Special offer from East Midlands Trains

[valentaman]

was just a request lol not expecting it! but if it is thats super! me and 4 others along with 66 regulars are booked on the 09.15!

 

[Broken Viking]

No, EMTs entire fleet is VP185 except 43089 (for a limited period only!!!)

Ahh...Looks like I got my engine types a bit muxed-ip! I'd always thought that VP185 was Paxmans' model number for the Valenta! hock:

So just to get a general idea (As I don't know nearly as much about HSTs as I ought to): How does a VP185 compare to the MTU'd engines that GWR are using? Indeed...Are they actually two different types of engine, or two different names for the same thing?

Last Valenta on EMT, with the only other passenger power cars with Valentas being with GC now. To think there's only 7 power cars with Valentas left in service, out of 197 built...:cry:
Froth over 089 is going to increase considerably up until December when she's due for a VP185!

Damn...As luck would have it - Even though I travel London to Derby fairly regularly now - Thanks to my low income and the need to save wherever I can, I'm stuck with using Chiltern 168s from Marylebone via Birmingham MS...I can't afford to travel on EMTs normal fares! :cry:

Given that I normally use the cheap Chiltern offer between Woking and Birmingham (And a Saver BHM-DBY) for these journeys, is anyone aware of an excess or similar ticket that I could use as a "suppliment" to catch the EMT route insted without being chinged too much extra?

And finally: 43089 wouldn't happen to still be in MML livery, would she? I did have an MML liveried HST (Entire MML rake, from what I recall) out of St. Pancras during my ALR a while ago. I didn't catch the numbers thanks to me making the train just before departure...But whichever locos were hauling her, she was shifting enough power to fry the brake linings. Indeed the smell was so noticable in the vestribule around Mkt. Harborough, that I actually fetched the TM and bought her into the vestibule as I was concerned that a fire might've broken out beneath the carriage! hock:

The gen I heard was that notch 5 has been reinstated

Hmmm...HSTs can manage 136mph on notch IV without even breaking a sweat, so a Valenta on V must really be something special! I do hope that I get the chance to try 089 out whilst she's still got her thrash'ouse! 8)

Although mind ye, I still reckon I could get more speed out of a 370. They don't have a notch VII and "Boost" settings for nothing, ye know... hock:

 

[martyn29]

how did the trip go? post your experiences! I hear that the 1015 was like a sardine can!

 

[Broken Viking]

how did the trip go? post your experiences! I hear that the 1015 was like a sardine can!

Aye, I didn't even realise that it was this soon (I thought it was happening next month! hock: ) and if I could've made it, Id've done it just to see how much coverage I could get for a tenner!

Did anyone get any photos? I just want to see how packed the train was! Was it so bad that EMT had to send a Meridian close behind to pick up all of the "normal" passengers because there was too much veg on the HST?

 

[EM2]

Did anyone get any photos? I just want to see how packed the train was! Was it so bad that EMT had to send a Meridian close behind to pick up all of the "normal" passengers because there was too much veg on the HST?

Info when I got to St P at 3pm was that there were at leat 1,000 pax on that train

 

[Broken Viking]

Info when I got to St P at 3pm was that there were at leat 1,000 pax on that train

Stuffin' eck...And I thought that Pendolinos were bad for overcrowding on Friday afternoons! hock:

After hearing about that, I don't think I'll ever complain about overcrowding on VT services ever again!

 

[martyn29]

I bet the train manager didnt get through to do tickets

 

[yorkie]

I bet the train manager didnt get through to do tickets

On my train there was a barrier check AND the TM came through before Kettering!

I reckon there may be well over 1,000 at Chesterfield given the numbers reported at Corby.

Valentaman was spotted at Nottingham.

 

[Broken Viking]

I reckon there may be well over 1,000 at Chesterfield given the numbers reported at Corby.

After todays events (To say nothing of much higher usage of the Red Dot Day promo than EMT could've forseen) why can I see East Midlands Trains getting into the railtour business?

 

[martyn29]

did you have a hst?
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After todays events (To say nothing of much higher usage of the Red Dot Day promo than EMT could've forseen) why can I see East Midlands Trains getting into the railtour business?

Get another HST with a Valenta:P

 

[87015]

After todays events (To say nothing of much higher usage of the Red Dot Day promo than EMT could've forseen)

Don't really think it is unforeseen, at least if they did their research. There have been plenty of days of this sort over time and all have seen massive demand - you make it cheap people WILL use it.

 

[Broken Viking]

Personally, I'm really hoping that certain other TOCs...[Death gently taps a certain Sir Branson on the shoulder with the Blade of his Chainsaw]...Choose to follow in EMT's footsteps with this kind of promotion as it would open the floodgates for some serious route familiarisation and high speed bashing - Something that would be very good for the WCML in todays climate, and might even get some people to give up their cars too! hock:

Indeed...If Virgin ever had a £10.00 "Red Stripe" day (Or even weekend) promo, ye could bet thy ass that I'd be getting my backside straight to Euston well in time for the 05:46 that morning! Though there'd be no über-clag from 43089, there'd still be plenty of 130mph full-tilt action for me to get my claws into...And a whole day of that would make me a very happy Bezerker!

Indeed...Who'd need a seven day ALR with promotions like that being passed about? :-O :-D ;-)

 

[Techniquest]

THAT busy? Good grief, the 15th of August is going to be nuts then!

Death: Current engine types in HSTs in operation:

Paxman Valenta 12RP200L: In use in 43065/067/068/080/084/089/123. Also in use in 43014*/062 but not available for passenger service.

Paxman VP185: In use with all bar 43089 with EMT

MTU 16V4000: In use with all FGW and NXEC power cars, as well as 43013.

* = 43014 is well overdue for a trip to Brush, as soon as 43013 is back on the NMT in a working state 014 is off to Brush for a MTU.

Like Death, I'd like to see photos of just how busy it was myself. Looks like I might have to go to EMD the night before to ensure I can get my ticket early and get bashing early!
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Yes, a reliable source indicates there will be a special ECS move from NL to Kettering for it

Lucky lot, would love to have 43089 up there, sadly I can't see it happening.

 

[Tyke Toper]

Voucher for £10 ticket from Chesterfield now up on EMT website. Note you must print voucher to book and reserve a seat on the 09:39 at Chesterfield in advance of 30/07/09 to travel on that service. Otherwise travel on any EMT service ex Chesterfield after 09:39.

Reports please of yesterday's bashes?