Problems with IET trains from April 2021

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

According to this, Unite accepted the pay offer:-

https://www.cityam.com/400-rmt-workers-at-hitachi-to-strike-on-saturday-until-1-february/

Thanks for that.  Might explain the confusion.

[BBM]

Industry expert Gareth Dennis has posted on X some quite alarming photos of corrosion on LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) Azumas^▸ (Brand name for Class 80x trains on LNER):

https://twitter.com/GarethDennis/status/1753413827067097297

[broadgage]

Aluminium is very vulnerable to corrosion especially if in contact with steel.
Did someone use steel fixings at the factory?, or subsequently during maintenance, either is a rather basic error.

Even different grades of aluminium alloy are liable to corrosion if used in contact with each other.

Electrical leakage currents through aluminium  structures can also accelerate corrosion. DC^▸ (Direct Current) is worst.

[bobm]

It will be that salt ridden sea air on the Northumberland coast..... 

[FarWestJohn]

And that is just the parts you can see!!

[IndustryInsider]

Whatever happens it’s down to Hitachi to sort out as part of the maintenance contract. 

Just like they are quietly doing with the cracks issue that people were getting excited about.

[Western Pathfinder]

Sadly as with so many things these day, IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) built to a price ,not to a standard.

[TaplowGreen]

Sadly as with so many things these day, IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) built to a price ,not to a standard.

We need something more robust, successful and enduring - like the APT^▸ (Advanced Passenger Train) perhaps?

[broadgage]

Sadly as with so many things these day, IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) built to a price ,not to a standard.

I thought that the price was relatively high, one criticism of the project was the substantial cost of the trains. IET=Incredibly Expensive Trains ! According to some critics.

In the early days of the project, many promises were made about the quality and reliability of these new trains.

[Clan Line]

In the early days of the project, many promises were made about the quality and reliability of these new trains.

In the early days of the project, many promises were made about the quality and reliability of these new ..............roads/hospitals/libraries/sports centres/airports/aircraft carriers/armoured cars/mail deliveries/bank availabilities/flood prevention schemes/electric cars/supermarket cashiers/Boeing 737s/etc/etc................

[chuffed]

In the early days of the project, many promises were made about the quality and reliability of these new trains.

In the early days of the project, many promises were made about the quality and reliability of these new ..............roads/hospitals/libraries/sports centres/airports/aircraft carriers/armoured cars/mail deliveries/bank availabilities/flood prevention schemes/electric cars/supermarket cashiers/Boeing 737s/etc/etc................this could be a whole new thread in itself for an election year

[GBM]

08:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 13:07
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 13:07 will call additionally at Castle Cary.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Just wondering why a problem will give an additional station stop?
I've seen it on other trips since IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan))'s started.

[Timmer]

08:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 13:07
08:03 London Paddington to Penzance due 13:07 will call additionally at Castle Cary.
This is due to a fault on this train.

Just wondering why a problem will give an additional station stop?
I've seen it on other trips since IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan))'s started.

I would say likely to do with the 07:03 being cancelled:

07:03 London Paddington to Paignton due 10:16 will be cancelled.
This is due to a fault on this train.

[bradshaw]

The Paignton service has been reinstated starting from Taunton, using a 3 car unit, according to Journey Check.
Running as 3C70 ecs from Bristol according to Traksy

[GBM]

I've noticed 'recently/a while ago' that there were a few 5 car units doing the rounds(more trains than usual, etc).
However, it is now more common to see 5 cars from Penzance to Paddington with no additional cars at Plymouth.
It is easy to say West Country services must be 9 or 10 cars at all times, but that means perhaps Bristol/Wales/Hereford lose out.
Whilst Hitachi might well be working quietly behind the scenes, I'm surprised that the 5 car issues have not been sorted at all.

Debate cars vs coaches! (I seem to remember we did have that debate a while ago).
The IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan))'s are 5 car/coaches units, or a 9 car/coach formation anyway.