rower40
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« Reply #705 on: November 05, 2019, 11:43:01 » |
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Also don't understand the bit about the substitute IET▸ having only standard class seats on one occasion? First class is minimal and rather basic but present on every unit.
Probably fully-occupied by staff...
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Umberleigh
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« Reply #706 on: November 05, 2019, 18:54:09 » |
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Didn't occasionally an ex-Pendolino Thunderbird class 57 loco get drafted in to haul this stock and why can't they revert to that situation again
DRS▸ 57306 on the down sleeper 29th October
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #707 on: November 19, 2019, 01:40:43 » |
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23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 18/11/19 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 was 28 minutes late but is expected to be on time from Taunton. This is due to a fault on this train. Will be formed of 5 coaches. Additional Information Due to a train fault we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance.
We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #708 on: November 19, 2019, 04:54:02 » |
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23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 18/11/19 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance due 07:55 was 28 minutes late but is expected to be on time from Taunton. This is due to a fault on this train. Will be formed of 5 coaches. Additional Information Due to a train fault we are unable to operate this evenings Sleeper service between London Paddington and Penzance.
We have arranged for this service to be operated by one of our regular Intercity Express Trains which will offer a Standard and First Class seating service only. There will be no accommodation facilities.
That'll make for a pretty miserable journey.
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broadgage
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« Reply #709 on: November 19, 2019, 06:02:22 » |
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No doubt the generously upholstered seats will be welcome, and perhaps refreshments from the buffet.
More seriously, this level of service is very poor and hardly an inducement to use the service. A cynic might suspect closure by stealth is the intention. GWR▸ can not readily cease the sleeper as provision is a franchise requirement. Such requirements can however be negotiated away. Time to do a survey that shows.
"most passengers would prefer a faster and more frequent daytime service" "the sleeper is only used by small numbers of customers" Or some such.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #710 on: November 19, 2019, 06:57:17 » |
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Time to do a survey that shows.
"most passengers would prefer a faster and more frequent daytime service" "the sleeper is only used by small numbers of customers" Or some such.
broadgage, you forgot..... "most passengers would prefer to sleep at their seat"
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SandTEngineer
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« Reply #711 on: November 19, 2019, 11:19:21 » |
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According to info on the WNXX▸ Forum it was caused by a problem with the lounge car (problem not specified).
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broadgage
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« Reply #712 on: November 19, 2019, 11:51:38 » |
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That makes a change from the usual "engine failed" but still contributes to a very poor level of service. And why could the lounge car not be detached and the train run without it if the fault could not be fixed.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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bobm
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« Reply #713 on: November 19, 2019, 12:47:16 » |
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Looking at Realtime Trains it looks like the failed set followed the IET▸ to Reading then carried on to Bristol as empty stock before continuing to Penzance, again just behind the replacement IET.
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LiskeardRich
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« Reply #714 on: November 19, 2019, 12:54:08 » |
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I’m told it’s the same loco that fails each time recently. Now in my head I’m thinking why not pull it fix it proper and use a different one.
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All posts are my own personal believes, opinions and understandings!
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Umberleigh
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« Reply #715 on: November 19, 2019, 20:40:21 » |
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IET▸ from Redruth to Penzance this morning, and lingered at Penzance to see only a handful of passengers emerge from First Class, so maybe most made other plans/took the accommodation on offer Still, the host in Sleeper lounge looked apprehensive.
I’ve not used the Sleeper berths in recent years since being a regular user in 2010-12. Sadly, I could not now trust the Sleeper for anything work-related as the chances of a sleepless night in an IET seat are too high.
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Umberleigh
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« Reply #716 on: November 19, 2019, 20:42:40 » |
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No doubt the generously upholstered seats will be welcome, and perhaps refreshments from the buffet.
More seriously, this level of service is very poor and hardly an inducement to use the service. A cynic might suspect closure by stealth is the intention. GWR▸ can not readily cease the sleeper as provision is a franchise requirement. Such requirements can however be negotiated away. Time to do a survey that shows.
"most passengers would prefer a faster and more frequent daytime service" "the sleeper is only used by small numbers of customers" Or some such.
Sadly agree. And of course user numbers will drop when it become set-down only in Cornwall. Convenient
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Timmer
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« Reply #717 on: November 19, 2019, 20:45:28 » |
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The issue of the future of the sleeper service might be a good question to ask at the next Meet the MD when that time next comes around.
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broadgage
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« Reply #718 on: November 19, 2019, 20:56:13 » |
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The issue of the future of the sleeper service might be a good question to ask at the next Meet the MD when that time next comes around.
Yes, but I suspect that the reply will be; "We are committed to the Night Riveria sleeper, provision of which is a franchise requirement for the current franchise. In the longer term in conjunction with our industry partners, we will respond to changes in customer travel needs" Or some such. A cynic like me would interpret that as meaning "we cant ditch it yet, but will do so as soon as we can"
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard. It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc. A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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JayMac
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« Reply #719 on: November 19, 2019, 21:19:16 » |
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Who gets the keys to No. 10 will also have a bearing I suspect.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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