Scotrail HSTs - 4-5 years in

[northscots]

Just on a HST rn and found only one (iirc) of the vestibule doors works, is this a normal amount or below the odds?

Yeah, that's normal. Most are isolated because of faults. Its been an issue for years.

 

[CJSwan]

Most of the vestibule doors do not work as they should. Some only open slightly and then judder to a halt when you approach them. Some, once they’ve opened very slowly then slam shut with great ferocity. Others continuously open and close violently on their own. There have also been some occasions when a door has just not opened and a passenger has struggled to slide it open (due to various reasons: disability, age, hands full with luggage etc) and ended up missing their stop. And the others have something loose in their mechanisms in the ceiling above the vestibule that make a dreadfully loud rattling noise that sounds like heavy gun fire at random intervals.

I have seen all of the above first hand and fallen foul to a door slamming shut on me as I’ve been walking through it on at least three separate occasions.

 

[Rick1984]

And the others have something loose in their mechanisms in the ceiling above the vestibule that make a dreadfully loud rattling noise that sounds like heavy gun fire at random intervals.

Ah that explains the noise I heard on the one I took to Aberdeen couple week and half ago. Bit like an extremely loud coffee machine.
They're very pleasant to travel on, but the creaks and squeaks probably the biggest bugbear.

 

[Bikeman78]

Yeah, that's normal. Most are isolated because of faults. Its been an issue for years.

They seemed to work fine when the HSTs ran to Paddington. What changed in the past five years?

 

[scotraildriver]

They seemed to work fine when the HSTs ran to Paddington. What changed in the past five years?

Wabtec fitted a new door system as part of the refurbishment. Like the buffet issues, it doesn't work.

 

[Scotrail84]

I've been on several HSTs this week and every one of them the buffet areas are without power and not clean. Doesn't look like anything is being done to get the buffets back in use.

 

[scotraildriver]

I've been on several HSTs this week and every one of them the buffet areas are without power and not clean. Doesn't look like anything is being done to get the buffets back in use.

It's things like water sanitation and equipment overhaul. Not things you would necessarily see. The buffet area has it's own power and light switches etc so again, it's just switched off.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's things like water sanitation and equipment overhaul. Not things you would necessarily see. The buffet area has it's own power and light switches etc so again, it's just switched off.

I'm aware of that. . I've on seen one with working fridges so far, the rest are all off and frankly stinking.

 

[kkong]

Wabtec fitted a new door system as part of the refurbishment. Like the buffet issues, it doesn't work.

Do you know if Wabtec are being made to fix them under warranty?

If so, why is it taking so long?

And if not, why not?

 

[scotraildriver]

Do you know if Wabtec are being made to fix them under warranty?

If so, why is it taking so long?

And if not, why not?

There is a modification programme underway at Inverness depot to resolve the issue. Whether or not Wabtec are involved I don't know, but everything they do takes forever .

 

[Bikeman78]

Wabtec fitted a new door system as part of the refurbishment. Like the buffet issues, it doesn't work.

Interesting. Are they being held to account for this failure?

Edit: Sorry, I see you have already answered this.

 

[Blindtraveler]

How was the new system for the doors meant to operate? I assume it did not rely on the old pressure pads

 

[Scotrail84]

How was the new system for the doors meant to operate? I assume it did not rely on the old pressure pads

Pressure pads are still the method used to open the doors.

 

[scotraildriver]

Pressure pads are still the method used to open the doors.

It's still pressure pads but there is a new air system which requires very careful setup to balance the pressure between opening and closing and it's all a big faff. There was an incident where a coach lost power which caused the doors to jam shut trapping the conductor and passenger in the coach hence the modification.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's still pressure pads but there is a new air system which requires very careful setup to balance the pressure between opening and closing and it's all a big faff. There was an incident where a coach lost power which caused the doors to jam shut trapping the conductor and passenger in the coach hence the modification.

It's an absolute nonsense eh, from getting rid of the TGS coaches to delicate air systems for vestibule doors and ****ed buffets. Why make things difficult?

 

[Rhydgaled]

It's an absolute nonsense eh, from getting rid of the TGS coaches to delicate air systems for vestibule doors and ****ed buffets. Why make things difficult?

Do/did the GWR 'castle sets' and XC sets have the same problems with the vestibule doors (and buffets in the case of XC - the 'castle sets' of course don't have a buffet and I think both kept the TGS)?

 

[scotraildriver]

Do/did the GWR 'castle sets' and XC sets have the same problems with the vestibule doors (and buffets in the case of XC - the 'castle sets' of course don't have a buffet and I think both kept the TGS)?

Yes they did. The cross country sets had them all locked open latterly and labels on them about warranty work. Don't think they ever got fixed.

 

[CC 72100]

Yes they did. The cross country sets had them all locked open latterly and labels on them about warranty work. Don't think they ever got fixed.

Indeed - I'd love to the see the vestibule door functionality rate amongst the converted fleet, must be no greater than 20%.

