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Should XC take on HST's from storage?

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Prestige15

Prestige15

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Should XC take some HSTs out of storage for a short to medium term period, until its new fleet arrives (whatever the new fleet may well be), to solve its long overdue capacity issue?

Perhaps if the Scotland - Cornwall service was served solely by HSTs, this could release a number of Voyagers to lengthen other services? This seems an ideal use for them.

Obviously modifications for persons of reduced mobility (PRM) would be needed before they can carry passengers again, but I'm sure they could receive some modified HSTs quicker than receiving more Voyagers from Avanti West Coast (AWC).

There has been a talk about XC having more HSTs but then suddenly went quiet.

They are getting very old now but seriously, Edinburgh to the South in a 7 or 8 car HST or a noisy 4 car washing machine with a broken/smelly toilet?
 
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greatvoyager

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I'm not really sure, to be honest. Considering how long it's taken to convert just 5 sets to PRM standard, is it really going to be that quick a fix?

I'd be in favour of it, XC definitely needs more capacity, but at the same time would anyone modify a train that would only be a short term solution?
 
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yorkie

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Yes, they absolutely should.

However this probably won't happen because it's cheaper to keep prices high and deter people from using the service, than incur the cost of providing additional capacity.

Have you seen any of the previous threads making similar proposals?
As it happens most of my current journeys on XC are on HSTs as I deliberately plan my journeys around them, where practicable.
 
Prestige15

Prestige15

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greatvoyager said:
I'm not really sure, to be honest. Considering how long it's taken to convert just 5 sets to PRM standard, is it really going to be that quick a fix?

I'd be in favour of it, XC definitely needs more capacity, but at the same time would anyone modify a train that would only be a short term solution?
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Well i believe GWR set are compleated while XC are not far off and not sure how far off with the rest of scotrail fleet, Im pretty sure it could be done quickly as the quiewing on getting them modified seemed to have calmed, And would anyone modify a train that would only be a short term solution? Hard to tell, I would say no but then i look at class 317 that recently been modified even though they are going to be replaced and possibly lead to a start of new life as a dishwasher.
 
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swt_passenger

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There’s also the ex Virgin 221s and ex EMR 222s becoming available. The suggestion of modifying HSTs can’t really be looked at on its own, given those alternatives, and there are quite a few existing threads about those classes as well.
 
Prestige15

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yorkie said:
Yes, they absolutely should.

However this probably won't happen because it's cheaper to keep prices high and deter people from using the service, than incur the cost of providing additional capacity.

Have you seen any of the previous threads making similar proposals?
As it happens most of my current journeys on XC are on HSTs as I deliberately plan my journeys around them, where practicable.
Click to expand...
I've seen two so far, one of them was my post. and you may be right, it may never happen but what are better ways to solve the issue other than just simply order new fleets?
 
357 LTSRail

357 LTSRail

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It's an annoying situation the CrossCountry franchise is in at the moment. Commissioning of HSTs would be great but no doubt expensive and a long process to get them up to PRM standards, not to mention their likely deteriorating condition and necessary re-livery. Would be nice to get an IET order in, especially with the recently announced prospect of Hitachi factory job cuts but that's going to be dependent on re tendering of the franchise (or whatever form of operation we have in the future). Think it's going to be a waiting game for voyagers to be cascaded from Avanti unfortunately.
 
Bosch91

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Would be great as you said to get some 7-8 car hst’s and double up the voyagers on certain routes however I think the ship has sailed for the HST’s.

It should have been decided years ago what their fate would be after life with LNER/GWR which would have given plenty of time for PRM fits ready for life with other TOCS well into the 2020’s. Ideally with sets undergoing PRM mods whilst still with LNER/GWR.
 
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ainsworth74

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Prestige15 said:
I've seen two so far, one of them was my post. and you may be right, it may never happen but what are better ways to solve the issue other than just simply order new fleets?
Click to expand...

The arrival of the Avanti 221s and EMR 222s are the solution to XC's rolling stock woes. That's probably around two or three years away now. So you order a PRM conversion for say a half dozen 7-car HSTs which only have a home for maybe three years? I mean you could do it but the business case is going to be god awful. I'd rather resurrect the consultation timetable that XC put out a year or two ago which would have maximised the usage of their fleet where the trains are busiest at the expense of outliers like Aberdeen, Guildford or Bath to see us through to the glut of trains on the horizon. We could have always put those destinations back into the franchise once the rolling stock situation was sorted in a few years.
 
D365

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yorkie said:
As it happens most of my current journeys on XC are on HSTs as I deliberately plan my journeys around them, where practicable.
Click to expand...

I've definitely noticed this ;)

However as @ainsworth74 points out above, along with the fact that existing Mk3 conversions have been fraught with delays, it would be very difficult to see XC bringing in any more HSTs.
 
raetiamann

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XC has been underfunded from day one and I always felt the Voyages were a cheap option. Initially offering what was effectively a 2.5 or 3.5 train once 1st class and the buffet were discounted. Brining in more HST was a great option had it been planned years ago, but I seriously doubt it's an option now. Most likely will be the Meridians heading in that direction once the IEP to the Midland Mainline arrive.

The Government needs to clarify their position going forward on franchising as XC needs some decisions sooner rather than later
 
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