Anyone Been on a Train Recently?

[That Jekka Gal]

Dai Woodham, the owner of Barry scrapyard unintentionally saved a great many classes of steam locomotives from being scrapped. If it wasn't for him there would hardly be any of the maginificent machines around to be enjoyed today. They have a new problem to solve now though, a lack of coal. Welsh coal from Fros-y-Fran was the preferred source as it burnt cleanly and has a high calorific value but the mine has been shut down. Alternatives such as wood pellets, briquettes, converting to oil burning and other fuels are being tried out across the country with varying levels of success. It is quite difficult to run a locomotive that was specifically designed to burn coal (especially if it is a GWR locomotive as their fireboxes were designed specifically to burn welsh coal) on other sources and imported coal is not only expensive it is also not as good at burning. I have a couple of excellent books all about Woodhams yard.



You can't beat a good old English Electric powered loco for a bit of clag!! Greta would have a hissy fit!!


Sadly they are all gone now. West coast services are now in the hands of class 156's with a added 153 for bicycles because none of the units have a guards van or compartment. Something else that will be missed when the rest of the HST's across the country will be taken out of service and scrapped or sent to South America this year. The only loco hauled services in Scotland now are the occasional charter train and the sleeper from Fort William/Inverness/Aberdeen which is hauled north of Edinburgh by updated and re-engined class 73/9's. From Edinburgh to London it's class 92's that were originally designed to haul freight through the channel tunnel.

The Penzance to London Paddington sleeper, The Night Riviera, is still class 57 hauled when they don't break down. Out of all the re-engined loco's the class 57/6s (GWR's version) which took a class 47 bodyshell and fitted a reconditioned EMD diesel (2 stroke V12 2800hp) and different alternator and associated ancillaries have proved to be the most unreliable. Quite ironic as they replaced class 47's which were deemed as unreliable and now the 57's are worse than they ever were.

I do believe there is a loco hauled service that runs from Cardiff to Holyhead - it offers “business class” accommodation only & ,according to what I’ve seen on YouTube, looks like a very good product. Not sure what locomotive power is up front, mind you.

Had no idea the last HSTs were on their way to South America- I believe some have made their way to Australia and a load of class 37s are now in Spain.

 

[Tuppy_Glossop]

Is there a Top Trumps set for British Locomotives?

 

[dlockers]

My last three train rides have resulted in access refusals and/or discrimination (various excuses regarding the inconvenience of my wheelchair).

The worst was an impatient attendant shoving my chair (brakes on) onto an unsecured ramp (despite my request to check it first), which slipped off and tipped me out of my chair, onto my face, fracturing my eye socket and collarbone.

I have an excellent solicitor who now has their Letters Before Action written up in an [Insert Details Here] pro forma.

I've had to sue several times in the past five years, with the same result each time:

1. Train Operator claims to investigate themselves and finds no fault.

2. Train Operator tries to minimise my experience and make me out to be an unreasonable/uncooperative passenger.

3. Train Operator offers partial/full refund of my ticket, or discount on future tickets "as a gesture of goodwill".

4. Train Operator threatens to defend their case at huge expense, promising they'll win and I'll have to foot their legal bill.

5. Train Operator waits until the day before court before offering to settle for an insulting amount, unless I sign an NDA...

...occasionally they'll try their luck with the following:

6. Train Operator refuses mediation/settling, then doesn't turn up to court and I win by default.

7. Train Operator ignores my solicitor asking for payment.

8. Train Operator finally pays, once bailiff is appointed.

It's an absolute joke of a system and "staff training" to challenge the repeated access refusals/discrimination never actually happens.

That's rough. Sorry to hear that. It's a shame you can't just lock right onto the track in your Uber chair

 

[Nasher]

Sounds like how most privatised public service are run tbh. Spend the bare minimum on training, staff and equipment, then dodge responsibility when things go wrong. But as there is no real accountability, they get away with it.

I don't feel any sympathy when people dodge fares etc. they deserve it really.

 

[Journey]

My last three train rides have resulted in access refusals and/or discrimination (various excuses regarding the inconvenience of my wheelchair).

That really boils my blood.

The lack of care and attention given to passengers that need assistance to use a 'public' service should literally be criminal, I am fed up of seeing people struggling to get basic help to use an essential service.

