Recent content by Noam

Lemming, being able to work on trains is one of the reasons many people get the train in the first place. Would you rather they drove?

Apart from the lack of buffet, the unit that I have been on was very nice inside. In the main they are a vast improvement on the high-density HSTs they are replacing. It's just the lack of buffet which is disappointing. Imagine a 5-hr run to Penzance when the trolley doesn't get to you until...

Re the hard seats - I have a bad back and hard, supportive seats are much more comfortable for me than soft, wallowy ones. One man's meat etc.

I'm not convinced it is what passengers want. Yes I can see the benefit of being served at-seat, and I like being able to buy a Doom Bar on a Bournemouth starter after a Sat afternoon on the beach. This is far outweighed however by the disadvantages which include: - Large numbers of standees...

Howard, I suspect your 159s don't get as crowded as FGW's IEPs are going to get, especially as we'll inevitably end up with 5-cars on busy runs. If anyone is undecided about whether trolleys are a good idea, try travelling around on XC Voyagers for a week and report back.

Hi all. I've got a GTR Assessment Centre next week for a train planning role. What kind of thing can I expect? It can't hurt to have a bit of practice beforehand.

It sounds sensible to me. Regular longer-distance punters will soon learn to get on the 170 at BHM for the ride to LEI whereas those getting on at NBR will get on the 153 and be glad of a seat. For a while when LM ran the route the same thing occurred with a 158 + 153. THere are few...