ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

[InOban]

Almost certainly. But when will we see all the existing refurbs in daily use?

 

[Journeyman]

Almost certainly. But when will we see all the existing refurbs in daily use?

Sometime in 20*mumblemumble*.

 

[Highland37]

What's the reason they are not in use?

 

[CJSwan]

Two ScotRail power cars have just passed northbound through Newcastle Central at 17:15. I was too slow to get a photo

 

[CJSwan]

What's the reason they are not in use?

Basically... A multitude of faults!

 

[InOban]

Can I point out, BTW, that Abellio has a contract with Angel Trains to provide the refurbished sets. They awarded the contract to Wabtec. Abellio have no contract with Wabtec. If the sets have been delivered in an unsatisfactory state, presumably Abellio can withhold lease payment?

 

[John R]

So last set 9th Aug, next one looks like 6th Sep, so seems to be settling in at around 1 every four weeks.

 

[DannyMich2018]

Two ScotRail power cars have just passed northbound through Newcastle Central at 17:15. I was too slow to get a photo

Did these have any coaches in between as this should have been a refurb as Scotrail tweeted nearly 2 weeks ago that set 8 was ready?

 

[Mag_seven]

Two ScotRail power cars have just passed northbound through Newcastle Central at 17:15. I was too slow to get a photo

43035/43151 on this working:

031F 1353 Doncaster to Haymarket Depot (real headcode 0S01)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R04499/2019/09/05/advanced

Check the link...... it ain’t from Brush.

The power cars came up to Donny from Brush on this working:

029F 1111 Loughborough Brush to Doncaster Works Wagn Shops

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H38069/2019/09/05/advanced

 

[CJSwan]

Did these have any coaches in between as this should have been a refurb as Scotrail tweeted nearly 2 weeks ago that set 8 was ready?

Nope, no coaches

 

[Mag_seven]

Did these have any coaches in between as this should have been a refurb as Scotrail tweeted nearly 2 weeks ago that set 8 was ready?

It is a light engine move so no coaches.

 

[Roast Veg]

Saw the power cars entering Loughborough Brush at 18:27 yesterday from platform 3, first time I've ever caught a working in or out of there.

 

[CJSwan]

Are they off to Haymarket to join all the other random power cars scattered all over the depot? There were quite a few spread out all over the place this morning when I travelled past.

 

[Highland37]

Basically... A multitude of faults!

More faults than on a classic set?

 

[CJSwan]

More faults than on a classic set?

In my experience yes (I work on them)

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I'm not beginning to feel confident that I'll get a refurbished Inter7city HST by April / May in around 7 or 8 months time (I'm autistic so apologies). I'll be in First Class.

I know if say I catch the 07:30ish from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and it's a 'classic' HST then of course I'll still be pleased to have made my first trip north of Edinburgh on an HST but I'd rather the exterior made me feel more like I'm in the Scotrail era if that makes sense.

I've forgotten what online news paper I looked at just now regarding HST's not running to Inverness til May 2020 but it does sound like Scotrail / Wabtec are really struggling to get refurbished HST's out.

Given the comments on here about it, why I'm I sensing the HST refurbishment programme is progressing at 1mph?

 

[Highland37]

In my experience yes (I work on them)

Wow. After spending millions and huge delays, the product is actually worse than an ancient HST set?

 

[47271]

Are they off to Haymarket to join all the other random power cars scattered all over the depot? There were quite a few spread out all over the place this morning when I travelled past.

Yes, I went past earlier and it was like Scrapheap Challenge in there, detached mk3s and power cars right left and centre. It didn't look anything like a situation that's under control.

 

[CJSwan]

Wow. After spending millions and huge delays, the product is actually worse than an ancient HST set?

Being honest, and this is just through my experience, they’re both as bad as each other. But I prefer the slam doors, as I’ve had fewer problems with those!

 

[Railperf]

What is going wrong? GWRs Castle sets have been fine. And their reliability was quite good amd improving last time i checked.Modern Railways.

 

[47271]

The two technical problems I've experienced on refurb sets have both been connected to the doors. Both times the train was held for a while ahead of departure by the closing alarm sounding continuously. Whether the door was stuck open, or not closing properly, I couldn't see.

 

[InOban]

Delivery doesn't seem to have set off...

 

[Abc100]

Looks like most diagrams between Aberdeen and Glasgow today have been replaced by 158/170 judging by SR travel updates.

After a few months where an almost full HST service has been running to Aberdeen at times, has anyone any idea what the sudden change has been? Is there a new greater problem which has surfaced? Or has Scotrail somehow given up and been prioritising 170/158 Use where possible?

As someone who is due to travel this weekend, does anybody know if they are trying to get more HST sets out for Saturday? The Aberdeen to central belt services are extremely busy on Saturdays and today’s assortment of 2-3 carriage sets will be a disaster if repeated.

 

[InOban]

Delivery doesn't seem to have set off...

And has now been cancelled.

 

[connormill]

As someone who is due to travel this weekend, does anybody know if they are trying to get more HST sets out for Saturday? The Aberdeen to central belt services are extremely busy on Saturdays and today’s assortment of 2-3 carriage sets will be a disaster if repeated.

Likely to be particularly bad this weekend between Aberdeen and Glasgow/Edinburgh due to the Rugby and Football both being on

ScotRail have been saying all week that extra carriages will be on most services to Edinburgh/Glasgow but this just shows that to be thrown out the window if 4 car HSTs are being subbed by 170s and 158s

Are they at least doubling the 158s or adding a 158 to a 170?

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

And has now been cancelled.

Cancelled??? Where does it say this? Sorry but to me that's like cancelling a train because there's not enough carriages available.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Cancelled??? Where does it say this? Sorry but to me that's like cancelling a train because there's not enough carriages available.

Silly me - I'm guessing it's the ECS move that's cancelled and not the whole project?

 

[hexagon789]

Silly me - I'm guessing it's the ECS move that's cancelled and not the whole project?

Yes, just the next delivery.

 

[Abc100]

Likely to be particularly bad this weekend between Aberdeen and Glasgow/Edinburgh due to the Rugby and Football both being on

ScotRail have been saying all week that extra carriages will be on most services to Edinburgh/Glasgow but this just shows that to be thrown out the window if 4 car HSTs are being subbed by 170s and 158s

Are they at least doubling the 158s or adding a 158 to a 170?

Apparently not - today there is a good number of 2 car services between Aberdeen and Glasgow and a few 3 car trains.

I’m a big supporter of the HST project but scotrail surely cannot have any justification for staff not being trained up over a year on! We seem to be seeing fewer and fewer HST services as time goes on in Aberdeen - it’s not great during busy weekends!

 

[47271]

Apparently not - today there is a good number of 2 car services between Aberdeen and Glasgow and a few 3 car trains.

I’m a big supporter of the HST project but scotrail surely cannot have any justification for staff not being trained up over a year on! We seem to be seeing fewer and fewer HST services as time goes on in Aberdeen - it’s not great during busy weekends!

Judging by the apparent chaos at Haymarket depot, I'd guess that the main problem at the moment is with the trains rather than the staff to work them.

It's not so much that there's lot of HSTs parked there doing nothing, it's more than it's a jumble of part sets, sets with only one power car and mk3s out on their own, and scattered throughout the site. One coach I saw yesterday still had full FGW markings on it. It's like they're constantly swapping vehicles around to produce something serviceable.