Have you ever gotten the 'insert waste of space transport secretary name' involved with any of your issues? They need to be hounded to show how poor quality the TOC's are and how little they care about the passengers. Perhaps if enough people complain there is a 0.0001% chance they might actually do something?

 

[pastymuncher]

I do believe there is a loco hauled service that runs from Cardiff to Holyhead - it offers “business class” accommodation only & ,according to what I’ve seen on YouTube, looks like a very good product. Not sure what locomotive power is up front, mind you.

Had no idea the last HSTs were on their way to South America- I believe some have made their way to Australia and a load of class 37s are now in Spain.

I think they are Class 67 hauled sets of MK4's with DVT's.

Eleven HST power cars and eleven HST coaches have been exported to Nigeria so far with more to follow soon. The interiors of the coaches have been extensively modified with the seats turned through 90 degrees and lining the sides of the coaches with the passengers facing the centre line of the coach like on London Underground stock. The idea is to boost capacity on a overcrowded network.

Ten HST power cars and twenty nine HST coaches have been exported from Mexico with more to follow. These are for a new high speed rail line. All exports are from Great Yarmouth.

Australia has always had it's own version of the HST, the XPT which is slightly different to our versions.

GWR "Castle Class" HST's will all be gone in 2025 to be replaced by 2/3 car Class 175 DMU's that are ex Transport for Wales units. This is further going to lower seating capacity as the HST's have four coaches and these are 2 and 3 car units. I really can't see GWR running the 3 car sets in multiple so a 3 car will probably replace the HST's with a 2 car in less busy times. Quite ridiculous really.

Is there a Top Trumps set for British Locomotives?

There used to be one back in the late 70's, early 80's.

 

[Grimley]

Last time was September, Local trip.
I've used the train 6 times this year. Greater Anglia. Given the trains are relatively new I've not had a problem. I mainly use the train to travel into London. I bought a Senior50 Railcard (I think that's what its called) 20% discount on certain tickets.
Going by train into said city for me is easier & less of a risk than driving, I used to drive into London almost every week 30 years ago, not now. What with Congestion/ULEZ/Parking and enforcement cameras almost everywhere inside the M25.

 

[Combat squirrel]

Not been on a train in decades because they were privatised - NO STOP IT !! Major corporations are NOT the way we should do things. All you get is huge expense and less than the bare minimum - I don't fancy throwing most of the money of my ticket into the pocket of an already billionaire!

However, now they are going back in to public ownership, I'll consider it again in a few years once they have had time to restore value for money.

 

[That Jekka Gal]

Ten HST power cars and twenty nine HST coaches have been exported from Mexico with more to follow. These are for a new high speed rail line. All exports are from Great Yarmouth.

Exported to Mexico? That’s interesting because many years ago I travelled by train from Monterrey down to Oaxaca - slow and dirty it was but an amazing experience nonetheless. I was disappointed to find out that there are no longer any passenger services in Mexico except for the Copper Canyon tourist train somewhere up in Chihuahua.

Looks like they’ve recently opened a 900 mile route to link Yukatan with the interior. I assume the HSTs are destined for there.

Mexico’s New Maya Train Has Officially Launched, Connecting Cancún with Other Yucatán Destinations

A complete guide to the new Tren Maya, which will have 34 total stops in the states of Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Campeche, Tabasco, and Chiapas. Here's how to book tickets, how much it costs, and what to expect on board.

www.afar.com

 

[That Jekka Gal]

That really boils my blood.

The lack of care and attention given to passengers that need assistance to use a 'public' service should literally be criminal, I am fed up of seeing people struggling to get basic help to use an essential service.

Have you ever gotten the 'insert waste of space transport secretary name' involved with any of your issues? They need to be hounded to show how poor quality the TOC's are and how little they care about the passengers. Perhaps if enough people complain there is a 0.0001% chance they might actually do something?

I’m wondering how elderly people manage with heavy luggage - I don’t recall having seen a porter in years - presumably there’s somebody at the station who can assist?

 

[Pants]

My last three train rides have resulted in access refusals and/or discrimination (various excuses regarding the inconvenience of my wheelchair).

The worst was an impatient attendant shoving my chair (brakes on) onto an unsecured ramp (despite my request to check it first), which slipped off and tipped me out of my chair, onto my face, fracturing my eye socket and collarbone.

I have an excellent solicitor who now has their Letters Before Action written up in an [Insert Details Here] pro forma.

