End of Volo TV on FGW HSTs?

[Peter Mugridge]

That was my only use of it too. And even with the map you had to keep hitting the "zoom in" button every few seconds, as it kept automatically zooming out again by default.

That's because it's in "free" rather than "paid" mode now; the software has no way of knowing if it's still being watched so it goes back to menu after what is supposed to be 2 minutes but I think it's more like 90 seconds. It could be fixed to stay on, but Volo would have to pay for the software change and there is no point in them doing that at this stage of the proceedings.

 

[Flamingo]

Think the new 1st class interiors on the HSTs feature USB ports on each table.

Yes. And three-pin sockets at an angle so they allow the bottom of a charger to be accessed.

 

[jon0844]

Think the new 1st class interiors on the HSTs feature USB ports on each table.

Damn, these new GWR refurbs just keep on getting better and better.

Are they the original Victorian USB ports I wonder?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Yes. And three-pin sockets at an angle so they allow the bottom of a charger to be accessed.

Damn, these new GWR refurbs just keep on getting better and better.

Are they the original Victorian USB ports I wonder?

Only going off the images, but these interiors that FGW are fitting do look superb, I though the current one was excellent but this takes the biscuit. Wish they operated XC so we could travel on one to Cornwall for our summer holiday P.S. One for Flamingo, have you worked a HST with the new interior yet and if so what is your opinion, are they as nice as they look?

 

[Flamingo]

Haven't seen one yet. The ones with six standard class carriages are a bit more relaxing to work, although the front is still empty!

 

[455driver]

Haven't seen one yet. The ones with six standard class carriages are a bit more relaxing to work, although the front is still empty!

Are the Reading commuters finally travelling in Standard or are they still trying it on in First?

 

[Flamingo]

What do you think?

 

[455driver]

No change then!

 

[LexyBoy]

The best thing about the refurb is that the converted coaches have retained the FC lighting so us plebs can have a journey without our eyeballs exploding. (Maybe I shouldn't have said that, it could have been an oversight!)

Only going off the images, but these interiors that FGW are fitting do look superb, I though the current one was excellent but this takes the biscuit. Wish they operated XC so we could travel on one to Cornwall for our summer holiday

You could always change at Bristol (or Taunton). Or go via London, with XC's prices it can be cheaper!

Haven't seen one yet. The ones with six standard class carriages are a bit more relaxing to work, although the front is still empty!

Why more relaxing? We all know that every single passenger uses coach F

 

[CC 72100]

Why more relaxing? We all know that every single passenger uses coach F

Coach F is the new Coach E - Coach E is soooo 2013.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Is standard class going to get a makeover or is it just first class?

 

[LexyBoy]

Just First AFAIK - something to make it a positive news story for FC passengers rather than "we're halving the amount of seats in First". The newly converted coaches are very close to the original (except for the improved lighting and tables). It's only four years before IEP replaces the HSTs on most routes anyway of course.

 

[Flamingo]

Just first - Std is getting an extra carriage per train!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Coach F is the new Coach E - Coach E is soooo 2013.

That I like! (In fact, I'm stealing it)

 

[TEW]

Standard also gets an increase in the number of tables with the new coaches. The newly converted coaches have 8 tables in them.

 

[Flamingo]

Standard also gets an increase in the number of tables with the new coaches. The newly converted coaches have 8 tables in them.

I was thinking of this the other day going from Reading to London. I had two of the new carriages with the extra tables as E and F. The train was moderately full. Between both carriages with all the extra table seats, there was three tables with two people at them, all the other tables had one person at each of them. I was thinking we'd be better off with the extra seats (which I was under the impression was the whole point of the exercise!).

 

[CC 72100]

That I like! (In fact, I'm stealing it)

To be honest, I had you in mind when I thought of it

 

[Flamingo]

To be honest, I had you in mind when I thought of it

Why thank you!

 

[CC 72100]

Haven't seen one yet. The ones with six standard class carriages are a bit more relaxing to work, although the front is still empty!

The conversions are leading to a few 'odd' sets down here in the south west at the moment - I've noticed a much higher proportion than usual of High-density, 'micro buffet' sets over the past couple of days, have seen the odd 2+7 (4 STD / 3 First) and a higher than normal proportion of sets the wrong way round (First class at the Penzance end).

Have just observed the 16:06 Pad - Penzance go past, not only was it a set with a micro-buffet (that train which I've done numerous time is normally one with a 'proper' buffet), coach L seemed to be a standard class coach, or at least it had no yellow line. I've seen once or twice first class vehicles in them middle of standard class, but never the other way round.

 

[Flamingo]

We've been told that they will be all over the place until next summer...

 

[CC 72100]

We've been told that they will be all over the place until next summer...

Thinking about it, I've also seen one Micro-buffet set which was 7 STD / 1 first.

Apart from that, I don't think anything down here in Devon has changed massively in the year I've been away

 

[sd0733]

Have just observed the 16:06 Pad - Penzance go past, not only was it a set with a micro-buffet (that train which I've done numerous time is normally one with a 'proper' buffet), coach L seemed to be a standard class coach, or at least it had no yellow line. I've seen once or twice first class vehicles in them middle of standard class, but never the other way round.

Yes you were correct in your sighting, I saw that train at Par, at the North end is 1 First Class coach, then 42574 running as coach L even with the pink coach stickers by the door, then a micro Buffet.

 

[CC 72100]

Yes you were correct in your sighting, I saw that train at Par, at the North end is 1 First Class coach, then 42574 running as coach L even with the pink coach stickers by the door, then a micro Buffet.

Unlucky if you were reserved in L today then! (Not that FGW's standard accommodation is bad, but there's a noticeable difference between first and second!)

 

[TEW]

Have just observed the 16:06 Pad - Penzance go past, not only was it a set with a micro-buffet (that train which I've done numerous time is normally one with a 'proper' buffet), coach L seemed to be a standard class coach, or at least it had no yellow line. I've seen once or twice first class vehicles in them middle of standard class, but never the other way round.

The 1606 London Paddington-Penzance was booked to be a set with a Micro Buffet for a while. I'm not sure if it still is.

 

[IanXC]

Volo has definitely gone on the sleeper..

 

[CC 72100]

Just seen one go past with the coach order going "C,E,D,F"

 

[jon0844]

Seems odd to get rid of them on the sleeper, as I'd assume it could have been a value add feature (i.e. giving access to content for free, included within the ticket price).

Or at least keep the screen and add a system to allow you to connect your own phone/tablet/laptop/DVD player or whatever. Simple HDMI/phono connections would suffice, as well as USB slot to read files that way, and charge your phone.

 

[IanXC]

Seems odd to get rid of them on the sleeper, as I'd assume it could have been a value add feature (i.e. giving access to content for free, included within the ticket price).

I think it always was free on the sleeper, certainly was when I used it about 2 years ago.

 

[DarloRich]

Good riddance - the service was crap. Some of you are easily amused if a speedo and poorly drawn moving map are classed as "fun".

AND they made the carriage like an oven!

 

[jon0844]

Surely LCD panels don't generate that much heat?

 

[LexyBoy]

Volo has definitely gone on the sleeper..

Grrr... Volo was supposedly the reason I couldn't book a twin berth (the only cabin left was solo and I couldn't understand why it couldn't just be set up to whatever tickets were sold).

Surely LCD panels don't generate that much heat?

These ones do! The top of the screen can be very hot to the touch. (Though "oven" is a bit far... carriage D is often noticeably warmer though).

I assume each unit has a thin client computer which will also be generating heat, plus the server on the luggage rack. 20 watts per console plus 400 for the server would be chucking out 2 kW.