Comments on: Pendolino: Worse than Voyager http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/ RPGs. Trains, and bands that write 12 minute songs about Hobbits Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:04:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Lou http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-3367 Lou Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:58:05 +0000 http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-3367 I think these trains are great and a real advance in rail travel. I went on one again today, from Crewe to Birmingham and I am very impressed by how smooth these trains are. The train is wonderfully quiet with no nasty screeching brakes and loads of leg room - my Dad is 6ft 2 and he had a lot of space. The seats were very comfortable and I felt very happy sitting on this train. Well done to Richard Branson and the superb Pendolino! I think these trains are great and a real advance in rail travel. I went on one again today, from Crewe to Birmingham and I am very impressed by how smooth these trains are. The train is wonderfully quiet with no nasty screeching brakes and loads of leg room - my Dad is 6ft 2 and he had a lot of space. The seats were very comfortable and I felt very happy sitting on this train. Well done to Richard Branson and the superb Pendolino!

]]> By: Scotia http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-16 Scotia Fri, 09 Apr 2004 01:29:28 +0000 http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-16 I haven't been on a Pendolino so I can't comment on the ride/seats/windows, but I've had an idea about solving its lack of luggage space. The class 460 EMUs used by Gatwick Express have seven passenger cars plus another car that is designed solely to carry luggage. Wouldn't it be a good idea to convert one of the Pendolino cars in each set (or, to preserve the number of seats, add another) for that purpose? Of course, that would probably make too much sense to even get considered at Virgin HQ. :( As for the Voyagers... I too have had the misfortune of having to endure a "sardine special". In my case, it was standing for two and a half hours between Carlisle and Glasgow. This was on the 21st of March, and my legs still hurt. IMHO, I don't think they're bad trains, I just think that they're completely unsuitable for their current duties. They would be of more use on short to medium distance routes like those operated by 158s, 170s etc rather than the uber-long cross-country expeditions. I would replace the Voyagers on CrossCountry with new LHCS (Mark 5's, anyone?) hauled perhaps by Class 67s, as I understand there are quite a few of those spare just now. Of course, these trains would have plenty of seats AND luggage space. But I think that's enough of the fairy tales for one night... I haven’t been on a Pendolino so I can’t comment on the ride/seats/windows, but I’ve had an idea about solving its lack of luggage space. The class 460 EMUs used by Gatwick Express have seven passenger cars plus another car that is designed solely to carry luggage. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to convert one of the Pendolino cars in each set (or, to preserve the number of seats, add another) for that purpose? Of course, that would probably make too much sense to even get considered at Virgin HQ. :(
As for the Voyagers… I too have had the misfortune of having to endure a “sardine special”. In my case, it was standing for two and a half hours between Carlisle and Glasgow. This was on the 21st of March, and my legs still hurt.

IMHO, I don’t think they’re bad trains, I just think that they’re completely unsuitable for their current duties. They would be of more use on short to medium distance routes like those operated by 158s, 170s etc rather than the uber-long cross-country expeditions. I would replace the Voyagers on CrossCountry with new LHCS (Mark 5’s, anyone?) hauled perhaps by Class 67s, as I understand there are quite a few of those spare just now. Of course, these trains would have plenty of seats AND luggage space. But I think that’s enough of the fairy tales for one night…

]]> By: Simon Baddeley http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-15 Simon Baddeley Tue, 06 Apr 2004 14:12:10 +0000 http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-15 It's a relief to find others share my feelings about the Voyagers and now the Pendolinos. I need help with my efforts to complain about being asked to pay a £15 supplement on a VV. I am 61 by the way and 6'3'' tall. On 22 Feb 04 I finally took - in exhaustion and semi-despair - the last seat in Club Class on a Darlington to Birmingham Virgin Voyager that was so packed with people I suspect it would have failed EU tranport of livestock laws. I had reserved a seat a week before but not only was this taken the train manager said reservations were cancelled and he would not try to find me a seat. indeed so packed were the corridor spaces he couldn't have got out of Club Class. All others paid the supplement. i refused and persist in this. Have I any case? I am seeking help with appealing against the Revenue Protection Service who insist I pay. I can pay £15 but do not on principle feel I should. Any ideas? Sorry if you've read this already but I'm seeking advice. It’s a relief to find others share my feelings about the Voyagers and now the Pendolinos. I need help with my efforts to complain about being asked to pay a £15 supplement on a VV. I am 61 by the way and 6′3” tall. On 22 Feb 04 I finally took - in exhaustion and semi-despair - the last seat in Club Class on a Darlington to Birmingham Virgin Voyager that was so packed with people I suspect it would have failed EU tranport of livestock laws. I had reserved a seat a week before but not only was this taken the train manager said reservations were cancelled and he would not try to find me a seat. indeed so packed were the corridor spaces he couldn’t have got out of Club Class. All others paid the supplement. i refused and persist in this. Have I any case? I am seeking help with appealing against the Revenue Protection Service who insist I pay. I can pay £15 but do not on principle feel I should. Any ideas? Sorry if you’ve read this already but I’m seeking advice.

]]> By: cyganski http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-14 cyganski Mon, 29 Mar 2004 21:13:15 +0000 http://www.kalyr.com/weblog/2004/03/27/pendolino-worse-than-voyager/#comment-14 All part of Branston's plan to make rail like air. They'll be charging excess baggage soon. All part of Branston’s plan to make rail like air. They’ll be charging excess baggage soon.

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