I like pendolinos!

[387star]

Been on two recently a long distance
Yes I had no window seat going one way so I can talk!

Although there aren't armrests along the windows I think the ledges are sleek and modern and do just fine
Ride is outstanding despite the firm seats I could fall asleep on onr
They feel much better and more modern than the voyagers

Used to hate them by default as they were a hated train when they came out
But perhaps those who hate should think again.
My bag fitted fine overhead too
People need to stop bringing oversized bags
Bring on baby pendos. A 185 from glasgow to manchester? No thanks...


I like thr small windows less harsh daylight

 

[starrymarkb]

Image shows a Norwegian metal Troll..


To be honest having never been on a Pendo I can't judge them. Though I do find Voyagers more comfortable then the XC HSTs (which is an unpopular opinion!

 

[gordonthemoron]

Yes, Pendolinos are fine, I use them every week and they are better than Voyagers. Although having said that, Virgin Voyagers are better than XC ones.

 

[asylumxl]

Pendolinos are great.

Enthusiasts just like to whinge!

 

[dmspastor]

I am big fun of pendos for ambient light ,nice smooth ride way how tilt works...

I like 'organic soap' in toilets as can be see here: http://pastor.ovh.org/f/079.jpg

I never think about pendos's window until I join to this forum and see how people can argue for 1000's pages,which it is an amazing...

I have mixed feeling about toilets. they had problem with toilet smell, but then after travel a lot i change my mind and it is a good things as at least people 'do not meditate for hours' just do business and go away, so you don't need worry about it. Which is good compare to for example to travel with LM ,where I saw few people do 'Irish dance' while waiting for toilets.

I liked a pendonlino design for they 'WOW' factor for how they look. I believe that is a reason why Virgin Trains are so iconic outside of UK (if you see news about rails from UK,UE I quite often see a Virgin Pendonlino ) . However .... after few years of use them, i feel like i am travel in giant luxury portable toilets rather intercity express train . I feel like they are lack of majestic interior.

 

[gordonthemoron]

actually the thing I like best about Pendolinos is that there are so many empty seats. Getting a table all to myself is no problem at all

 

[Dave1987]

Been on two recently a long distance
Yes I had no window seat going one way so I can talk!

Although there aren't armrests along the windows I think the ledges are sleek and modern and do just fine
Ride is outstanding despite the firm seats I could fall asleep on onr
They feel much better and more modern than the voyagers

Used to hate them by default as they were a hated train when they came out
But perhaps those who hate should think again.
My bag fitted fine overhead too
People need to stop bringing oversized bags
Bring on baby pendos. A 185 from glasgow to manchester? No thanks...


I like thr small windows less harsh daylight

Well I'm not allergic to daylight so I like window to look out of, and telling people that they should have smaller luggage :roll:, honestly they should be the same size as overhead rack on other trains. And no I'm not an "enthusiast". I think the desiros are great.

 

[Geezertronic]

390s (not necessarily Pendolino's in general) are like Marmite - you either like them or you don't, unless you are someone who doesn't care and just wants to get from A to B as quick and safely as possible like me

Either way their more than positive impact on WCML services cannot be denied.

 

[317666]

Personally I'm a big fan of the 390s - even in airline seats I don't think that they feel very cramped, I also don't have a problem with their legroom and I'm nearly 6ft 4in. They ride very well, the seats are fairly comfortable (much more so than the seats on the EC/XC HSTs and the Mk4 sets), the acceleration and tilt are impressive, and if like me you generally use them on early morning trains out of Euston, finding a seat which matches a window is no problem.

 

[Dave1987]

Personally I'm a big fan of the 390s - even in airline seats I don't think that they feel very cramped, I also don't have a problem with their legroom and I'm nearly 6ft 4in. They ride very well, the seats are fairly comfortable (much more so than the seats on the EC/XC HSTs and the Mk4 sets), the acceleration and tilt are impressive, and if like me you generally use them on early morning trains out of Euston, finding a seat which matches a window is no problem.

When I have found a seat next to a window then the pendo's are ok. Like you say the ride is smooth and they are quiet. But the lack of luggage space on a long distance train is inexcusable. If they can't design them to tilt without sacrificing overhead storage space then simple, don't allow them to tilt! Hopefully when HS2 is built you will have very fast trains that have loads of space inside.

 

[Eagle]

If they can't design them to tilt without sacrificing overhead storage space then simple, don't allow them to tilt!

Which would limit them to 110 mph, increasing journey times by quite a bit.

