VTWC voyager with 2 shops & should it be swapped with XC?

[Phil from Mon]

I was on the 1857 Crewe (1710 from London) to Bangor yesterday and sat in coach C. I thought it unusual that the 3 bays to the coach D end were all tables, but was aware the was some refurbishment going on in voyagers.

Only when I stood up to leave did I notice an out-of-use shop at the opposite end, and every bay was a table, obviously this was usually coach D in another set. Unfortunately I didn't get the set number, but I haven't heard of or seen this before. I assume it is a bit unusual to say the least.

 

[6Gman]

I was on the 1857 Crewe (1710 from London) to Bangor yesterday and sat in coach C. I thought it unusual that the 3 bays to the coach D end were all tables, but was aware the was some refurbishment going on in voyagers.

Only when I stood up to leave did I notice an out-of-use shop at the opposite end, and every bay was a table, obviously this was usually coach D in another set. Unfortunately I didn't get the set number, but I haven't heard of or seen this before. I assume it is a bit unusual to say the least.

It's unique!

It's the set which uses the spare shop carriage from 221144 (221143?).

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Four of the fourty four class 221s (221141-221144) were built as four car units, rather than the five cars all the other sets have. 221144 was split up to provide a standard five car fleet on West Coast services. I believe 221142 received the non-buffet car while 221143 received the buffet car. The two driving cars from 221144 are apparently at Central Rivers depot. 221141 is a Cross Country unit and remains four car.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The last bit of the story is that the two spare coaches from 221144 are going to XC to make 2 x 5-car into 3 x 4-car.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's unique!

It's the set which uses the spare shop carriage from 221144 (221143?).

Not only does it have two shops, but it also has two all-tables coaches, which makes it quite well-liked by passengers when it turns up.

 

[Clansman]

Not only does it have two shops, but it also has two all-tables coaches, which makes it quite well-liked by passengers when it turns up.

Probably the only train in Virgin's fleet which has a greater window seat to wall seat ratio

 

[Phil from Mon]

Thanks for the info guys.

Not only does it have two shops, but it also has two all-tables coaches, which makes it quite well-liked by passengers when it turns up.

Given I have made regular journeys North Wales to London, and also Edinburgh and Birmingham, since Voyagers first appeared I'm amazed I've never seen it before.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Given I have made regular journeys North Wales to London, and also Edinburgh and Birmingham, since Voyagers first appeared I'm amazed I've never seen it before.

Surprising. I've had it at least twice.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....Given I have made regular journeys North Wales to London, and also Edinburgh and Birmingham, since Voyagers first appeared I'm amazed I've never seen it before.

The units were reformed in late 2010 and that unit is unique amongst the 20 Voyagers in the West Coast fleet.

 

[Jd12]

This set will be losing its 2 shops at some point as when 144 is reformed it'll have its original coaches put back in (after being rewired). As the original coaches out of 144 are still in service they have to go back to their original formations. Cross Country are going to donate 2 coaches out of 2 of their 5 cars to make 142 & 143 back up to 5 coaches.

 

[SprinterMan]

This set will be losing its 2 shops at some point as when 144 is reformed it'll have its original coaches put back in (after being rewired). As the original coaches out of 144 are still in service they have to go back to their original formations. Cross Country are going to donate 2 coaches out of 2 of their 5 cars to make 142 & 143 back up to 5 coaches.

Is this definitely happening now? They have talked about doing it since 2011 but never actually done it. do you have Any idea about timescale?

Adam

 

[hairyhandedfool]

This set will be losing its 2 shops at some point as when 144 is reformed it'll have its original coaches put back in (after being rewired). As the original coaches out of 144 are still in service they have to go back to their original formations. Cross Country are going to donate 2 coaches out of 2 of their 5 cars to make 142 & 143 back up to 5 coaches.

That sounds very costly and inefficient, I would despair at the railway if that really happens.

Simpler would be to refit the two driving coaches to Cross Country standard, disable or replaced the tilt equipment and stick a few vinyls on the outside, just as Cross Country did with the rest of their 221s, then take a vehicle out of two of their 5-car 221s and place them between the two 'new' driving cars.

 

[adrock1976]

As mentioned regarding some comments of extra 4 car Voyagers in the present "Arriva Crosscountry contract extended through to October 2019" thread
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=136160

In regards to 221144, would an idea be for VTWC to put it back how it was before (with the other 2 former 4 car 221s), and swap those three for the same number of ICXC's Class 221 5 car sets?

 

[XCTurbostar]

As above. All this would accomplish is a mismatch of coaches across two different operators. Although unlikely, I think it is more likely the operators swap units.
Thanks,
Ross

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Cross Country would only need to give up two units, but I think that idea is a non-starter personally.

You have to swap the tilt equipment over, swap the seats over, apply 'new' liveries to all five units, probably more besides, and what exactly would operate the services while these units are out of action?

 

[PHILIPE]

The threads on 221144 keep building up

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=136141

 

[virgintrain1]

https://vimeo.com/184808769/cd57418360 confirms XC's plan for 221144

@01:27

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not working for me?

Edit:it is now.

 

[Helvellyn]

In a parallel universe 221119/221120 work for VTWC as 5-car units and 221142/221143/221144 work for XC as 4-car units.

 

[Jd12]

Yrs this is happening. This protect will be complete by December 2017. It is highly inefficient. But as the original coaches from 144 are still in service they must be reformed rather than 2 donor coaches put in their space.