Recent content by bigmoose

On specific dates, a key point to note (and sorry if I’ve missed this further up the thread) is that the results of the ASLEF ballot on whether to accept the revised pay and conditions offer is due on 11 July. Mentioned in several news stories plus this recent (yesterday) ScotRail press release...

My observation in passing the Haymarket HST Graveyard today is that it’s mostly incomplete bits of Classic sets that are strewn about there now, rather than broken Inter7City and Classic bits. Still a lot of HST ‘stuff’ just sitting around, with far fewer 158s and 170s. Presumably the latter two...

Yep, Scrapheap Challenge again today at Haymarket when I passed today at 0830. Can’t ever recall such a shambles of bits of broken train at any point during the last 20+ years. Dire.

Finally managed to get on a refurb, 1442 ABD - GLQ. Very nice, and I’d gladly see more of these in service. Buffet not in use, bike space laughably poor, but still... 1st looks very similar to 1st on the sole Classic I’ve encountered. Standard appears to have had a much greater makeover. So...

When was the last refurb delivered? Seems like there’s been a long gap since anything came out of the Wabtec time machine, and hence the rate of delivery is actually slowing.

Haymarket still strewn with bits of HSTs when I passed yesterday. Power cars and carriages in various combinations or solo, but no complete trains and hence nothing that looked ready to run. Complete shambles. And even if Scotrail manage to get any HSTs running, the bike storage situation is...

The Lowlander has improved throughout the year, in my experience. Last night’s journey to Euston arrived early (0630), the aircon worked to provide good cooling (though with a couple of rises in temperature during the night) and the shower was properly hot this morning. Lounge car was open too...

Seems sensible in the circumstances. I just hope that the service improves soon. Colleagues were commenting that they liked going to Aberdeen a few months ago as it meant they’d get the “nice train” (aka Classic HST). Hope we don’t get to the stage where more 170s go off lease and opinions get...

Am I right in thinking that December’s timetable change assumes an entirely HST fleet on the 7 Cities routes? If so, what are the chances of Scotrail being able to operate to the published timetable? On my Glasgow to Aberdeen trips I’ve only had the very occasional HST (Classic, never refurb)...

Near-flawless journey last night/this morning from Glasgow to London. Aircon working nicely when I boarded, albeit it did get warmer at times overnight. Hot water at sink. On time, even arrived early like the Mk3s used to. Club car almost empty, good service. Hangers in rooms now!! Hurrah...

Managed to get my first journey on an HST today. ‘Classic’ set, very comfortable in first class, just floats along compared to a 170 and seems to be quick and always capable of going faster. No downsides other than slam doors (hello, 1970s!) and warnings not to flush the bogs in the stations...

1A53 bore a striking resemblance to a 170 today, so I guess HA945 had taken the hump with the world at large. Intrigued to see if HA972 wants to meet me tomorrow to claim the prized crown of bigmoose’s first Scotrail HST.

Still haven’t been on an HST in 4 (5?) return journeys from Glasgow to Aberdeen in 2019. The last 3 times my booked seat has clearly been an HST seating allocation (seat numbers don’t exceed 8 in first class on a 170) and this morning’s 0839 GLQ - ABD is decidedly small for an HST ;) Will see...

Yes, if you’re in a Club Room as it’s (sort of) the equivalent of First Class on the Mk3s. It’s in a cardboard bag with your earphones, bottle of water, and toiletries from Arran Aromatics. Same collection as on the Mk3’s, and does the job nicely.

Excellent summary. Agreed on pretty much all points. Must try the eggs royale, but preferred to receive breakfast in my room where the eggs royale is not available.