XC services allocated for Double Voyagers

[Jamesrob637]

0731 bhm-Manchester 0927 man-bmh 1445 bmh-man and 2005 man-bhm is a double voyagers. Fridays only.

It was today (04 Jan) seen at Stockport, though who'd want to go to Bournemouth for a holiday in January is beyond me

 

[sufian123]

It was today (04 Jan) seen at Stockport, though who'd want to go to Bournemouth for a holiday in January is beyond me

It’s booked formation. It’s a busy service I’ve seen from Reading as far as Birmingham. Which I’ve traveled.

 

[Jamesrob637]

It’s booked formation. It’s a busy service I’ve seen from Reading as far as Birmingham. Which I’ve traveled.

You've reminded me of my journey from Reading to Brum Monday 05 November - think it was the 11:15 to Manchester but I only took it as far as Banbury as I wanted 68 haulage from there to Moor Street. Absolutely wedged on a single 4-car. Mind you, I think the previous train Reading-Oxford had been cancelled which exacerbated things somewhat...

 

[sufian123]

You've reminded me of my journey from Reading to Brum Monday 05 November - think it was the 11:15 to Manchester but I only took it as far as Banbury as I wanted 68 haulage from there to Moor Street. Absolutely wedged on a single 4-car. Mind you, I think the previous train Reading-Oxford had been cancelled which exacerbated things somewhat...

I agree. Loco any day. They are cool and the sound.

 

[swt_passenger]

It was today (04 Jan) seen at Stockport, though who'd want to go to Bournemouth for a holiday in January is beyond me

Maybe it’s really there to meet the northbound demand from Bournemouth and Southampton on a Friday afternoon? So the morning departure from Manchester being doubled up may just be for operating convenience.

 

[sufian123]

Surprisingly 0731 bhm-man comes with 0730 to Newcastle as a 12 cars voyagers from the depot. Then 2005 man-bhm then coupled up with a 1835 ncl-bhm terminating train at new st. Triple back to central.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I noted that tonight's 1O24 1527 Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth was formed of a double voyager. A one-off or has that service been doubled up recently?

15:59 into MAN and 16:27 off MAN were a double today, however I understand that things are a bit messed up today on Cross Country with engineering works here, there and everywhere.

 

[vlad]

I don't think I've ever seen a double Voyager running between Manchester and Birmingham. Not that that means they don't, of course.

 

[Deafdoggie]

On booked doubles, do XC have two Train Managers and Retail Service Managers and First Class Hosts?

 

[221129]

On booked doubles, do XC have two Train Managers and Retail Service Managers and First Class Hosts?

Ideally 2x TMs but can run with a TM in the rear set and a competent person in the front.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Ideally 2x TMs but can run with a TM in the rear set and a competent person in the front.

No offence intended, but are RSM or FCH counted as competent (in this context!)?

 

[221129]

No offence intended, but are RSM or FCH counted as competent (in this context!)?

Yes, as is an RSS or RPI.

 

[I13]

Are there any double voyagers going north from Bristol on Mon 22 Apr before 2pm?

 

[43055]

Are there any double voyagers going north from Bristol on Mon 22 Apr before 2pm?

The 1330 to Dundee from Bristol is normally a double set. It should show on the cross country journey check a bit later on if it is a double set as it doesn't leave Plymouth until 1125.

 

[Starmill]

Are some of yhese double services being split apart from May to provide the extensions Bristol TM to Exeter St D?

 

[I13]

The 1330 to Dundee from Bristol is normally a double set. It should show on the cross country journey check a bit later on if it is a double set as it doesn't leave Plymouth until 1125.

Thank you.

 

[221129]

Are some of yhese double services being split apart from May to provide the extensions Bristol TM to Exeter St D?

Diagrams will be changing yes.

 

[Thunderer]

This is where today's railways makes no sense and totally infuriates me! Getting more out of the Voyagers now by running extra paths to Exeter will almost certainly mean capacity being lost elsewhere. In the meantime, we have got sidings starting to fill up with redundant HST's. I know people will scream "they are not compliant, toilet tanks, doors etc." And the fact XC pays more access charges to run a HST, but there it is, ludicrous restrictions to an obvious solution, the HST is a great, no nonsense, mass people mover.
More XC HST's on Plymouth/Newcastle/Edinburgh corridor would free up more Voyagers to "double up" plus offer better resilience in the Dawlish area in times of bad weather. Total sense.

 

[221129]

This is where today's railways makes no sense and totally infuriates me! Getting more out of the Voyagers now by running extra paths to Exeter will almost certainly mean capacity being lost elsewhere. In the meantime, we have got sidings starting to fill up with redundant HST's. I know people will scream "they are not compliant, toilet tanks, doors etc." And the fact XC pays more access charges to run a HST, but there it is, ludicrous restrictions to an obvious solution, the HST is a great, no nonsense, mass people mover.
More XC HST's on Plymouth/Newcastle/Edinburgh corridor would free up more Voyagers to "double up" plus offer better resilience in the Dawlish area in times of bad weather. Total sense.

