Intermodal
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There is no technical reason why the wifi cannot be free. It is a business decision, 100%.
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Ideas for interior refresh / refurbishment of Pendolinos
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WiFi is single 4G data connection accessed by the passengers through WiFi. Bandwidth is a restriction at the moment but the system is being upgraded to give better access. Not sure if it will be installed before or after WCP.
Personally I'd change the windows to give passengers better phone signal so they can use their own data.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
1. The luggage racks are well shaped and easy to access unlike many other units.
2. The interior panels are a nice warm colour.
3. You won't be able to do that, it's a Pendolino structural thing. But they really aren't that much of an issue as they are at the right height to see out of.
4. Don't see an issue with them - would be a waste of money.
5. No, don't. What do you want? Ironing boards? I am a Grammer IC3000 fan and would be happy if they got those - but the Pendolino/Voyager seat to me is definitely one of the better ones and very rarely seems to draw complaints from anyone.
I disagree, I'll take a Pendolino any day over a rough-riding built-on-the-cheap Mk4.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Never had an issue with phone signal on a Pendolino - it's Voyagers with their foil-covered windows that are an issue. I've certainly held a 4G connection (was working over a VPN, so would have noticed any drop-out) pretty much all the way from MKC to Edinburgh via Brum with the exception of a short section over Shap.
Quite drastic changes suggested there. Although the seats in standard class look the same frame but reupholstered with cloth and vinyl? And they lose the warm lightning for neutral white.
That business office class looks a bit over the top for something which is a railway not an airline. I take it the proposed business office class would be the new top class with the high capacity first class being the middle class between business and standard?
And the bar would be for high capacity first class and the shop for standard class?
Could be a little too us and them for the WCML?
Maybe it's my phones/network then because I can very rarely browse the Internet because of lack of 4g data. The windows have a transparent metal coating on to reduce UV but it also blocks signal. A couple of companies have developed solutions that allow more signal through.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
High capacity first class is a ludicrous idea; many of us would only consider 1st for the 2+1 seating and have no interest in differentiation by service levels.
Suspect it'll be "premium economy" so 3 levels of ticket.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I could see that happening on HS2 (which I could also see being outside the regular ticketing system) but I doubt it will on what will be very much secondary services that use Pendolinos in the long term.
EE Andy b1
Established Member
Let's not go along a 3 class setup, no need for that whatsoever.
Keep a similar ambience to what they already have as it's quite pleasant as is.
Spread the standard class seating out a little give some more space at the cost of the odd row of seats.
Have a purpose built bike rack moved next to where the train managers office is.
Update the shop area.
Keep the original seats with new coverings, new carpets and a general good tidy of interior.
Plug and USB sockets for all seats, free WiFi, keep Beam or equivalent.
Turn the 4th First class vehicle (G) on 11 coach Pendolinos into standard class as on the 9 car.
Keep a similar ambience to what they already have as it's quite pleasant as is.
Spread the standard class seating out a little give some more space at the cost of the odd row of seats.
Have a purpose built bike rack moved next to where the train managers office is.
Update the shop area.
Keep the original seats with new coverings, new carpets and a general good tidy of interior.
Plug and USB sockets for all seats, free WiFi, keep Beam or equivalent.
Turn the 4th First class vehicle (G) on 11 coach Pendolinos into standard class as on the 9 car.
4-SUB 4732
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I would be in favour of a Three Class system; most notably because it would be helpful in my mind to have a situation whereby you can screw the richest over for the most amount of money (e.g. the current £484 + 25% and therefore £605) so they can have the full meal, drinks etc; whilst then reducing the First Class fare down by 25% (to £363) for '2nd Class' with access to soft drinks only and very light snacks. On the sort of routes Virgin operate over, it wouldn't be difficult to punch the relevant 9 car Pendolino units on the 'premier' routes (e.g. Manchester, some Birmingham and Glasgow direct) whilst then using the 11 car ones on the other routes (Liverpool, some Birmingham, maybe one Manchester (via Crewe?) and Scotland via Brum) with just a two class Std + 2nd in a proportion 8 / 3.
Indeed. Angel trains may be offering a three class setup as part of any refurb, but presumably this setup would have to be agreed within the WCP franchise agreement. And could we say that'd probably be unlikely?
They could spread standard out a little bit by altering first class to 2+2 seating, which is kind of what seems to be suggested on that link to Angel trains. Except they are proposing a small business class as well, which may not be needed or agreed to by the DFT?
Great point about the bikes. And the pictures in that Angel Trains pictures page seems to show two bikes parked in a storage space within coach C. Which suggests Angel may wish to move the bikes from behind the drivers. Sounds more than sensible given more people are cycling and it's a pain for staff to be there at the extreme end just for a bike to join or alight.
I did have to laugh at the irony of that. I think what this would lead to is only executives travelling business class with companies paying. Whether that's a good or a bad thing probably deserves its own thread.
Kite159
Veteran Member
The 2nd picture on that website posted showing table seats looks horrid, mainly for the lack of shoulder space due to the positioning of the bulk head with the seat back.
http://www.angelrailway.com/img/galleries/pendolino/pendolino_2.jpg
Not mentioning that the seat bases look like they are made of plastic on that mock-up!
http://www.angelrailway.com/img/galleries/pendolino/pendolino_2.jpg
Not mentioning that the seat bases look like they are made of plastic on that mock-up!
4-SUB 4732
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That looks like a relatively good 2nd Class set up - especially if you can keep First as a more luxurious 2+1 or even 1+1.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Other than those awful looking tables with the upwards pointed ledge
Bevan Price
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I suspect that any "updating" will be little more than new seat upholstery, and maybe a new coat of paint for the interior.
My own preferences (which will not occur) would be:
1. Reduce 1st Claas to only 2 coaches per set.
2. Move seats & luggage racks so that more passengers had views out of window.
3. Get rid of window blinds, replace by tinted glass windows. I find Pendolinos to be rather claustrophobic when the blinds are up. With lots of blinds down, they become a lot worse. (Or alternatively use the type of blinds I encountered in Austria year ago - they reduce the sun intensity, but you can still see out of the windows, because the type of fabric had a more open type of "weave", rather than the very close weave that seems to be used in UK.)
My own preferences (which will not occur) would be:
1. Reduce 1st Claas to only 2 coaches per set.
2. Move seats & luggage racks so that more passengers had views out of window.
3. Get rid of window blinds, replace by tinted glass windows. I find Pendolinos to be rather claustrophobic when the blinds are up. With lots of blinds down, they become a lot worse. (Or alternatively use the type of blinds I encountered in Austria year ago - they reduce the sun intensity, but you can still see out of the windows, because the type of fabric had a more open type of "weave", rather than the very close weave that seems to be used in UK.)
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I'd rather they kept it as it is and introduced more sensibly priced First Off Peak tickets.
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