Doesn't the fact that they don't even use all of their HST fleet suggest that they don't need any extra stock?
Yes sorry, was referring to the stock they are using now. I believe when the timetable was introduced in December 2008, there were four HST diagrams even in the winter.
Yes but I believe there were four diagrams all year from December 2008 to December 2009. There must be a reason why there are now only two in the winter.
That's nearly right.
Voyagers are a wet lease, so they (XC) pay for the guaranteed provision of a certain number of sets per day, fully maintained. If they don't use them, they still pay the full whack.
The HSTs are dry lease, which means they pay the basic rental charge, but are responsible for all maintenance costs themselves. Therefore, if they don't use, they don't have to do maintenance, and they save money. This is why all 5 sets have had one trailer car removed, and with the exception of peak summer weekends (and when there are service disruption problems) they will use HSTs to the bare minimum with only two sets diagrammed. It was even being mooted at one stage this year, that they would not diagram any from December.
You will also find they are likely to be laid up between Christmas and New Year (as with most previous years) - not because there is no demand, but because they can claim that there is no demand and the London based Dft will be fooled into believeing it as no one is at work and trains are only ever used by Commuters.
That's nearly right.
Voyagers are a wet lease, so they (XC) pay for the guaranteed provision of a certain number of sets per day, fully maintained. If they don't use them, they still pay the full whack.
The HSTs are dry lease, which means they pay the basic rental charge, but are responsible for all maintenance costs themselves. Therefore, if they don't use, they don't have to do maintenance, and they save money. This is why all 5 sets have had one trailer car removed, and with the exception of peak summer weekends (and when there are service disruption problems) they will use HSTs to the bare minimum with only two sets diagrammed. It was even being mooted at one stage this year, that they would not diagram any from December.
You will also find they are likely to be laid up between Christmas and New Year (as with most previous years) - not because there is no demand, but because they can claim that there is no demand and the London based Dft will be fooled into believeing it as no one is at work and trains are only ever used by Commuters.
Is it impossible to build new Voyager coaches with compliant engines?
That's nearly right.
Voyagers are a wet lease, so they (XC) pay for the guaranteed provision of a certain number of sets per day, fully maintained. If they don't use them, they still pay the full whack.
The HSTs are dry lease, which means they pay the basic rental charge, but are responsible for all maintenance costs themselves. Therefore, if they don't use, they don't have to do maintenance, and they save money. This is why all 5 sets have had one trailer car removed, and with the exception of peak summer weekends (and when there are service disruption problems) they will use HSTs to the bare minimum with only two sets diagrammed. It was even being mooted at one stage this year, that they would not diagram any from December.
You will also find they are likely to be laid up between Christmas and New Year (as with most previous years) - not because there is no demand, but because they can claim that there is no demand and the London based Dft will be fooled into believeing it as no one is at work and trains are only ever used by Commuters.
I've been on the 1223 ex Plymouth and have noticed quite a few empty seats even east of Exeter. I expect the reason an HST is used on this service is that it goes through the Midlands in the evening peak.
