Great Western HSTs, why have they now only got 7 coaches ?

[Stuart Galbraith]

You will probably find that the 7 coach HST have the buffet car removed and replaced with a mini-buffer. They hang around places like Oxford where they demand for a full buffet is not as high.

My understanding that journey times are slower for a number of reasons, defensive driving, more recovery time and extra stops. I understand that in 1976 there was a train that ran non-stop from Newport - London, now all stop at least at Bristol Parkway, Swindon and probably Reading well.

On the East Coast Edinburgh - London can be done in 4:19 on the 11:30 Edinburgh - London service. Not bad for a HST, whenever I have used it, 4:10 could have been possible if it had got a clear run as it waits at Newcastle and York. BUT that is the reason it doesn't happen. Take the 1700 London - Edinburgh service, it gets slowed between London and Hitchin for Cambridge services (fair enough and not by much but no chance of a headline run). It often needs to wait for platforms at York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. I have often sat outside Waverley at 2109 near the tunnel. The days of clear paths for premium services are gone. The railway is too busy for it.

If you want to see slower journeys with faster trains look at XC!
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Correct, you should not see a shortern train on London - Swansea or London - Plymouth and beyond.

I believe it was the railway magazine that recentl touched on this point. The good old days of 140mph overspeeding are long gone sadly.

 

[TheWalrus]

Correct, you should not see a shortern train on London - Swansea or London - Plymouth and beyond.[/QUOTE]

Some Swanseas are shortened I believe :/
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The odd set with TSB pops down, although usually on the 0818 pad - exd, or late evening Paddington - Plymouth/Exeter.

That's right! Was on the 0818 the other day with one on! Also saw the 1833 Pad-Ply at Bedwyn with a tsb, so I guess they do go down as far as Plymouth.

 

[MCR247]

Also saw the 1833 Pad-Ply at Bedwyn with a tsb, so I guess they do go down as far as Plymouth.

Isn't that an extended peak time stopper?

 

[devon_metro]

Isn't that an extended peak time stopper?

No, Pad - Rdg - Nby - Hfd - Pew - Wsb - Clc - Tau - Tvp - Exd - Nta FO - Ply FO

 

[455driver]

I have caught the 0651 off Exeter (travelling chef train) and that has been a TSRMB set and as the (Plymouth) crew had not been trained on the trolleys (H&S) there was no food or drink at all :cry:.

 

[TheExmoorBeast]

You can always chew your nails.

Better still do what I do, bring my own food + flask of coffee, it's cheaper.

 

[455driver]

But the freshly prepared food is excellent, much better than a soggy (home made) sandwich

 

[devon_metro]

I have caught the 0651 off Exeter (travelling chef train) and that has been a TSRMB set and as the (Plymouth) crew had not been trained on the trolleys (H&S) there was no food or drink at all :cry:.

They don't operate trolleys with TSBs? Its the same as a buffet just can't do Travelling Chef/Pullman with it

 

[455driver]

Or any hot food (then), I don't mean the trolley that is used to serve First class at seat but a trolley with the food on that is "plugged in". There were only 2 converted at that time so things are different now with the microwave being available and staff being trained.
are you sure you are not confusing the TSRMB (401xx) with the TRFB (402xx) which are proper buffet cars but with a smaller kitchen area than the 407xx series TRFBs.

 

[devon_metro]

TSB/TSRMB same thing in my book. The mini buffets can serve hot food, but only stuff that you find on the Express Cafe menu.