Avanti West Coast Rolling Stock Updates

[_toommm_]

You mean power sockets - why do so many people describe them as 'plugs'? The plug is the thing on the cable which you plug into the socket.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Apr 2022 ==



USB-C is a lot more complicated. Yes, they could just replace the socket face with one with USB-C sockets but that would mean that fast charging wouldn't work and devices such as tablet or laptops with a high power draw would charge very slowly or not at all. Proper USB-C chargers have a number of voltage and current levels and the correct one is selected by negotiation between the device and the charger. Putting this into trains would make the charging circuits much more complicated, and increase their maximum power draw considerably.

The easy way to do it would be through the use of Gallium Nitride chargers - they're tiny but can provide a massive amount of power. They are rather expensive though. The alternative would be to use traditional charging technology, but the circuitry would be massive if it was to support all devices. My MacBook uses a 67W charger, but the high-end ones need nearly 100W of power from the wall.

 

[tornado]

I think it's funny they still have the Virgin Red toilet doors. Did they just forget that bit?!

 

[Jimini]

I think it's funny they still have the Virgin Red toilet doors. Did they just forget that bit?!

Just don't flush your dreams down there and I'm sure you'll be fine

 

[Prestige15]

Heres a full video of it done by Train_PlaneHub

 

[krus_aragon]

I think it's funny they still have the Virgin Red toilet doors. Did they just forget that bit?!

Is it VT red, or the scarlet of the Avanti triangle?

 

[43102EMR]

390125 appears to be on the same diagrams as yesterday… will it be the same the whole week?

 

[Liam L]

390125 appears to be on the same diagrams as yesterday… will it be the same the whole week?

Appears to be today and tomorrow at the moment I heard on a different page.

 

[43102EMR]

Appears to be today and tomorrow at the moment I heard on a different page.

Ah ok, thanks!

 

[43301]

The easy way to do it would be through the use of Gallium Nitride chargers - they're tiny but can provide a massive amount of power. They are rather expensive though. The alternative would be to use traditional charging technology, but the circuitry would be massive if it was to support all devices. My MacBook uses a 67W charger, but the high-end ones need nearly 100W of power from the wall.

USB-C can go up to 140w now - the latest top-end Macbooks do have 140w chargers. I've got some Dell ones of 130w at work.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The easy way to do it would be through the use of Gallium Nitride chargers - they're tiny but can provide a massive amount of power. They are rather expensive though. The alternative would be to use traditional charging technology, but the circuitry would be massive if it was to support all devices. My MacBook uses a 67W charger, but the high-end ones need nearly 100W of power from the wall.

Hang on a minute...if the faceplates have 230V sockets, they can surely already support the use of that sort of charger?

 

[43301]

Hang on a minute...if the faceplates have 230V sockets, they can surely already support the use of that sort of charger?

The maximum current draw on those will be low, plus USB-C would need all the voltage/current negotiation circuitry - it's much more complicated than a straightforward standard voltage, + maximum current draw, which is what happens with mains sockets and USB-A sockets.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The maximum current draw on those will be low, plus USB-C would need all the voltage/current negotiation circuitry - it's much more complicated than a straightforward standard voltage, + maximum current draw, which is what happens with mains sockets and USB-A sockets.

I'm still confused.

What, other than the physical space it takes up, is the difference between a faceplate with a built in USB C with that in use, and a faceplate with a USB C charger plugged into it?

OK, you could theoretically use both at once, but a switching mechanism could control that.

 

[43301]

I'm still confused.

What, other than the physical space it takes up, is the difference between a faceplate with a built in USB C with that in use, and a faceplate with a USB C charger plugged into it?

OK, you could theoretically use both at once, but a switching mechanism could control that.

Depends whether you are talking what is effectively USB-A with a USB-C face plate (and therefore limited to the power draw of USB-A), or a proper USB-C supply, with the voltage/current negotiation circuitry - a lot more to go wrong there, it's no longer just straightforward wiring / transformer (for USB-A).

Some trains, such as Northern 158s, (and all buses I've seen) only have USB-A, not 3-pin mains power. Presumably this is because of the maximum auxiliary power they can supply - USB-C with all the voltage/current ranges would likely go above that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Depends whether you are talking what is effectively USB-A with a USB-C face plate (and therefore limited to the power draw of USB-A), or a proper USB-C supply, with the voltage/current negotiation circuitry - a lot more to go wrong there, it's no longer just straightforward wiring / transformer (for USB-A).

