Wifi trains: who has tried it?

[denis_m]

Hello,

Has anyone tested Wifi on trains in the UK (NatX, Virgin, Heathrow Express, etc...)? Is it reliable and easy to use? What content can be accessed on the front page: weather forecast, games, details about the journey or destination?

I searched the forum and the internet about Wifi on trains in the UK, but there are mostly news which date back to 2003-2005, when rail operators were implementing it.

Thanks in advance for your answers!
Denis

 

[Daniel]

I've use it on GNER. Was quite good out of London, was on MSN using webcam etc, was doing fine, but then around doncaster the signal strength seemed to drop all the way to Dundee.. could still view web pages etc, though. On the GNER home page it had the train timetable and running info IIRC, and also a map of the UK and the GNER route map and where we are on the map was marked with an icon.

 

[class 313]

I've use it on GNER. Was quite good out of London, was on MSN using webcam etc, was doing fine, but then around doncaster the signal strength seemed to drop all the way to Dundee.. could still view web pages etc, though. On the GNER home page it had the train timetable and running info IIRC, and also a map of the UK and the GNER route map and where we are on the map was marked with an icon.

Must of been an issue with the WiFi Dome which is placed above the DVT. Or on the Buffet(?) on a HST.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I personally doubt that a 91+DVT electric set can get very far on its own, north of Haymarket, towards Aberdeen.

No wonder the signal was low towards Dundee, when the electric set had been dumped at Edinburgh, and swapped with an HST

 

[First ScotRail]

Ive used NXEC's on the Mk4's and HSTs and it was very good.

 

[Daniel]

I personally doubt that a 91+DVT electric set can get very far on its own, north of Haymarket, towards Aberdeen.

No wonder the signal was low towards Dundee, when the electric set had been dumped at Edinburgh, and swapped with an HST

1400 off the Cross, HST all the way

 

[adambro]

Used it a number of times on NXEC especially since it's gone free for standard class passenger. Used it between Peterborough and Leeds for general surfing, checking National Rail website for any delays further enroute and chatting on MSN. It's a great service and really makes my travelling time more worthwhile rather than justing sitting around I can be doing something.

Can't comment on any of the other operators.

 

[djw1981]

Used it standard class on GNER Ed-NCl and was fine. Had a hunt on my pendo the other week but virgin don;t seem to have it installed / working yet on all trains. And as for teh XC Voyagers.... hmm if my mobile won;t work what hope has wifi (ie no success their either).

 

[schmoo_smith]

And as for teh XC Voyagers.... hmm if my mobile won;t work what hope has wifi (ie no success their either).

I travel quite frequently on xc voyagers from bristol to newcastle and i must say the signal is pretty bad too, to the point of which i had buy a second hand nokia 6310 and put a vodafone payg sim in it, works perfect all the way!