I like pendolinos!

[AnonymousUser1]

Despite the fact that there is probably a weight restriction on what the luggage racks can handle, what size or weight of case do expect the average person to be able to lift up and place onto the luggage racks?

the Manual Handling Ops Regulations impose no statutory limit on the weight of individual items in the workplace

http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/mac/assess01.htm

 

[Geargrinder]

I recall people hating HST's (particularly that screaming Valenta engine) in the 1980's when they replaced loco hauled Mk2 stock . I wasn't around in the 60's but I understand there were many then who hated diesel & electric loco's + mk2 coaches replacing steam hauled corridor mk1's........

 

[Dave1987]

I recall people hating HST's in the 1980's when they replaced loco hauled Mk2 stock (particularly that screaming Valenta engine). I wasn't a around in the 60's but I understand there were many then who hated diesel loco's + mk2 coaches replacing steam hauled corridor mk1's........

Just so you know the only things I hate about pendo's is the small windows and severe lack of luggage space!

 

[gordonthemoron]

the thing I disliked about HSTs was the smelly brakes

 

[Bob Ames]

Just had my first* Pendo ride - very nice, easily the best train ride I've had! I also had a surprise waiting for them: a bicyle with no reservation (I hired a bike in Kendal, got a bit lost, returned after the bike shop closed, so had to take it home). I can now see why VT require reservations: a staff member is needed to unlock the storage area with a key (and to let you exit at your destination).

Anyways, after hearing all about 'em here, I wanted to try one myself. Regarding lighting, looks very similar to the Voyagers to me. Windows? I find the smaller size gives a more intimate view of the landscape - I didn't miss the larger Voyager windows. Noise? Very quiet apart from occasional rattling (I have no doubt the Voyagers make the same noise, but you can't hear it over the diesel engines!). They were also doing regular trash collections (on both my Voyager and Pendo rides today) which is the first time I have seen that done.


* Pretty surprising, given my local station is a WCML station, but I'm cheap - I only buy off-peak tickets, so I've always ended up on Voyagers, which do most of the off-peak work.

 

[30mog]

Did Euston-New Street last Saturday. First longish ride on one. Hardly felt it was moving but look out the window and try reading a station sign. I only managed it at Bletchley where it is perched high up and massive. Thought seat was a bit benchy. Though bear in mind by this time of the day I had already done an HST Sheffield-Nottingham, a 158 on to Norwich and a MK.3 carriage to Liverpool Street.

 

[gordonthemoron]

are all the MK3 coaches on Norwich-London really tatty and still with their original seating?

 

[Roverman]

I think people are too harsh on the Pendolino, and need to remember the basic premise was a British design and be proud of what we almost achieved.

As for luggage I do think some people bring far too much onto a train and expect to be able to have it around them for the entire journey. This is a crazy attitude, if you flew it would be in the hold and you wouldn't see it from check in until baggage reclaim several hours later.

Under NR regulations one is allowed to carry up to 2 large suitcases and 1 small case each. This is far too much. There simply isn't room for everyone to carry anywhere near all that stuff!

One can now buy a small suitcase that fits within most airlines' regulations. I think that should be the most one can have 'with them' at the seat. If someone wants to board the train with more bags and cases they should be stored in a luggage area and a small charge made say £5 for the storage.

There are bound to be people who disagree with me but I think I speak for many who are utterly sick of boarding a train to find their reserved seat covered with someone elses luggage!

 

[Dave1987]

I think people are too harsh on the Pendolino, and need to remember the basic premise was a British design and be proud of what we almost achieved.

As for luggage I do think some people bring far too much onto a train and expect to be able to have it around them for the entire journey. This is a crazy attitude, if you flew it would be in the hold and you wouldn't see it from check in until baggage reclaim several hours later.

Under NR regulations one is allowed to carry up to 2 large suitcases and 1 small case each. This is far too much. There simply isn't room for everyone to carry anywhere near all that stuff!

One can now buy a small suitcase that fits within most airlines' regulations. I think that should be the most one can have 'with them' at the seat. If someone wants to board the train with more bags and cases they should be stored in a luggage area and a small charge made say £5 for the storage.

There are bound to be people who disagree with me but I think I speak for many who are utterly sick of boarding a train to find their reserved seat covered with someone elses luggage!

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. As an intercity train the pendo's purpose is to transport people long distance. So people are going to be travelling with large luggage. To say to them just because we did a bad job in designing the pendo so there is very little space for large luggage you either carry smaller luggage or we will charge you for the privilege of having larger luggage is just crazy. In the design phase lots of luggage space should have been one of the big priorities. It clearly wasnt!

The result, like you say people have to take up seats with their luggage!

 

[gordonthemoron]

there is also the tendency of some people having luggage which is too big/heavy for them to safely handle, i.e. too heavy to lift onto overhead racks, too many bags to carry etc.

Fortunately there aren't many like Frank Carson who I once came across at Peterborough station with 15 suitcases

 

[DarloRich]

I think people are too harsh on the Pendolino, and need to remember the basic premise was a British design and be proud of what we almost achieved.

As for luggage I do think some people bring far too much onto a train and expect to be able to have it around them for the entire journey. This is a crazy attitude, if you flew it would be in the hold and you wouldn't see it from check in until baggage reclaim several hours later.

Under NR regulations one is allowed to carry up to 2 large suitcases and 1 small case each. This is far too much. There simply isn't room for everyone to carry anywhere near all that stuff!

One can now buy a small suitcase that fits within most airlines' regulations. I think that should be the most one can have 'with them' at the seat. If someone wants to board the train with more bags and cases they should be stored in a luggage area and a small charge made say £5 for the storage.

There are bound to be people who disagree with me but I think I speak for many who are utterly sick of boarding a train to find their reserved seat covered with someone elses luggage!

I don’t have any problem with the engineering concept or operation of the Pendolino. They are fantastic reliable trains. What they are not is comfortable.

it is like they spent all the money on the engineering and just chucked the cheapest rubbish they could find inside the clever tube!

 

[martybabes]

As for luggage I do think some people bring far too much onto a train and expect to be able to have it around them for the entire journey. This is a crazy attitude, if you flew it would be in the hold and you wouldn't see it from check in until baggage reclaim several hours later.

I disagree. A basic difference between air and train travel is that your luggage is isolated from the beginning of your journey to the end - and a fortiori the same is so with all the other travellers' luggage. Not so on the train. My experience with HSTs is that oversize cases can be stacked at the ends of the coach but it is at risk of being taken (accidentally or otherwise) at intermediate stops. That does not give me a comfortable feeling if I am travelling some distance, ie more than one stop. Unless the TOC can absolutely guarantee the safety and security of my luggage then I will happily keep it with me under my control.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Fortunately there aren't many like Frank Carson who I once came across at Peterborough station with 15 suitcases

It's the way he packed them...

 

[Temple Meads]

the thing I disliked about HSTs was the smelly brakes

The HST brake smell is epic

(Yes, I am a weird nerd)