FGW refurbished Mk3s

[Woody]

There was a complete 8 coach rake of refurbished FGW Mk3 coaches on Plymouth Laira depot mid week which I have been informed will enter service next week.The delayed entry into service of these refurbished coaches has been caused by Health and safety issues regarding the glass fibre coach end doors apparently.

 

[devon_metro]

1 Set a week seems a bit optmaistic in my opinion. What I don't understand is the fact that this is a high density set, which should be based at Birstol and should be void of a buffet.

 

[Nat the Ned]

Was under the impression this is NOT a high density set??

 

[devon_metro]

Could have fooled me with the interior shots i have seen!

 

[Nat the Ned]

High density sets have TWO tables in standard class coachs, low density have FOUR, not a great deal of difference. All coach E's only have two.

 

[Woody]

High density sets have TWO tables in standard class coachs, low density have FOUR, not a great deal of difference. All coach E's only have two.

Given the minor difference between high and low density sets FGW just as well standardised to high density only.

 

[devon_metro]

Given the minor difference between high and low density sets FGW just as well standardised to high density only.

There are about 10 more seats per carriage in high density sets, so therefore less legroom. If this was standard I would do my upmost best to travel by Virgin...

It's guna be a shamles when a high density set is shoved on the Penzance-Padd via Bristol diagram. There are currently 1 HD set and one standard set working. Standard set will be running Plymouth-Penzance shuttles on Saturday and the HD set is likely to stable at Laira for the weekend due to engineering.

 

[thefab444]

Set LA62, the HD-HST was running Paddington - Penzance via Taunton today, experienced by me from Paddington to Reading, told it is to run Plymouth - Penzance shuttles tommorow.

What do I think? Obviously its clean, but I wasn't mighty impressed with SC, the seats aren't very comfy IMO my back started hurting after only 15 minutes, but legroom was adequate. There was insufficient luggage space for such a long run; so the overhead racks - which are too high up, got full up very quickly. The view out of the windows is also very orange... wierd.

I missed a chance to get a SC head antimaccassar - one seat had two - oh well.

Anyway, I hope the LD-HST is better and the HDs are kept to shorter diagrams.

I didn't know an LD-HST had been delivered yet?!? I thought only the HD-HST was in.

 

[Julian G]

Set LA62, the HD-HST was running Paddington - Penzance via Taunton today, experienced by me from Paddington to Reading, told it is to run Plymouth - Penzance shuttles tommorow.
Anyway, I hope the LD-HST is better and the HDs are kept to shorter diagrams.

I didn't know an LD-HST had been delivered yet?!? I thought only the HD-HST was in.

ah, the driver sounded the horn at me when it left Paddington

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliang2006/399845037/

 

[devon_metro]

Set LA62, the HD-HST was running Paddington - Penzance via Taunton today, experienced by me from Paddington to Reading, told it is to run Plymouth - Penzance shuttles tommorow.

What do I think? Obviously its clean, but I wasn't mighty impressed with SC, the seats aren't very comfy IMO my back started hurting after only 15 minutes, but legroom was adequate. There was insufficient luggage space for such a long run; so the overhead racks - which are too high up, got full up very quickly. The view out of the windows is also very orange... wierd.

I missed a chance to get a SC head antimaccassar - one seat had two - oh well.

Anyway, I hope the LD-HST is better and the HDs are kept to shorter diagrams.

I didn't know an LD-HST had been delivered yet?!? I thought only the HD-HST was in.

LD was first out I believe... Sadly all sets will have the same seats!

Also, all Padd-Pnz trains go via Taunton

You mean it was 1C86 1405 PADD-PNZ via B&H I was under the impression this was a standard set.

 

[thefab444]

It was on the 14:05 FGW service from Paddington to Penzance, calling at Reading, Taunton, Tiverton Parkway, Exeter St David's etc.

This was the High Density set, which is the only refurbished set currently in operation.

John

 

[Julian G]

Someone in the Yahoo Groups stated that one 'refreshed' set will be stabled at Laira due to engineering works

 

[devon_metro]

Someone in the Yahoo Groups stated that one 'refreshed' set will be stabled at Laira due to engineering works

As I said. One High Density set will stay at Laira whilst the standard density set will work Plymouth-Penzance shuttles!

EDIT: Seems somebody has farced up the gen and claimed that the same set formed two different original first runs... Would appear there is only one set then

 

[thefab444]

I thought there was only one set in service...

 

[Woody]

I was told today that while operating the 14:05 FGW service from Paddington to Penzance at least while going through Cornwall the driver/guard communiction had failed.(No buzzer)

 

[devon_metro]

I was told today that while operating the 14:05 FGW service from Paddington to Penzance at least while going through Cornwall the driver/guard communiction had failed.(No buzzer)

 

[thefab444]

It was fine when I left it, honest guv!

 

[Nat the Ned]

LA62 is indeed today Monday out of service at Laira. Has driver/guard comm defect.