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That must be something that Control do - our diagrams just state "HST/4C". Disappointed I missed out on a refurbished set on 1B54 on Monday - I had that job on Tuesday, but it was a Classic. Not really complaining - at least it wasn't a 170 :D
No worries! As far as I'm aware, they ARE interchangeable - they don't have separate diagrams, as such. A refurbished set turned up in Inverness to work 1B54 the other day (1554 to Edinburgh Waverley). I was on the same working Yesterday, but it was a Classic set.
No they aren't, as the unrefurbished Classic coaches don't have the Traction Interlocking equipment that the Inter7City refurbished coaches do. Same goes for the unrefurbished power cars too - they can't work with the power door coaches, for the same reason.
Same set up as the GWR 'Castle'...
There's no composite coaches on the Scotrail Classic sets that I'm aware of. There's a mixture of low & high density standard class trailers kicking about on tbe Classic sets though. One has 2 tables per coach, the other has 4
The 09.44 Inverness to Edinburgh Waverley is currently booked for a 170. If you want an HST, the 08.45 Inverness to Glasgow QS is booked an HST (and normally is).
Interestinly, the 15.54 Inverness to Edinburgh Waverley is booked a 170, but quite often sees an HST - at least 3 days last week...
Well, maybe it was - it all depends what the question asked in the survey was & in what context. I'm just going by the consiltants report commissioned a while ago on the HML, which stated that travellers (particularly 1st class business travellere heading to/from the Central Belt) were using the...
That's exactly right, they did - or, rather, it was part of the franchise agreement specified a Hot Buffet service. I fear that a Hot Buffet, even if only open occasionally, would meet the criteria in the franchise
I don't know about the LNER Azumas, but I know there's a lot of grumbling about the lack of Buffets on the GWR IETs. Scotrail have a big asset with the buffets on our HSTs, lets hope it isn't hampered by poor resourcing
These things could easily happen with a buffet too - staff out of place, etc. All I'm saying is that, if it's a choice of Buffet or Trolley, then it should be Buffet.
As for 'passengers preferring an at seat service', have you any actual evidence of that? I regularly travelled on the LNER...
Spot on comment, couldn't agree more. As I said in an earlier post, there's a big opportunity to attract high fare 1st class passengers away from LNER (particularly with the end in sight for the LNER HSTs - who knows what the catering offering will be on an Azuma service?). But it's essential...
Might seem like a sensible compromise. I still think a trolley is pointless if you have a buffet & only 1 member of staff. It's not as if Scotrail journeys are that long, compared to XC & other long distance TOCs anyway - a trolley on a busy train will take ages to get down (& back up) the full...
That's not a regular thing, it does happen sometimes to get a trolley/staff back on their working, for example, if they've had a train cancelled, or are unable to board due to overcrowding.
Their diagrams may be a bit different just now with the A2I blockade too
Just saw a refurbished set leaving Inverness about 10 mins ago, presume that's HA22 heading to Haymarket? With HA21 heading North to replace it for training (it's currently in Perth, I think) soon?
Sounds about right. Although to be fair, I've found the Scotrail Hospitality staff to be excellent - I'm sure they'll make the best of whatever method they end up having to work with on the HSTs.
Cheers for that. I'm just going by a consultants report a good few years ago that said 1st class passengers travelling for business tended to use the Chieftain, rather than Scotrail, due to the vastly superior onboard offering. Our HSTs are a chance to win back that custom, if Scotrail don't...
On a busy train, it'll mean the buffet barely being open. Don't forget, there's a 1st class complimentary to do as well. All very well on a lightly loaded train, but hardly practical on a busy one. The buffet factilities will most likely be lost due to lack of usage - as it'll barely be open!!
You can't put an actual cost value on everything. Yes, you have a valid point, but the perception that the Scotrail 'Inter7City' service provides an actual higher standard of service, rather than just being a brand name, is important too. A couple of bad experiences with onboard catering may...
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