SpacePhoenix
Established Member
- Joined
- 18 Mar 2014
- Messages
- 5,492
Other than picking out a buffer fitted power car for the "Top Trumps" card, which I think marrs the timeless lines of the trains, I thought that they showed the HST sets in a fairly positive light: The iconic Intercity swallow livery, and then an immediately post-launch shot of a set "stretching its' legs" out of Kings Cross. With regard to the latter image, I don't think that the new trains will create anywhere near as much of a stir or a lasting legacy when the first few depart Kings Cross!
I concur however there are a couple of reasons for this.
BR marketed the HST for all it was worth because 125 mph running in this country was unheard of. Nowadays its regarded as being nothing special so I can't imagine much of a fan fare when they enter service. And of course its pretty much a like for like replacement.
The other point to bear in mind was the absolute racket as a HST departed the station which often made people look up. That Valenta "scream" is unlikely to be replicated by the new trains.
To them it's just a 26m x 3m x 4m box.
Interesting that the BBC article http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31831603 says "a new name is being sought for the trains" and has a box for suggestions
where abouts? as am near the test track so awaiting there arrival thanks
Interesting that the BBC article http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31831603 says "a new name is being sought for the trains" and has a box for suggestions
Dose anybody know or heard anything on who is to get the contracts for maintenance and refurbishment to these new 800s ? Rolling stock etc etc I'm at wabtec Doncaster on the 91s, just needing to know if I'll have a job in the future.
Who's doing the seeking? Presumably FGW?
If so we'll end up with two fleet names for GW and EC routes.
Hitachi are doing the maintenance themselves. This is because instead of renting trains, TOCs will be renting diagrams instead.
In Doncaster they are opening a new depot at the 'Carr' site, so this is where they will be maintained.
23.04.14 Hitachi to take possession of Doncaster Carr depot
Hitachi Rail Europe is to take possession of Doncaster Carr next month, a site that has been a railway depot for over 100 years, to develop its own £70m maintenance depot for the IEP trains.
The construction work, which will be carried out by Volker Fitzpatrick, is expected to start in the summer with the site operational by 2016.
It is expected that the project will create around 160 jobs. The new depot will be located at the end of Ten Pound Walk and, when complete, a minimum of 10 five-car trains will be permanently based at the depot.
http://www.railtechnologymagazine.c...i-to-take-possession-of-doncaster-carr-depot-
In a way it's been the case with the 180s; Adelante for FGW/HT and Zephyr for GC. Though if any at all now, we only tend to hear use of the former nickname; they haven't quite captured our imagination in the same
I think it will be a difficult beast to promote. I read the BBC news article about the trains arriving the other day and they provided a list of fast trains around the world. They did their best to make them sound fast but I think failed since they are 60 mph slower than many others and 14 mph faster than Mallard which they included in the list.
Which was only a one-off, of course.
What more can we do without HS2?
It will be hard to do in the UK because we have such a dense population but it is not impossible. We have to think long term.
Regarding Mallard, yes it was a one off but it makes you realise how far we really haven't come. These trains will possibly be running until after I am dead and buried and the top speed seems to be 140mph (I presume on the East Coast). By the time HS2 is built, if it is, I will be really knocking on in age and we will have advanced very little since I was in my teens.
On the other hand, I've heard France and Japan are rather envious of our population spread. As it will allow us to sustain our 'classic' intercity service by providing an enhanced timetable to the many settlements which have built up along our major railway corridors when the 'express trains' transfer to dedicated HS.
I'd disagree and say we have come a very long way. One statistic that proves this is that our railways have been at their busiest since the 1920s even with a significantly reduced route-mileage, and relative expenditure is vastly more efficient for many reasons.
140mph running will be achievable on both routes when the necessary infrastructure works have taken place; electrification/enhancement, level crossing closure, ERTMS rollout...
Without a doubt what we have got from our railway network is impressive. However I would not entirely agree that the boom in passenger numbers is entirely down to the fantastic service offered.
Without a doubt what we have got from our railway network is impressive. However I would not entirely agree that the boom in passenger numbers is entirely down to the fantastic service offered.
I concur. My oldest son is half German and since I first met him I've been over to Germany many times to visit him. Nothing that we have compares to the DB network although they tend to suffer more from industrial action.
I guess you first met him when he was born...