 

[thetangoman]

I have been on them a couple of times. 1st trip was from Glasgow to London. Table with a view no problem what so ever. On the return leg I also had a table seat with a view. I had had a good drink the night before so wasn't feeling the best to begin with. The train departed Euston and all was well, then the Pendo began to pick up speed and started to tilt. This is when the window seat was not such a good idea. Although not physicallly sick I broke out a cold sweat and felt very queezy. I could see every tilt with the horizon going up and down as it sped round the corners. In the end I had to close my eyes and ride it out. Moral of the story: Pendos & Hangovers (with me at least) don't mix. Great train though even with the hard seats

Cheers
Russell

 

[387star]

Can anyone confirm if they run to edinburgh??? If so from euston?
I right xc run several to glasgow east coast now very few

 

[Eagle]

Can anyone confirm if they run to edinburgh??? If so from euston?

A few services a day between Edinburgh and Birmingham are Pendolinos; one each way is extended from Birmingham to London Euston.

XC run a service from Glasgow to Edinburgh every two hours, mainly with Voyagers. EC only go to Glasgow once a day (with a HST I believe).

 

[Muzer]

I've been on one or two, and aside from the whole small/misaligned window thing, they aren't bad at all IMHO.

I didn't have any luggage at the time, though, so I don't know if they suffer the same completely stupid problem as the Voyagers - on a train primarily designed for InterCity travel (== lots of people staying at least overnight), they have barely any luggage space. How is the luggage rack situation on the Pendolinos?

 

[Manchester77]

I could fit a large laptop bag and rucksack in the overhead luggage space with very little problem. The only real issue for me is the smell from the toilet however unless you're sat at the end of the train near the end doors you can't really smell it.

 

[transmanche]

I didn't have any luggage at the time, though, so I don't know if they suffer the same completely stupid problem as the Voyagers - on a train primarily designed for InterCity travel (== lots of people staying at least overnight), they have barely any luggage space. How is the luggage rack situation on the Pendolinos?

I have one of those 'cabin-friendly' hard shell suitcases. It fits onto the overhead luggage rack quite neatly. (In fact it does so on nearly all trains, except for 175s.)

 

[Blindtraveler]

Glad to see a Pro Pendo thread with which I entirely agree. Yes the toilet smell is a little regretable and Im sure could be sorted out??? For a long journey they would easily be my favourite (modern) traction, although noute could beat a MK2 or 3 or HST.
At refurb, fit the same style of seat padding as that in Coach D on Virgins 221s and the plug socket design used on the 395s at airline seats and your laughing!
BTW anybody know what is booked on the 06:30x Glasgow Central on a Saturday?

 

[Eagle]

BTW anybody know what is booked on the 06:30x Glasgow Central on a Saturday?

Pendolino.

 

[Muzer]

I have one of those 'cabin-friendly' hard shell suitcases. It fits onto the ceiling level luggage rack quite neatly. (In fact it does so on nearly all trains, except for 175s.)

How about the standalone luggage racks? On Voyagers in my own experience, the guard and passengers frequently have to step over luggage left outside the luggage rack because they are simply chock-a-block (I'm talking big family-sized suitcases for week-long stays) - meanwhile, the giant luggage rack where the shop used to be goes virtually unused because it's so dark in the vestibule, nobody notices it!

 

[387star]

Okay confused two coaches had nice low density seating guess they did that before they lengthened them

 

[transmanche]

I have one of those 'cabin-friendly' hard shell suitcases. It fits onto the ceiling level luggage rack quite neatly. (In fact it does so on nearly all trains, except for 175s.)

How about the standalone luggage racks? On Voyagers in my own experience, the guard and passengers frequently have to step over luggage left outside the luggage rack because they are simply chock-a-block (I'm talking big family-sized suitcases for week-long stays) - meanwhile, the giant luggage rack where the shop used to be goes virtually unused because it's so dark in the vestibule, nobody notices it!

IME a lot of people don't use the overhead luggage racks. It may be that their bag is too heavy, or they're not confident about lifting it up high. I just get the feeling that if those people with suitable sized luggage used those racks, it would leave more space in the larger racks for those with larger cases.

But (as has been mentioned elsewhere many times); the lack of luggage space between seats (caused by the general switch to 'airline seats') and the regular exhalations to 'keep luggage with you at all times' really doesn't help the situation.