Some trains, such as Northern 158s, (and all buses I've seen) only have USB-A, not 3-pin mains power. Presumably this is because of the maximum auxiliary power they can supply - USB-C with all the voltage/current ranges would likely go above that.

I'm talking about Pendolinos, as per the thread subject. Though those that only have USB could presumably have one with a USB A level max draw.

 

[43301]

I'm talking about Pendolinos, as per the thread subject.

They might well be able to supply the power required, but it would still mean what is effectively a full USB-C charger with voltage negotiation behind every socket (or pair of sockets) - considerably more complicated than 3-pin mains and USB-A which are fed at a fixed voltage. Presumably no TOC thinks that the demand justifies the extra cost and complexity at the moment, given that none have tried it (so far as I'm aware).

 

[modernrail]

The rattles are back!

They really are. The rattle in 1st is awful.

Meanwhile the passengers are not. That is the lightest loaded Liverpool service I have seen I think and I use the service a lot. Was that a peak fares service?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Honestly have the toilet doors not even been repainted? They must look awful in comparison to everything else that's either had new panelling or veneer or a coat of paint. What exactly has been done in the toilet themselves is it a completely new you sink unit and and pan and flush system? I know that technology has moved on a bit since these were build. I will miss the the powerful hand dryer assuming they remove them




Looking forward to the water refill station in the shop. Hopefully this will compensate for the the reduced fridge capacity assuming it is reduced buy not stocking so much bottled water on board



Power at every seat is long overdue and looking forward to to that, certainly will massively increase the choice of seats I can occupy when I'm bored as I always want power when I travel

 

[Retorus]

You mean power sockets - why do so many people describe them as 'plugs'? The plug is the thing on the cable which you plug into the socket.

Ah, pedantry, what would this place be without it?

 

[43096]

Ah, pedantry, what would this place be without it?

Also known as accuracy. But I might be being pedantic about it.

 

[Huntergreed]

Have the driving cabs and internal systems been updated at all?

 

[387star]

Are there more tables?
Looks good

 

[Blindtraveler]

On rattles, people saying that they have returned, I haven't ever been aware that they gone away

 

[Skie]

On rattles, people saying that they have returned, I haven't ever been aware that they gone away

I certainly did my bit to help dampen them down by judicious stuffing of newspapers into the offending bit of plastic. But now that the refurb is removing the side panels entirely before refitting them, we’ll have to start all over again!

 

[Trackman]

The rattles are back!

Oh yes and back on form, see about 3.32 into the video. It's really irritating - if you're nearby the panel shove some cardboard in-between the panel edges, and report it.

On rattles, people saying that they have returned, I haven't ever been aware that they gone away

Yes, sometimes on a particular stretch of track or curve but nowhere near as bad as the rattles on the rollout.
I've not been on a refurbed 390 yet, but I would say in the last few years or so rattling was a thing of the past to become a stage of irritating.

Honestly have the toilet doors not even been repainted? They must look awful in comparison to everything else that's either had new panelling or veneer or a coat of paint. What exactly has been done in the toilet themselves is it a completely new you sink unit and and pan and flush system? I know that technology has moved on a bit since these were build. I will miss the the powerful hand dryer assuming they remove them.

The video above on post #544 shows they have Avanti blue (or whatever it is) toilet doors.
Also we've had some videos/photos about the refurbs, but nothing on the toilet revamp so far .. I think.

 

[superalbs]

The toilet revamp seems to be nothing more than some new vinyls. The ceiling is still in that VT wood texture.

 

[FManc]

Have the driving cabs and internal systems been updated at all?

Driving cab and kitchen haven’t been touched.

 

[fgwrich]

I certainly did my bit to help dampen them down by judicious stuffing of newspapers into the offending bit of plastic. But now that the refurb is removing the side panels entirely before refitting them, we’ll have to start all over again!

I found used tickets and copies of the Metro were quite handy to fix the rattles on Bombardier's Turbostar fleet!

Something I hadn't noticed with those new seats is potentially how chunky the legs are. I hope they're not as bad as the 80Xs, as it's a bit of an annoying foot trap.

 

[tornado]

Have they also refurbished the on board service? I found a lot of the old staff were getting worn out and uncomfortable. Smiles were in short supply.

 

[dk1]

Have they also refurbished the on board service? I found a lot of the old staff were getting worn out and uncomfortable. Smiles were in short supply.

Is that anything to do with the current dispute?

 

[tornado]

I was being facetious, but it would definitely help if on-board staff were treated better by their employees to start with.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2022 ==

I was being facetious, but it would definitely help if on-board staff were treated better by their employers to start with.