voyager at seat audio

[P156KWJ]

I was wondering if the ex-Virgin voyagers which are in use with XC still have at seat audio? I know the jack sockets and the buttons are still there, but are they just turned off - as it would seem a bit of a waste if they are.

And if there is a voyager refurb programme sometime soon, are XC planning on doing their own channels or binning them?

 

[Techniquest]

Permanently switched off I believe, which does seem a waste.

Voyager refurbishment scheme due to start this month, when I don't know.

 

[Bayum]

Any ideas what the refurb is supposed to involve?? And when is the XC HST on the move??

 

[Darandio]

Any ideas what the refurb is supposed to involve?? And when is the XC HST on the move??

XC Hst's have been running a while now!

 

[Bayum]

No, the Refurbed one... Like I said - the XC HST =D

 

[Techniquest]

I think the refurb is supposed to include new seat covers and probably a fair bit of redecorating inside to eliminate any sign of Virgin inside. The shop is the major thing they're doing and adding seats in place. A stupid in my (and many other people's) opinions but that's Arriva for you.

As for when the AXC HST trailers come out, it won't be much longer...

 

[Mr Alex]

Isn't the refurbishment comprising of taking out the shop and putting in more seats?
But the thing I can't get is that have they (Crosscountry) enough capacity to afford to take a voyager out of traffic for this work?

 

[Bayum]

I think the refurb is supposed to include new seat covers and probably a fair bit of redecorating inside to eliminate any sign of Virgin inside. The shop is the major thing they're doing and adding seats in place. A stupid in my (and many other people's) opinions but that's Arriva for you.

As for when the AXC HST trailers come out, it won't be much longer...

i thought they decided against removing the shops and everything??

 

[P156KWJ]

They are, which I am not in agreeement with! The upholstery will probably be the same as their refurbed 170s, which is an attractive dark red. Rather similar to the ones on the voyagers anyway!

 

[devon_metro]

Isn't the refurbishment comprising of taking out the shop and putting in more seats?
But the thing I can't get is that have they (Crosscountry) enough capacity to afford to take a voyager out of traffic for this work?

Believe the HST TS will have the same number of seats as a HD FGW trailer...

Legroom anyone?

 

[Techniquest]

I reckon the seats on Voyagers and those on 170s are considerably different. I'll prove it one day.

They have been confirmed as removing the shop for some time now.

Having enough to cover the diagrams is why they've waited until now, so that they had enough to cover the summer stuff. I reckon they're only just going to manage myself, but let's hope that, for once, Arriva has covered theirselves and made sure they've got enough stock out to cover everything.

 

[Pumbaa]

Yeah - they have to remove the shop, as it's binding in their contract for the franchise. They decided after being awarded the contract that a) due to the cost to restructure the vehicles was enormous and b) they'd have to put the shop back in when the franchise expires that they wouldn't bother with the shop.

HOWEVER - Virgin were, err, very eager to point out that as they'd promised that in the franchise specification, they had to uphold it... Or surrender the franchise...

XCT slunk away with their tails between the legs and opened their wallet up with a sigh. Shame.

 

[Techniquest]

Should have surrendered the franchise, it's not as if they're much cop with it...Good on Virgin for pointing it out.

 

[djw1981]

Good on / sore losers.... similarly but on a different issue, EMT now have to barrier Sheffield, even though it will cut the passenger route over the footbridge used by passengers for Sheffield Interchange and the Supertram stop. Thus one branch of Stagecoach has agreed to make it more difficult for customers of 2 other branches of Stagecoach..... and failure to barrier it will result in a franchise breach! Something I am sure that Arriva, NX and First will watch with interest.

 

[Techniquest]

Indeed, that could be interesting.

I praise Virgin for pointing out the franchise commitment with AXC because I've never liked Arriva having the franchise. Virgin did a fine enough job in my eyes, Arriva have not proved themselves to be any good with it at all and should stick to ATW (which they ballsed up for a long time too).

 

[djw1981]

Yeah it is strange - Arriva in Holland seem to manage their rail services well. Mind, as a geordie, I have to say what do you expect if you award a franchise to a Mackem company. [aside from the fact that Go-Ahead Northern, a precursor to the Go part of Go-Via were also Mackem based and then moved to the north side of the Tyne, where they seem to do ok].

 

[Techniquest]

Aye, I've heard they do well on the continent, but why can't they do better over here?!

 

[djw1981]

Their choice of management / their attractiveness to good railway managers.

IIRC they had a very good MD in ATW who then left after a couple of months after allegedly spending more money on improvements than the parent company were happier with.

 

[xc170]

*sighs*

To be honest i think you are making a big fuss over nothing when it comes to Arriva, Every time there mentioned theres always plenty of people ready to slag them off usually over nothing.

 

[Max]

*sighs*

To be honest i think you are making a big fuss over nothing when it comes to Arriva, Every time there mentioned theres always plenty of people ready to slag them off usually over nothing.

I would hardly call it nothing - do you work for them? :roll:

Good on / sore losers.... similarly but on a different issue, EMT now have to barrier Sheffield, even though it will cut the passenger route over the footbridge used by passengers for Sheffield Interchange and the Supertram stop. Thus one branch of Stagecoach has agreed to make it more difficult for customers of 2 other branches of Stagecoach..... and failure to barrier it will result in a franchise breach! Something I am sure that Arriva, NX and First will watch with interest.

