First Great Western HST Socket Issues

[Starmill]

It seems many, or possibly all I don't know, of First Great Western's newly refurbished First Class coaches have a problem with the onboard sockets at tables.Does anyone know what has happened? I hear the power has been switched off while an investigation takes place. Does the problem affect all coaches, or just the refurbished First ones? I suspect some of the regulars might not be very happy!

 

[Bishopstone]

It seems many, or possibly all I don't know, of First Great Western's newly refurbished First Class coaches have a problem with the onboard sockets at tables.Does anyone know what has happened? I hear the power has been switched off while an investigation takes place. Does the problem affect all coaches, or just the refurbished First ones? I suspect some of the regulars might not be very happy!

I was about to ask on the same topic.

Does anyone know when the issue will be overcome and power restored, as I have a day trip to the West Country in a fortnight, and eeking out my phone battery all day won't be fun. A retreat to Standard on the way back, at Reading, might be necessary for a boost.

 

[jon0844]

Buy a portable battery charger. Very cheap these days from Amazon. I'd recommend 5000mAh or above and a high output (2A).

If you do then get power on the train, you can simply top the battery pack instead (or both).

 

[kevconnor]

last Sunday I was on 1C15 Paddington - Plymouth in first class and cant say I noticed any problems, was first time in first class on FGW and do have to say i was impressed with quality, far better than my usual experiences of Pendolino to Mcr.

 

[Bishopstone]

Buy a portable battery charger. Very cheap these days from Amazon. I'd recommend 5000mAh or above and a high output (2A).

If you do then get power on the train, you can simply top the battery pack instead (or both).

I must confess I wasn't aware such things existed, but now I've looked I think one of these would be a good investment, so thank you. I assume they're not too heavy (they don't look it) as I already carry a fair bit of weight in my day sack?

 

[causton]

I must confess I wasn't aware such things existed, but now I've looked I think one of these would be a good investment, so thank you. I assume they're not too heavy (they don't look it) as I already carry a fair bit of weight in my day sack?

I have a 7000+mAh one which is barely noticeable, not much more than the weight of my phone, small enough to fit in my pocket if I don't feel too weird having the cables coming out of my pocket to my phone in the other one

 

[Flamingo]

There is a problem, we've had a memo that it's switched off for the time being. It didn't give a timescale for fixing it. When I'm in again I'll look up the memo and see what else it says.

 

[fairysdad]

There is a problem, we've had a memo that it's switched off for the time being. It didn't give a timescale for fixing it. When I'm in again I'll look up the memo and see what else it says.

Are they just the First Class ones switched off, or are the Standard Class one affected as well?

 

[thelongestroad]

Are they just the First Class ones switched off, or are the Standard Class one affected as well?

Just the refurbished first class carriages, and I would imagine the whole of the composite first/standard vehicles.

 

[Flamingo]

The new 1st class, I'm not sure about the Std bit of the composite coaches. I'll look up the memo when I go in next week, I'm sure I still have it.

 

[route:oxford]

I must confess I wasn't aware such things existed, but now I've looked I think one of these would be a good investment, so thank you. I assume they're not too heavy (they don't look it) as I already carry a fair bit of weight in my day sack?

Double-E give them away free if you are with them.

How to get one

If you’re an EE, Orange or T-Mobile mobile customer, just text POWER to 365 (*texts cost 35p). We’ll send you a code, then pick up your Power Bar at any EE store.

If you’re an EE broadband customer, text JOIN plus your EE landline number to 60005 and follow the instructions (*texts cost 35p).

http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/ee-power-bar

I've picked up 3 of them now, very handy.

 

[Elecman]

Virgin did some pendo shaped ones, not sure if they still do them though

 

[MCR247]

Double-E give them away free if you are with them.







http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/ee-power-bar



I've picked up 3 of them now, very handy.

Thanks for that, never knew that! I'll head into town tomorrow to pick it up

 

[jon0844]

Double-E give them away free if you are with them.



http://ee.co.uk/help/phones-and-device/ee-power-bar

I've picked up 3 of them now, very handy.

Definitely recommend getting one (it's only 35p after all, but bear in mind they can ask for them back - it's in the T&Cs) but it's not a very good charger.

For one, it has a low capacity, but worse than that - it's just 1A output, so very slow to charge.

The upside is you can swap with a charged one when out, assuming there's an open EE store nearby, but I now use mine as a torch. An LED with 2,500mAh battery is going to last some considerable time!!

I'd recommend investing in one of the many you can find online. Trusted brands including Auker and Anker (yes, I'd say these are two Chinese firms quite clearly wishing to copy each other considering the similarity in the name/logo) and you can pick up some real bargains.

 

[causton]

Virgin did some pendo shaped ones, not sure if they still do them though

Got one in the Euston FC Lounge not too long ago, so sure they still have some knocking about as the guy was pretty surprised to sell it! (Possibly as he'd already turned the till off for the evening )

Second for Anker, have had a few good batteries for phones and portable chargers from them

 

[jon0844]

Actually, another good one is the Juice Weekender (I was given one by Three at a party). 8400mAh, with integrated Lightning and microUSB leads (plus a USB port with 2.4A output). Can output 1A on all three outputs simultaneously.

Bit pricey at £40 though, and only 1A on the microUSB lead - for some odd reason.