Virgin "Challenger" HST Sets

[The 158 Man]

I believe some of Virgin's HST sets were shortened to 5 Car formations a few years ago. Is this true?

If so, what was the formation?

I'm guessing HST - TGS - TSO - TSO - TFRB - TFO - HST.

Any ideas?

 

[Ferret]

That's pretty much it! They were good fun - used to go like the proverbial off a shovel

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Bet the 2+2s were better!

 

[GNERman]

Yeah-works and sounds better than a voyager anyday...

 

[Ferret]

Bet the 2+2s were better!

Never worked one, but did travel on such a beast BHM-BHI one day - was a bit wedged!

 

[The 158 Man]

Thanks guys.

 

[O L Leigh]

The Challenger never actually happened, but if it had the plan was to use just a single powercar with a driving trailer of some description at the other end.

O L Leigh

 

[37401]

Yeah-works and sounds better than a voyager anyday...

anythings better than a voyager exept Pendolinos and Electric Desiros there just awfull, worst units ever 1.Pendolino,2.Voyager,3.Desiro (Electric) diesel disiros sound ok but they bare that family name

 

[GNERman]

anythings better than a voyager exept Pendolinos and Electric Desiros there just awfull, worst units ever 1.Pendolino,2.Voyager,3.Desiro (Electric) diesel disiros sound ok but they bare that family name

Absolutely true although what about meridians/pioneers and Turbostars...
I don't like any of em although Turbostars are doing a great job in Scotland...

 

[Respite]

I always thought the idea of the Challenger was to let Virgin show people how cr*p the service would be come the "red revolution" by making them wedge in & stand in existing trains, albeit in short formed sets, so they got used to it by the time they got 220/221's on the route's.
:roll:

 

[Trains06]

anythings better than a voyager exept Pendolinos and Electric Desiros there just awfull, worst units ever 1.Pendolino,2.Voyager,3.Desiro (Electric) diesel disiros sound ok but they bare that family name

Rubbish... :P

 

[Respite]

Rubbish... :P

Yes I agree with you totally....Desiro's, Pendodildo's & vulgars are rubbish!



The only good thing about getting old is the fact that I can remember when rail travel was a nice experience.

 

[Daimler]

I actually quite like Desiros!

They feel like they're good quality - nice and solid, and very refined - more so, I would argue, than a Pendolino. They also have nice deep windows and (in my opinion) sound nice.

Their aircon is a bit noisy though.

 

[D9521]

I say bring back Loco hauled trains.. Over crowding problems solved coz at normal times of day run a normal size train then at peak time shove a few more coaches on the back. Comfort comes second these days though

 

[alex57601]

The Challenger never actually happened, but if it had the plan was to use just a single powercar with a driving trailer of some description at the other end.

O L Leigh

I understand the plan was to use both power cars, as you would've have to pay to convert DVTs or the like into working with HST Mk3s. Unless I missed something somewhere?

As to why the Challenger project didn't happen in its entirety, blame the SRA. The rakes used would've been refurbished and once the VWC Mk3 set is released from Wabtec in a few months the Challenger HST Mk3s will no doubt look like them.
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I say bring back Loco hauled trains.. Over crowding problems solved coz at normal times of day run a normal size train then at peak time shove a few more coaches on the back.

I'm afraid it's not as simple as 'tagging a few coaches on the back' these days. Sorry, but it won't happen.

 

[FusionRail]

You cant just ram a few coaches on the back of a train anymore.