Virgin double voyagers

[Amy Worrall]

Are Virgin's double voyagers permanently double, or do they swap sets in and out?

The fact that the first class sections are split up, and there needs to be two shops, mean that they need a higher level of staffing than they otherwise would. Could Virgin re-form the units, so that the three first class coaches make up one unit and the seven standard class coaches make up another? There would no longer be any way to walk between first and standard inside the train, but the catering in first would be easier, there would only need to be one shop, and passengers would find it easier to know where to get on.

Is there a technical or operational reason why this is a terrible plan?

Amy

 

[sprinterguy]

Pairs of units are frequently split to suit maintenance requirements, and there may be some diagrams that only operate as 10-car pairs for part of the time.

Also, not all of Virgin's Voyager services operate as pairs, so you would still need to retain some standard 5-car units: Difficult to do in a fleet of only 20 units, and probably a bit of a rostering headache if units are unavailable.

 

[Amy Worrall]

Pairs of units are frequently split to suit maintenance requirements

Ah, that's probably enough to put pay to this idea

 

[plannerman]

At Chester it's quite usual (or it used to be, haven't been there for a while) for 10-cars to come in from London and split, 5 cars back to London and 5 cars on to Holyhead.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

At Chester it's quite usual (or it used to be, haven't been there for a while) for 10-cars to come in from London and split, 5 cars back to London and 5 cars on to Holyhead.

Most are 5-car, but the first morning train from Holyhead doubles up at Crewe (with the new Blackpool portion) and the second at Chester (with the Wrexham portion).
Returning, the 1710, 1810 and 1910 split at Chester (one for Wrexham).
One 10-car off-peak service runs from Euston-Holyhead and back, and another afternoon train doubles up at Chester for the peak run to Euston.

Although there are double units on several Euston-Birmingham-Scotland services, there are still single units, meaning odd Euston-Birmingham services are run with one 5-car unit (including the new off-peak Shrewsbury service).
I believe the peak Shrewsbury services join/split at Wolverhampton.

Joining/splitting Voyagers is remarkably efficient.
On the double Chester services I have seen, one unit will have 2 1st class coaches, the other just one, leaving 7 for standard.
5-car services tend to have just one 1st class coach, but some have two which leaves only three for standard.
Coach D is the one which varies from 1st to standard (when it has the best standard seats on the train).

 

[Bevan Price]

They also run some triple 221s (15 ciaches) when they do diversions via the Chiltern line.

 

[Crossover]

I'd argue Coach D has some of the worst seats of any Voyager!

 

[chris89]

I'd argue Coach D has some of the worst seats of any Voyager!

I find Coach D to have some of the best myself + Free Wi-Fi to. Unless that has changed, since the last time i got allocated that coach when traveling.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd argue Coach D has some of the worst seats of any Voyager!

It seems quite popular because of all the tables, though personally I'd rather a coach with pitch/window alignment like that but some airline seats.

What it does do is show that Voyagers needn't be cramped and uncomfortable. That layout with the huge windows would be lovely for scenic lines if they ever get cascaded (and derated).

OTOH I'd be miffed if I paid First Class and ended up in there.

In case anyone who likes it is interested, one of the sets (a former 4-car set) has two of those coaches. I had that one last time I used a Voyager.

Neil

 

[hibtastic]

I use the 0652 Edinburgh to Euston service to get to Birmingham Itnl every week and it is always 2 voyagers. It is an extremely busy train and I am often in coach D which is full of tables and has plenty space for luggage / free wifi etc. I enjoy travelling on the Voyager - Virgins appear to be in better nick than XCs.

 

[59CosG95]

I use the 0652 Edinburgh to Euston service to get to Birmingham Itnl every week and it is always 2 voyagers. It is an extremely busy train and I am often in coach D which is full of tables and has plenty space for luggage / free wifi etc. I enjoy travelling on the Voyager - Virgins appear to be in better nick than XCs.

Agreed on the interior front-the Virgin interior seems to have been retained and not really have much done about it. They should just refurbish them to the standard of their HSTs.

 

[Galvanize]

And just on the subject of running double (or even TRIPLE in the case of the Chiltern Line diversions) Voyager sets, how does the crewing work for that?
I am aware there were two sets of catering crew running both Shops onboard the service.
So does that mean theres two TMs working the train, or does the TM just stay in the rear set and revenue staff assist with tickets in the front?

 

[andyb2706]

At Chester it's quite usual (or it used to be, haven't been there for a while) for 10-cars to come in from London and split, 5 cars back to London and 5 cars on to Holyhead.

It still happens. I was at Chester the other week and a 5 car 221 came from Holyhead and coupled up with another 5 car 221 to carry on to London.

 

[causton]

And just on the subject of running double (or even TRIPLE in the case of the Chiltern Line diversions) Voyager sets, how does the crewing work for that?
I am aware there were two sets of catering crew running both Shops onboard the service.
So does that mean theres two TMs working the train, or does the TM just stay in the rear set and revenue staff assist with tickets in the front?

The truth is that the front unit will more than likely not get checked. Last time I was on one, I was told that only people in the front unit would be able to use the Shop and get first class catering due to short staffing...

I also heard on a TPE double 350 that the trolley would only be in the rear 4 coaches... do they not fit through the gangways inbetween units?!

 

[swt_passenger]

I also heard on a TPE double 350 that the trolley would only be in the rear 4 coaches... do they not fit through the gangways inbetween units?!

You'd expect they should, they get through 450s OK, but I guess there's a 'slim possibility' the dimensions of the TPE trolley are slightly different to the SWT version?

 

[Kite159]

The truth is that the front unit will more than likely not get checked. Last time I was on one, I was told that only people in the front unit would be able to use the Shop and get first class catering due to short staffing...

I also heard on a TPE double 350 that the trolley would only be in the rear 4 coaches... do they not fit through the gangways inbetween units?!

The truth is that it will be more than likely for nobody in standard to get checked

As for TPE, probably some risk assessment for taking the trolley across the gangway hasn't been done, or deemed to be too risky