Best UK 'High-speed train'

[MattRat]

How the train is used has little to do with what it's capable of, or of the passenger experience it provides.

It impacts how quickly it can get from point a to point b, which is the whole point of a high speed train....

 

[najaB]

It impacts how quickly it can get from point a to point b, which is the whole point of a high speed train....

I thought this was a poll as to the best train, rather than the best timetabling?

 

[MattRat]

I thought this was a poll as to the best train, rather than the best timetabling?

Best high speed train. As in trains used on expresses services.

 

[najaB]

Best high speed train. As in trains used on expresses services.

If that's the criteria - "trains used on express services" - then you need to include options like the Class 350 (110mph capable and used on express services on the north WCML).

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

These days, many "express trains" morph into stoppers along the route, and then become express again.
The Euston-Birmingham-Scotland services are in that category, and use the same stock as the direct trains.
LNW's 350s are express to Rugby, then become stoppers to Crewe.
Arguably TPE's trains are not express at all, they stop at stations north of York that LNER omits.
GWR is mostly a regional express service, much like GA's London-Norwich services.

 

[andythebrave]

.....

 

[MattRat]

These days, many "express trains" morph into stoppers along the route, and then become express again.
The Euston-Birmingham-Scotland services are in that category, and use the same stock as the direct trains.
LNW's 350s are express to Rugby, then become stoppers to Crewe.
Arguably TPE's trains are not express at all, they stop at stations north of York that LNER omits.
GWR is mostly a regional express service, much like GA's London-Norwich services.

How would you explain what high speed is in the UK then?

 

[221101 Voyager]

How would you explain what high speed is in the UK then?

Me personally, I call a high speed train, one that has a top speed of 125mph or more and that regularly reaches above say 110-120mph in service.

 

[Tracked]

1) 43 (close run with the 91's, both are the ones I'll have been on the most, followed by the 22x's)
2) 91
3) 373
4) 395 (fun on HS1, but not when they get on 3rd rail)
5) 390 (It's the windows issue)
6) 8xx (Not had many rides on them, they're alright, did EDB-DON in 1st class and it's not as good as the 91's)
7) 22x (If they'd have been separate I'd have rated 222's above 8xx's, and 220/1's at the bottom)
8) 180


Not done the APT/374/397s

 

[mmh]

The 222s used to be 4 and 9 car sets, but are now 4, 5 and 7 sets, so it possible. Being able to easily couple up also helps capacity. And of course I see the tilt mechanisms being removed at some point, it's a no brainer.

And Virgin / Avanti have been running a 221 with two "shop" coaches around for years, so they clearly can be reformed too!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

How would you explain what high speed is in the UK then?

In my opinion, trains that run on HS1 (and HS2 when it comes), ie over 125mph.
Another step-change in technology is needed for true high-speed (infrastructure and train).
IC225, 390 and 80x would qualify if they had anywhere to run at their design speed.
If we are talking current domestic trains, 395 is the only qualifier.

 

[Purple Orange]

In my opinion, trains that run on HS1 (and HS2 when it comes), ie over 125mph.
Another step-change in technology is needed for true high-speed (infrastructure and train).
IC225, 390 and 80x would qualify if they had anywhere to run at their design speed.
If we are talking current domestic trains, 395 is the only qualifier.

By that logic, a 395 would not qualify if the whole fleet was moved to any other line. If SouthEastern took on a fleet of 80Xs to run on HS1, you’d then have to consider all 80X trains as high speed.

 

[najaB]

If we are talking current domestic trains, 395 is the only qualifier.

So the 373 and 374 - which in normal times travel on HS1 and stop at more than one station in the UK - are excluded simply because you can't buy a ticket for that journey?

 

[MattRat]

And Virgin / Avanti have been running a 221 with two "shop" coaches around for years, so they clearly can be reformed too!

Was that all units, or just some. I don't think I've ever seen such a setup, but if it isn't everywhere, I may have just gotten lucky.

 

[greatvoyager]

Was that all units, or just some. I don't think I've ever seen such a setup, but if it isn't everywhere, I may have just gotten lucky.

Back in 2010 221144 had its shop vehicle removed donated to 221143 when 221142/143 were made up to 5-cars before XC received the shop vehicle in 2017 to reform 221144 in exchange for a standard vehicle from one of their sets.

 

[Tomo]

The 80xs are so uncomfortable that I'm driving to the north more frequently than I was before

 

[MattRat]

The 80xs are so uncomfortable that I'm driving to the north more frequently than I was before

From where to where? Is there really no other train you can get?

 

[Tomo]

From where to where? Is there really no other train you can get?

Tonbridge to Huddersfield. I've gone via Manchester a few times but it's longer and more expensive

 

[woodhouse122]

I went for class 91 ,had lots of great journeys up and down the east coast over the last few years ,hate the horrid Hitachi units that have more or less taken over ,dreading when MML Hitachi's take over from the meridians as at least they have a comfortable seat unlike the hard ones on the Azumas

 

[MattRat]

Tonbridge to Huddersfield. I've gone via Manchester a few times but it's longer and more expensive

What about via Sheffield?

 

[Puppetfinger]

Class 43 HST, with the 373 very closely behind. Honourable mention for the 225 / Class 91

 

[Tomo]

What about via Sheffield?

Have considered that, but haven't properly looked into journey times and prices yet

 

[Davester50]

Really liked the first 225 First Class carriages. Very much of it's time. Always worth the Bargain First supplement, as the Standard seats were terrible.
The original Eurostar was nice, but cramped, the refurb was decent. The new ones are nicer, but feel a bit, cheap.

 

[MattRat]

Have considered that, but haven't properly looked into journey times and prices yet

Well hopefully you eventually do. One more car off the road is a good thing, IMO.

 

[Mat17]

HST with original engines and it was the only train in the list to have slam doors.

 

[Class465pacer]

Pendolino edges it over 22x and 395s for me due to tilting capabilities.

HSTs and 225s (and loco-hauled trains in general) are dull IMO.

Never been on 8xx, 373s/374s, 180s, 370s or 397s.

 

[najaB]

HST with original engines and it was the only train in the list to have slam doors.

91/Mark 4. Would have given it to the HST but i always hated the slam doors on the Mk3's (hard to get off them when you've had a few drinks) so by virtue of having power doors, the Mk4s take it.

These two posts demonstrate why there will never be agreement about the "best" train!

 

[AM9]

These two posts demonstrate why there will never be agreement about the "best" train!

So in reality there isn't a 'best train', just lots of 'pet trains' for all sorts of obscure personal reasons. Such is the world of rail enthusiasts.

 

[AverageTD]

This may have already been covered =up thread but I'd request that everything on that list bar the 373 and 374 be disqualified for not actually being a High Speed Train

 

[najaB]

This may have already been covered =up thread but I'd request that everything on that list bar the 373 and 374 be disqualified for not actually being a High Speed Train

It was covered up thread, they were disqualified (by some) because you can't travel between UK stations aboard them, which leaves no UK high speed trains at all!

Job done.