Avanti West Coast Rolling Stock Updates

[Mikey C]

I've given up watching Geoff Marshall reviewing new stock. Other people do it better these days, and as he's chummy with all the head honchos in the TOCs he never says anything that critical.

Nobody is going to get advance previews inside the factory if they are really critical. At the end of the day, he's presenting the "evidence" and we can make our own minds up

 

[Skie]

Nobody is going to get advance previews inside the factory if they are really critical. At the end of the day, he's presenting the "evidence" and we can make our own minds up

Well if you lay down in the luggage rack you get a great view.

 

[AviationFR]

I've given up watching Geoff Marshall reviewing new stock. Other people do it better these days, and as he's chummy with all the head honchos in the TOCs he never says anything that critical.

I'm a bit bored of all of his videos of new stuff and construction to be honest, his old videos like Least Used Stations, Visiting Every Station and Request Stops were much more interesting in my opinion

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've given up watching Geoff Marshall reviewing new stock. Other people do it better these days, and as he's chummy with all the head honchos in the TOCs he never says anything that critical.

TBH I think this is mostly a genuine improvement. I'm slightly less sold on the "shop" because it looks a bit austere and could have had more of a "fancy coffee shop" ambiance, and on the white headrests, but overall it looks good. The only possible concern I have is the headrest wings being too low and forcing me to slouch, but other than that...

I'm a bit bored of all of his videos of new stuff and construction to be honest, his old videos like Least Used Stations, Visiting Every Station and Request Stops were much more interesting in my opinion

Don't watch them then

Well if you lay down in the luggage rack you get a great view.

To be fair count your blessings. They didn't want to change anything about the reservation system so changing the seat layout was out. If they had I don't doubt they'd have crammed more seats in rather than adding legroom with thinner seats as they have done.

 

[AviationFR]

Don't watch them then

I didn't say I hate his videos. As a longtime subscriber and viewer I am allowed to voice my opinion, and that I would prefer the old kind of videos. I'm still going to watch them because I do enjoy them

 

[Mollman]

I'm a bit bored of all of his videos of new stuff and construction to be honest, his old videos like Least Used Stations, Visiting Every Station and Request Stops were much more interesting in my opinion

Sorry to go off topic, but he has just visited some new stations too. In the end a lot will come down to cost as I am guessing that if he gets invited to see stuff under construction etc. at least travel expenses will be paid where as his station visit videos will be out of his own pocket.

 

[AviationFR]

Sorry to go off topic, but he has just visited some new stations too. In the end a lot will come down to cost as I am guessing that if he gets invited to see stuff under construction etc. at least travel expenses will be paid where as his station visit videos will be out of his own pocket.

That's true, and if it means he can make more videos for longer, then I am all for it!

 

[supervc-10]

Yep, that's where I came across it. However there's something up with the software on those chargers, and they won't charge everything that's got a USB C on it - for instance my Apple USB C charger won't charge my USB C powerbank, but it will charge off anything else! I can see that USB C adoption may prove a little painful and thus perhaps A will hang around a lot longer.

I think that's more Apple's implementation than anything else- my OnePlus charger will charge my phone (OnePlus 9 Pro) at 65W via their proprietary 'Warp Charge' protocol, my laptop (MS Surface Laptop 3) via USB Power Delivery at 45W, or my headphones (Sony in-ear ones with some stupidly complex name) and my Anker powerbank via regular USB 5W power. It's great when travelling, as it means I only have to take the one charger.
The issue is, as people have said before, is that to implement USB-PD requires much more expensive charging devices behind the socket face, especially if they're going to be able to put out 45W+ which is the minimum most USB-C laptops will require. USB-A can still put out a fair amount of power under certain protocols- OnePlus were doing 30W chargers with USB-A, for example, but the default is the 5W most of those combined 3-pin/USB faceplate things put out.

Regarding the refurbishment of the Pendolinos- those white headrests are a bad idea IMO. They're going to get stained rapidly, especially given how much 'product' and fake tan some people use! I suppose at least they're leather(-ette?) and therefore wipe clean, although I still think it's a bad idea. They also look weirdly tacked onto the old seats, kind of looks odd. If they remain as comfy as the old first class though, then I'll be happy!

 

[800001]

Any sign of the 805/807 seeing any day light frok the factory?

Last I was told by someone factory at Newton Aycliffe, was that the first single car(s) were due to commence single vehicle testing by end of April, unsure how long single testing is, after that they get formed up into complete set and that is usually 30 days of testing.

 

[Accura]

I see the refurbished set isn’t out again today. I wonder if they’ve had any teething issues? You would imagine they would be desperate to get it out as much as possible.

I don't know if it's just workplace gossip, but I was sat next to the train manager office on a return journey last Thursday night (after the heavy delays out of Euston due to fatality at Watford) with 4 AWC crew members sat behind me. One of them mentioned that the unit had been pulled from service due to some of the new features potentially requiring additional training for the traincrew.