XC sets were right at the bottom of the pile in my experience. GWR ones seemed to fair a little better.

They weren't failproof in slam door days, but for whatever reason, the system they are now fitted with is hopelessly unreliable.

 

[Railperf]

Will the upgraded wheel slide protection installation commence soon?

 

[northscots]

Talk around scotrail depits certainly sounds as though the fleet won't be around for much longer.

 

[Charged up]

The Scottish Government Cabinet Secret for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) has just announced in a Holyrood Net Zero committee that procurement for a fleet to replace the Inter-city HSTs will commence in the "near future". An open procurement process will be put in place but no detail given by her for the fleet type and introduction timeline.

In her role as Cabinet Secretary for Transport, local MSP Fiona Hyslop, has announced new investment in vital rail links.

This follows the announcement that procurement will begin to replace Scotland’s High Speed Intercity Trains which serve passengers between Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, beginning the process of upgrading the fleet of trains serving these routes.

Commenting Fiona said:

“Resilient, reliable ScotRail services are key to encouraging more people to choose to travel by train rather than car, to cutting our transport emissions and to helping to move people around Scotland for work, leisure and learning. That is why we must build on our investment in Scotland’s railway infrastructure by investing in the services and trains which connect our key cities.

“Over 4 million passenger journeys were made on InterCity trains in the last year. We want to maintain and where possible increase that number choosing to go by train between Scotland’s cities.

“We want to replace the current InterCity fleet with trains which provide more comfort and accessibility for passengers on these routes.

“Many of my Constituents living in West Lothian commute to cities across the country regularly for work and this investment will improve this journey and hopefully encourage more commuters living in West Lothian to travel by train.”

Good news at last but probably about 3 years too late!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Assuming near future means sometime in the next parliamentary year then this would just about fit with the time scale originally announced way back years ago when the HST roll out was just starting... Whilst I absolutely cannot stand the thought of it, while there is still an effective and usable 80x production line open. They do well simply bang in an order, albeit not what many of us would want to see

 

[northscots]

Assuming near future means sometime in the next parliamentary year then this would just about fit with the time scale originally announced way back years ago when the HST roll out was just starting... Whilst I absolutely cannot stand the thought of it, while there is still an effective and usable 80x production line open. They do well simply bang in an order, albeit not what many of us would want to see

I'd suggest we're more likely to see a something coming off lease elsewhere bought in as a short term stop gap whilst the pie in the sky policy of electrician crawls along at a snails space.

 

[irp]

Assuming near future means sometime in the next parliamentary year then this would just about fit with the time scale originally announced way back years ago when the HST roll out was just starting... Whilst I absolutely cannot stand the thought of it, while there is still an effective and usable 80x production line open. They do well simply bang in an order, albeit not what many of us would want to see

Leaving aside any personal opinions on the Class 80x, Even if the production line is still open, would not a new order end up being behind the 810s for EMR ? Surely it will be some time (multiple years) before any new rolling stock will be available ? - Not that I have a solution!

 

[InvHst]

I'd suggest we're more likely to see a something coming off lease elsewhere bought in as a short term stop gap whilst the pie in the sky policy of electrician crawls along at a snails space.

Truthfully nobody knows until the notice comes out with more details in the next few weeks. I think we'll be seeing the hsts in service till next Mays timetable change if it's something short term if it's a new build then I can tell you now it'll be much longer. Definitely far from the end for them

 

[chuff chuff]

The Scottish Government Cabinet Secret for Transport (Fiona Hyslop) has just announced in a Holyrood Net Zero committee that procurement for a fleet to replace the Inter-city HSTs will commence in the "near future". An open procurement process will be put in place but no detail given by her for the fleet type and introduction timeline.

Good news at last but probably about 3 years too late!

That ties in with an email we received earlier this year.There was talk of something happening next year but no information as too what as it was commercially sensitive.

 

[sannox]

It's open procurement and from the sounds of it, really up to manufacturers to specify something 'Intercity' and give reasonable timescales. Could get anything really.

 

[chuff chuff]

Just received an email from the union about the replacement of the HSTs no detail and pretty much what was alluded to further up.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'd suggest we're more likely to see a something coming off lease elsewhere bought in as a short term stop gap whilst the pie in the sky policy of electrician crawls along at a snails space.

Given the media's widely predicted announcement of Scottish austerity in all but name this afternoon, then you are probably right and I won't disagree with you on electrification rollout pace, speed and realisticness

 

[HamworthyGoods]

“The Scottish Government announced today that procurement will begin to replace its Intercity trains.

The procurement, which will be led by ScotRail on behalf of Transport Scotland, will seek a replacement for the High Speed Train (HST) fleet which operates on its InterCity routes between Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Inverness.

Procurement underway to replace ScotRail High Speed Trains - Rail UK

Procurement underway to replace ScotRail High Speed Trains - Rolling Stock

railuk.com