What's wrong (right?) with Pendolinos?

[Techniquest]

If you're on EE you can now get a portable battery charger for free (well 35p for the cost of sending POWER to 365). Once depleted you charge it yourself or call into an EE store to swap for a fully charged one, again for free.

They're quite small and probably good for one full charge or even slightly less, but a useful accessory. Amazon is full of similar, with carrying capacity. Prices start from about a fiver updates I think.

Just done that, amazed they haven't sent me promotional texts about it before. God knows how many spam texts I've had from them about DVD rentals and much more!

Shall have to try and get mine tomorrow, assuming The Ford isn't so behind the times that they haven't run out!

Thanks for the gen there, if it works well you'll be credited in Monday's trip report

 

[cjmillsnun]

Having worked out in Savigliano on the Fiat Ferroviaria design team (before it was swallowed by Alstom), one of the things I worked hard to try and change was the window size. Alas, it wasn't possible to have bigger windows without compromising the bodyshell strength and/or fatigue life.

Sorry, I don't believe that for a second. Strengthening can be placed into the body structure to allow for that.

The problem is doing it at a reasonable cost. That's a tough nut to crack, however one day it will be.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sorry, I don't believe that for a second. Strengthening can be placed into the body structure to allow for that.

The problem is doing it at a reasonable cost. That's a tough nut to crack, however one day it will be.

I'd argue it has been. The windows on the Javelins, also designed for 140mph, are a bit (though not massively) bigger.

I think the issue may well be in how the Euro-Pendolino (which has windows roughly the same size as the Javelin) was scaled down to UK loading gauge. It is I guess possible (as you say) that redesigning it to avoid the windows being scaled down was not financially practicable.
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The first "refreshed" Pendolino (or is it just coach G?) is now running around the WCML.
Over the next 18 months the entire fleet will get the upgrade.
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/about/media-room/#/.

Does anyone know if anything has changed about the interior with the refresh, or is it just replacement seat covers in the same colours?

 

[JaJaWa]

Does anyone know if anything has changed about the interior with the refresh, or is it just replacement seat covers in the same colours?

It says "major interior interior refresh", which it mentions as including a "deep clean". I had previously taken refurbishment = new seats and handrails, refresh = new seat covers and repainted handrails. So this is surely just a "clean"?..

 

[physics34]

Once again....the mark 3 was basically much better! Its scandalous that this plastic nonsence replaced them.

 

[Starmill]

It says "major interior interior refresh", which it mentions as including a "deep clean". I had previously taken refurbishment = new seats and handrails, refresh = new seat covers and repainted handrails. So this is surely just a "clean"?..

Well obviously if it is coach G it will be all shiny but otherwise....

 

[Geezertronic]

The 390s seem to be like Marmite Having travelled very regularly on them a few years ago I am a fan.

 

[fowler9]

The 390s seem to be like Marmite Having travelled very regularly on them a few years ago I am a fan.

Madness! Ha ha. I jest of course. I quite like them when they aren't heavily loaded or I'm in first to be fair. When they are busy they are no worse than a budget airline, and I've never been on one longer than I've been on a budget airliner.

 

[aylesbury]

I travelled to Scotland in Febuary standard class good journey on time no probs with the train quiet, food available when required and no pong what else do you need.

 

[fowler9]

I travelled to Scotland in Febuary standard class good journey on time no probs with the train quiet, food available when required and no pong what else do you need.

That all the time, not just on your train in February.