When I book tickets for my EC service I frequently receive an email to tell me VT will be using a set "loaned" from EMT. It mentions the lack of power sockets in standard but says they say they are "looking into" a way of dealing with this. They have been saying this for more a number of months. Does anybody know whether they are actually trying anything or is it just a lie?
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VTEC "EMT Set" Power Sockets
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DarloRich
Veteran Member
I imagine it is a vast lie to fob people off...................
I am sure they are looking into it but the changes will cost money and so the layout of the EMT rake may as well be tarted up first in any HST internal overhaul rather than paying twice for works attention and having to pay, twice, for another unit to cover for the one in works.
I am sure they are looking into it but the changes will cost money and so the layout of the EMT rake may as well be tarted up first in any HST internal overhaul rather than paying twice for works attention and having to pay, twice, for another unit to cover for the one in works.
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WillPS
Established Member
Is this the set which joined the EC fleet permanently in 2012ish (with a carriage with half FGW seating and half EMT seating) or another set?
No, this is the set that suddenly appeared in March.
59CosG95
Established Member
Set livery is correct-ome set is in VTEC, the other in EC grey. Powercars change from the EMT pool on a regular basis.
So why not say that. The message just says "we are looking at how to resolve this" which implies they are looking now to do something soon not some nebulous time in the future.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
because they will be looking at how to resolve it and haven't decided which option best suits their business needs/cost predictions
The have three real options:
1) Do some bodge job to get plugs then do the work again later at refurb
2) Wait till full refurb.
3) Do nothing
I am sure they are getting quotes and looking at the cost and the impact on services, how they mitigate the loss, timescales etc. You also have to consider that there has to be works space to accept the train. The plugs wont appear overnight even assuming internal layout ( wiring etc) is the same on EMT HST carriages as EC train carriages. They wont want two different systems installed on their fleet as it means buying spares for one train at higher cost.
or it is vast lie to fob people off, you decide.
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The whole point of EC taking this set on was to enable an enhanced/more reliable service to run and now you want them to take it out of service (for a week or two) just to fit plug sockets!
If they can spare it for that (and have enough stock to cover for it) then they don't really need it in the first place!
If they can spare it for that (and have enough stock to cover for it) then they don't really need it in the first place!
WillPS
Established Member
... or they could remove one carriage at a time? Isn't there a spare XC car which could cover?
What enhanced service? I don't see any evidence of that. If a particular service has been enhanced why can't they have this stock?
Hang on isn't this extra HST just a hire in from EMT? Aren't EMT just supplying them with any old set that they have spare rather than it being long term with VTEC (hence why it has to be on a diagram that starts and finishes at Neville Hill)? In which case it isn't within VTECs powers to do anything to the set as it isn't there's to do anything with!
dk1
Veteran Member
Power sockets have really become important in the last few years & is now one of the biggest passenger gripes along with poor or non available wifi. Just wish people would understand it's not an easy overnight job to fit plug sockets to a coach. Some iPads do lose power quickly but when it comes to phones, why don't people organise their lives better & stop blaming the TOCs that they are down to 5%??
gimmea50anyday
Established Member
Its usually NL65 used
DarloRich
Veteran Member
that would kind of defeat the object if it was needed urgently :roll:
None of the EMT HST sets have plugs in standard
But what was so urgent. The email I referred to earlier only seemed to mention refurbishment. Are there any new services? If so, do these use the EMT sets? If not why not?
DarloRich
Veteran Member
Do EC have trains already out of service for overhaul? if so they will need the EMT set to maintain service provision and they will need that capacity urgently. You should get one of those power bar thing i have, they are great, no need for a plug ( as long as i remember to charge it!)
You clearly feel it is a vast conspiracy so it matters little what anyone says: Confirmation bias?
You clearly feel it is a vast conspiracy so it matters little what anyone says: Confirmation bias?
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In which case they don't need to look into adding plug sockets. They just need to say no plug sockets available. If passenger really wants plug sockets in the future, they will then know not to travel on that particular service, assuming the rolling stock is used on the same particular services every week day, Saturday and / or Sunday.
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DarloRich
Veteran Member
it isn't though - it is used generally with the proviso it returns to Neville Hill at bed time
OK. So it's pot luck then. However given the number of trains that run, one would be unlucky to be on it.
The point still stands about simply saying it doesn't have plug sockets in standard and then do nothing, if the set is urgently required.
Well ok it's not a vast conspiracy but what it is (when combined with the other things I've mentioned before elsewhere but won't bore people here again with them) is a degradation of my service since March. It just seems that VTEC think pax on my service will put up with any old rubbish (ok, maybe not rubbish but it feels that way) for no gain.
DarloRich
Veteran Member
fair enough (and I agree having used the train several times recently - hence the power bar) but the counter argument will be that without that train offering a slightly degraded service there would be no train therefore offering a completely degraded service
I try to hold myself back but you can not be simply telling me that not having a power socket is a degradation of your service? You pay to get from A to B.
If you run out of battery for your phone or your laptop with ease then I would suggest getting a power bar or more modern technology or simply buy a book to enjoy.
Power sockets are not high on the list of things the railway needs to do - no matter how much other stock/Tocs have with them.
It's not just that though.
If they are not high up on the list then VTEC shouldn't be looking into what can be done. They should focus on things higher up the list.
I've noticed some modern train builds seem to have plug sockets in standard and in quite a few places. I was on a Thameslink train with them today. Clearly when building a new train, it wouldn't be much more expensive to add plug sockets.
Well that's all I have read about so can only base it on that cant I?
How do you know how high that and other things are on this list then?
Yes when building a new one then why not(not that I agree like) but this isn't a new train.
If it was all just about getting from A to B we'd still have 3rd class and wooden seats.
Theres a big difference between comfort and wanting a plug socket because you cant be bothered to have a full charge when you leave the house/work.
and you've never been on a 378
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