If only life was that simple...

 

[HamworthyGoods]

This is where today's railways makes no sense and totally infuriates me! Getting more out of the Voyagers now by running extra paths to Exeter will almost certainly mean capacity being lost elsewhere. In the meantime, we have got sidings starting to fill up with redundant HST's. I know people will scream "they are not compliant, toilet tanks, doors etc." And the fact XC pays more access charges to run a HST, but there it is, ludicrous restrictions to an obvious solution, the HST is a great, no nonsense, mass people mover.
More XC HST's on Plymouth/Newcastle/Edinburgh corridor would free up more Voyagers to "double up" plus offer better resilience in the Dawlish area in times of bad weather. Total sense.

However the conversion process to make the suitable for future use (access for all and the current droplight issue) is proving that wouldn’t be a simple task, how long are the XC overhauls taking with just one set complete so far that is very much putting people off the idea of further conversions as simple as it might seem.

 

[Thunderer]

However the conversion process to make the suitable for future use (access for all and the current droplight issue) is proving that wouldn’t be a simple task, how long are the XC overhauls taking with just one set complete so far that is very much putting people off the idea of further conversions as simple as it might seem.

The other alternative is to build compatable and compliant new coaches to use with the existing power cars? Surely cheaper than building a whole new fleet of trains, easier than waiting for conversions?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

The other alternative is to build compatable and compliant new coaches to use with the existing power cars? Surely cheaper than building a whole new fleet of trains, easier than waiting for conversions?

Only one manufacturer offers GB size load gauge coaches - CAF and they haven’t exactly been a success either! GB gauge vehicles are quite limited in terms of what manufacturers will offer.
Quite what holds for XC with a longish direct award who knows but hopefully something for capacity.

 

[221129]

Only one manufacturer offers GB size load gauge coaches - CAF and they haven’t exactly been a success either! GB gauge vehicles are quite limited in terms of what manufacturers will offer.
Quite what holds for XC with a longish direct award who knows but hopefully something for capacity.

Watch this space.

 

[Thunderer]

Only one manufacturer offers GB size load gauge coaches - CAF and they haven’t exactly been a success either! GB gauge vehicles are quite limited in terms of what manufacturers will offer.
Quite what holds for XC with a longish direct award who knows but hopefully something for capacity.

That is EXACTLY the problem with our privatised railways, we have lost our British building design and expertise like we had under BREL. We have to rely on foreign companies to build everything for us now. Its no councidence that the British designed and built HST and the IC225 sets are still the best of whats left on our railways, as all modern stock is a poorer experience as a passenger e.g. Pendolino, Voyager, IEP - all a downgrade on HST and 91 and Mk4.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

The 1330 to Dundee from Bristol is normally a double set. It should show on the cross country journey check a bit later on if it is a double set as it doesn't leave Plymouth until 1125.

On the 'May 2019 timetable change' thread (go to the 'Allocations, Diagrams and Timetables' sections), you'll find that the 11:25 from Plymouth (11:24 in the timetable to be exact) to Dundee starts at Penzance at 09:25, replacing the 09:35 from Penzance to Manchester (the 09:35 starts from Plymouth at 11:50), providing quicker journey times for those travelling to Totnes, Birmingham New Street and stations in between.

Not just that - all year round (subject to availability) on Fridays only, the 09:25 from Penzance to Dundee is an HST all the way through. This means no hassle of coupling at Bristol Temple Meads and decoupling at Newcastle which the double Voyager does at the moment. I've not been to Scotland yet but I'm aware of the Dundee service.

 

[Jamesrob637]

0731 bhm-Manchester 0927 man-bmh 1445 bmh-man and 2005 man-bhm is a double voyagers. Fridays only.

07:31 BHM-MAN was only a single today and has been for the last few weeks (Didn't see it Good Friday but can't imagine it was a double just for a Bank Hol)

 

[sufian123]

07:31 BHM-MAN was only a single today and has been for the last few weeks (Didn't see it Good Friday but can't imagine it was a double just for a Bank Hol)

Last Friday was 8 cars. Due to HST shortage is the reason they being short formed. One of them weeks.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Last Friday was 8 cars. Due to HST shortage is the reason they being short formed. One of them weeks.

Was definitely only a 5 car last Friday 09:00 inbound. I never see the corresponding 09:27 return though as it passes my area once I'm at my desk working so maybe it picked up a unit from Picc to go back to the South Coast.

 

[sufian123]

Was definitely only a 5 car last Friday 09:00 inbound. I never see the corresponding 09:27 return though as it passes my area once I'm at my desk working so maybe it picked up a unit from Picc to go back to the South Coast.

Maybe it did. They been short formation on this I’ve heard. Due to HST issues.

 

[43055]

07:31 BHM-MAN was only a single today and has been for the last few weeks (Didn't see it Good Friday but can't imagine it was a double just for a Bank Hol)

The second unit might of been pulled today to keep another service going. There was some delays and cancellations coming out of Plymouth this morning.