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Chiltern Mainline LHCS
- Thread starter Wookiee
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RailUK Forums
Nope, none are 67 hauled now - They're all 68.
All 68? No Sprinters or Turbos at all?
Nope, I was just referring to the loco hauled stuff. You've still got many 168s on the mainline stuff.
Ah, ok. Any idea which diagrams are 68s?
Kite159
Veteran Member
Super! Thank you.
berneyarms
Established Member
The Chiltern PDF timetable on their website indicates which trains are operated by which train type.
168lover
Member
you get a mixture of 68s, 168s(all kinds even new /3s), 172s and very occasionally 165s on London to Birmingham's. You can also get trains formed of 168s and 172s which Chiltern call 'Mainline Hybrids'
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Be warned 168s do stand in on occasion for 68s, happened to me on Monday much to my disgust. So much it annoyed me that I am now not going near Chiltern for the foreseeable!
causton
Established Member
If you are that put out by it then good riddance, maybe?
Chiltern are one of the better operators as they put out a Tyrell/JourneyCheck message saying what trains are units vice LHCS (mainly for peak trains) and they put out a summary every day so you know what is going on, if you ask the right person to check for you!
Overreacting much? Would you rather they cancelled all of the services on that diagram (with the ensuing financial penalties and overcrowding on subsequent services) just because a set was out of traffic?
It's a rarity, that's for sure.
Minilad
Established Member
Go on the Class 68 Yahoo group. Always has gen on the of any Unit vice 68
168lover
Member
Reason a 168 stood in for a 68 was because there was severe wheelflats on the DVT of its set which required it to spend a weekend in Aylesbury Depot for tire turning, its really rare for a 68 set not too run.
Tim R-T-C
Established Member
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Serious question. Could they run without a DVT, just running around at each end, or is the DVT required for braking?
NSEFAN
Established Member
There's no run-round facilities, so they'd need spare locos. Not so difficult at the London end given Chiltern's Wembley depot is nearby, but more tricky in Birmingham. DVT just makes the sets more convenient to run.
Out of interest, is the "Business Zone" on all loco hauled sets? I gather this is the Chiltern equivalent of a first class offering.....is there a catering trolley?
Can you sit in the BZ and upgrade when the guard comes around? Is this possible on a Standard class Priv rate ticket?
Can you sit in the BZ and upgrade when the guard comes around? Is this possible on a Standard class Priv rate ticket?
MarlowDonkey
Member
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That's what it says on their website.
https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/what-business-zone
You can upgrade to the Business Zone and get large tables for working, the widest seats with more legroom than youll find on any train service between Birmingham and London. Other features of our Business Zone include:
- A dedicated host serving complimentary tea and coffee (subject to availability)
- Complimentary wi-fi (subject to availability)
- At-seat power points (subject to availability)
- Modern carriages
- Larger windows
To use the Business Zone you need to pay a peak or off peak supplement. A £25 supplement is required per journey to travel in the Business Zone. Business Zone is not first class, and any standard class ticket is valid with a Business Zone supplement, which can be purchased with your ticket (if booking at a station) or simply upgraded onboard. On off-peak services, the Business Zone supplement is just £10.
The coaches were Mk3 Buffets in a previous life, so "Modern" can only refer to the interior.
sprinterguy
Established Member
Is the upgrade to business zone free on 1st class tickets or do you still need to pay the upgrade?
Cheers.
Cheers.
168lover
Member
Not worth the hassle either. Would hold up other services running round and also would mean longer turnaround times
t_star2001uk
Member
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The DVT is also needed to complete the traction interlock circuit, as well as a guards compartment.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
£10 for an off peak upgrade? That is not a bad deal.
Should have pointed out I'm not totally crazy, I just don't book Advances on Chiltern now. I'll go Virgin or LM over Chiltern though as cheap tickets from my station are actually available, no such thing as an LM+CR Advance for Hereford to London it seems, or any walk up tickets for that matter. Quite happy to give my money to the competition as a result!
Should have pointed out I'm not totally crazy, I just don't book Advances on Chiltern now. I'll go Virgin or LM over Chiltern though as cheap tickets from my station are actually available, no such thing as an LM+CR Advance for Hereford to London it seems, or any walk up tickets for that matter. Quite happy to give my money to the competition as a result!
To be able to offer such a ticket, Chiltern would need permission from all of the affected TOCs (in the case of Hereford, that's ATW, Great Western, London Midland, SWT and Virgin West Coast), which takes time and needs commercial justification...
It's only relatively recently that they've been able to introduce "via High Wycombe and Birmingham" fares between London and places like Droitwich and Worcester, for example.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Why? I thought Advances were a totally commercial matter and could be offered by any TOC (or not offered) as they wished and at any price they wished? Or is it because of the "collusion" that a cross-TOC one sort-of is?
67018
Member
I wouldn't worry if I were you. The last few times I've been on the loco hauled sets, the seats have beven worn out. Travelling with a spring sticking up your jacksie takes the shine off the experience; the carriages either need a refurb or scrapping. 168s are more comfortable.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Interesting that Worcester to Marylebone is now available. I don't personally see why SWT needs to be involved whatsoever! Yes there's a 'Via Warminster/Salisbury' fare but it's too expensive to be considered worth buying!
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I have wondered this, and it doesn't seem to be written anywhere. Anyone know?
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