The Sheffield situation is quite interesting. The city council are totally opposed to the move, in complete opposition to the wishes of central government (in the form of the Dft). Firstly, the fact that it's called Sheffield interchange is pretty ironic; by cutting the trams off from the bus station, the tram stop will be virtually isolated. Indeed, the alternative walking route from the same point is very long, and I reckon not particularly safe after dark. The main point is, I'm led to believe that after people have been using a walking route for a certain minimum time, it can qualify as a public right of way. So in theory, the council could apply to make the footbridge a public right of way, thus making the barriers unlawful.

 

[xc170]

I would hardly call it nothing - do you work for them? :roll:

No but i do think that Arriva in general do recive alot of bad comments etc that are not needed. For example i live in tamworth and all our busses are opperated by Arriva and they have recently improved services and brought a lot of new busses, the increased service has lead to a bit more congestion and almost everyone in tamworth (NOT ME) is moaning about it saying the busses are causing it when infact its taxi and car drivers that cause the majority of the congestion.

 

[Techniquest]

Arriva deserve the criticism from everyone who moans at them, they ballsed up ATW for a long time (only now am I starting to see it running smoothly, this nearly 5 years into the franchise). They haven't proved to be any better with XC, much as I thought back in November 2007.

No-one will ever be able to convince me Arriva are any good with UK operations.

 

[P156KWJ]

I would hardly call it nothing - do you work for them? :roll:



The Sheffield situation is quite interesting. The city council are totally opposed to the move, in complete opposition to the wishes of central government (in the form of the Dft). Firstly, the fact that it's called Sheffield interchange is pretty ironic; by cutting the trams off from the bus station, the tram stop will be virtually isolated. Indeed, the alternative walking route from the same point is very long, and I reckon not particularly safe after dark. The main point is, I'm led to believe that after people have been using a walking route for a certain minimum time, it can qualify as a public right of way. So in theory, the council could apply to make the footbridge a public right of way, thus making the barriers unlawful.

I can confirm that I wouldn't want to go the 'alternate' way even during the day!
It's like at Nottingham, Revenue protection have to let you from the station street entrance to queens road as it is a public footpath, and one can easily go to the platforms ticketless :roll:

 

[Pumbaa]

*sighs*

To be honest i think you are making a big fuss over nothing when it comes to Arriva, Every time there mentioned theres always plenty of people ready to slag them off usually over nothing.

A BIG FUSS OVER NOTHING?!

As much as I hated VXC I am constantly irritated at the stupid decisions that are taken at the top at XCT, and the general downhill quality of travelling with them.

 

[Techniquest]

Irritated is not the word for Arriva. F**ked off is the term I'd use.

 

[Coradia]

The removal of the radio system reminds me of the similar thing with the 175s which used to have headphone socets (don't know if these ever actually worked) but they were certinately never in use on the ATW routes after the moving about of them. Makes you wonder if this will be another case with the 390s if GoVia take over in 2012.

 

[Techniquest]

Lies...I came back from Newport to Hereford once on one some time after they had been transferred and the radios were working. Only had it like that a few times unfortunately, they don't switch them on now.

 

[Phoenix]

Honestly I really don't see the problem with the company from both sides of the spectrum.
For us enthusiasts there doing a good job with bringing the HST's back and giving them some life once again.
But from a travellers perspective there cheap and although do have a few delays they do a have fast service and the refurbs on the 170's are pretty damn good.
and there definatly doing better than virgin.
And just before anyone wants to bring me down a peg..........
I have to get on their trains everyday for the next 3 years and also my sister in law works with them and the company BULLA seems very limited from a train managers point of view so actually there doing well.

 

[P156KWJ]

Honestly I really don't see the problem with the company from both sides of the spectrum.
For us enthusiasts there doing a good job with bringing the HST's back and giving them some life once again.
But from a travellers perspective there cheap and although do have a few delays they do a have fast service and the refurbs on the 170's are pretty damn good.
and there definatly doing better than virgin.
And just before anyone wants to bring me down a peg..........
I have to get on their trains everyday for the next 3 years and also my sister in law works with them and the company BULLA seems very limited from a train managers point of view so actually there doing well.

170s are good? I beg to differ. If you can have a unit with functioning air-con and some decent seats then they are adequate. The decomissioned first class on ex MML ones is a wreck, some of the armrests are totally destroyed, the recliners don't work, tables missing, lamps broken, stained upholstery, and the PA speakers on many are WAAAY too loud! I can remember on a unit to Derby once the guard was also shouting in to it and the woman in front of me was so shocked she slammed her head back in to the seat!
The refurb of turbostars is welcome, however I think a light coloured carpet was a blatant mistake, and it seems a bit shoddy. the seats themselves are very good, but the leg room (a very common problem it seems) is poor. And I've never seen more than 2 people in first class on tese units, so that was a bit odd to place in. It is also a little annoying they didn't bother to do anything with the LED screens, as these are notorious for showng info that is complete rubbish. I was on a Cardiff Central train recently and it wouldn't stop saying 'This train is for Nottingham calling at Derby, Long Eaton, Beeston and Nottingham' and when we got to Spondon it started saying 'This is Nottingham. This train terminates here, all change please.'
It would have been good to replace them and maybe fit them with auto announcements to back them up?

 

[Coradia]

Lies...I came back from Newport to Hereford once on one some time after they had been transferred and the radios were working. Only had it like that a few times unfortunately, they don't switch them on now.

:eek: Did it work just like the voyagers/pendos with different frequencies and lighted up digits?