Virgin Friday LHCS (now M-F)

[mathmo]

Surely it doesn't manage to keep to Pendolino timings?

 

[matt]

Surely it doesn't manage to keep to Pendolino timings?

Its not doing a bad job. Only a few minutes late today

 

[ChrisMcFall]

Lost about 10 between BHM and COV the other day...
Its running at at least 100, as it had to slow down for a 90mph section..or so I'm told.

 

[yorkie]

there is no way it would lose 10 mins between Birmingham and Coventry unless there was a delay!

 

[Ilove165's]

Running about 10 late as it passed Harrow and Wealdstone today

 

[yorkie]

1543 EUS - bhm only 2 late @ bhm

1730 bhm-EUS delayed between bhm and Coventry but then actually recovered 2 mins by Euston.

 

[alex57601]

11.43 Euston-Birmingham NS was over 10mins late arriving into Birmingham today.

 

[Mojo]

Does anyone know how long we can expect these to run for?

 

[crewmeal]

The longer the better - I experienced an uncomfortable ride on a pendilino from Brum to Euston the other day. It was standing room only from Coventry with the seat reservation system not working, plus arguing about seat occupancy etc etc. People were pushing into me because of the narrow isle and small seats. At least on a mk3 rake there is more room in the isle and the seats are bigger. I'm off to Edinburgh next week on a voyager - God help me!!

 

[matt]

Does anyone know how long we can expect these to run for?

about 12 weeks is the current estimate

 

[voyagerdude220]

The longer the better - I experienced an uncomfortable ride on a pendilino from Brum to Euston the other day. It was standing room only from Coventry with the seat reservation system not working, plus arguing about seat occupancy etc etc. People were pushing into me because of the narrow isle and small seats. At least on a mk3 rake there is more room in the isle and the seats are bigger. I'm off to Edinburgh next week on a voyager - God help me!!

What's Pendo SC like compared to Voyager SC?

I think that Voyager SC is OK, if you get a "decent" seat. (i.e. most of the purple seats are good compared to the red ones)

I've got 2 trips next week, lasting around 90 & 120 mins respectively on Pendos, and was wondering what they're like, as the seats in Standard look rather good when i've walked through, all be bit the ones which have any kind of a view outside.

 

[gordonthemoron]

avoid the pendo sc coach with the cab in it

 

[anthony263]

hopefully i can arrange a trip in between university to have a ride on this west coast loco hauled set.

 

[voyagerdude220]

avoid the pendo sc coach with the cab in it

Ok, thanks i will try to.

 

[Geezertronic]

11.43 Euston-Birmingham NS was over 10mins late arriving into Birmingham today.

Was about 5 minutes late into Birmingham International today but I presume it was delayed by the 11:23 Pendo from Euston which didn't get into Birmingham International until about 12:45 (which was positioned on Platform 1 as a punishment )

 

[Pumbaa]

What's Pendo SC like compared to Voyager SC?

I think that Voyager SC is OK, if you get a "decent" seat. (i.e. most of the purple seats are good compared to the red ones)

I've got 2 trips next week, lasting around 90 & 120 mins respectively on Pendos, and was wondering what they're like, as the seats in Standard look rather good when i've walked through, all be bit the ones which have any kind of a view outside.

Well, as a frequent WCML traveller, I prefer the Pendos to Voyagers. Sure there is an irritating amount of rattling from the blinds but hey. The seats are the same as Voyagers, randomly red and blue. Table seats are too close together, legroom can be a bit of an issue of you're vertically minded.

Airline seats I find good for us long-legged (6'3") and comfortable to rest your legs against. The overhead luggage racks are small due to the curvature of the body profile. And going full tilt through Berko, Stafford and through the Lakes is just immense in a Pendo - I love it!

Just so you know, B is unreserved on Down services, E on Up services.

 

[voyagerdude220]

That's great info Pumba, many thanks!

I've travelled many a time on Pendo's, for leisure, in First Class, but it'll be my first time going Standard. I like the look of the seats in Standard, but always prefer the added peace, quiet, comfort & food on the longer journeys.

 

[me123]

I too like Pendos better than Voyagers. I think they're actually good trains, and the tilt just south of Carstairs is HELLFIRE . (Yes, you read that correctly!) My main criticism is the windows; I know they're supposed to contribute to safety, but looking at the seat map, the number of seats aligned with a window is laughable. I bet it's not fun to be looking at a bit of plastic for four hours. This is only a major issue in Standard Class.

I've found the blinds rattling to be decreased the last few times I've been on; has that been me or has something been done?

 

[mathmo]

Still rattling annoyingly last time I used them - can't they remove them?

 

[voyagerdude220]

I used to notice the problem quite alot in FC, but haven't done so recently. Maybe the problem occurs more in certain sets than others?

 

[Dave R]

is all the west coast mainline cleared for tilting?

 

[Pumbaa]

I used to notice the problem quite alot in FC, but haven't done so recently. Maybe the problem occurs more in certain sets than others?

Yes me123 is correct, the blinds have been tucked in at the top to avoid rattling. They now only rattle when Pax pull them down.

The rattling in FC is three things - 1) the service points not being tidied correctly and having the contents of the trolleys know against each other, 2) the blinds as above and 3) the cups, teaspoons and sugar pots rattling against each other.

That last problem can be corrected as such; placing the cup on the red fabric square distributed for that purpose, place the teaspoon head on the fabric also and move the cup handle away from the sugar pot. I did that on Thurs and the journey was blissfully quiet Carlisle - Preston.

 

[MCR247]

That's great info Pumba, many thanks!

I've travelled many a time on Pendo's, for leisure, in First Class, but it'll be my first time going Standard. I like the look of the seats in Standard, but always prefer the added peace, quiet, comfort & food on the longer journeys.

If youre travelling SC in Coach A you can get a table seat for two people facing toward Euston normally. There 2, but one is facing a wall (!) and the other the luggage rack, both have sets have a window view on 1 seat. Seats 27 & 28. Seats 21 & 22. 21 & 28 have access to sockets.

 

[crewmeal]

If you travel in Mk3 coaches then you will have more comfortable seats that ensure passengers can look out of the window and not to a plastic wall as you do in many pendelino seats.

Lets hope the class 90 + Mk3s can carry on duties for a long time yet.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Has anyone seen the letters that have been handed out on the set? Nice touch if you ask me

I can scan one up if people want to see it!

 

[mathmo]

I'd be interested to read it!

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Here we go!

 

[mathmo]

Thanks - dare I say it, in my experience Virgin do this sort of thing quite well, to an extent I haven't seen any other train company go to. I just wish they'd back it up with more consistent information during services (e.g. how late are we running) - their TMs are often very quiet.

 

[Pumbaa]

If youre travelling SC in Coach A you can get a table seat for two people facing toward Euston normally. There 2, but one is facing a wall (!) and the other the luggage rack, both have sets have a window view on 1 seat. Seats 27 & 28. Seats 21 & 22. 21 & 28 have access to sockets.

On the contrary, they're almost usually booked, due to the high proportion of people wanting a Quiet Zone and table seat on APs.

 

[Benn88]

Is this Loco Hauled set still running this week then? What is it's times off London and Brum this week please if anyone could let me know it would be appreciated!