Refurb XC MK3's

[mumrar]

Hello, new to this forum, so hi to all.

I was fortunate to be asked to shoot the new rake on test for XC. I had to choose where to go and what to do (bearing in mind I live in Brum and the furthest south it went was Newcastle!)

Glad to say I was rewarded with nice weather for the 6 mins surrounding when the train came, click below:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=252228

 

[class 313]

http://collecting-railwayana.co.uk/XCHST/DSC01704a.jpg

Looks pretty nice

 

[P156KWJ]

naff all tables, nice seats and decor, but the same shoddy carpet as 170s.

 

[class 313]

naff all tables, nice seats and decor, but the same shoddy carpet as 170s.

I'd rather have a seat than stand. Which less tables creates more chances of having a seat.

 

[222001]

There appears to be electronic seat reservation things too. I think.

 

[class 313]

There appears to be electronic seat reservation things too. I think.

Yep there is.

 

[Pumbaa]

Stolen straight out of the Voyagers and so ridiculously slow to scroll?

 

[djw1981]

Not keen on teh doors.

Are they voyager seats, or NXEC HST MAllard style seats?

 

[laseandre]

I think I heard that it was Mallard seats?

 

[djw1981]

I couldn't quite tell from the pictures, and the fact that it was a while since I was in a Voyager. The pink doors are ok..... less strident than I first thought - maybe it is growing on me.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Cross Country sets will be worse, with presumably, in the 6 standard class coaches, only 5 normal toilets, 1 disabled and 5 luggage racks

First Class I presume will get 3 toilets and 3 luggage racks...

Could be fun!

Is an average of one toilet per carriage not enough for you? Given the controversy about Virgin fitting disabled sized toilets in every carriage, the return to normal sized ones, giving more room for seats is surely welcome. assuming they do not have the issue with PC doors that NX have had, excess luggage can go in the PC. In fact they could advertise this fact....

 

[me123]

I think it looks quite nice, but nothing too special. The seats look quite comfortable and the electronic reservations are at least in a sensible place; hopefully they won't scroll...

There's an obvious lack of tables, but where XC are concerned, capacity is an issue. And airline seats are alright IMO.

 

[First ScotRail]

Its very nice, especially in First Class. I travelled on it today. Im a bit unsure about the trolley staff are very slow! I waited an hour after edinburgh.

 

[P156KWJ]

I'd rather have a seat than stand. Which less tables creates more chances of having a seat.

I'd rather have a longer train

 

[Bayum]

I'd rather have a longer train

Can they make them any longer on the XC Route?? Would 9 MK3s work past Plymouth??

 

[devon_metro]

Yes...

 

[TEW]

Can they make them any longer on the XC Route?? Would 9 MK3s work past Plymouth??

They all retain Grandfather Rights so could be used on any platform built before the HST was or is longer than the HST. Bearing in mind they arent going to be coming past Plymouth anyway and there arent really any spare MK3s to make them longer.

 

[P156KWJ]

Can they make them any longer on the XC Route?? Would 9 MK3s work past Plymouth??

even 1 extra carriage would be more... and I swear AXC HSTs are 6/7 car?

 

[TEW]

even 1 extra carriage would be more... and I swear AXC HSTs are 6/7 car?

Currently running as 7 car but will be 8 car.

 

[devon_metro]

*currently running as 8 car on XC01

 

[87015]

Definitely had seven coaches today, a few faults on some of them though

Aircon burst
Lights jacked
Electronic seat reservation system unused

....quality!

43301/321

 

[37402]

Running as a 7-car until the timetable change partly due to running to Voyager timings until then.

It's even got the Voyager style 'bing bong' announcements.

 

[87015]

It's even got the Voyager style 'bing bong' announcements.

But only from the buffet....TGS has old style PA ping (we think, process of elimination). Oh, and at various times it was bleeping like a game of pacman!

 

[Bayum]

They all retain Grandfather Rights so could be used on any platform built before the HST was or is longer than the HST. Bearing in mind they arent going to be coming past Plymouth anyway and there arent really any spare MK3s to make them longer.

So, wont they be going down to Penzance come the 08 December Timetable??

 

[TEW]

So, wont they be going down to Penzance come the 08 December Timetable??

No.

 

[Bayum]

No.

How come?? I thought they were doing all that extension stuff like you tried explaining on MSN?

 

[LilLoaf]

think 8 would work past Plymouth not sure on 9. If they ran them limited stop Plymouth - Penzance then they could have 10 but that will never happen.

Any idea on which diagram the referbished XC set will be on tomorrow (1st october).

Is it 9.00 Glasgow - Plymouth
or
Plymouth - Aberdeen

 

[mumrar]

Well, I went out on the first run (not the 06:** Dunbar to Glasgow) and took some shots of the interior including people, I have to say it looks nice and felt comfy too.

However, the electronic reservation system was dead, the air-con was out in 3 coaches, and in 3 coaches the saloon lights intermittently switched on and off. Apart from that a successful launch!

See HERE for the pictures

And as for diagram on 1st October it should be on the Glasgow-Plymouth turn all being well

 

[Royston Vasey]

They are definitely Mallard not Voyager seats then. If the faults mentioned are ironed out, sure they will be quickly, then they look all in all a damn good refurb... much nicer brighter environment than the FGW refurb.

 

[LilLoaf]

having looked at Mumrar pictures of the referbished set i have to say i like them a lot.

i'm asuming the diagram us scotland to Deven one day and then Deven to Scotland the next day.

Was there no crew training runs for these referbished sets ??

I thought the crew would need to be trained as to how to use the onboard computer systems.

Do they have automatic annoucements on them ? or does guard make them ?

 

[mumrar]

They'll probably just give them a sheet and ask for a signature

The guard still does announcements so thats good, hate the robotic ones.

Although am I the only one who loves it whem the woman in the lifts says 'Going down'. What a saucepot