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Grand Central HSTs?
- Thread starter paul1609
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Spaceflower
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so whats the average turn around for the average hat set then? surely a big gap is needed? or will it run onto some sidings to turn around? where will they be serviced/cleaned, etc between trips?
Hmm how do you interpret over a year late as "going rather well actually"?
I seem to remember that Grand Central went for the HSTs on the basis that 222s wouldnt be able to start services untill late 2007!
If I had a spare saturday I'd take a day trip down to Plymouth to have a look at the hst in DML!
Turbostar
Member
Turbostar
Member
Er, yeh ok lol. 
Mart
Mart
Er, yeh ok lol.
Mart
Wherabouts in Plymouth do you live?
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Tom
Guest
With Paul in the equation I wouldn't anticipate one single problem..... perhaps the Slash can tag along for backup :P
Turbostar
Member
Sorry, on a need to know basis, & you don't need to know. If you look on my mini profile to the left, it gives you a rough idea where I am, in view of Laira depot.
Mart
Mart
The overhaul process is going rather well.
FYI the reason GC went for HSTs was the fact that Bombardier wouldn't open the production lines (on the grounds of cost) for such a small order of units. If only Hull Trains used their crystal ball...
Oh and I very much doubt you'll get inside DML (especially in the current security climate).
Turbostar
Member
Thank you 1VWC, glad someone understands what I'm getting at. I 'aint joking, unless you work for DML, which 'aint easy to get into, or your in the forces/military, you got no chance whatsoever of getting in, trust me.
Mart
Mart
Efford? Nice
Turbostar
Member
No lol, & how do you know Plymouth?
Mart
Mart
Pathfinder
Member
1VWC,you still have'nt enlightened us as to your involvement with GC's HST overhaul,you are very coy about it actually ! In answer to William,the sets are not crammed between sprinters,142's or metros.The timetable has GC services built in,so much so that NEXUS who run Metro retimed services for this.The sets themselves will be looked after by Heaton Traincare Depot.The 06.46 ex S/land forms the 11.27 ex Kx..which then forms 17.30 ex S/land.......08.04 ex Kx forms 12.30 ex S/land which then forms 16.50 ex Kx....clear as mud eh !! 
hock:
hock:
T
Tom
Guest
Pathfinder - if someone doesn't wish to say in order to protect their ID please respect that.
Spaceflower
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i didnt ask 'how they would be crammed in' i said 'wedged in'
if i wanted to know how they get passengers on the train, i would have asked ' how will they be crammed in'
but thanks for the info.
how long would it take to clear a set at sunderland then?
you seem to be the man in the know
im surprised gner dont extend newcastle trains to wearside, like they do at leeds-bradford
if i wanted to know how they get passengers on the train, i would have asked ' how will they be crammed in'
but thanks for the info.
how long would it take to clear a set at sunderland then?
you seem to be the man in the know
im surprised gner dont extend newcastle trains to wearside, like they do at leeds-bradford
Pathfinder
Member
My apologies william for misreading your post,i am suitably chastised.Im not the man in the know as you put it,I just happen to speak to certain people who give me little bits of info regarding GC.As for clearing a train at sunderland i have no idea...at the moment.
GNER have had 10 years to extend the service or even run a service to/from wearside but decided not to, 1 train in either direction like they do/did with hull/harrogate services would have been ok probably.BR and the old InterCity used to have the "Cleveland Executive" which ran from sunderland back in the day !
Tom,you're right,I should respect 1VWC's right to anonimity,again I am suitably chastied.
Spaceflower
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apology accepted
TPE used to extend to sunderland, was it the metro that saw to its demise do you think?
TPE used to extend to sunderland, was it the metro that saw to its demise do you think?
Pathfinder
Member
apology accepted
TPE used to extend to sunderland, was it the metro that saw to its demise do you think?
Personally speaking..yes.The metro to sunderland was the worst thing that ever happened.It came about because the population of s/lands rate payers were paying into the then Tyne & Wear PTE for a service they were'nt getting,so they extend to s/land,everybody travels on metro for a bit then passenger numbers decline.Fare dodging is rampant because the inspectors
are utilised on other parts of the network where they are guaranteed to collar people without tickets.The old 15 minute train service from n/cle was much much better IMO.
Spaceflower
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i agree, the old station was much nicer too
Pathfinder
Member
Just found out today that the 1st GC set will be delivered in the 1st week in august,probably the 8th or thereabouts.The other 2 sets will be delivered soon after.The 1st set is to be used for the remainder of staff training such as CDL training etc.:grin:
I think that if the first set was going to be available for staff training on 8th of August we should have already been seeing pictures in the railway press of the testing of the sets by the acceptance authority. A start of testing on 8th august sounds plausible but that would mean theres no chance whatsever of a september start to passenger services.
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Tom
Guest
Does the same level of testing as of new trains (which is what Paul seems to be directing towards) really apply to what is essentially just modified stock... the electronics may be modified but the majority of testing towards that is crashworthiness and bits and bobs like that.
Id say that in terms of crashworthyness the stock would have grandfather rights but that the stock would need considerable testing in respect of the wiring which is to all intents and purposes new especially as the trailers and power cars have been overhauled by different companies. id say that 20 days (to the 8 th august) would be unrealistic, of course this assumes the power cars are realeased by DML tomorrow. What do you think tom?
T
Tom
Guest
I'd personally say that heavy testing is really not needed seeing as it's all based on currently existing stock (Mk3 LHCS/HST). The only potential issue I can see is the multiple working wiring between power cars on either end of the stock.
20 days though to train people up on the stock is slightly unrealistic - it's all dependant on how much training has already been done and previous knowledge (if they were with a TOC before) on their licence to operate trains.
20 days though to train people up on the stock is slightly unrealistic - it's all dependant on how much training has already been done and previous knowledge (if they were with a TOC before) on their licence to operate trains.
Pathfinder
Member
The drivers started way back in febuary and the guards started in march,training has been constantly ongoing with help from other TOCS regards traction,route learning etc.
From what I've been told,the bulk of staff all have a traincrew background and have the necessary knowledge and also that the september launch date is a definite starter.:grin:
Sets in use for training should rotate to allow for mileage accumulation and fault finding.
Training has already taken place on stock in use with other operators and as there will be no difference (in terms of a guard's role) between HST and converted LHCS trailers then use of existing HST sets was not an issue.
Testing on the scale of new trains is not needed as structurally they are the same vehicles. The only thing which needed approval was the electrical modifications and approval was given before conversions started.
If Grand Central services are starting in September why arent Grand central selling tickets?
http://www.grandcentralrail.com/tickets.html
The trainline suggests that GNERs lowest price advance has already sold out for Sunderland to London on 1.10.07 but no GC fares are available????
http://www.grandcentralrail.com/tickets.html
The trainline suggests that GNERs lowest price advance has already sold out for Sunderland to London on 1.10.07 but no GC fares are available????
T
Tom
Guest
Perhaps because the date of starting operations isn't fully confirmed as of yet?
Pathfinder
Member
GC will not be selling advance purchase tickets from launch so dont need to advertise this and also the std return fare from s/land to kx is £64.00 available anytime of the day either from travel centre or onboard as there is no penalty for a walk up passenger.No doubt in the future ap tickets may be available
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