Hull Trains - The Latest

[Max]

Spotted this on the Hull Daily Mail website from a few days ago - just helps to sum up the situation nicely!

WE'RE LETTING OUR NEW TRAINS TAKE THE STRAIN

09:10 - 21 November 2007

Hull Trains said today it was expanding its fleet of trains.

It said the move would boostreliability for passengers.

The company, which operates services from Hull to London, has been running a fleet of three trains after one was badly damaged in January.

However, it said two new 125mph Adelante 180 trains would allow it to resume a full service.

The company's problems were compounded earlier this month when another train was taken out of use, forcing eight services to be cancelled.

The two new hi-tech diesel trains, each with five carriages, will be delivered to Hull Trains early next year and could be in use by March.

Managing director Mark Leving said: "I'm delighted.

"There have been very challenging weeks. We have had so many false starts to replace rolling stock and have been led down the garden path by a couple of industry players.

"This is a long-term solution that will enable us to return to the levels of reliability ourpassengers expect."

With one train out of service, Hull Trains' fleet of Class 222Pioneer trains has been underconstant pressure.

Mr Leving said the new Adelante 180 rolling stock could increase capacity by about 80 passengers per train - up from 33 passengers to 42 in first class and 160 to 225 in standard class.

Mr Leving said: "There will be a substantial increase in seats.

"It's very similar to what we have at the moment, but arguably with more comfort."

Hull Trains operates sevendirect return services between London and Hull on weekdays.

It will lease the trains from Angel Trains and rebrand them with its yellow and green livery.

The trains are currently running between Oxford, Exeter and London, operated by Hull Trains' sister company First Great Western.

In the interim a short electric inter-city train, the Class 86, will be used to help ferry passengers at weekends.

This train, limited to 110mph, will be used between London and Doncaster.

Hull Trains has been told repairing the damaged Pioneer train could take another two years.

So the 86 is still on the cards then, despite reports to the contrary! On a related note, did the test that was supposed to be running today actually materialise?

 

[me123]

180s? Boost reliability? Well, you never know.

 

[paul1609]

It will be interesting to see how they fare on a high speed long distance service rather than the semi fast service on FGW.

 

[devon_metro]

It will be interesting to see how they fare on a high speed long distance service rather than the semi fast service on FGW.

Agreed, The 180s are very nice trains and if they are cleaned up i'm sure they will be great!

 

[djw1981]

Cleaned up? I thought their only problem was engine reliability and flash fires? Are they smelly as well?

 

[Tom]

"Platform six for the 11:32 First Hull Trains Adelante service to Hull... this train is formed of 2 coaches due to the rear 3 catching alight."

 

[djw1981]

If EMT get some of the Adelante's - rumored elsewhere as the only available stock, and it would help their stock shortage as well as allowing longer trains on some of their long distance routes from East Anglia - then the joint HT / EMT Adelante fleet could at least be based at one depot (Derby or Leeds).

It would also allow (were EMT to take the 12 Adelante's remaining in the fleet after HT have had theirs) EMT to upgrade some 2 car services to 5 car services, and cascade further 15x class units to Northern, FSR, FGW etc who are crying out for them!

 

[me123]

It would also allow (were EMT to take the 12 Adelante's remaining in the fleet after HT have had theirs) EMT to upgrade some 2 car services to 5 car services, and cascade further 15x class units to Northern, FSR, FGW etc who are crying out for them!

Aren't FSR seeking "new" DMUs to run the Galashiels trains, anyway?

And what happened to the TPE/FSR split pool rumours that were flying around a wee while ago, or were they just rumours?

Mod note: To follow the FSR discussion, please refer the following thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15615

 

[175001]

Let me add ATW to the Adelante Equation.

There are strong rumors here in North Wales, that ATW are looking to take a few 180's for the Holyhead-Cardiff route, and as a replacement for the 67 + Stock run. Of course its just rumors, but they would be excellent for ATW operations, as they are cleared on all routes operated by 175's, made by Alstom etc.

To back this up, I was in a conference last week where the Deputy First Minister said that 1st class is likely to be sooner rather than later on a limited stop North-South service. Although 175's are to go off to Oxley for repainting, with 175008 there now, somehow, I don't see the already cramped 2-car 175's getting 1st class, neither the 3-car ones, so 180's would fit the bill for ATW and the WAG.

Would solve some overcrowding on this route, but as everybody is pointing out, are they too expensive!?

 

[scb201]

Leave them unused for a few months and the price will drop. Look at the Juniper fleet at SWT. Seemed to be a very shrewed game played there. Maybe the 442's could come back if they drop the price enough.... (Always good to get around the Dft when you want stock)

 

[voyagerdude220]

"Platform six for the 11:32 First Hull Trains Adelante service to Hull... this train is formed of 2 coaches due to the rear 3 catching alight."

The thing I don't like about the Adelantes, is the fact that FC is located in between 2 SC coaches, meaning that you obviously get some people walking through it between one coach and another.

I wonder if Hull Trains could still offer the very tasty food offer in FC with the Adelantes?

Also, that reminds me that the cafe (or what ever FGW call it) on 180's, is located in SC, so what could HT do about this, to offer something to eat for FC? I must say however, that i've never travelled FC on a 180 before, as my only experiences of 180's are limited to SC once Bristol Temple M to Paddington, and another trip on one from Swindon to Bristol Temple M.

 

[andylloyd]

Spotted this on the Hull Daily Mail website from a few days ago - just helps to sum up the situation nicely!



So the 86 is still on the cards then, despite reports to the contrary! On a related note, did the test that was supposed to be running today actually materialise?

The 86 did run, only to peterboro tho:cry:
Wheel flat terminated it and it ran injured back to Bounds Green for attention.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Max]

After a gentle complaint from a user, the discussion about the new FSR units has been moved to http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=15615.

Thanks

 

[rail-britain]

Hull Trains are using a pair of hired-in Class 170s between Hull and Doncaster, which then connect with a Class 222

 

[175001]

Stronger rumors now from ATW about the 180's!

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...e-first-class-cardiff-service-55578-20198816/

Cheers

 

[Mintona]

I reckon they just should give 9 180s to ATW, 5 to HT, give the 222s to EMT, release some HSTs to AXC to provide more capicity with doubled up 220s and HSTs.

Well, in my mind that makes sense, but I do doubt it.

 

[theblackwatch]

I reckon they just should give 9 180s to ATW, 5 to HT, give the 222s to EMT, release some HSTs to AXC to provide more capicity with doubled up 220s and HSTs.

Well, in my mind that makes sense, but I do doubt it.

Quite logical, but I think Hull Trains would need more than 5 Class 180s to cover 3 diagrams reliably!

 

[Mintona]

Quite logical, but I think Hull Trains would need more than 5 Class 180s to cover 3 diagrams reliably!

Not if they worked with Alstom to make them work, like ATW have with the 175s. The 180s woud work if someone cared about them.