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Author Topic: IETs into passenger service from 16 Oct 2017 and subsequent performance issues  (Read 543915 times)
Rob on the hill
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« Reply #1590 on: May 11, 2019, 12:50:49 »

I think the ride quality on the IET (Intercity Express Train) is pretty awful compared to the HST (High Speed Train), and I don't see how that can be improved - although more seat padding may help. The IET may be a bit quicker from A to B, but in terms of comfort I consider them to be a huge backward step from what we had with the HST.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1591 on: May 11, 2019, 13:33:02 »

Leaving aside the seats - please, it’s been commented on enough - I find the comments on ride quality interesting, as for me the ride quality is absolutely fine. 

I certainly don’t miss the regular snatching and lurching you get from HSTs (High Speed Train) when the rear power car shoves out of sync with the front one and the stops are generally much smoother because they are much easier to drive.  What I will say is that the acceleration is too much sometimes if the driver throws the controller straight to maximum when under the wires.  I know a few customer hosts agree with that!
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REVUpminster
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« Reply #1592 on: May 11, 2019, 19:50:39 »

I think the ride quality is ok compared to the HST (High Speed Train) a week ago was lurching all over the place as I went to the buffet. Of course I have not needed to leave the seat on a IET (Intercity Express Train) except to use the toilet.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1593 on: May 11, 2019, 19:54:51 »

Quality of the track plays a big part of course.  I have never experienced such a rough ride as I did on my way back from Bodmin in a HST (High Speed Train) a couple of years ago.  It’s not often that train travel makes me anxious!
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4064ReadingAbbey
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« Reply #1594 on: May 12, 2019, 11:47:44 »

Quality of the track plays a big part of course.  I have never experienced such a rough ride as I did on my way back from Bodmin in a HST (High Speed Train) a couple of years ago.  It’s not often that train travel makes me anxious!
Clearly the quality of ride is (a) dependent on track, (b) speed and (c) in the absence of accelerometers the judgement is subjective...

...BUT the comparison with HSTs is still valid. As far as I am concerned the IETs (Intercity Express Train) are not such a step forward from the HSTs - not as they are now, but as they were when newer - as the HSTs were from the Mark 2s and Mark 1s they replaced. There was a silky softness to the ride of the Mark 3s and the traditional jerk when the couplings tightened as a loco took the load vanished.

Over the years they deteriorated due largely to maintenance which did not restore parts to their original condition - this was exceptionally bad towards the latter days of BR (British Rail(ways)). One of the first things that Great Western Trains did was to have a campaign replacement of the rubber bushes at each end of the longitudinal traction bars on the outside of the Mark 3's bogies. This removed much of the uncontrolled motion and bumps which had become very noticeable. A later change to the wheel slide controls reduced the incidence of 'flats'.

A change which made the Mk 3 more susceptible to track imperfections was the need to modify the swing link length to avoid possible contact with the third rail when running on the Southern. On good track this change was not really noticeable, but on 'iffy' track the lateral motion became 'nervous'.

It is entirely possible that the freshly maintained BR(WR) track was kept to tighter tolerances in those days with a much lower traffic density than is possible now, but one would expect a modern train and suspension to be able to cope with todays tolerances and STILL give a better ride.

This is not the case. I came back from London to Reading on the 21.15 IET to Swansea a couple of weeks ago and timed the run using my trusty iPhone. We left Paddington on time and passed Slough in 11mins 49 secs., Maidenhead in 14 mins 40 secs., Twyford in 17 mins 59 secs. and stopped at Platform 9 in Reading  in 22 mins 17 secs after quite a slow approach.

The performance was what one would expect from a modern train with a sufficient power-to-weight ratio. However the ride was appalling - there were quite high amplitude high frequency jiggles both vertically and laterally above about 110/115mph and some loud clonks from underneath especially over pointwork east of Hayes. The ride seemed a bit better further west but I think the driver eased off after Slough.

In a brand new train this is, frankly, unacceptable.
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rogerw
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« Reply #1595 on: May 12, 2019, 14:16:51 »

Ride does seem to vary.  I have had some rough rides and also smooth ones over the same length of track.  Come back from Paddington to Westbury today on the 1130.  Smooth ride throughout although I was in one of the carriages without a diesel engine (I think because it was very quiet on starting from Pewsey)  A 23 minute run to Reading followed by a 15 minute wait for time.  Arrival in Westbury 5 minutes early.  One thing that is noticable is the reduced dwell time at Pewsey now that the guard does not have to walk the length of the train to check doors.
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Richard Fairhurst
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« Reply #1596 on: May 12, 2019, 20:33:37 »

The lurch into Platform 1 3 at Oxford is much less noticeable these days, but I don't know whether that's an IET (Intercity Express Train) thing or improved trackwork.
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Timmer
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« Reply #1597 on: May 13, 2019, 13:53:45 »

