ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

[47271]

I think the air intakes on the roof of a Mk3 can be prone to corrosion - I was reading something similar re the 125 group (the preservation group who've restored the prototype HST power car & are working on Mk3 coaches to go with it). Annoying, but nit a major issue to fix, I wouldn't have thought?

Ha, the rate we're going at the 125 Group might turn out four serviceable mk3s faster than Wabtec.

Joking aside, I've pretty much lost all confidence in this project now. I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Highland37]

Me too. Just arrived home off a filthy 170 into Inverness.

I was hoping it was it would be an HST. It was interesting to reflect when walking through Glenfarg tunnels that we are waiting for trains which have their genesis around the time the Glenfarg line was shut

 

[jingsmonty]

I seem to remember reading about that in a recent 125 group magazine.

Same place I read it - I have to own up to being a member! I'd think the remedial work for this would be covered during the refurbishment anyway

 

[jingsmonty]

What does "fine" mean in the context of 170 mtin and what caused the low availability of the classic sets?

I wonder how much of the low availability of Classic sets is actually due to maintenance issues? Some of the substitutions may be due to a lack of trained traincrew to cover diagrammed working for a whole day's work.

I had a 170 vice an HST on my job Yesterday, which I found disappointing - I've only driven an HST once, with passengers, so far...

 

[FtoE]

The 09:29 from Waverley to Inverness being operated by an HST. Just crossed it at Pitlochry.

 

[DarloRich]

I noticed a couple of hst power cars hanging about at haymarket yesterday. I think the new livery looks very smart.

 

[jingsmonty]

The 09:29 from Waverley to Inverness being operated by an HST. Just crossed it at Pitlochry.

Good to know - wonder if this will be the set forming the 13.33 Inverness to Waverley?

 

[jingsmonty]

I noticed a couple of hst power cars hanging about at haymarket yesterday. I think the new livery looks very smart.

I quite like it too - as someone else commented on here, it looks slightly similar to the prototype livery! Only thing is, it's quite pale & will definetly need regular washing! Quite a classy look, though...

 

[DarloRich]

I quite like it too - as someone else commented on here, it looks slightly similar to the prototype livery! Only thing is, it's quite pale & will definetly need regular washing! Quite a classy look, though...

Agreed - will have to be washed on a regular basis!

 

[SC43090]

Monday 31st December 2018

Observed at Aberdeen

1B35 1357 Aberdeen Edinburgh 43147 41135 42279 42280 44035 43144

SC 43090

 

[GLC]

I quite like it too - as someone else commented on here, it looks slightly similar to the prototype livery! Only thing is, it's quite pale & will definetly need regular washing! Quite a classy look, though...

Just passed 2 sets of new livery power cars at Haymarket depot, they look absolutely filthy so far. Huge streaks of dirt down the sides of them. Looks like Scotrail will need to up their train washing game for them!

 

[GrimShady]

I quite like it too - as someone else commented on here, it looks slightly similar to the prototype livery! Only thing is, it's quite pale & will definetly need regular washing! Quite a classy look, though...

The blue is too dark imo.

 

[jingsmonty]

The blue is too dark imo.

Maybe - but it's a nice contrast to the grey. Personally, I think they would have looked good with the standard 'Saltire' luvery as well...

 

[jingsmonty]

Just passed 2 sets of new livery power cars at Haymarket depot, they look absolutely filthy so far. Huge streaks of dirt down the sides of them. Looks like Scotrail will need to up their train washing game for them!

Possibly actually finding the time to run them through a wash plant can be problematic - hopefully, this will settle down once they are actually running on their correct diagrams.

Hoping one will turn up on the 1255 Inverness - Waverley this week, as I'm booked to work it one day this week!

 

[43096]

I think the air intakes on the roof of a Mk3 can be prone to corrosion - I was reading something similar re the 125 group (the preservation group who've restored the prototype HST power car & are working on Mk3 coaches to go with it). It's the metal covers that cover the air intakes-they are raised up off the roof & tend to be prone to corrosion as a result. Annoying, but not a major issue to fix, I wouldn't have thought?

The air vents are different between the original Mark 3A LHCS (and prototype HST) vehicles and the HST type. The original type - which is what was referred to in 125 Group magazine - are much more prone to water ingress than the later "pods" that can be seen on the roofs of HST vehicles (and the other later builds such as sleepers and Mark 3Bs).

