AverageTD
Member
I was waiting on someone to say this . It's the same conclusion I drew up in the other older thread (post #8).373 or 374, the only proper high speed trains in this country
I was waiting on someone to say this . It's the same conclusion I drew up in the other older thread (post #8).373 or 374, the only proper high speed trains in this country
The GA units are FLIRT160sWill this do?
The FLIRT200 is a high-speed single-decker Intercity train.Produktdetail - Stadler
www.stadlerrail.com
How long are HST lovers going to remain in a time warp?
I do not like any of them to be honest. All of the 220/221/222/390/800/801/802 are pretty rubbish trains with bad designs and many problems. I have found the DB ICE trains to be a lot better than ours. If i had to pick one than probably the 395 are the best. If the 180s are considered "High Speed Trains" than they are quite good too (if you ignore the reliability problems in the past).A German friend, also a driver asked me what i thought the best high speed train we have is in my view? I have to say i like the Azuma best. Fast, good looking, good cabins and a real leap forward from the HSTs i used to drive.
You?
I know, I am looking forward to what might be ...... (on 'suitable' routes of course).The GA units are FLIRT160s
Not really high speed by any stretch.I'm quite happy with 375 / 377 / 379.
Oh well that settles that then. All those 1000s of complaints about the seats must have been people with time on their hands causing mischief.Class 80xs are superb all round (including the seats, contrary to popular belief - have made 5 long journeys on IETs in the last 2 weeks and comfortable throughout)
They're fine if you ask me.Oh well that settles that then. All those 1000s of complaints about the seats must have been people with time on their hands causing mischief.
The seating is very subjective, but I am yet to find many people that think it is suitable for 5 hour journeys.....
Yes because we have made use of existing (Victorian!) lines in order to achieve conventional high-speed. The exception is HS1. That will change of course with HS2 and other projects, when in terms of speed we will leap frog the rest of Europe.125mph is simply not high speed if you look at the railways in the wider world, Eurostar excepted since the 1970's and 80's in my opinion the ambition of the railways has gone down and backwards. The APT originally planned for 155mph and then the IC250 project showed ambition to compete with other countries in respect of high speed travel, we now simply have speeds that BR paved the way for back in the 1970's.
Alternatively, our railways have been deprived to the point where we've had to push old lines to their maximum capacities and speeds while still not being able to match the speeds, trains lengths, or reliability of our European neighbours.Yes because we have made use of existing (Victorian!) lines in order to achieve conventional high-speed. The exception is HS1. That will change of course with HS2 and other projects, when in terms of speed we will leap frog the rest of Europe.
When you consider what has been achieved in the UK in terms of relative speed, frequency and fantastic safety - without building dedicated high-speed lines (and in fact mixing the use of the lines - intercity, regional and freight all on the same lines) - it’s actually quite impressive. HS2 and others will take it to the next level.
Last one I got on had no window view from my seat, limited head wiggle-room, and it was dimly lit. The new Northern trains were far comfier.The much maligned 390 Pendolino. Whilst not perfect, it's comfortable, and quick.
We can chat long and hard about why we haven’t built dedicated high speed lines until now, but you have to face the world as you come to it. We are where we are and can’t change the past. The focus has to be on pushing forward HS2 and NPR etc for the future generations.Alternatively, our railways have been deprived to the point where we've had to push old lines to their maximum capacities and speeds while still not being able to match the speeds, trains lengths, or reliability of our European neighbours.
Yes it is impressive what we've managed to do with a bunch of old lines but the fact that we needed to do this in the first place is more telling of our "high speed" situation.
Fine with me too. I’ve noticed the snarly comments on social media from some regarding them have almost dried up now.They're fine if you ask me.
In don't really understand that logic... if you'd said Newcastle to London, for example, then I'd understand.""How long are HST lovers going to remain in a time warp?""
For as long as the 800s are running Bristol to London!
I used to travel First Class but yes fair do's - maybe its just the 800s, I love their speed and relative silence but its the seats and lighting that's the problemIn don't really understand that logic... if you'd said Newcastle to London, for example, then I'd understand.
The First Great Western HSTs - Standard Class at least - were not very nice. They had the typical early-2010s FirstGroup problem of pink and blue being splatted everywhere with no regard for what is actually aesthetically pleasing. Combine that with the dreadful fluorescent lighting and very high-backed seating and you have an environment that is not what anyone would call pleasant.
(The high-backed seating was reasonable enough comfort-wise but it did create a fairly claustrophobic feel)
“Until something better comes along” is the obvious answer!""How long are HST lovers going to remain in a time warp?""
For as long as the 800s are running Bristol to London!
They don't get used by people who dislike them. Once bitten, etc.Fine with me too. I’ve noticed the snarly comments on social media from some regarding them have almost dried up now.
I think that's absolute nonsense. I very much doubt the 80x units have made anyone give up rail travel.They don't get used by people who dislike them. Once bitten, etc.
It's a silly argument trotted out every time something changes on the railways (new stock being introduced etc.)I think that's absolute nonsense. I very much doubt the 80x units have made anyone give up rail travel.
Absolutely agree. I've had plenty of arguments with people getting gooey eyed with nostalgia for slam-door stock that was actually horrible to travel in compared to modern trains. Enjoying something old for purely leisure purposes is entirely different to everyday essential travel, and I'd choose modern trains for that every time.It's a silly argument trotted out every time something changes on the railways (new stock being introduced etc.)
Even with power doors, MK3 coaches of all flavours are an accessibility nightmare. Replace a modern EMU with a rake of those (perhaps with IC70 seats for added nastiness) and see how many people it upsets... certainly on the Great Eastern you'll find few tears shed since the loco hauled stock was withdrawn.
Fewer people travelling...?Fine with me too. I’ve noticed the snarly comments on social media from some regarding them have almost dried up now.
I think they’ve just given up as nobody’s listening.Fewer people travelling...?
Flirt 160 vs 200 is mostly a marketing exercise and not that significant for operating speed. Ask them for 200 and they'll upgrade the required components to operate at 200, but it's not a fundamentally different train. Or vice-versa. Just like plenty of carriages on the continent got upgraded from 160 to 200 with a few tweaks.The GA units are FLIRT160s
Yeah. Enthusiasts moan about new trains, underfloor engines, multiple units etc in the hope everyone will agree with them, but they rarely do.I think they’ve just given up as nobody’s listening.
I for one don't do long distance travel on XC as I'd end up with a brutal migraine after 3-4 hours above an underfloor diesel.I think that's absolute nonsense. I very much doubt the 80x units have made anyone give up rail travel.
How much doez it matter whether normal passengers agree with enthusiasts or not? The railway is not a democracy and even when it is publicly operated it is rare an MP is fired over railway decisions.Yeah. Enthusiasts moan about new trains, underfloor engines, multiple units etc in the hope everyone will agree with them, but they rarely do.