IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues

[whole diary]

[SandTEngineer]

It would appear now (well, today at least) that service introduction to the far Southwest has been deferred from 16 July 2018 to 20 August 2018.

[TaplowGreen]

It would appear now (well, today at least) that service introduction to the far Southwest has been deferred from 16 July 2018 to 20 August 2018.

…………...will there be enough HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) left to maintain the service?

[SandTEngineer]

It would appear now (well, today at least) that service introduction to the far Southwest has been deferred from 16 July 2018 to 20 August 2018.

…………...will there be enough HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) left to maintain the service?

Probably not (cue lots of cancellations during the peak summer season).  Its apparently due to "more drivers than usual needing to be trained".....

[TonyK]

Never mind, it will all change next March and all train manufacture will return to the UK^▸ (United Kingdom)......

Can we have a "Haha" button please? 

[grahame]

[sikejsudjek3]

I think that the new stock they are being trained on is a ghost train to go with the invisible CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer)....

[broadgage]

I have had another very negative report from a relative about the new trains.

They booked a seat, but as is the norm with the new DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), bookings were not honoured.
The train was dangerously overcrowded with air conditioning not working.
They could not walk to the buffet, and seemed very surprised when I told them that the new trains don't have one.
No refreshment trolley was seen between London and Cardiff.

This was a return journey, no seats, refreshments, reservations or air conditioning in either direction.
With no prompting from me they remarked "I did not know that we where getting Virgin Voyagers"

Whilst the disappointment of one customer does not prove much, such experiences seem to be the norm.

[IndustryInsider]

Have you made many journeys on them yourself yet, Broadgage?

[a-driver]

Have you made many journeys on them yourself yet, Broadgage?

I’ve made a few journeys myself and they are in no way an improvement on an HST^▸ (High Speed Train), in fact they’re a significant downgrade with, from what I hear, several technical difficulties most resulting from the change of specification.  Some are now restricted to running in diesel only mode.
As I understand it, there’s still grave concerns over their ability to cope with seawater at Dawlish. 

[bobm]

Still undecided if the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) are an improvement on the HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train). Both have pros and cons. However I am certain they are better than the Voyagers - whether Virgin’s or Cross Country’s.

[broadgage]

Have you made many journeys on them yourself yet, Broadgage?

Not many, I am glad to say. 3 journeys IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly), all half length, standing only, so I cant comment on the seats.
Trolley not sighted on 2 trips. On the third journey I found the static trolley but it had run out of beer and most other drinks.
I was initially surprised by the near silent under floor engine, but then realised that it had failed.
I was told that "standing in first class is not allowed" even with a first class ticket. I have applied for a refund of the difference between first and steerage, might get it this year ?

[IndustryInsider]

Yes it’s a shame the 5-car situation is ruining their introduction on so many trains - a definite result for your crystal ball there.  As a 10-car (or one of the new 9-car) formation I think they are better than Pendolino or Voyagers and remind me quite a lot of Mk IV’s.  The extra capacity over an 8-car HST^▸ (High Speed Train) really becomes apparent then. 

In my own trips, numbering a dozen or so, I’ve yet to have any issues with the air con, or non working engines (other than once in my first trip which didn’t make much difference performance wise as the other 5 were working), but the reservation system and automatic announcements/displays have been very problematic.

[trainer]

I am part way through a 1st Class Rail Rover week and am reluctant to try to write on my phone, but I'll have a go.  The first train used was  on Monday from Yatton to Bristol on a 5 coach IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) with folk standing in the 1st section of the composite because they physically couldn't get into standard. So much for improvement in capacity promised. There were no reservations. The unit was in reverse formation anyway so I would have been uncomfortable if they were.  However, for me  the 1st Class seat in the IET has been by far the worst I've experienced and that's including XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) and Scottish Rail Standard class. I could not cope with that for long. Only my opinion of course, but I fear the days of treating myself to a 1st on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have passed. Ironing board? Luxury!

[IndustryInsider]

Yes people have different options.  For me the first class seats are fine - not as luxurious looking as the lovely HST^▸ (High Speed Train) GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) seats which are fantastic but, I found neck support with the moveable head cushion a real bonus (my only problem with the HST seats) as was the ability to move the window armrest and rest my arm along the window ledge.

It doesn’t look the premium product it should be though and as such is one disappointing aspect of the new  trains.

[broadgage]

Only about a dozen half length IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) today, so far.
I do however note several advertised as being 9 car instead of 10 car. This is of very little DIRECT concern as the seating capacity is very similar. It does however suggest that availability of the 5 car units is less than expected.