Scotrail using ex Virgin Mark 2s?

[thealexweb]

Today whilst at Newcraighall station I saw an EWS Class 67 hauling six Mark 2 in ex Virgin livery (see second image). This service http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G62869/2014/05/02/advanced feeding in to this one http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G62201/2014/05/02/advanced.

I know Scotrail frequently operates loco hauled Fife Circle services but this is the first time I have ex Virgin Mark 2s be used. Usually its generic looking brown liveried ones (see first image of the usual coaches at Edinburgh Waverley).

 

[86246]

The Virgin liveried Mk II coaches were used on Wednesday and Thursday as well when I saw it.

Not being a local I can't comment on the usual stock used for these services.

 

[LowLevel]

I've heard elsewhere (WNXX) that the EWS coaches previously used have failed some kind of audit/inspection and so the Riviera owned Virgin ones have been brought in instead.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I've heard elsewhere (WNXX) that the EWS coaches previously used have failed some kind of audit/inspection and so the Riviera owned Virgin ones have been brought in instead.

are these ones in better shape?

 

[scotraildriver]

Well they don't have holes in the bodywork anyway. The EWS ones were in an appalling condition.

 

[fgwrich]

Well they don't have holes in the bodywork anyway. The EWS ones were in an appalling condition.

Hardly surprising really given that the majority of those were ex Anglia Railways (except the BSO which was ex FGW) beforehand - I photted one I was travelling in last summer where the door handle bolt was rotting at the bottom, and the top had a chunk of metal missing. Also given the lack of maintenance in DB - There coaches that rarely have any other use for DB other than services like this, so why maintain them as much as say a CL67 which would see regular use, and their longer term outposting in Millerhill yard. Although the use of ex Virgin Mk2s is slightly surprising too given the state of some of Rivieras! I wonder if any of the better condition ex ATW Mk2s will make their way up to Scotland anytime soon, as they seem to be appearing in Railtour rakes now with ex VT Mk2s.

 

[Liam]

Not the first time Scotrail have used ex-Virgin stock. I remember when a 90, some ex-Virgin Mark III's and DVT were used on the North Berwick services in the early 2000's.

 

[Bayum]

Hardly surprising really given that the majority of those were ex Anglia Railways (except the BSO which was ex FGW) beforehand - I photted one I was travelling in last summer where the door handle bolt was rotting at the bottom, and the top had a chunk of metal missing. Also given the lack of maintenance in DB - There coaches that rarely have any other use for DB other than services like this, so why maintain them as much as say a CL67 which would see regular use, and their longer term outposting in Millerhill yard. Although the use of ex Virgin Mk2s is slightly surprising too given the state of some of Rivieras! I wonder if any of the better condition ex ATW Mk2s will make their way up to Scotland anytime soon, as they seem to be appearing in Railtour rakes now with ex VT Mk2s.

I'm assuming if you photographed it you also reported it?


As a general question to all, are train operators and stock like this subject to requirements in order to stay in service? For instance, in the above quote - what would be deemed bad enough for the stock to be taken out of service, as it has been now?

 

[chubs]

The Anglian MKII's were in a terrible state when they were retired, really surprised they are/(were) still in use almost 10 years later!

 

[thealexweb]

Well they don't have holes in the bodywork anyway. The EWS ones were in an appalling condition.

Terrible photo I know but it shows how bad condition the EWS Mark 2s are in. Chipped paintwork galore. Taken at Haymarket.

 

[crewmeal]

They should bring in West Coast Mk1s, they're in better nick

 

[shedman]

Terrible photo I know but it shows how bad condition the EWS Mark 2s are in. Chipped paintwork galore. Taken at Haymarket.

Not exactly the best picture to use as an example. A graffiti attack has clearly been cleaned off so the coach paintwork is going to be in worse condition than other parts. Chipping around the bodylight also occurs when removing the metal rim as can be seen where the screws are. All that put to one side they weren't in fantastic condition!

 

[thealexweb]

Not exactly the best picture to use as an example. A graffiti attack has clearly been cleaned off so the coach paintwork is going to be in worse condition than other parts. Chipping around the bodylight also occurs when removing the metal rim as can be seen where the screws are. All that put to one side they weren't in fantastic condition!

Found a better picture I took. Southbound service at Dunfermline Queen Margaret.

