Class 350 golden spanner

[Bletchleyite]

I think what you actually mean is London - Birmingham services as really there are two services combined here - London - Northampton and Northampton - Birmingham particularly since the last re-shuffle when they serve some of the intermediate stations between Coventry and New Street rather than just International as they did in Silverlink days.

Which is where the new 3+2 sets will allegedly go. But then comes the random unit generator, and you can bet the Tring stoppers is where you will actually see the 2+2 sets and the 3+2s up north.

 

[43096]

If you read the Holden report you'll see SWR gamed the system by allocating failures to staff rather than the units that actually failed for example!

Which was commissioned after Stagecoach left the property so was no doubt subject to WorstGroup spin.

Having used SWT daily for many years the reported figures for the 458s of 100k+ MTIN are believable. I was doing about 30k of travel on them per year, or 60k unit miles (pairs of units on each train). That would imply a delay on my train due to a train fault every 18 months to 2 years. Does that tally with my recollection of delays? Yes, absolutely.

I rather suspect there is a lot of WorstGroup propaganda going on with this to cover the cuts in maintenance budgets, reduced spares provision and general p***ing off of staff that has happened since the franchise started.

Ironically SWR issued a press release 12 months ago celebrating its spanner wins, for which the credit should really go to the previous incumbent.

 

[E_Reeves]

There are many things going for them but ride quality isn't it - over the bogies in particular it's atrocious.

Only reason it's tolerable (with a few heavy jolts over the likes of Ledburn) is that the WCML is pretty much up to Teutonic track standards these days. The 185s on TPE ride atrociously, and the SWR Desiros barely any better, as the track isn't as good there. Though it does make a massive difference where you sit - right in the middle is hugely smoother than the ends.

I find it the smoothest either side of Stafford.

 

[Bletchleyite]

At least WorstGroup seem to be doing a better job of cleaning the trains. Built-up black filth on aircon outlets is just downright lazy. It only takes someone to walk the length of the train with a brush held overhead once every week or two to clear it.

FWIW, it's about the most common piece of laziness I see in hotel room cleaning, too. I clean it myself as it annoys me, but I shouldn't have to.

 

[Railperf]

The 2000s Desiros are good, solid and nowadays reliable trains. The ride takes a while to get used to as it's less forgiving over bad track but otherwise will always opt for 360 over 321 or 350 over 319.

I couldn't agree more!!

 

[Railperf]

I think they are fine as they are for services south of Rugby ( although in reality that means Northampton) but not for those going further north

To be honest with you I would be as happy on a 350 from Euston to Glasgow as I would be on a pendolino despite the obvious speed difference.

 

[DarloRich]

As i have said - I am a daily user and find them very good trains. I don't have any ride issues but then the WCML is in pretty good nick at present. if anything there aren't enough of them!

I also find the 185's good quality trains.

To be honest with you I would be as happy on a 350 from Euston to Glasgow as I would be on a pendolino despite the obvious speed difference.

possibly a touch far!

 

[Railperf]

As i have said - I am a daily user and find them very good trains. I don't have any ride issues but then the WCML is in pretty good nick at present. if anything there aren't enough of them!

I also find the 185's good quality trains.




possibly a touch far!

I am referring to the Passenger environments which is quite claustrophobic in a pendolino not least because the body side tape as it in but mainly because the windows are quite small and therefore the cabin does not feel as light and airy.

Also from a price point of view I used to find London Midland services to Liverpool very competitively priced even though it meant changing en route. Virgin Pendolino services are more than double the price unless you book well in advance which isn't always practically possible. I know it's going slightly off Topic here but we seem to miss a trick in this country by not offering as slower service with more stops using something like a 350 at a budget price.

 

[Bletchleyite]

we seem to miss a trick in this country by not offering as slower service with more stops using something like a 350 at a budget price.

I guess you mean more widely than the WCML, where such services are offered, at very, very attractive prices.

A bit like the Polish TLK, I guess, but ours have stock that is actually nice rather than ancient 4-a-side non-aircon compartment stock. I'm quite happy spending 4 hours on 350s if I'm not in a rush. Far happier than an hour and a half in a Class 800!

 

[Mikey C]

Having had a couple of decent journeys on 350/1s this week, I was surprised at how tired the seating looked. Really worn covers and rather flat seat cushions, far worse than anything I've seen on Southeastern recently

Other than that decent trains, though legroom is slightly tight and the ride a bit jiggly.

 

[DarloRich]

Having had a couple of decent journeys on 350/1s this week, I was surprised at how tired the seating looked. Really worn covers and rather flat seat cushions, far worse than anything I've seen on Southeastern recently

the 350/1's in particular need an interior refresh. The seating and carpets are starting to look a bit grubby

 

[DarloRich]

PS I doubt the LNWR 150/153 on the Marston Vale will win any reliability awards!

 

[Bletchleyite]

the 350/1's in particular need an interior refresh. The seating and carpets are starting to look a bit grubby

Starting...a bit? They are in a right state. New seat foams, covers and carpets would do it, though - the actual Desiro interior is very high quality and apart from the odd bit of vandalism you can't tell how much newer a 350/3 is than a /1. No need for any repainting, powder coating or new panels unless there is a desire (!) to change the colour scheme, though the present whites, greys and light blues go with more or less any interior as they are fairly neutral.

 

[DarloRich]

Starting...a bit? They are in a right state. New seat foams, covers and carpets would do it, though - the actual Desiro interior is very high quality and apart from the odd bit of vandalism you can't tell how much newer a 350/3 is than a /1. No need for any repainting, powder coating or new panels unless there is a desire (!) to change the colour scheme, though the present whites, greys and light blues go with more or less any interior as they are fairly neutral.

I was being polite! There are so many frayed and damaged seat covers, out of shape seat cushions and dirty carpets as to be visible to a blind man! I guess it shows the heavy use and the number of bottoms supported every day!