101]

Tried out the HST on the 1330 from Edinburgh to Dundee on Thursday . Was pretty busy , do think 5 cars would be well needed at times . Pretty smooth and fast out of stations . Couldnt find bins in my coach for litter

 

[kkong]

Couldnt find bins in my coach for litter

Certainly in first class the bins between the seat backs are still there, as per other operators' HST sets.

Not sure if these are still there in standard?

There is also a bin below the the complimentary items shelf in first.

There are also bins in each vestibule.

 

[hexagon789]

Possibly the lack of cab heater in one of the power cars.

Can imagine it wouldn't be fun taking one out without a heater in this weather!

 

[scotrail170407]

Anyone know if a ScotRail hst power car will be on hire to LNER tomorrow? Will be at Newark North Gate and am quite interested in seeing it

 

[northernbelle]

HA26 failed last night before working 1A97 and is currently being fixed on Haymarket.

It's a pity that it's suffering reliability issues - one might expect it with a brand new design of train but you'd hope the use of 'tried and tested' equipment would minimise in-service failures.

 

[gingertom]

It's a pity that it's suffering reliability issues - one might expect it with a brand new design of train but you'd hope the use of 'tried and tested' equipment would minimise in-service failures.

just wondering if the reliability issues are because of, or despite, the mods at Brush?

 

[AndrewE]

Will the trains run "as received" from GWR as a stop-gap measure perform better, I wonder?

 

[chuff chuff]

just wondering if the reliability issues are because of, or despite, the mods at Brush?

What 'mods' did they get?

 

[MatthewRead]

Will the trains run "as received" from GWR as a stop-gap measure perform better, I wonder?

Yes they will

 

[scotraildriver]

The removal of the ATP system but keeping the ATP Speedo has caused issues. There's not much being done at Brush - a repaint, ATP removal, fitting of traction interlock and a new cab sandwich floor is about it. The cabs haven't even been 'repainted.

 

[kje7812]

Is the set out today?

 

[connormill]

Will the trains run "as received" from GWR as a stop-gap measure perform better, I wonder?

I've just left Queen Street, heading for Edinburgh, as soon as you come out the tunnels there are 2x 2+4 HSTs at the depot .

Pair of SR Power Cars on each but both had 4 dark green, slam door coaches.

No GWR branding but still in dark green colours.

So I'd assume the answer is yes .


EDIT: just realised your question was about performance and not about whether the GWR sets will or will not enter service soon

 

[scotrail170407]

Is the set out today?

Yes it is, not sure on the times but I believe it worked the 1330 EDB - ABD

 

[scotrail170407]

Yes it is, not sure on the times but I believe it worked the 1330 EDB - ABD

Nevermind ask @Highlandspring