Northhighland
Member
- Joined
- 19 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 606
I've just been on my first trip on a refurb, from Edinburgh to Perth. I travelled in first class, which is very nice, but I had a good nose around in standard before we set off.
Honest opinion? Decidedly underwhelming. For all the hassle and inconvenience, the improvement over previous stock really isn't that great. Fine, there's more seats, but this is still an old train, and as soon as it starts moving, you notice.
Jerky acceleration, and that horrible squeaking and clattering from the bogies and gangways, is still a problem. I also find the suspension on HSTs far too soft compared to modern stock, and it results in a constant slight bounciness I really don't like.
Only a marginal improvement over the 170s, I reckon, unless you're in first. Really not buying into all the hype right now.
As regular traveller on the HML they are the best way of getting to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Way ahead of the 170 no blast of cold air at every station and better than the azuma . Very well received by most passengers. Not just train spotters. Just need to get them performing reliably and that seems to be improving.