Iskra
Established Member
Presumably, they picked it up cheap in the first place.
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New Belmond train in England & Wales
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Given that Belmont bought the train some time ago and used it successfully in Ireland before bringing it to Britain, no chance of any legal action being successful.
D6130
Established Member
I wonder whether the problems are connected to the fact that the stock was built for CIÉ - as it then was - with power operated doors? When converted by Belmond to standard gauge - presumably using surplus BT10 bogies - they would have to have been modified to accept door/brake interlocking equipment....and maybe the door sensors are just a wee bit too sensitive?
In essence its a 442 as far as the doors are concerned, so there shouldn't be any issues in that regard - or atleast none that can't be rectified.
I'm also unsure whether it will have door/brake interlocking. Its not typical on LHCS of that age - whether the train will have grandfather rights or some kind of dispensation due to the nature of the operation, I don't know.
Whatever the case, though, the door issues are nothing that should be causing a major, long term issue. The problem here seems to be that a train has many, many moving parts (literally and metaphorically). Given the price tag, every one of those needs to come together seamlessly, or you'll be left feeling as though it wasn't worth the money (quite literally from the house keeping to horse riding - or whatever other bourgeois activity they have planned
).Its a lot of plates to be spinning at the same time, but I do hope they get it right, its a gorgeous train and a superb concept that I'd one day like to try myself.
It was always well known for suffering door faults.
berneyarms
Established Member
The stock was assembled new in Inchicore Works in Dublin by CIÉ in the 1980s with the kits supplied by BREL. They were not second-hand from GB.
There were indeed numerous door problems at the outset, but these were overcome and the stock operated perfectly well for over twenty years. The train operated without door problems for Belmond in Ireland subsequently.
Yes, I realised within about 5 seconds of hitting the post button that I was thinking of the BREL International coaches that became the Cu na Mara set - the forum didn't display the "edited post" label that it normally does when you edit a read post so I thought I had gotten away with it but you're clearly a replying ninja
I had however read somewhere recently that the Hibernian set had in it's latter stages of life experienced an increasing number of door issues.
…. Has returned back to Eastleigh Arlington today behind 57303. I’m not sure what the prospective Doncaster trip was for then!
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
We have movement again!
Having decided that Doncaster was too far for the BEX to move to, it is now heading back to Assenta Rail Hamilton for further maintenance.
More surprisingly it’s being hauled up by 59003, although it’s since become homesick and has been diverted to Tuebrook for a GBRf 66 to take over. Must have decided it was too far north and picked up a nosebleed
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
We have movement again!
Having decided that Doncaster was too far for the BEX to move to, it is now heading back to Assenta Rail Hamilton for further maintenance.
More surprisingly it’s being hauled up by 59003, although it’s since become homesick and has been diverted to Tuebrook for a GBRf 66 to take over. Must have decided it was too far north and picked up a nosebleed
Realtime Trains | 6S20 0730 Eastleigh Works Gbrf to Hamilton Gbrf | 25/11/2025
Real-time train running information for 6S20 0730 departure from Eastleigh Works Gbrf to Hamilton Gbrf on 25/11/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Last edited:
Bringback309s
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- 379
All has been quiet on this front... due to start in around six weeks time. Will it be ready?
BillStampy
Established Member
Better question is have the reliability issues been ironed out. I'm sure we'll see the stock moving soon for testing to assure of that.
I think this could be the first of the year?
Realtime Trains | 1V00 1548 London Victoria to Haverfordwest | 30/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 1V00 1548 departure from London Victoria to Haverfordwest on 30/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 1V00 1548 London Victoria to Haverfordwest | 30/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 1V00 1548 departure from London Victoria to Haverfordwest on 30/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
I think you're spot on. When I looked a few weeks ago they were starting with this date and going all the way through to November which seemed optimistic!I think this could be the first of the year?
Realtime Trains | 1V00 1548 London Victoria to Haverfordwest | 30/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 1V00 1548 departure from London Victoria to Haverfordwest on 30/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Belmond are actually taking paying passengers on the 30/03/2026 departure. Courageous decision.
We can look forward to 1st April's joke being Belmond disrupting the Cambrian Coast service for most of the morning when their Barmouth/Tywyn/Barmouth shuffle fails to keep to time, yet again.
We can look forward to 1st April's joke being Belmond disrupting the Cambrian Coast service for most of the morning when their Barmouth/Tywyn/Barmouth shuffle fails to keep to time, yet again.
BillStampy
Established Member
I'd be surprised if one of the earlier paths aren't used as a test run for the stock, sending it in without making sure it still works wouldn't be the smartest idea!
BillStampy
Established Member
Any updates on if the 30th of March run is expected to happen? Additionally, any knowledge on if the stock will be tested before it's used with paying customers? Would be a pretty bold decision to not do so!
MadCommuter
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- 4 Oct 2010
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- 736
The stock is still in Steele's yard in Hamilton
BillStampy
Established Member
And as soon as I bring it up a path from Hamilton to Eastleigh has appeared for this Saturday!
Realtime Trains | 5O22 0928 Hamilton Gbrf to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 14/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 5O22 0928 departure from Hamilton Gbrf to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) on 14/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
There have been paths in RTT from Hamilton to Craigentinny then Edinburgh to Dundee and return for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, looks to be the Brittanic Express stock test runs.
However, yesterday's and today's runs were both cancelled.
Realtime Trains | 5Z78 1029 Hamilton Gbrf to Craigentinny T.&R.S.M.D | 11/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 5Z78 1029 departure from Hamilton Gbrf to Craigentinny T.&R.S.M.D on 11/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 5Z79 1318 Craigentinny T.&R.S.M.D to Edinburgh | 11/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 5Z79 1318 departure from Craigentinny T.&R.S.M.D to Edinburgh on 11/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Realtime Trains | 1Z79 1345 Edinburgh to Dundee | 11/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 1Z79 1345 departure from Edinburgh to Dundee on 11/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Just under an hour.
Realtime Trains | 1Z91 1625 Dundee to Edinburgh | 11/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 1Z91 1625 departure from Dundee to Edinburgh on 11/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
MadCommuter
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- 736
A maroon 66 is parked up in the siding outside the yard, adjacent to the main line this morning.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Which yard , where ?.
50002Superb
Established Member
I’m guessing Hamilton GBRF and whatever was on this: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U79815/2026-03-09/detailed
Seen elsewhere 66743 mentioned.
MadCommuter
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- 736
ScottDarg
Member
Running as planned with 66743 at the helm. All 10 coaches in the consist.And as soon as I bring it up a path from Hamilton to Eastleigh has appeared for this Saturday!
Realtime Trains | 5O22 0928 Hamilton Gbrf to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) | 14/03/2026
Real-time train running information for 5O22 0928 departure from Hamilton Gbrf to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) on 14/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Hopefully it will be better this time around.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
I saw it stationary once and on closer inspection I could see it was tatty in places - aluminium window frames in the doors that were patched up.