Virgin Voyager at West Ealing?

[asylumxl]

I saw a few Voyagers heading towards West Ealing. Just wondering if anyone knew what they were doing there?

 

[starrymarkb]

Blockbusters - rather then bus passengers VT commendeer the Brum-Glasgow Voyagers and run them London to Brum for onward Pendos

They go Euston - Willesden - Acton - Ealing - Greenford - Ruislip then up the Chiltern to Brum

 

[asylumxl]

I see. I'd just never seen said diversion before.

 

[poshbakerloo]

I've never seen em there before...only FGW

 

[MCR247]

FGW voyagers :?

 

[route:oxford]

It's great that this operation takes place. I'd much rather get on another train instead of a bus - even if it means a slilghtly longer than standard timetabled service.

Could this not be improved a little more though? Albeit the improvement resulting in arriving at an alternative London terminus...

I could imagine, perhaps, extending Paddington-Oxford FGW services to Brum as Blockbusters on appropriate weekends.

 

[MCR247]

That would work if they were part of the same company, but I doubt it will happen

 

[route:oxford]

That would work if they were part of the same company, but I doubt it will happen

This is why there should be a "for the greater good" clause in the terms of service.

Network Rail should be able to instruct an operator to deliver additional services as and when necessary (in particular during engineering works) in order that the general public has the benefit of integration in the railway system. This should also operate during "normal" service disruption (eg additional calling points).

It's not possible to re-write an existing contract, but there are definitely contracts coming up in the near future...

 

[The Planner]

Unless there was any money in it for the TOC whose route was closed then they would never go for it.

 

[asylumxl]

What about something like the joint operations between SE and FCC?

 

[Techniquest]

Network Rail should be able to instruct an operator to deliver additional services as and when necessary (in particular during engineering works) in order that the general public has the benefit of integration in the railway system. This should also operate during "normal" service disruption (eg additional calling points)

Wasn't there a similar thing when Project Rio was started? Two very different companies but it was a huge sucess.

The idea of extending PAD > OXF HSTs is an interesting idea, but there'd be the need for drivers from OXF > BHM and the need for additional sets.

 

[Mojo]

Wouldn't that also require Virgin drivers to learn the route down to Oxford? What about customers from Birmingham Intl/Coventry.

 

[fgwrich]

Wasn't there a similar thing when Project Rio was started? Two very different companies but it was a huge sucess.

The idea of extending PAD > OXF HSTs is an interesting idea, but there'd be the need for drivers from OXF > BHM and the need for additional sets.

From what i heard MML's project rio was a complete faliure, due to the HST's being diverted via the hope valley line and taking absolutly almost forever to reach St Pancras... Even the Ex Virgin HST's were literally Ex Virgin being released the night before Project Rio started from Virgin XC service...

It's great that this operation takes place. I'd much rather get on another train instead of a bus - even if it means a slilghtly longer than standard timetabled service.

Could this not be improved a little more though? Albeit the improvement resulting in arriving at an alternative London terminus...

QUOTE]

was attempting to do one of these services on my way to warley last year but was told at Euston my ticket wasnt valid...so sod Virgin, i went via Chiltern to Snow Hill and VT to B' International instead...and same on the return...

but From Virgin i do think its a pretty good idea though...but why dont they increase these services by adding extra capcity in the form of there 57's & Pendilinos?

 

[Pumbaa]

LHCS over the Chiltern line is horribly slow. At least Voyagers can keep to MU timings. And plus, the Pendo's cover the out of place Voyagers.

 

[The Planner]

LHCS over the Chiltern line is horribly slow. At least Voyagers can keep to MU timings.

No they cant, the differentials on the Chilterns only apply up to 168s. Anything else has to use the lower speed, though 67s are getting dispensation to run at full line speed from Bicester to Princes Risborough by December.

 

[route:oxford]

The idea of extending PAD > OXF HSTs is an interesting idea, but there'd be the need for drivers from OXF > BHM and the need for additional sets.

Wouldn't it be from Banbury to Birmingham for route-learning for the drivers? FGW already provide services from Paddington to Banbury.

Was thinking along the lines of there being stock capacity at the weekends.

 

[Techniquest]

That is true, but not the HSS lot...

 

[Philip Elliott]

There are several reasons why 57s + 390s are not used -

1. The Pendolinos are not cleared for the route

2. The 57 + 390 combination is very slow

3. The stock resources are required elsewhere

4. Running 57 + 390 requires two drivers - there are simply not enough nor do Euston depot have extensive 57 knowledge (Wolves always struggle for numbers)

5. There are no run-round facilities at Euston requiring additional locos and shunt moves (plus at BHI) which in turn requires more drivers.

The original option looked at was for trains to Paddington via Reading but NR couldn't find the paths hence they run via High Wycombe.

 

[The Planner]

I thought 57s with a Pendo could be run at 95mph ?, hardly slow.

 

[Philip Elliott]

I thought 57s with a Pendo could be run at 95mph ?, hardly slow.

It's the limp acceleration that is the problem - however it is the least of the problem - crewing and lack of run-rounds etc. stop it being viable.