Former Grand Central HSTs now with EMT

[Domh245]

It's interesting that the first class IC70s have been done in red, rather than blue.

 

[43096]

It's interesting that the first class IC70s have been done in red, rather than blue.

That’s in the first class vehicle that is permanently declassified to standard, which does make sense.

 

[Rail Blues]

I would say that feeling that it is acceptable to have to make a choice between standing or getting a poorly positioned seat is also a symptom of the rail passenger's equivalent of Stockholm syndrome

I'd say that it is an acknowledgement that in the context of a decade or more of passenger growth and finite train length, that something has got to give.

 

[Domh245]

That’s in the first class vehicle that is permanently declassified to standard, which does make sense.

Ah, I see, managed to skim read past that bit earlier!

 

[duffield]

That’s in the first class vehicle that is permanently declassified to standard, which does make sense.

This will be a good coach to head for if you're travelling standard - apart from the obvious (having a bigger seat and more legroom) it'll probably be underused because some people will say "Ooo, this looks like first class" and avoid it, despite the declassification and seat colour.

 

[_toommm_]

This will be a good coach to head for if you're travelling standard - apart from the obvious (having a bigger seat and more legroom) it'll probably be underused because some people will say "Ooo, this looks like first class" and avoid it, despite the declassification and seat colour.

It was a very nice ride in that coach back before EMT refurbished it. And it rung true what you said about most passengers thinking it was first class - even I had to double check!

 

[Harbon 1]

This will be a good coach to head for if you're travelling standard - apart from the obvious (having a bigger seat and more legroom) it'll probably be underused because some people will say "Ooo, this looks like first class" and avoid it, despite the declassification and seat colour.

There was no sticker to say “Standard” anywhere, only stitching on the antimacasas. I enjoyed my very comfortable journey with two other people in the entire carriage most people just walked through to what they knew was standard. I must admit I did have to look twice to make sure!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It was a very nice ride in that coach back before EMT refurbished it. And it rung true what you said about most passengers thinking it was first class - even I had to double check!

Gave me a nice, comfortable ride from York to Kings Cross back in May 2016... given the events later that day, it may be a good luck charm!

 

[theblackwatch]

Can anyone confirm if the catering car in DY23 is 40204, or something different, please?

 

[sbd]

43480 and 484 worked a 1f44 1455 stp to Leeds thi

 

[sbd]

43480 and 484 worked a stp to Leeds service this afternoon on a full emt rake,

 

[cactustwirly]

Can anyone confirm if the catering car in DY23 is 40204, or something different, please?

It'll be an ex GWR catering vehicle.

 

[43055]

Some of you may be interested. A DY set on the 17th November going to the GCRN for the day. More details on the link.

http://www.125group.org.uk/the-screaming-valentas-saturday-17th-november-2018/

 

[cactustwirly]

Does anyone know why today's DY022 diagram was a 4 car 222 today?
Was full and standing between Leicester and Loughborough.

 

[43055]

Does anyone know why today's DY022 diagram was a 4 car 222 today?
Was full and standing between Leicester and Loughborough.

Failed on Etches Park this morning. I think DY21 is still in for referb and the other set (it think) had only 1 power car on as the other end had a 43/0 which was not coupled up to the set.

 

[HOOVER29]

Had 43423 & 43465 head to Sheffield as 5C52 today from Etches park, Derby.
Later worked 1C52 from Sheffield to St Pancras which I had from Derby to East Midlands Parkway.
Very rapid on acceleration they were.

 

[jfowkes]

Is there any way of knowing ahead of time whether a particular train will be one of these ex-GC HSTs or not?

I've tried on real time trains and I can't see that it distinguishes between "normal" HSTs and these ones. But I don't really know what to look for.

I ask partly out of curiosity, partly because I have a bike and it would be super useful to know in advance.

 

[_toommm_]

Is there any way of knowing ahead of time whether a particular train will be one of these ex-GC HSTs or not?

I've tried on real time trains and I can't see that it distinguishes between "normal" HSTs and these ones. But I don't really know what to look for.

I ask partly out of curiosity, partly because I have a bike and it would be super useful to know in advance.

