EMT St Pancras - Bedford question

[DarloRich]

Yesterday, for a change, i went to London via Bedford and EMT rather than Bletchley an LM . I got a 222 on the way out but the 17:00 St Pancras - Corby service was formed of an HST.

Is this usual? I thought EMT HST services only ran to Sheffield, Leeds and some Nottingham services. I thought Corby trains were normally the 4 car meridian units.

Do EMT run a common user fleet in that anything could work any diagram or are they normally allocated to fixed duties?


The train was also quite late both into St Pancras and was a good 20 late by the time it reached Bedford but no real reason was given. Does anyone know why?

Finally, are all EMT stations blessed with dispatch staff? I ask as the on train staff ere running madly about shutting doors at Bedford and Luton. It seemed the stations weren't ready for an HST arrival

i am not complaining btw - the HST was a nicer way to travel!

 

[trentside]

On weekdays the 1900 St Pancras - Corby is booked for a HST, mainly as an end of peak 'crowd shifter' for the southern MML from what I've observed. Your 1700 service on Saturdays, however, is booked to be a Meridian so I'm assuming that the HST substituted on the diagram, hence the staff at Luton and Bedford being taken by surprise!

In normal circumstances, with the EMT HST fleet, I think the only station they self-dispatch from is Alfreton - could be wrong though, does Market Harborough have dispatchers?

 

[tsr]

In normal circumstances, with the EMT HST fleet, I think the only station they self-dispatch from is Alfreton - could be wrong though, does Market Harborough have dispatchers?

Off the top of my head, I think it does have dispatchers, but I didn't see last time I was on a train which happened to call there, due to heavy snowfall obscuring everything (back in January, which shows that I need to find a few more EMT semi-fast ex-St Pancras services to enjoy... ).

 

[DarloRich]

cheers - i often take the 17:00 on a Saturday if i go that way and it has always been a Meridian.

I have had an HST call at Bedford from the north but this was the first time i have been on one from the south. I couldn't get off then as there is no Sunday Marston Vale service to get me home!

BTW is first class normally at the north end of EMT trains or the south?

it was a nice change!

 

[trentside]

BTW is first class normally at the north end of EMT trains or the south?

Unfortunately, it can be either. Trains end up getting turned by moves from Nottingham to Etches Park or Nottingham to Chesterfield via Alfreton, so where first class is at the south end, it will end up on the north or vice versa.

 

[brompton rail]

EMT HSTs are used on Nottingham services during the day. Sheffield services are Meridians. Early morning up services from Leeds and Sheffield, and evening down services will be HSTs to allow sets to operate out of Neville Hill (Leeds). Details of individual services are shown in the EMT timetable - 1700 St Pancras - Corby is booked for a Meridian.

 

[DarloRich]

EMT HSTs are used on Nottingham services during the day. Sheffield services are Meridians. Early morning up services from Leeds and Sheffield, and evening down services will be HSTs to allow sets to operate out of Neville Hill (Leeds). Details of individual services are shown in the EMT timetable - 1700 St Pancras - Corby is booked for a Meridian.

thanks - i thought it was a bit odd. I guess there may have been delays to the inbound workings meaning the HST set was used rather than cancel the service.

And here is a nice picture of the train: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/9227294785/

 

[whhistle]

There's nothing "nice" about EMT's "Toy Town" livery :P

 

[DarloRich]

There's nothing "nice" about EMT's "Toy Town" livery :P

i tihnk the front end looks quite good. It blends into the yellow panel well.

 

[louis97]

Yesterday, for a change, i went to London via Bedford and EMT rather than Bletchley an LM . I got a 222 on the way out but the 17:00 St Pancras - Corby service was formed of an HST.

Is this usual? I thought EMT HST services only ran to Sheffield, Leeds and some Nottingham services. I thought Corby trains were normally the 4 car meridian units.

The service was strengthened in relation to Red Dot Day, it is usually booked a Meridian, not sure what length though. 4-cars are not exclusively used on Corby services, with 2 out of the 3 trains that work the services on a weekday booked a 5-car.

Do EMT run a common user fleet in that anything could work any diagram or are they normally allocated to fixed duties?

No, there are fixed duties, and as other posters have said Nottingham fast services are HSTs, with during the week various peak workings to/from Leeds and Sheffield can also be HSTs.

Finally, are all EMT stations blessed with dispatch staff? I ask as the on train staff ere running madly about shutting doors at Bedford and Luton. It seemed the stations weren't ready for an HST arrival

All EMT run stations that are served by HSTs, excluding Long Eaton, Beeston, Alfreton and Langley Mill have dispatch staff, generally 4 and 5 cars Meridians are self dispatch South of Leicester, with only 7 car Meridians and HSTs being dispatched by staff. North of Leicester everything is dispatched by staff on the platforms. The reason for this is that at stations south of Leicester the station staff also work the ticket office. As the ticket office at Corby closes early afternoon and a HST goes there in the evening peak, there is one member of staff who stays there to dispatch this HST before finishing.

At FCC stations where HSTs calling is quite rare outside of peak, it all depends on whether FCC were informed of the HST calling there as to whether dispatch staff will be provided. During the peak hours when HSTs call at Luton and Bedford dispatch staff are provided, and when HSTs call at Luton Airport Parkway in peak, dispatch staff are sent from Luton specifically to dispatch the HSTs there.

From my accounts above I can only assume that there is something in the lease of the HSTs (or somewhere else) which states that they must not be self dispatched at stations where staff are available to help.

 

[DarloRich]

what is red dot day when it is at home?

 

[Pumbaa]

Stagecoach answer to LMs Great Escape day rover tickets - but nowhere near as successful.

 

[Eagle]

Stagecoach answer to LMs Great Escape day rover tickets - but nowhere near as successful.

It's only EMT's that is called Red Dot Day. SWT calls it Rainbow Day. Both names completely meaningless of course.

 

[MCR247]

Stagecoach answer to LMs Great Escape day rover tickets - but nowhere near as successful.

And nowhere near as often