 

[thealexweb]

They should bring in West Coast Mk1s, they're in better nick

Is there any central locking? Needs it or a member of staff has to be present in each carriage.

 

[fgwrich]

Not exactly the best picture to use as an example. A graffiti attack has clearly been cleaned off so the coach paintwork is going to be in worse condition than other parts. Chipping around the bodylight also occurs when removing the metal rim as can be seen where the screws are. All that put to one side they weren't in fantastic condition!

If that's what I think it is, then that coach hasn't suffered a graffiti attack, rather that's the Anglia Railways turquoise trying to show through again! I would also say, and this is from my restoration experience with mostly buses and some rolling stock that the chipping paint from around the window frames is more likely down to corrosion - a few of FGWs Mk3s were starting to suffer, as does a lot of the BR built rolling stock, until their recent overhauls and repaints.

I'll have to look through my photos of last year to see if / where I photographed any. But even in 2010 most of them didn't feel that good, so to see most of them running last year in a equally disappointing state was well, slightly disappointing - the only good one in that rake is as usual, the ex FGW Mk2 (Out of all the operators of the Mk2s, FGW looked after theirs the most and a rather good quality refurb has seem their interiors last quite well).

 

[jopsuk]

Given how long these services have lasted, I do wonder if anyone with half a conscience in Scotrail management wishes they'd spent a bit of money on cosmetic refurbishment and livery for a set of coaches?

 

[thealexweb]

Given how long these services have lasted, I do wonder if anyone with half a conscience in Scotrail management wishes they'd spent a bit of money on cosmetic refurbishment and livery for a set of coaches?

Indeed, the Mark 2s should be subject to the rules that all stock used by Scotrail should be repainted in to the new livery.

 

[fgwrich]

Given how long these services have lasted, I do wonder if anyone with half a conscience in Scotrail management wishes they'd spent a bit of money on cosmetic refurbishment and livery for a set of coaches?

Or trying to source a rake of Mk3s from DB - They must have a few left over from the Cargo D rakes?

 

[Yew]

Or trying to source a rake of Mk3s from DB - They must have a few left over from the Cargo D rakes?

I imagine DB would be keeping them in house, depending on what happens at chiltern..

 

[thealexweb]

Better photo.

http://www.railbrit.co.uk/imageenlarge/imagecomplete.php?id=47174

 

[Class 170101]

Is there any central locking? Needs it or a member of staff has to be present in each carriage.

If they are the ex Anglia Mark IIs then yes as these did when being used on the GEML with Class 86s and DBSOs.

 

[jopsuk]

Or trying to source a rake of Mk3s from DB - They must have a few left over from the Cargo D rakes?

Hah, yes. Fantasy level: a number of Chiltern-ised mark 3 + DVT sets, in ScotRail colours, dedicated on the Edinburgh-Aberdeen(/Inverness) services, freeing up more DMUs...

 

[Blindtraveler]

That would be ideal, not gunna happen though!

 

[SprinterMan]

Today whilst at Newcraighall station I saw an EWS Class 67 hauling six Mark 2 in ex Virgin livery (see second image). This service http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G62869/2014/05/02/advanced feeding in to this one http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G62201/2014/05/02/advanced.

I know Scotrail frequently operates loco hauled Fife Circle services but this is the first time I have ex Virgin Mark 2s be used. Usually its generic looking brown liveried ones (see first image of the usual coaches at Edinburgh Waverley).

The interesting thing is that this service is normally subbed for a 158 anyway, so maybe both fife circle LHCS sets are operating again, or it was a quick solution to replace an unavailable DMU?

EDIT: Seems to feed into this train, and not the Cardenden one as stated, which is presumably still a DMU.

Adam

 

[37038]

5G13 feeds the 2G13 1708 off EDB. 2L69 hasn't been loco-hauled for a while. I should expect a few more rakes up there for the ryder cup

Thanks

 

[route:oxford]

Hah, yes. Fantasy level: a number of Chiltern-ised mark 3 + DVT sets, in ScotRail colours, dedicated on the Edinburgh-Aberdeen(/Inverness) services, freeing up more DMUs...

Hauled by a 68 in Scotrail colours too?

 

[90019]

Presumably you can actually see through the windows of the ex-Virgin coaches?

The windows on the maroon ones appeared to have been cleaned with brillo pads.

 

[Blindtraveler]

think Il maybe have to go out for this sometime in next cupple weeks, X VT MK2s equals memories!