Four options the mag advise are; IEP, Traxx and Mark 4 overhaul, Pendolino, Status Quo.
I'd take mrk4 overhaul, but without Traxx and with a seated DVT using the bogies from the current ones (as I think Portorbrook propose for mrk3s) instead of moving the buffet away from standard class passengers. If you could make Traxx look like a 91 I'd be tempted to take that option, but the Traxx looks like a freight/100/110mph loco, not an
INTERCITY loco like the 91.
surely Mk 4s are only just over 20 years old?
Pretty much bang-on 20 years I think, the first 4/5 91s are just over 20 years but the mrk4s were delivered slightly later.
I realise that the window configuration on the Pendo is defined by the need to tilt, it doesnt explain the interior being so uncomfortable.
Mrk4s were designed to tilit, Voyagers were designed to tilt, both have bigger windows than 390s.
a loco (or two in the case of the IC125's) takes up valuable platform space and given how busy train services have got of late then it is cheaper to build IC MU with more capacity than trying to increase platform lengths
An IC MU still has crumple zones in the end vehicles though, taking up valuable platform space. If you go DaFT and order short IC MUs you get double crumple zones if you run them in multiple, which probably takes up as much platform space as a loco. Also, depending on signal placement, the platforms at intermediate stations don't necessarily need to accomadate the loco.
Likewise, as journey times have fallen there has been less demand from passengers for complex meals on trains and so micro buffets have become more acceptable to the travelling public.
My argument is, if you are making a long journey, for example taking a short holiday, if you drive you are likely to stop at a service station for your evening meal. On a train (admittedly a short one you couldn't put a buffet in) I reached my destination late in the evening when all eating places had probably shut, and I all I had for dinner of a peice of flapjack or two. I wasn't at all happy. If Intercity trains served evening meals, prefrably to slightly higher standard than motorways services but a similar selection, you could market it as passengers wouldn't have to stop en-route for food and you could avoid having passengers suffer on just flapjack.
My oposition to downgrading West of England services to DMUs is not in fact the location of the power source, but the fact that DMUs will be short, nasty and cramped.
If the train had 10 coaches, a full restaurant, luggage racks, facing seats at tables, and with a proper intercity layout, then I dont mind underfloor engines if properly silenced and mounted so as to minimise vibration.
I'd agree, except the DMU would drink more fuel than an IC125, not good for the environment, and be newer (delaying any prospect of electrification) also not good for the environment.
what is this "keeping luggage with them " mantra that seems to be parroted at every opportunity? :roll:
It might help if the overhead rack was bigger than a letter box but all that happens these days is that passengers simply leave their house sized case on the seat next to them therefore reducing the capacity of the train. Stick it in a rack at the end of the carriage and put your hand luggage in the rack over your head.
I often take a fairly heavily packed rucksack with me when I travel. It'll fit in a Pendo's overhead racks, it will just about fit in the racks of ATW 158s but a 175's are just a tad too small.
There is one central door I think, look at photos of a whole set and you'll see it.
Anyway, this thread started off about 91/Mk4 replacement on the ECML so there obviously won't be underfloor engines - it'll be an EMU.
Unless it's IEP, in which case it won't be an EMU, it'll have underfloor engines (but it will have a pantograph as well). Very silly if you ask me, running diesels all the way to London and back means you need many more diesels than if you only run them over the off-wire section by using locos to drag EMUs.
bringing more 'proper' food on trains would be a good call, something like EMT's first all day offer, maybe in some sort of packaging so those in standard can take it from the buffet to their seat more easily?
What is EMT's offer? What is your definition of 'proper food'?