New GWR (Great Western Railway) IETs (Intercity Express Train) under fire over lack of buffets
https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2019/05/13-new-gwr-iets-under-fire.html

Quote
THE RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) has been holding demonstrations today at London, Swansea and Plymouth about the lack of buffets on GWR’s new Intercity Express Trains. Surfers have also been protesting about the simultaneous withdrawal of space to carry their boards.
Continues...
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FarWestJohn
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« Reply #1598 on: May 13, 2019, 19:45:46 »

Phone in on Radio Cornwall and plenty of complaints about the interior of IETs (Intercity Express Train). One problem that came up was Hayle. Passengers being told to get out of the rear five coaches at Camborne and get in the front five if you wish to alight at Hayle. By the sound the comments not ideal with rain with a long stomp down the platform with luggage.
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broadgage
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« Reply #1599 on: May 13, 2019, 20:07:30 »

New GWR (Great Western Railway) IETs (Intercity Express Train) under fire over lack of buffets
https://www.railnews.co.uk/news/2019/05/13-new-gwr-iets-under-fire.html

Quote
THE RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) has been holding demonstrations today at London, Swansea and Plymouth about the lack of buffets on GWR’s new Intercity Express Trains. Surfers have also been protesting about the simultaneous withdrawal of space to carry their boards.
Continues...

It is not often that I agree with the RMT, but this time I side with the brothers.
It would IMHO (in my humble opinion) have been preferable for the RMT to raise their objections before the trains were built.
My crystal ball forecast no buffets, long before this was publicly admitted. Do the RMT not have a crystal ball ?
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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 (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
JayMac
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« Reply #1600 on: May 13, 2019, 20:44:24 »

Do the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) not have a crystal ball ?
I think the RMT get their supernatural fortune telling through séances contacting Bob Crow.
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« Reply #1601 on: May 13, 2019, 21:38:02 »

The RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) did raise plenty of objections before the trains were built, including over buffet provision.  They were somewhat placated by the promise of more members as more customers hosts were needed, and won the much more important concession not to run the trains as DOO (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard))/DCO (Driver Controlled Operation) over and above what ran like that before.
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jamestheredengine
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« Reply #1602 on: May 14, 2019, 07:47:04 »

On the 1648 Cardiff to Swansea (1445 ex Pad) last night, the lady sitting next to me asked me whether it was possible to get a drink on this train. I restrained myself from laughing and suggested that she walk to the other end of the set and bang on the kitchen door where the staff in the front unit were hiding.

The worst bit of it was that the trolley had been in the vestibule of carriage B when I got on at Cardiff, but all too typically it promptly did its vanishing act, rather than bothering to serve customers. GWR (Great Western Railway)'s management really need to get a grip on this sort of knocking off early behaviour from its staff (the buffet used to stay open until just before Port Talbot; so there should be a blanket ban on stowing trolleys before this point). They may think that they're invisible when they're hiding in a kitchen the wrong side of First Class in the unit the guard isn't in, but they need to learn that this definitely is not the case.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #1603 on: May 15, 2019, 14:07:36 »

It would appear that several diagrams have suffered thus today...........

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Facilities on the 09:00 Penzance to London Paddington due 14:01.
This is due to a fault on this train.
Will be formed of 9 coaches instead of 10.

That is just one example, I won't list all.

I actually think that is a good thing from pax point of view (knowing where First Class is; the chance of a trolley appearing rather than being 'in the other unit'; etc)
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Umberleigh
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« Reply #1604 on: May 15, 2019, 19:05:24 »

My first trip on an IET (Intercity Express Train) yesterday, a 9 car IET from Exeter to Truro, with the return journey also a 9 car unit. These trains look very smart, and you have to wonder why FGW (First Great Western) didn’t think of the full green livery years ago - even the Pacers look quite dapper.

Outward journey in coach C:
Seat was fine for me and a good view (but not all seats aligned with windows. However, a lot of engine noise and vibration on the Devon banks, and I worry this might increase as the units age. Also, the air conditioning felt a bit warm and the air not very fresh. The trolley visited twice, but what a woeful offering, where are the bigger and better trolleys we were promised? The extra capacity of these units was appreciated as no problem getting two airline seats to myself despite plenty of holidaymakers joining at all stations.

Return journey in coach F:
Much quieter as no engine under this coach. Plenty of seats free on what I’ds usually a quite croweded service (16.41). Two visits from the woeful trolley, but not needed as in anticipation of no buffet I had my own M&S 25cl Beajolais wines and plastic tumblers. Not sure the trolley staff were enjoying their work, but then seven Standard coaches is quite a haul. A bit warm and stuffy again, this needs looking at in my opinion.

Overall, if they can sort out the air-con and, as a minimum at least, upgrade the trolleys then I’m sure these 9 car units will prove popular with the travelling public. Presumably the 5 car units will operate the extra HST (High Speed Train) services in Cornwall when the new timetable starts?
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