Former Grand Central HSTs now with EMT

[43055]

Some images of the preparations at Etches Park last week and the interior labels showing the interior post refurbishment. For anyone how is wondering the formation is TS+TS+TS+TS(declassified)+TFRB+TFD with coach letters being A,B,C,D,F,G

 

[Domh245]

Presumably those high backed seats will only be in the TRFB, whilst the 'standard' TF will keep IC70s?

 

[CC 72100]

Presumably those high backed seats will only be in the TRFB, whilst the 'standard' TF will keep IC70s?

I'm sure the TF will be full and the TRFB empty because of the clearly far superior IC70 seats?*

*Tongue firmly in cheek - contrary to most on the forum, I actually prefer the higher seats!!

 

[D2007wsm]

That picture of First Class looks to be ex GWR, so perhaps one of the ex GWR buffets.

 

[CC 72100]

That picture of First Class looks to be ex GWR, so perhaps one of the ex GWR buffets.

The TRFB are ex-GWR vehicles from the 407xx range.

 

[D2007wsm]

The TRFB are ex-GWR vehicles from the 407xx range.

That's what I mean that is one of this vehicles, so won't the First Class carriage with the original seats be the poor relation? The ex GWR First Class seats are very comfortable and much better than the originals or are they going to squire extra seats like these to offer the same standard?

 

[59CosG95]

The TRFB are ex-GWR vehicles from the 407xx range.

I thought at least 2 of them were from the 402xx range?

 

[43096]

The TRFB are ex-GWR vehicles from the 407xx range.

No. From the 402xx range. 40205/221 are two of the three.

 

[hexagon789]

I'm sure the TF will be full and the TRFB empty because of the clearly far superior IC70 seats?*

*Tongue firmly in cheek - contrary to most on the forum, I actually prefer the higher seats!!

Of course! Those in the 'know' will likely make a beeline for the TFs

 

[Mugby]

Noting that the ex-GC power cars are in a darker blue base colour, will this be unique to them or will all HST power cars be similarly treated if or when they are repainted?

 

[CC 72100]

No. From the 402xx range. 40205/221 are two of the three.

Ah fair enough, I stand corrected.

I can never remember the difference between the 402/407/409 vehicles, apart from one type (402?) has more seats than the other two and smaller staff accomodation.

 

[fgwrich]

Ah fair enough, I stand corrected.

I can never remember the difference between the 402/407/409 vehicles, apart from one type (402?) has more seats than the other two and smaller staff accomodation.

I believe the 402XX have always been TRFBs (4 window), 404XX were TRSBs, (4 Windows), 407XX were TRB and later became TRFB (3 window larger kitchen), the 408XX series were converted by Midland Mainline from TRSBs to provide a larger kitchen for the Project Rio services (1 window blanked off in the passenger saloon side) and the 409XX are owned outright by First Group and converted from ex Virgin TRSBs (4 window).

I wonder if EMT will try to cover up the GWR stitching in the leather headrest? Hopefully they’ll retain those seats - I can see them being popular if they do.

 

[D2007wsm]

I believe the 402XX have always been TRFBs (4 window), 404XX were TRSBs, (4 Windows), 407XX were TRB and later became TRFB (3 window larger kitchen), the 408XX series were converted by Midland Mainline from TRSBs to provide a larger kitchen for the Project Rio services (1 window blanked off in the passenger saloon side) and the 409XX are owned outright by First Group and converted from ex Virgin TRSBs (4 window).

I wonder if EMT will try to cover up the GWR stitching in the leather headrest? Hopefully they’ll retain those seats - I can see them being popular if they do.

Surely that would be an easy enough job to cover, just stitching a new leather panel over the top? Or by using antimacassers. The end of the carriages are also covered by panels embellished with 'GWR.

With regards to the TFs having the original seats, as TRFBs which are not destined for Scot Rail are released by GWR, could the seats from the TRFBs be exchanged for the original seats in the TFs? This would allow much newer, comfier seats to be utilised and would also allow some original seats to be used for any preservation attempts of a HST set which is released earlier.

