My Idea For XC services

[MCR247]

Now I know this will never happen, but I want to know in your opinion if you think it will work

What if, if/when the MML gets electrified, the 222s were refurbed with new seats, returned to 9 and 4 car trains. The 9 car ones then go to XC, replacing HSTs (I know for some thats the end of the world!) and aiding voyagers. Voyagers could then be refurbed so that inside they are the same as refurbed Meridians. That way, most 220/221 services could be double up. A problem is, is that there would be know through corridors.

Comments?

No comments crying about how getting rid of HSTs is a bad thing, I hate voyagers too, but I like 222s,and it shows that with better seating plan and longer (and the rattles eliminated) they could be good trains

 

[generalvegitable]

that would work, but the problem is that the HSTs are much more comfortable because they are basicly top and tail locos

 

[asylumxl]

Comfortable or quieter?

The FHT 222s had a good layout, lots of luggage space. I do think for the XC routes they really need to be high density, at the loss of table seats. I'd personally rather have a seat than have tables.

 

[tbtc]

That way, most 220/221 services could be double up

Sorry if I'm going off at a tangent here, but the idea of doubling up all/ most Cross Country services opens a lot of possibilities. For example, a ten/ twelve car service on the main Manchester/ York to Bristol/ Reading stretch, with the two or three units splitting/ joining for Newcastle/ Edinburgh/ Bournemouth/ Devon/ Cornwall, but also with potential for a service splitting to Middlesbrough/ Portsmouth/ Bath etc

And I think your idea is basically fine - the Voyagers aren't terrible trains, just not great on the routes they were designed for (given demand). Guarantee me a seat and I'd not complain about them

 

[Dewedin]

And I think your idea is basically fine - the Voyagers aren't terrible trains, just not great on the routes they were designed for (given demand). Guarantee me a seat and I'd not complain about them

I would, they're uncomfortable, cramped, and the body design allowed for (unimplemented) tilting which makes everything feel that much more closed in.

I hate sitting on them for 3 hours between Edinburgh and Leeds. Usually I opt for a nice Mk4 instead, takes a bit longer and means a change but there you go.

 

[87031]

Voyagers are just about as bad as its gets for me, noisy smelly uncomfortable, HST sets the standard on the XC routes...fast comfortable and better capacity. If the MML is elcectrfied the HST sets could be transfered to XC not just the 222s.

 

[tbtc]

If the MML is elcectrfied the HST sets could be transfered to XC not just the 222s.

...by the time the MML is wired up, the HSTs will be close to forty years old, if not older...

Plus, if they fill the "gaps" in, then all of the Cross Country route north of Birmingham (apart from north of Edinburgh) will be wired up, plus the GWML will have been done first, meaning scope for all XC to potentially go EMU

 

[Royston Vasey]

I would, they're uncomfortable, cramped, and the body design allowed for (unimplemented) tilting...

Usually I opt for a nice Mk4 instead, takes a bit longer and means a change but there you go.

To be fair the Mk IVs were also designed for tilting, but they are far more comfortable as you say. Which only highlights what Voyagers could have been like I suppose. That said, I like Voyagers as short to medium distance trains (up to 2 hours maybe) but theyre just inadequate in terms of capacity so are always packed. I find Pendolinos even worse in standard class for long distance though, they're even more cramped because of the carriage profile and windows.

 

[poshbakerloo]

I always think that XC needs to speed up its services...
They always stop as so many stations that it just starts to drag after a while...
They also need to double the length of the Voyagers...

 

[mumrar]

Plus, if they fill the "gaps" in, then all of the Cross Country route north of Birmingham (apart from north of Edinburgh) will be wired up, plus the GWML will have been done first, meaning scope for all XC to potentially go EMU

*COUGH* they do also run services Nottingham to Cardiff and New St to Leicester and Stansted, so not really potential for all to go EMU, plus Penzance has not long got electricity and Channel Five :-P, I wouldn't expect places like that and Newquay and Paignton to get wires for a long time yet.

 

[37401]

plus Penzance has not long got electricity and Channel Five :-P, I wouldn't expect places like that and Newquay and Paignton to get wires for a long time yet.

They never had electricity when I was there

 

[tbtc]

*COUGH* they do also run services Nottingham to Cardiff and New St to Leicester and Stansted, so not really potential for all to go EMU, plus Penzance has not long got electricity and Channel Five :-P, I wouldn't expect places like that and Newquay and Paignton to get wires for a long time yet.

Newquay may wait some time, but the Nottingham to Cardiff route wouldn't need much if they do the MML and GWLM properly (filling in gaps as well as doing the main "intercity" parts).

It might not make a difference - after all the Manchester - Birmingham route is all wired up and still uses DMUs - but the main Cross Country services could easily be all wired up

 

[Drsatan]

Newquay may wait some time, but the Nottingham to Cardiff route wouldn't need much if they do the MML and GWLM properly (filling in gaps as well as doing the main "intercity" parts).

It might not make a difference - after all the Manchester - Birmingham route is all wired up and still uses DMUs - but the main Cross Country services could easily be all wired up

You've forgotten Reading - Basingstoke which is non-electrified, and Basingstoke - Bournemouth which is 3rd rail. So for those services you'd need diesel trains unless Reading-Basingstoke is electrified, and someone invents a 3rd rail/25kv AC/ diesel train. The easiest option would be to swap traction at Reading

 

[gordonthemoron]

or terminate at Reading