Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 00:35 29 Mar 2024
- Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45
- Easter getaways hit by travel disruption
- Where Baltimore bridge investigation goes now
- How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
29th Mar (1913)
Foundation of National Union or Railwaymen (*)

Train RunningShort Run
21:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
Delayed
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 29, 2024, 00:39:26 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[98] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[97] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[86] Return of the BRUTE?
[74] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[53] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
[23] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
 
News: the Great Western Coffee Shop ... keeping you up to date with travel around the South West
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1] 2 3
  Print  
Author Topic: Suggestion: IET internal modifications to make them more buggy friendly  (Read 11488 times)
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« on: August 19, 2019, 15:02:08 »

You may remember I've said about making some fairly minor internal layout alterations to the IETs (Intercity Express Train) to help solve the lack of space for buggies, which can often be found in doorways, or partially in the bike/luggage compartments.

Well, I've got out my measuring stick and worked out how I think it should be done.  Turns out that removal of four seats, replaced with three tip-up seats, can give you plenty of room for a buggy!  I've attached a diagram to show how it would work, including nominal measurements.

Feedback would be useful, otherwise it's over to you to improve things for your customers, GWR (Great Western Railway)Wink
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2019, 15:17:39 »

I can see the merit of this suggestion, the only real drawback IMHO (in my humble opinion) is that it panders to those who refuse to fold buggies and thereby occupy excessive space.

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed "buggy inflation" whereby the contraptions become steadily larger as the years go past.
Logged

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.
CMRail
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 400


View Profile
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2019, 15:30:53 »

I’ve also spoken  about the fact that 9 car vehicles have Standard Class wheelchair spaces yet are in the Quiet Carriage. LNER» (London North Eastern Railway - about) worked around this and have the Quiet Carriage in coach H.
Logged
Robin Summerhill
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1145


View Profile Email
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2019, 17:59:35 »

Quote from: broadgage
I can see the merit of this suggestion, the only real drawback IMHO (in my humble opinion) is that it panders to those who refuse to fold buggies and thereby occupy excessive space.

Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed "buggy inflation" whereby the contraptions become steadily larger as the years go past.

That may or may not be the case, but they are still substantially smaller than the prams some of us older buggers were pushed around in when we were kids.

My parents told me that my pram, together with numerous others, ended up in the guard's van when being taken into Bristol in the days when St Philip's station was still open. Unfortunately as I was only 15 months old when it closed I have absolutely no recollection of the trips whatsoever  Grin
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2019, 19:18:25 »

become steadily larger as the years go past.

Bit like some of us! Tongue
Logged

"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.
MVR S&T
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 438


View Profile
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2019, 20:23:31 »

Why not have a coach with no fixed seats, just tip up seats around the edges, an easy clean non slip floor, hand grabs for standing, plenty of room for cycles, wheelchairs, prams, buggys, Isambard props, or lots of standing cummuters from London to the west country... (and surf boards)
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2019, 13:31:23 »

Why not have a coach with no fixed seats, just tip up seats around the edges, an easy clean non slip floor, hand grabs for standing, plenty of room for cycles, wheelchairs, prams, buggys, Isambard props, or lots of standing cummuters from London to the west country... (and surf boards)

A bit OTT (Open Train Times website) to have a whole coach fitted out thus, but perhaps about one quarter or one third of a coach might be reasonable, it would be what we used to call the guard's van or luggage van, but would need re branding these days.
"multi functional facility" or some such.
Logged

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.
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2019, 13:34:48 »

Doesn’t sound like the nicest environment for passengers to travel in.  I remember when wheelchair passengers were simply dumped in the guards van and left to spend the journey cold, alone and staring at piles of parcels!
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Oxonhutch
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 1243



View Profile
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2019, 14:10:55 »

I remember when wheelchair passengers were simply dumped in the guards van and left to spend the journey cold, alone and staring at piles of parcels!

On one absolutely packed  service from Oxford to New Street in the late seventies, I spent the entire journey in the guard’s van sitting on my own bicycle's seat. Nicely sprung, it was more comfortable than standing up!
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2019, 14:29:17 »

Doesn’t sound like the nicest environment for passengers to travel in.  I remember when wheelchair passengers were simply dumped in the guards van and left to spend the journey cold, alone and staring at piles of parcels!

Yes but the new multi functional space could be equipped with heating, windows, and the tip up seats would allow the companions of the wheelchair user to travel with them.
So not cold nor alone.
Logged

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.
chuffed
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 1499


View Profile
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2019, 15:01:36 »

couldn't the multifunctional user space described above sell hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, confectionary and cakes all at the same time. It could even be fixed in position....... Shocked
« Last Edit: August 20, 2019, 16:38:09 by chuffed » Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2019, 19:08:34 »

couldn't the multifunctional user space described above sell hot and cold drinks, sandwiches, confectionary and cakes all at the same time. It could even be fixed in position....... Shocked

Not under present GWR (Great Western Railway) management as it would be contrary to their strongly stated policy regarding such matters.
Might be worth considering by a future operator though.

Extend all the 9 car trains to 10 car by adding an extra vehicle incorporating the new multi function area.
About 40 or 50 seats in about half of the vehicle.
The other half of the vehicle to consist of stowage for bulky articles and heavy luggage and an area from which refreshment may be obtained.
At least a dozen tip up seats could be provided, primarily for those accompanying wheelchairs, baby carriages and the like.
Place this vehicle in the middle of the standard class section in order that no standard class customer has to walk far in order to use it.
Logged

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.
IndustryInsider
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 10095


View Profile
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2019, 00:42:54 »

I might have known my thread would get hijacked with buffet reinstatement suggestions.
Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
CMRail
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 400


View Profile
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2019, 01:05:39 »

I might have known my thread would get hijacked with buffet reinstatement suggestions.

No suggestions as of current to have locomotives at each end and replace the sliding doors with slam doors.
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2019, 04:37:14 »

A locomotive at each end would IMO (in my opinion) be preferable, I see no merit in the return of slam doors.
Logged

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.
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: [1] 2 3
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page