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Author Topic: "An HS What?"  (Read 8959 times)
paulo999
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« on: December 24, 2014, 17:25:11 »

It's that time of year again - when I attempt, but fail, to prove the existence of HSTs (High Speed Train) on the Cotswold line.

This time rail enquiries and FGW (First Great Western) customer service seemed to align. They both denied they exist.

At Waterloo advance ticket sales, I asked about trains from Paddington to Honeybourne.

"An HS (High Speed (short for HSS (High Speed Services) High Speed Services)) what?"

The sales person looked irritated when I asked again. I mentioned that First Great Western had it marked on their timetables.

"An HS WHAT?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."

The roll of the eyes was a very clear - stop going on and about HSTs. Go. Away. You are Irritating me.

Next attempt, I phoned FGW customer services.

Who redirected me to National Rail Enquiries.

Who redirected me back to First Great Western.

"An Inter City?"
"An HS City?"
"An HS WHAT?"
"Honeybourne yes it is a fast train. High Speed."
"No, I mean..."

This went on for ten minutes. The person at the other end of the phone apologised at the end of every sentence, apologised each time they resumed the call. They had absolutely no idea what an HST was, but boy they were going to keep apologising.

Eventually they put me through to someone back in England. Quick as a flash, they confirmed that yes, the 15:52 would be an HST. They apologised that their overseas colleague didn't know what an HST was.

It'm on it now. It's not an HST of course, it never is. I think in about 10 journeys planned around being on an HST, I've seen one. Maybe two at a push - including the "buffet in the toilet" special.

*bah* I'm not in a very Christmassy mood it has to be said. Sad
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grahame
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« Reply #1 on: December 24, 2014, 19:07:47 »

*bah* I'm not in a very Christmassy mood it has to be said. Sad

Neither am I ... but I've added a couple of Santa onto the top banner for a couple of days to help us both  Grin
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ChrisB
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« Reply #2 on: December 24, 2014, 19:10:28 »

Isn't the 1552 normally an Adelante?

The IC125 is just one type of HST (High Speed Train).
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #3 on: December 24, 2014, 21:07:33 »

Isn't the 1552 normally an Adelante?

The IC125 is just one type of HST (High Speed Train).

That's true; there's the Hubble Space Telescope too, and then there's Harmonised Sales Tax in Canada... but for most readers of this forum it'll be the multiple unit set as defined, for example, by Porterbrook
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paulo999
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« Reply #4 on: December 24, 2014, 22:19:34 »

Isn't the 1552 normally an Adelante?

Just checked - you are absolutely right. (And tbf, that's what was running too. Shame about the run around on the phone but hey ho.)
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ChrisB
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« Reply #5 on: December 25, 2014, 10:37:36 »

What I meant was that HST (High Speed Train) = High Speed Train. Includes the IC125, but also other similar-speed stock running on the rails
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #6 on: December 25, 2014, 12:50:53 »

What I meant was that HST (High Speed Train) = High Speed Train. Includes the IC125, but also other similar-speed stock running on the rails

Happy Xmas, ChrisB!  Cry
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paulo999
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« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2014, 13:56:06 »

Aaaand, I'm back with the story of the return journey!

Yes, it's the invisible 13:34 from Honeybourne to Pad.

I say invisible, because all the online live departure boards are showing it as having left all the stations from Evesham down on time. Our invisible train appears to be well on it's way to Oxford.

Baffled passengers here at Honeybourne have been phoning FGW (First Great Western).

The answer: "We don't know where the train is. All we know is it left Worcestor".

Oh dear. An HST (High Speed Train) missing in action. Maybe it stopped off at a pub for a festive half and got carried away.

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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2014, 13:59:42 »

It's just left Shrub Hill (at 13:54), so should be at Honeybourne at around 14:20 and is a HST (High Speed Train) (a proper one!).  Delayed at Worcester waiting the driver who'd previous working was the heavily delayed 11:05 Didcot Parkway to Hereford.
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paulo999
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« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2014, 14:09:31 »

Aha... Thanks for info!

All the departure boards updated about five minutes ago and I was wondering how it lost 50 minutes between two stations in the same city Smiley

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paulo999
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« Reply #10 on: December 27, 2014, 15:23:46 »

Well, the HST (High Speed Train) did turn up, and we've made it Oxford 50 minutes late.

Now just been told "Sorry, we don't have a driver".

We're now being turfed off, the train is now cancelled at Oxford.

HST - now you see it, now you don't.
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paulo999
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« Reply #11 on: December 27, 2014, 15:33:07 »

Next HST (High Speed Train) from Oxford to Paddington isn't for about 90 mins.

Hmm. Go to pub, come back later? Or squash on to the next Turbo with my "treat myself" first class ticket, and the rest of the Cotswold line refugees?
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paulo999
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« Reply #12 on: December 27, 2014, 20:47:12 »

Well, that was money well spent.

I rejoined with the only option being a Turbo. Interesting range of options, above and beyond, say, the 'Silent Carriage' on other services.

- The Boiling Carriage
- The Tepid Carriage
- The Unheated And f**cking freezing carriage.

Guess which carriage my "treat myself" first class ticket lies.

I have my hood up, trying to look menacing to the only other person daring the first class fridge. He has his head in his hands and is bent over the table.
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thetrout
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« Reply #13 on: December 27, 2014, 23:27:23 »

I have my hood up, trying to look menacing to the only other person daring the first class fridge. He has his head in his hands and is bent over the table.

But the First Class Fridge contains all the complimentary goodies Cry Cry

Including the lesser-spotted-fresh-milk Grin

Just be grateful you got a Turbo with working Air Conditioning Tongue
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