 

[jingsmonty]

The air vents are different between the original Mark 3A LHCS (and prototype HST) vehicles and the HST type. The original type - which is what was referred to in 125 Group magazine - are much more prone to water ingress than the later "pods" that can be seen on the roofs of HST vehicles (and the other later builds such as sleepers and Mark 3Bs).

Pretty sure you are correct - think the 125 magazine said this as well, if I remember correctly?

A colleague was saying the other day that maybe the ex GWR HST trailers had worse corrosion issues than the other TOCs, due to the regular saltwater bathing they took running through Dawlish....possible, but seems a bit tenuous to me.

 

[Wst71Pa2]

Pretty sure you are correct - think the 125 magazine said this as well, if I remember correctly?

A colleague was saying the other day that maybe the ex GWR HST trailers had worse corrosion issues than the other TOCs, due to the regular saltwater bathing they took running through Dawlish....possible, but seems a bit tenuous to me.

Sitting in my cab last week waiting for the off, glanced across at the mk3 roof, wrecked compared to the sleeper one on the other side of me. Instantly thought.. Dawlish!

 

[Highland37]

Presumably the leaks are being addressed as part of the "overhaul" though?

 

[43096]

Presumably the leaks are being addressed as part of the "overhaul" though?

They are - and is part of the reason for the delayed delivery. The GWR fleet has been allowed to get into a shocking state and Wabtec are having to fix that.

 

[jingsmonty]

They are - and is part of the reason for the delayed delivery. The GWR fleet has been allowed to get into a shocking state and Wabtec are having to fix that.

I wish either Scotrail or Wabtec would just be upfront & honest about the issues facing the refurbishment programme. If there's one thing that passengers (& staff too) really hate is being treated like 'mushrooms'.....

 

[Northhighland]

I wish either Scotrail or Wabtec would just be upfront & honest about the issues facing the refurbishment programme. If there's one thing that passengers (& staff too) really hate is being treated like 'mushrooms'.....

Aye spot on with that comment. ScotRail need to learn how to treat passengers. Continuing to spout the Scotland’s best ever railway nonsense when the trains are not there that were promised just gets people’s back up.

 

[43096]

Aye spot on with that comment. ScotRail need to learn how to treat passengers. Continuing to spout the Scotland’s best ever railway nonsense when the trains are not there that were promised just gets people’s back up.

It's a disease that infects the whole industry - RDG are still spouting the "biggest investment since Victorian times" nonsense to justify the fare rises.

 

[GrimShady]

It's a disease that infects the whole industry - RDG are still spouting the "biggest investment since Victorian times" nonsense to justify the fare rises.

"The biggest invest since the modernisation plan" would be more appropriate.

Not that anyone will know what it means.

 

[Emblematic]

"The biggest invest since the modernisation plan" would be more appropriate.

Not that anyone will know what it means.

But those that do will know what it led to, in less than a decade.

 

[Northhighland]

It's a disease that infects the whole industry - RDG are still spouting the "biggest investment since Victorian times" nonsense to justify the fare rises.

At the same time missing delivery dates and over budget delivery are commonplace.

 

[AndrewE]

"The biggest invest since the modernisation plan" would be more appropriate.

Also continuing the Victorian precedents of jobs going over budget and over time, contractors failing, companies going bankrupt before completing and opening their lines... (some of which also afflicted the Modernisation Plan!)

 

[Highland37]

Any HSTs from Inverness today or are we still in Fyra territory?

 

[jingsmonty]

Any HSTs from Inverness today or are we still in Fyra territory?

Bit late now, but the 0944 Edinburgh Waverley was an HST.

 

[DarloRich]

Sitting in my cab last week waiting for the off, glanced across at the mk3 roof, wrecked compared to the sleeper one on the other side of me. Instantly thought.. Dawlish!

Presumably the leaks are being addressed as part of the "overhaul" though?

I was at DOncaster station waiting form my train home on the 2nd and there were two Scotrail liveries power cars in the Wabtec storage line near the station. Also visible were various GWR Mkiii several with blue plastic tarpaulins over the vestibule roof. I winder if there is a corrosion issue where the hatch like opening is situated.

 

[Highland37]

Probably. We are talking about 40 year old vehicles that have been hammered for years and sprayed by the sea. If this is a surprise to Wabtec, then we should be more worried.

There are regular reports of power cars but they are not the issue (I know you know this) so your welcome report doesn't give me much confidence in any breakthrough soon.