 

[Some guy]

I don't know if it's just workplace gossip, but I was sat next to the train manager office on a return journey last Thursday night (after the heavy delays out of Euston due to fatality at Watford) with 4 AWC crew members sat behind me. One of them mentioned that the unit had been pulled from service due to some of the new features potentially requiring additional training for the traincrew.

Yeah that’s quite true. Avanti staff are expected to work the new environment from the get go without any training which is quite shocking. Especially in the shop area

 

[Trackman]

Yeah that’s quite true. Avanti staff are expected to work the new environment from the get go without any training which is quite shocking. Especially in the shop area

Funnily enough I was thinking it was a shop issue as that it is only thing that has changed drastically.

 

[M60lad]

So if additional training is needed how long will this take and how long will it be before the set is back in service?

 

[Agent_Squash]

Yeah that’s quite true. Avanti staff are expected to work the new environment from the get go without any training which is quite shocking. Especially in the shop area

Apart from the shop, is there anything really new for staff to work? Apart from one less first coach - the rest of the changes won't involve staff at all.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Apart from the shop, is there anything really new for staff to work? Apart from one less first coach - the rest of the changes won't involve staff at all.

What are the differences? I seem to recall it's a new microwave and a slightly different layout? In the real world (rather than the railway) I can't see how that requires more than a brief e-mail.

 

[Speed43125]

Thought I'd mention 390047 is currently sporting a new style destination display on the south eastern door of Coach B. The contrast with the much dimmer dot matrix pixelated screens really stands out when they're on the same train together!

 

[Kite159]

What are the differences? I seem to recall it's a new microwave and a slightly different layout? In the real world (rather than the railway) I can't see how that requires more than a brief e-mail.

But in the railway world those changes will require a week long course and probably an extra payment to the staff to work the new microwave

 

[Bletchleyite]

But in the railway world those changes will require a week long course and probably an extra payment to the staff to work the new microwave

That was my slightly sarcastic point...this is more than a bit silly. Send an email pointing out the new microwave's features plus a "map" of how product is to be placed in the new fridges and just get on with it.

 

[superalbs]

Thought I'd mention 390047 is currently sporting a new style destination display on the south eastern door of Coach B. The contrast with the much dimmer dot matrix pixelated screens really stands out when they're on the same train together!

Think it has done for years!

 

[oversteer]

Did I sit on a refurbished set yesterday? In my haste to find any train I travelled on 1F26, the 1902 EUS-LIV in U
Didn’t like the standard seat. Sorry. Base too firm, reclined too much, and the wings on the side of the head rest are also too firm. Even the 350 seats are more comfy

 

[jfollows]

Did I sit on a refurbished set yesterday? In my haste to find any train I travelled on 1F26, the 1902 EUS-LIV in U
Didn’t like the standard seat. Sorry. Base too firm, reclined too much, and the wings on the side of the head rest are also too firm. Even the 350 seats are more comfy

RTT (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C34265/2022-05-04/detailed#allox_id=0) says that this service was operated by the refurbished set 390125, yes.

 

[station_road]

Did I sit on a refurbished set yesterday? In my haste to find any train I travelled on 1F26, the 1902 EUS-LIV in U
Didn’t like the standard seat. Sorry. Base too firm, reclined too much, and the wings on the side of the head rest are also too firm. Even the 350 seats are more comfy

That service was the first refurbished set, yes

 

[Carlisle]

Think it has done for years!

I think 390047 also had some new information screens installed inside for a while .

 

[ValleyLines142]

I've never seen a USB C plug at both ends. All my type C phone chargers are type A at the end

I own one. It's a bugger, particularly on Northern 158s where they only have USB ports!

 

[Peter0124]

Has 390123 been refurbished aswell? Its working services today.

 

[43102EMR]

Has 390123 been refurbished aswell? Its working services today.

Yes - this was the second or third set to have been done.

 

[Huntergreed]

Is there a definitive list of which sets have been/are being worked on?

 

[SansHache]

Is there a definitive list of which sets have been/are being worked on?

Three trains have been released from Widnes to date; 390125 (in service, worked 1R27 this morning), 390123 (entered service today, currently working 1H17) and 390148 (at Longsight, next to enter service).

There are two trains currently at Alstom's Widnes Technology Centre, 390155 (nearing completion) and 390156.

 

[jfollows]

Three trains have been released from Widnes to date; 390125 (in service, worked 1R27 this morning), 390123 (entered service today, currently working 1H17) ....

390123 is booked to operate 1S78, 15:30 Euston-Glasgow later today (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C75624/2022-05-06/detailed#allox_id=0).
No Motherwell call for Peter0124, though. But tomorrow, who knows?

 

[Huntergreed]

390123 is booked to operate 1S78, 15:30 Euston-Glasgow later today (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C75624/2022-05-06/detailed#allox_id=0).
No Motherwell call for Peter0124, though. But tomorrow, who knows?

First time a refurb will work to Scotland I believe