Sorry, I was talking about the first door behind the drivers cab, its a staff only door so white on a 222
I realise this, it just reminded me of the image I took.
Sorry, I was talking about the first door behind the drivers cab, its a staff only door so white on a 222
This crops up on Twitter often and the team always state that the capacity is needed during peak times.
Not sure what they are like in the mornings when they run from Nottingham, as where I go from in Derby, they use HSTs for the early morning services. They do seem to price Advance 1st class tickets incredibly low on the 7 coach trains during the day though, the 12:29 SHF-STP has upgrades available for just £3-4 in difference, barely even covers the cost of the complimentary tea!Really? Most of the time 1st is empty and standard is rammed, which is one reason why I try and avoid meridians.
It really means that it isn't really used, but EMT can't be bothered converting the excess 1st to Standard.
As someone who uses the MML quite a lot (and gets regular feedback from family and friends who also use it) it seems to vary. I am often struck by how heavily southbound trains are reserved in First (especially ones via Derby) but how many seats in 7-car Meridian First are unreserved from St Pancras later in the day. I presume that this is because people are unsure what time they might return, so they may buy a Standard open ticket. There are usually a few upgrades sold, which must bring in a few quid (even as I type on this evening's journey).Really? Most of the time 1st is empty and standard is rammed, which is one reason why I try and avoid meridians.
It really means that it isn't really used, but EMT can't be bothered converting the excess 1st to Standard.
Upgrading on board is only usually allowed at weekends, are you referring to customers upgrading at the ticket office?As someone who uses the MML quite a lot (and gets regular feedback from family and friends who also use it) it seems to vary. I am often struck by how heavily southbound trains are reserved in First (especially ones via Derby) but how many seats in 7-car Meridian First are unreserved from St Pancras later in the day. I presume that this is because people are unsure what time they might return, so they may buy a Standard open ticket. There are usually a few upgrades sold, which must bring in a few quid (even as I type on this evening's journey).
Without getting too bogged down in the niceties of 'upgrades', 'excess fares' and what-have-you it is routinely a case of the Customer Host advising the Train Manager that the "gentleman in seat F30 wants an upgrade" or writing seat numbers on a napkin and handing it over. Perfectly normal in my experience.Upgrading on board is only usually allowed at weekends, are you referring to customers upgrading at the ticket office?
Until very recently, East Midlands Trains advised on their website that travelling in First on a Standard ticket could result in a Penalty Fare, I've been trying to find a link to the page but it seems to have disappeared.Without getting too bogged down in the niceties of 'upgrades', 'excess fares' and what-have-you it is routinely a case of the Customer Host advising the Train Manager that the "gentleman in seat F30 wants an upgrade" or writing seat numbers on a napkin and handing it over. Perfectly normal in my experience.
Until very recently, East Midlands Trains advised on their website that travelling in First on a Standard ticket could result in a Penalty Fare, I've been trying to find a link to the page but it seems to have disappeared.
Not that I said "it's hugely important", and you are incorrect in thinking that I think it is.You might think it's hugely important. I think you're incorrect.
Keep 1st class at the country end of the train I say. Just because having it at the London end is tradition, doesn't make it best.
Not sure what they are like in the mornings when they run from Nottingham, as where I go from in Derby, they use HSTs for the early morning services. They do seem to price Advance 1st class tickets incredibly low on the 7 coach trains during the day though, the 12:29 SHF-STP has upgrades available for just £3-4 in difference, barely even covers the cost of the complimentary tea!
And Leicester too.Country end first class is a nuisance if you are doing Nottingham - St Pancras though - it's the furthest away end from the gateline at both stations!
As you obviously think you are an expert on this, please explain how they should do this given that reversals happen at Nottingham on the London-Leeds trains and also if a set arrives in Nottingham and then goes to Derby (as they do at start and end of day).If the TOC wanted to, they would move stock around to ensure reversals happen to put First Class at the London end of the train. But like much in this franchise, they seem to be neglecting the basics. It's almost like they don't think they're going to win in 2019...