Is there any way of knowing ahead of time whether a particular train will be one of these ex-GC HSTs or not?

I've tried on real time trains and I can't see that it distinguishes between "normal" HSTs and these ones. But I don't really know what to look for.

I ask partly out of curiosity, partly because I have a bike and it would be super useful to know in advance.

I beleive it says it in the timetable that bikes can't be carried on that particular service.

 

[cactustwirly]

Is there any way of knowing ahead of time whether a particular train will be one of these ex-GC HSTs or not?

I've tried on real time trains and I can't see that it distinguishes between "normal" HSTs and these ones. But I don't really know what to look for.

I ask partly out of curiosity, partly because I have a bike and it would be super useful to know in advance.

The 43/0 based at NL work the xx45 NOT - STP (except the 1945) services, and xx34 STP - NOT services, plus late evening services to Sheffield/Leeds.

The 43/4 ex GC sets have their own diagrams which are:

DY021 5C52 12+31 EP-SHF, 1C52 1359 SHF-STP, 1M56 1650 STP-COR, 1P71 1831 COR-STP,
1F73 2031 STP-DBY, 5F73 22+25 DBY-EP.

DY022 5C92 07+09 EP-DBY, 1C92 0731 DBY-STP, 1D24 1005 STP-NOT, 1B79 1945 NOT-STP,
1D81 2200 STP-NOT, 5D81 00+30 NOT-EP.

 

[43096]

Is there any way of knowing ahead of time whether a particular train will be one of these ex-GC HSTs or not?

I've tried on real time trains and I can't see that it distinguishes between "normal" HSTs and these ones. But I don't really know what to look for.

I ask partly out of curiosity, partly because I have a bike and it would be super useful to know in advance.

Diagrams on the 125 Group website show what is booked to work on the various HST circuits: https://www.125group.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HST-Diags-EMT.pdf

Diagrams DY021 and DY022 are those booked to be worked by the ex-Grand Central sets.

 

[jfowkes]

Thanks, that's very helpful!

EMT's website at least doesn't mention anything about bicycles for those services. I guess they want you to ring and reserve either way, so it's a bit moot.

 

[Railperf]

Rode the 10.50 Stp to Nott today. It was delayed by a 222 halted on the down main north of West Hampstead. So 10 late past Cricklewood...but after that a storming performance. Who said these old girls are dead?

 

[Railperf]

Had 43423 & 43465 head to Sheffield as 5C52 today from Etches park, Derby.
Later worked 1C52 from Sheffield to St Pancras which I had from Derby to East Midlands Parkway.
Very rapid on acceleration they were.

They are surprisingly fast accelerating. Virtually as quick as a 222 - the 222 is only 5 seconds ahead after 7 miles.

 

[Railperf]

They are surprisingly fast accelerating. Virtually as quick as a 222 - the 222 is only 5 seconds ahead after 7 miles.

And here is a run leaving Luton Airport Parkway 10 minutes late - 125mph in under 5 mins!!

 

[43055]

Power car 43480 has been named 'West Hampstead PSB' at Kentish Town this morning.
https://mobile.twitter.com/poggs/status/1073533931054616577/photo/1

 

[cactustwirly]

Does anyone know what the unreserved coach is on these sets?

 

[43055]

Does anyone know what the unreserved coach is on these sets?

Not sure but I have seen at some stations the unreserved coach is advertised on the screens.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Not sure but I have seen at some stations the unreserved coach is advertised on the screens.

Coach D I believe, the declassified TF with red seats.

 

[sprinterguy]

Coach D I believe, the declassified TF with red seats.

It's a pity that more services don't offer this feature (and have trains long enough to do so): Declassified first class luxury for bearers of full price open tickets! I always made a beeline for the declassified first vehicle when Grand Central were operating these sets.

 

[nat67]

It's a pity that more services don't offer this feature (and have trains long enough to do so): Declassified first class luxury for bearers of full price open tickets! I always made a beeline for the declassified first vehicle when Grand Central were operating these sets.

GWR HST's can/could offer that as the set's where totally mixed up so you could find a Buffet was de-classified or a composite was de-classed.