 

[Domh245]

I wonder if EMT will try to cover up the GWR stitching in the leather headrest? Hopefully they’ll retain those seats - I can see them being popular if they do.

They already did, and it does look as if they will keep those seats.

 

[mushroomchow]

Assuming that coach on the right in the first pic is the "finished" colour scheme, I really like it. The dark blue band is tidy.

 

[nat67]

There's been some renumbering - 42584-86 from 41201-03 and 41207-09 from 42403/06/09.

They have done some odd numbering.

 

[43096]

They have done some odd numbering.

In what way?

 

[theblackwatch]

No. From the 402xx range. 40205/221 are two of the three.

Does anyone know which the third vehicle will be? (I may have missed something coming out of Ely?)

 

[Mag_seven]

Travelled on one of these sets today and was surprised to see the GWR grey leather seats in the TRFB.

 

[43055]

222015 just departed derby on the 0730 to London so only 1 set out today unless it comes out for its evening run.

 

[D2007wsm]

Travelled on one of these sets today and was surprised to see the GWR grey leather seats in the TRFB.

They are nice seats, much better than the originals! If it was decided to replace these with the originals out of the ex Grand Central TRBs, the person who had decided this would have been crazy!

 

[nat67]

222015 just departed derby on the 0730 to London so only 1 set out today unless it comes out for its evening run.

Well that's a waste of time and money from EMT (Easy Money Tackers). Stupid diagrams and then short formed by a 222 great start to the new and crap timetable.

 

[LowLevel]

The GWR seats are staying in the buffets and while the IC70s are staying in the TFs the ambience is intended I believe to be closer to the style of the GWR buffets than this existing EMT trailers on refurb.

As for the shortformed diagram today one set had a door fault and the other an air leak - these things happen and the timetable has been inflicted on them rather than chosen.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Well that's a waste of time and money from EMT (Easy Money Tackers). Stupid diagrams and then short formed by a 222 great start to the new and crap timetable.

A touch hysterical perhaps

 

[cactustwirly]

Should be better once the third set is complete.
Though the decision not to replace the IC70s, does sound like EMT are being cheapskates.

 

[nat67]

Should be better once the third set is complete.
Though the decision not to replace the IC70s, does sound like EMT are being cheapskates.

But inst that a good thing they aren't replacing the IC70's, but I can understand about them being cheapskates though.

 

[mallard]

222015 just departed derby on the 0730 to London so only 1 set out today unless it comes out for its evening run.

And the on-route annoucements still claimed it was a 6-carriage train and admonished people travelling to Market Harborough to travel in the "front 5 carriages" of the 5-car 222.

Of course, the 6+2 HST formation has 240 (3x64 for the "ordinary" TS vehicles + 48 for the ex-TF) standard-class seats (slightly more than a 7-carriage 222), so EMT replace it with a 192-standard-seat 5-car 222 with obvious implications for crowding. Although, previously 1C92 was operated by whatever 222 was available, so 4-car units were pretty common (and 7's occasionally turned up), as long as it's never shorter than 5 then it's an improvement.

Also, yesterday, annoucements/PIS claimed that bicyles were not permitted on the train. Considering that no prior notice was given about that change and that EMT's cycle policy still states "we can guarantee two bikes per train" that seems a little unfair to commuters who could be stuck for up to an hour on some journeys...

 

[43096]

Should be better once the third set is complete.
Though the decision not to replace the IC70s, does sound like EMT are being cheapskates.

Never let facts get in the way of prejudices. Work is being funded by DfT so there will be a battle over every item of work.

 

[cactustwirly]

Never let facts get in the way of prejudices. Work is being funded by DfT so there will be a battle over every item of work.

I was thinking that there should be consistency within the first class coaches.
Or else it looks like a mess

 

[capital12]

I was thinking that there should be consistency within the first class coaches.
Or else it looks like a mess

Talking of a mess - is the East Coast/VTEC TGS that had a mix of original and FGW refurb seats still in the same state?! Or did they make them match when it had the Virgin refresh?