Voyagers v Meridians

[Crossforth]

222s still run on the ECML, don't they?

Nope, they used to run on the ECML with FHT but they have transferred to EMT which run them at a top speed of 110mph

 

[222666]

Well yes, the Voyagers are similar to Pendolinos inside, a cramped 'airline' style from when Virgin had them. Nothing wrong with that per se, it works(ish) on the WCML as a) more coaches & b) the service is more like an airline anyway, with people 'flying' between London & cities. On XC it's different - less coaches & more short journeys, people don't really get the chance to get comfy.

Thank god the Meridians kept "Intercity" style seating (I use that term loosely ofcourse). Virgin should never have applied the 'airline' style to XC when people were used to mkIIs & MkIIs. To be honest, when XC is as big as it is, why didn't they get a 9 coach Pendolino DMU (tilting or not)?

 

[Crossforth]

Virgin should never have applied the 'airline' style to XC when people were used to mkIIs & MkIIs. To be honest, when XC is as big as it is, why didn't they get a 9 coach Pendolino DMU (tilting or not)?

I think the original idea was to go for shorter trains and a more frequent service but the DFT said no to the more frequent service and Virgin were stuck with short trains. That's what I heard anyway

 

[mallard]

Nope, they used to run on the ECML with FHT but they have transferred to EMT which run them at a top speed of 110mph

What about the daily EMT service to York? I assume that gets up to 125 on the ECML between Doncaster and York?

 

[Crossforth]

What about the daily EMT service to York? I assume that gets up to 125 on the ECML between Doncaster and York?

That is a valid point, I'd forgotten about that service

 

[YorkshireBear]

I personally dont have a problem with either, i never seem to understand why people slate them too much. Agree with bungle but does ti also involve fact they are always overcrowded, i have a feeling their reception would greatly improve if a coach was added to every set (2 to the 4 car, make them all 6 car sets).

Is there anyway of ordering extra carriges for them cos i think XC need to try and do this seen as they dont run HST's as much anymore.

 

[Pumbaa]

222s still run to York, and the odd one to Scarborough.

 

[starrymarkb]

I personally dont have a problem with either, i never seem to understand why people slate them too much. Agree with bungle but does ti also involve fact they are always overcrowded, i have a feeling their reception would greatly improve if a coach was added to every set (2 to the 4 car, make them all 6 car sets).

Is there anyway of ordering extra carriges for them cos i think XC need to try and do this seen as they dont run HST's as much anymore.

Given that Virgin tried to get an order for extra coaches past the SRA (certainly experiments were carried out at Central Rivers with both powered and unpowered extra vehicles) and I beleive Virgin included Voyager lengthening in their bid for XC, however Arriva's HST option was chosen as it was cheaper and available quicker the Bombardier would be able to produce the extra coaches. So I don't think there is much hope of a lengthening

 

[transportphoto]

What about the daily EMT service to York? I assume that gets up to 125 on the ECML between Doncaster and York?

Sorry for sliding off topic - what time does this leave St P?

 

[MCR247]

Well by using this amazing magical thing called a timetable, I found out that it leaves at 0637 Sat only and Leicester at 1010 Sun only

 

[tbtc]

That's the one. Not sure why EMT still run to York/ Scarborough (since other TOCs have had to chop their "extremities"), but the 222s still run on the ECML

 

[barrykas]

One other useful feature of the Meridians (at least the MML variant, dunno if the ex-HT 'Pioneers' have them) is the buttons on the floor for opening the vestibule and saloon doors, which were included in the spec primarily for the benefit of stewards so they could open the doors with their hands full.

Unfortunately, the buttons inside the saloons have been placed right by the luggage stacks...

Cheers,

Barry

 

[Aictos]

One other useful feature of the Meridians (at least the MML variant, dunno if the ex-HT 'Pioneers' have them) is the buttons on the floor for opening the vestibule and saloon doors, which were included in the spec primarily for the benefit of stewards so they could open the doors with their hands full.

Unfortunately, the buttons inside the saloons have been placed right by the luggage stacks...

Cheers,

Barry

I can confirm the ex Hull Trains 222s do indeed have that feature, very nifty