HSTs TO MAKE WELCOME RETURN
To provide more seats, especially during busy periods on Thursdays, Fridays and
Mondays, CrossCountry is returning five High Speed Trains to its routes. In tandem
with the Voyager refresh programme, which will see an extra 842 seats across the
fleet and an increase in luggage space, the HSTs will provide a timely boost to
capacity. Once refurbished each set, formed 2+8, will offer 550 seats and ample
luggage space and be deployed on Edinburgh-Plymouth services. This in turn will
allow some Voyager-operated services to run as twin sets once their refurbishment is
complete, and will help alleviate crowding on some XC services. The first refurbished
power cars are due to enter service in July, followed by the first complete set in
September.
The first non-refurbished XC HSTs will enter service on Saturday 17 May on the 0850
Edinburgh-Penzance, and will also be used on Sundays on the same service and the
1025 Plymouth-Glasgow. From Monday 19 May they will be used on selected weekday
services to make more seats available on the following services:
Mondays 0830 Penzance-Dundee;
Thursdays 0641 Dunbar-Glasgow,
0900 Glasgow-Penzance;
Fridays 0830 Penzance-Dundee,
1205 Edinburgh-Plymouth.
HSTs will also be used on the Summer Saturday services on 24 and 31 May and from 5
July through to 6 September. The four diagrams will be covered by a combination of
XC and National Express East Coast HSTs. The two XC sets will be formed 2+7, with
NXEC providing two 2+9 sets. On hire to CrossCountry labels will be displayed
in the NXEC sets. It is intended that each train will leave Birmingham with the TGS,
the part of the train providing luggage storage, leading. There will be two
additional members of staff at Newquay to help with the turnaround and loading.
There will also be one additional member of staff on board to assist with luggage
management for each Newquay starter. The other services will have an additional crew
member between Bristol and Plymouth. Prior to refurbishment, the XC HST services will
have at-seat trolley catering, with up to three catering staff on board over the core
routes. The buffets on the NXEC sets will be in use.
The two XC sets will be used on the 0941 Newcastle-Newquay, 1955 Newquay-Plymouth,
0653 Plymouth-Newquay and the 0940 Newquay-Newcastle services.
The NXEC sets will be used on the 0735 Bristol-Paignton, 1032 Paignton-Newcastle,
0724 Manchester-Newquay and the 1522 return.
All trains operate under CrossCountrys safety case and track access agreement,
staffed by CrossCountry traincrew. Travelling fitters will be on board most services
to rectify any problems which may arise. A refurbishment programme is under way to
completely overhaul the HST power cars and carriages. The power cars are being
fitted with new MTU engines, and all five trainsets will be painted in the
distinctive CrossCountry livery. Three of the sets are being worked on now, with the
other two being used on Summer Saturday services. As the refurbished sets enter
service the two non-refurbished sets will go into works for a complete overhaul. As
part of the overhaul the HSTs will be fitted with at-seat power points for mobile
phones and laptops. CrossCountry is working with company council and RSM coaches to
develop the at-seat service and design work on the new catering area is now at an
advanced stage.
From the December 2008 timetable change it is planned to use the newly refurbished
XC HSTs on the following services:
0611 Leeds-Plymouth,
1225 Plymouth-Glasgow,
0638 Dundee-Plymouth,
1725 Plymouth-Leeds,
0628 Derby-Plymouth,
1125 Plymouth-Dundee,
0610 Edinburgh-Plymouth,
1525 Plymouth-York.
(not that I'm counting... 