I've had to sue several times in the past five years, with the same result each time:

1. Train Operator claims to investigate themselves and finds no fault.

2. Train Operator tries to minimise my experience and make me out to be an unreasonable/uncooperative passenger.

3. Train Operator offers partial/full refund of my ticket, or discount on future tickets "as a gesture of goodwill".

4. Train Operator threatens to defend their case at huge expense, promising they'll win and I'll have to foot their legal bill.

5. Train Operator waits until the day before court before offering to settle for an insulting amount, unless I sign an NDA...

...occasionally they'll try their luck with the following:

6. Train Operator refuses mediation/settling, then doesn't turn up to court and I win by default.

7. Train Operator ignores my solicitor asking for payment.

8. Train Operator finally pays, once bailiff is appointed.

It's an absolute joke of a system and "staff training" to challenge the repeated access refusals/discrimination never actually happens.

That's appalling.

I wonder if it's worth contacting Panorama or similar, as you never know, they might have something like this on their radar.

Sometimes a bit of public shaming is the only thing that get's through.

 

[RedMogg]

That's appalling.

I wonder if it's worth contacting Panorama or similar, as you never know, they might have something like this on their radar.

Sometimes a bit of public shaming is the only thing that get's through.

There's a few disability campaigners (Doug Paulley being one of the most vocal), but I'm exhausted from the Contaminated Blood Inquiry over the last 7 years.

And to be blunt, until this government appoints a Minister for Disabled People who actually knows what it is to live with a disability, rather than the able-bodied, Oxbridge-educated, New Labour bigot currently holding the title, then the Disabled community is never going to be heard.

 

[pastymuncher]

I’m wondering how elderly people manage with heavy luggage - I don’t recall having seen a porter in years - presumably there’s somebody at the station who can assist?

I believe you need to notify thee station in advance just like if a disabled person needs assisstance to get on/off the train. Whether somebody actually shows up varies massively from company to company with some not bothering at all and other's going the extra mile. It's disgraceful the way the disabled and elderly are treated on the railways these days. As for anything big and heavy you need to take on a train where are you going to put it? There are no guards vans/compartments these days and many trains don't even have a luggage rack near the entrance, not that I would be happy leaving my luggage at one end of the carriage while I am sitting in the middle as it's too easy for someone to steal it. Luggage racks over the seat seem to be a afterthought and are useless for anything bigger than a rucksack.

 

[FBi7]

I probably experience a max of 6 train journeys per year.

My latest experience was about 3 weeks ago. I boarded the West Midlands Railway service from Bromsgrove to Birmingham New Street. Both stations have changed so much since I was last at both, I had difficulty navigating both, particularly New Street.

The train from Bromsgrove was punctual, clean and the conductress was very friendly and helpful, and you could genuinely tell she loved her job. So much so, mid-journey, I went on to the WMR website and submitted some very positive feedback about her.

Up here, Scotrail (now in state ownership, however my rail journeys are so infrequent, I've never experience a bad journey under the previous private ownership) aren't so bad. My usual few destinations are Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Never had an issue.

 

[LuckyBenski]

Is there a Top Trumps set for British Locomotives?

There used to be one back in the late 70's, early 80

Yep, I had this as a kid - mid 90s but most likely second hand. Was my only Top Trumps set!

 

[arknor]

Well, it would have been nice to have been forewarned so that I could have brought some refreshments for the 3 hour ride.

isn't it common sense to atleast have a bottle of water or something.. maybe pick up some snacks like a normal person, ones who doesn't want to be held ransom to buying a twix for a fiver on a train


How many train stations don't have a M&S, a Tesco or whatever ?

 

[GGizmo]

Some trains look like they are falling apart..

https://twitter.com/x/status/1874778728792014996

 

[SexyGreyFox]

Over the last 3 years I've been using the train a lot going to different cities for a break.
Everyone has had a dolly trolly coming down the aisle.
My main gripe is every time we get on someone is sitting in our reserved seats and we have to remove them.
Just get in your own seat.

 

[EvilRob]

Used to take the London to Manchester line frequently, however since Avanti took over from Virgin this has reduced to never. Too unreliable.

 

[dlockers]

Over the last 3 years I've been using the train a lot going to different cities for a break.
Everyone has had a dolly trolly coming down the aisle.
My main gripe is every time we get on someone is sitting in our reserved seats and we have to remove them.
Just get in your own seat.

That's such an old person gripe tho. There is seat I will take it until ejected.