Grand Central HSTs?

[djw1981]

Why can they not use their own staff to demonstrate on board wifi?

 

[rail-britain]

The GCR train will have two WiFi routers fitted by a contractor
The onboard staff will know how to use the WiFi, but not how to demonstrate it to "potential" customers
It's the same with GNER, the staff can sell you the passes but not how to set it up!

For passengers without laptops or XDA devices we will be setting up some for demontration purposes

 

[Tom]

The online ticket sales website has also been activated, although when you try to proceed to purchase the link is dead

It has?

http://www.grandcentralrail.co.uk/tickets.html says "Feature currently unavailable"

 

[rail-britain]

It has?
http://www.grandcentralrail.co.uk/tickets.html says "Feature currently unavailable"

It's not at that URL, GCR will be using a different URL for their ticket sales

 

[djw1981]

Well tell us it then oh great one, or do I smell some bovine faeces?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Trainline are doing the online tickets, we went to London to meet a couple of the people working on our tickets/systems in August. They have got some great ideas, and I am looking forward to being able to try them out. IIRC when you click the 'buy tickets' button on the GC website, it will still have GC on it, but it will be a portal for the Trainline.

 

[paul1609]

Sir Clagalot,
What do you you actually do all day?
Do gc require you to sit in an office staring at a wall?
or do you just sit at home?

 

[Pathfinder]

Sir Clagalot,
What do you you actually do all day?
Do gc require you to sit in an office staring at a wall?
or do you just sit at home?

If you bothered to read his (many)previous posts he explains what he does,he has been on both GC staff training trains that have ran,he has also stated that he is at Heaton Depot next week as well so I wouldnt have thought that counted as sitting in an office staring at a wall would you ? I have met nearly all GC drivers,senior conductors and conductors as they have been route learning round the durham coast and I must say they are a credit to GC,very keen to learn and willing to listen,I for one hope they will be a great success !!!!

 

[paul1609]

BT10 bogies are designed for 125mph operation
The problem has been the Mark 3a coaches, as these are designed for 125mph operation, but do not have the additional brake reservoir and electrical equipment required for 125mph
This is why Mark 3a coaches are restricted to 110mph operation
The same upgrade will be required for the Mk 3a coaches that WCSR plan to use with EWS Class 67s

With regard to WCSR I cant really see 125 mph being required, most of the Marlybone to Birmingham route is 60 - 90 mph for loco hauled stock.

 

[rail-britain]

It's not the 125mph capability, its for the acceleration that the locos will offer
Given a choice of 100mph Mk2e/f coaches or 110mph Mk3a/b coaches, I too would make every effort to acquire Mk3a/b coaches
This is a requirement of any Open Access operator, that they do not infringe on existing rights and paths

 

[paul1609]

Yeah I dont have a problem with MK 3 coaches. Its just that i dont see why they need brake modification for operation with a class 67. I cant really see that a 3000 hp diesel loco will offer better acceleration than a class 86 or 90 that they have traditionally been operated with. Whilst they may get the chance to stretch their legs between Aynho Junction and Leamington Spa I think the limit is only around 90 to 100 mph. South of there i think the highest limit will be 75.
The sets can comfortably operate with a max of 100mph. It wont be financially viable to rate them at 125 mph for the current services.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I am a conductor for GC, have spent this last week getting up at 4am, driving for an hour to get to SUnderland to do the training run to York and back, then driving an hour home!!
Up at Heaton next week, getting mucky no doubt as we are doing train prep/coupling and uncoupling of vehicles. Great fun, although knowing our luck it will be p***ing it down!!

 

[rail-britain]

The Mk3a/b coaches need modifications to operate at 125mph, the braking system is slightly different (for operational reasons)
If WSCR are only operating them at 110mph then they do not need to be modified, my mistake as I had read they would be operating at 125mph on the WCML between Euston and Rugby
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The six laptops arrived today for the WiFi demonstrations

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

So that's where the Conductor's Laptops have got to...

 

[Pathfinder]

So that's where the Conductor's Laptops have got to...

You'll have to wait for them a bit longer mind,you will all have to be taught how to us wi-fi by the mastro on the much awaited "VIP" Trip,lol !! :razz:

 

[rail-britain]

The laptops are for use by passengers who do not have one during the journey
They are amazingly small, more like a tablet PC

 

[Pathfinder]

The laptops are for use by passengers who do not have one during the journey
They are amazingly small, more like a tablet PC

Are these just for use on the vip train or will GC be offering these to passengers on their services,if so,I hope they are "nailed down" so to speak,as they could very well walk !!!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Like I said earlier, I have wifi myself, so I know how to use it!! Dont know why we couldnt do it. Having said that, some people arent confident with computers, but it should be reasonably straight forward (for me) to help with any queries, If I cant, then I'll ring the office!!
Everything will have to be nailed down or else the Souvenir Hunters will take it!!

 

[First ScotRail]

I am just waiting to see the board games on the tables, what a genious idea! I wish GC all the best of luck and will certainly travel with them at some point!

 

[schmoo_smith]

lets hope they provide support for mac users. wishful thinking.

 

[rail-britain]

The WiFi will work with any devices that meet the 802.11b standard
The laptops are being provided on the Monday of the services only, and on the Sunday VIP services only

So that on-train staff can remain focused on their own passengers on the Monday there should be no need for them to assist passengers on how to use the WiFi, that's where we come in
From Tuesday onwards they will be on their own, the staff that is!

 

[First ScotRail]

funny you should say that as at the moment i am typing this on the ipod touch! What a genious invention

 

[rail-britain]

I use three computers...
At home I have a HP desktop PC
For office-based work I have a laptop
Whilst travelling I have an orange SPV M2000
The great things is that all three are synchronised, so even if I receive an email on the PC and reply in the laptop, I can still read it on the SPV

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

If anyone asks me for help then I will assist the best I can. It's what I'm getting paid to do...

 

[Pathfinder]

If anyone asks me for help then I will assist the best I can. It's what I'm getting paid to do...

Exactly !

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Bring it on!

 

[djw1981]

I am a conductor for GC, have spent this last week getting up at 4am, driving for an hour to get to Sunderland to do the training run to York and back, then driving an hour home!!

Sir Clag, as a former resident of Tyneside, I am wondering if the traffic has got worse, or are you commuting from way out in the wilds of Northumberland / Durham to Sunderland..... or is it that Heaton is closer for you and the long commute is because you were starting at Sunderland and not Heaton.

Given others have said that between services at Sunderland, the stock will go to Heaton (via Newcastle Central?) to clear Sunderland Station, will this mean that you have regular paths (ie after every 2nd metro or something) between the Metro's in case of late running?

 

[rail-britain]

The stock is to be stored and serviced at Heaton until the public services commence

From commencement of the public services the stock is to be stabled at :
Ryhope Grange Sidings
Pelow Up Goods Loop
East Bolden Up Loop
Bounds Green
Ferme Parl

From commencement of the public services the stock is to be maintained at :
Tyne Yard
Heaton
Bounds Green

source :
S17 ORR

Note : the public service start date on the S17 is now shown as Tuesday 20 November 2007

 

[Ascot]

So they are not running, but at Sunderland the 12:30 yesterday was showing on the departure boards.hock:

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

A1 - A690 then over the Monkwearmouth Bridge to park at St Peter's Metro station. Then back again to get home, which is south of Darlington (at the moment)
We've been on the boards for 0646 all last week!!