 

[Alan1310]

So today was my first look at a pendo up close at BHM and I was impressed to be fair they look cool. Is just the bogies that make the wheels look huge or are they big compared to the average if there is one. For som reson they remind me of a brio train

 

[Muzer]

When I'm carrying a small bag, I personally don't use a luggage rack because my memory is awful and I'd forget it. But I'll put it on the seat next to me if and only if the train is reasonably empty, otherwise it'll go on my lap or by my legs (whichever is most comfortable on that particular train).

 

[Class377]

I don't have a problem with Pendos at all - travelled up north and back a few times on them and to be honest they do their job perfectly well. Only complaint I could have made first time round is that the tilt takes quite a bit of getting used to and can be a bit disorientating but it could be a lot worse. I don't personally find the windows a problem either as there are enough to get daylight into the carriage at any rate.

 

[Dave1987]

I've been on one or two, and aside from the whole small/misaligned window thing, they aren't bad at all IMHO.

I didn't have any luggage at the time, though, so I don't know if they suffer the same completely stupid problem as the Voyagers - on a train primarily designed for InterCity travel (== lots of people staying at least overnight), they have barely any luggage space. How is the luggage rack situation on the Pendolinos?

Very poor considering they are intercity trains and considering the poor overhead rack space. On a desiro/hst/172/168 all of these I can fit a small suitcase on the overhead rack. On a pendo not a chance!! There is enough space for a carrier bag or a small rucksack. That wouldn't be too bad except for the lack of luggage racks. Unlike on a mk3 coach where there is plenty of luggage space either end and on overhead racks.

 

[Pumbaa]

Very poor considering they are intercity trains and considering the poor overhead rack space. On a desiro/hst/172/168 all of these I can fit a small suitcase on the overhead rack. On a pendo not a chance!! There is enough space for a carrier bag or a small rucksack. That wouldn't be too bad except for the lack of luggage racks. Unlike on a mk3 coach where there is plenty of luggage space either end and on overhead racks.

I carry a small suitcase around when on business; its the standard size advertised as cabin luggage. It fits on the Pendo overhead luggage rack well without any shoving or heaving required. In fact I can't recall a single UK train it hasn't fit on (am yet to travel on now an ex-460, 143, 144, 159, 166, 373, 380 or Mk2) but I often find people don't bother trying before giving up and sticking it on the seat.

 

[CC 72100]

Unlike on a mk3 coach where there is plenty of luggage space either end and on overhead racks.

I do agree on this one. Also the overhead racks on a voyager are smaller than on a mark 3 (to do with the tilt profile, presumably.)

Mind you, sometimes that's not enough. Recently in Devon + Cornwall, I've been on a fair few trains where the disused trolley store in coach A on FGW mk 3s has been opened for additional luggage space, which is not surprising given the places that it serves. I understand Pendolinos (haven't experienced that many of them, nor for that long a time) don't have that much space, which I find surprising, as quite a few people may be travelling with larger items of luggage. They do operate Intercity services, after all.

 

[Drsatan]

I do agree on this one. Also the overhead racks on a voyager are smaller than on a mark 3 (to do with the tilt profile, presumably.)

Mind you, sometimes that's not enough. Recently in Devon + Cornwall, I've been on a fair few trains where the disused trolley store in coach A on FGW mk 3s has been opened for additional luggage space, which is not surprising given the places that it serves. I understand Pendolinos (haven't experienced that many of them, nor for that long a time) don't have that much space, which I find surprising, as quite a few people may be travelling with larger items of luggage. They do operate Intercity services, after all.

It's not uncommon for trains operating services to have minimal luggage space - the 185s spring to mind. In fairness though, the 185s were designed to be a 'jack of all trades' for long-distance journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Glasgow Central and for carrying large numbers of standing commuters.

The 444s suffer from the same problem - they operate long-distance services (Waterloo to Weymouth is 138 miles by road), but have little space for big bags, which is unfortunate considering services to Bournemouth and Weymouth can get very busy with families on holiday.

Back on topic, I've been on a few Pendolino runs. I traveled on the 10:42 Glasgow Central to Euston as far as Preston a few months ago and really enjoyed the run through the Scottish lowlands and up Shap embankment. The only gripe I have with Pendolinos is that the windows are too small. One forum member (who's an engineer) did post a detailed explanation of why Pendolinos have small windows a few months ago.

 

[transmanche]

It's not uncommon for trains operating services to have minimal luggage space - the 185s spring to mind. In fairness though, the 185s were designed to be a 'jack of all trades' for long-distance journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Glasgow Central and for carrying large numbers of standing commuters.

Again, the overhead racks on 185s have ample room for a 'cabin friendly' case (i.e. one that would be allowed as carry-on baggage on an aircraft), but those racks are often half-empty.