EMT is a fantastic TOC
As has been said before, I think they are now generally accurate with formation information - at least that is my experience in recent months.Nice try EMT PR department! (That's meant as a joke in case it's not obvious.) While it's entirely understandable (to me at least) that EMT can't guarantee which way around their trains are going to be, the fact that they regularly record it wrong in whatever system powers the automated annoucements is a bigger problem. Still, it's one of the lesser things that make EMT an average-or-below TOC in my experience.
Didn't say I was an expert and can't see how you got that from what I wrote. I just said if the TOC wanted to, they could reverse the sets.As you obviously think you are an expert on this, please explain how they should do this given that reversals happen at Nottingham on the London-Leeds trains and also if a set arrives in Nottingham and then goes to Derby (as they do at start and end of day).
Didn't say I was an expert and can't see how you got that from what I wrote. I just said if the TOC wanted to, they could reverse the sets.
There's a triangle between Leicester/Derby/Nottingham. If EMT employed more drivers, they'd be able to turn the sets whenever line capacity allows. The line between Derby and Nottingham isn't exactly busy, and there's spare capacity around Loughborough for the driver to set up the other desk and get going again.
Alternatively, sort out why trains get reversed so easily and look at creating/getting rid of services to stop this happening.
It's all possible, but unlikely because it costs extra money.
I’ll just pick myself up off the floor as I’ve fallen about laughing...Didn't say I was an expert and can't see how you got that from what I wrote. I just said if the TOC wanted to, they could reverse the sets.
There's a triangle between Leicester/Derby/Nottingham. If EMT employed more drivers, they'd be able to turn the sets whenever line capacity allows. The line between Derby and Nottingham isn't exactly busy, and there's spare capacity around Loughborough for the driver to set up the other desk and get going again.
Alternatively, sort out why trains get reversed so easily and look at creating/getting rid of services to stop this happening.
It's all possible, but unlikely because it costs extra money.
True in principle, although the lines around Trent are a lot busier than you suggest. I was on a HST that turned on Lenton triangle many years ago, but that was because of some problem with driving it from one cab rather than to get the First at the right end.Didn't say I was an expert and can't see how you got that from what I wrote. I just said if the TOC wanted to, they could reverse the sets.
There's a triangle between Leicester/Derby/Nottingham. If EMT employed more drivers, they'd be able to turn the sets whenever line capacity allows. The line between Derby and Nottingham isn't exactly busy, and there's spare capacity around Loughborough for the driver to set up the other desk and get going again.
Alternatively, sort out why trains get reversed so easily and look at creating/getting rid of services to stop this happening.
It's all possible, but unlikely because it costs extra money.
They'd put the ticket prices up, and I for one do not wish to pay more to have my train the right way round (and to then have to walk further from Standard at STP!)But is it a sensible use of taxpayers' money? The franchise would reduce premium or demand extra subsidy if there was a requirement to keep all trains the right way round - there is negligible commercial benefit in doing so and a commercial company won't spend extra just from the goodness of their hearts.
These are still in the data, ticket type BDU 'EMT 1ST UPGRADE'. £12.50 for Bedford to London St Pancras.You can upgrade onboard on EMT I believe on weekdays. There is a fixed upgrade for each destination unless that changed recently. Last I was aware of it was £9(?) to Bedford/Luton, and increasing for stations further out (£43 for Leicester). It may have changed now.
Not necessarily. Country end is the closest to the car park entrance.And Leicester too.
I don't think there is anywhere on the GWR network where HSTs will routinely be reversed - even ECS between Bristol and Cheltenham or beyond (if such ever operates) will be the right way round in Paddington when reversal at Gloucester is taken into account. So the sets will probably all be the same way round in the depot, except after a diversion (and not even most of the most usual diversions).
Common practice seems to be that you are asked if you would like to pay an upgrade by the hosts who check tickets, and TMs coming around later to collect the fares.These are still in the data, ticket type BDU 'EMT 1ST UPGRADE'. £12.50 for Bedford to London St Pancras.
I am sure someone internal will know what policy is regarding selling them. Most train companies, including Virgin Trains and Virgin Trains East Coast, encourage people to upgrade on the train.