Virgin Voyager Coach VS MK3

[43021HST]

My Dad was travelling from Wrexham to Reading,firstly he caught the Wrexham and shropshire Train to Birmingham then the Voyager to Reading. He was talking to me and he said that he prefered MK3s because, more space, more comfortable, nice atmosphere, brings back memories and somewhere to put your luggage. Whilst the Voyager had none of these qualities. As he said it was like being in a bloody can of sardines ,they are not designed by railwayman but accountants.

I have traveled on one once and vowed never to travel on any again. I would rather take the longer route to birmingham but in comfort and dignity. (I,m going to take a beating now) also voyagers look considerably more ugly than a HST. But thats my opinion please dont take this in offence.

 

[37401]

i agree Voyagers (or as i call them vomiters) are so sh** compared to a Mk3 the Mk3 is quieter smoother and looks better plus if the journey is that long you can fall asleep on a Mk3, have you ever tried to sleep on a Voyager its awfull it rumbles vibrates causes too much noise its cramped and so on...

So ill go for the Mk3

but out of Mk3 Vs Mk1 or Mk2a.....

 

[generalvegitable]

the MK3 is obviously the more comfortable, it was designed in a day when travel was supposed to be comfortable and quick, unlike now when travel is for the masses, and feels like it should be, with no legroom, cheap feel and uncomfortable seats

 

[GNERman]

yeah mk 3's are comfier and of course no sound or vibrations from underneath...

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

i agree Voyagers (or as i call them vomiters) are so sh** compared to a Mk3 the Mk3 is quieter smoother and looks better plus if the journey is that long you can fall asleep on a Mk3, have you ever tried to sleep on a Voyager its awfull it rumbles vibrates causes too much noise its cramped and so on...

So ill go for the Mk3

For once I agree with you!

In short, Voyagers are ****, Mk3s are not.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I do like mk3s myself but I'm not fond of the seating used in the FGW refurbs, much prefer the old ones so comfy!

 

[Daimler]

I think you'll find very few who disagree - non-rail oriented newspaper columnists sing the praises of the Mk3 coach, and for good reason - its design is excellent - airy, spacious, versatile, smooth-riding, refined, almost silent air-con, etc...

Its only weakness for me is a slightly high window line.

 

[37401]

For once I agree with you!

Haha at last a truce!

 

[222001]

I'd prefer a MK3 over a Voyager but I'd prefer a Meridian over a MK3.

 

[37401]

I'd prefer a MK3 over a Voyager but I'd prefer a Meridian over a MK3.

i must say i do quite like the 222`s they are 10000x better than there other family members (221,220) the seats are nicer, theres more room and the sets are longer

 

[devon_metro]

I think you'll find very few who disagree - non-rail oriented newspaper columnists sing the praises of the Mk3 coach, and for good reason - its design is excellent - airy, spacious, versatile, smooth-riding, refined, almost silent air-con, etc...

Its only weakness for me is a slightly high window line.

High window line????

You've never been on a 153 then.

 

[CCF23]

I much prefer Mark 3's although i can't say i like the way FGW have refurbished their sets, Grand Central's and WSMR's are much nicer layout. Does anyone how the refurbished WSMR Mark 3's will be laid out, similar to the one's used at the moment or more like FGW's? Chris

 

[Aictos]

That's easy, the Mk3 wins every time for me but that's because I've never really used a MK1 or Mk2 on the mainline except of course at 25mph on the NVR.

With regards to the NXEC refurb HSTs, I find the lighting in the coaches to be too bright yet I've came across a trainee's guide to the HST from FGW and it shows on their HSTs that they have a light switch which controls how bright the lighting is.

So for me, I rather have the FGW HSTs over the Refurbished NXEC HSTs anyday, yet I do have to say that I quite like unrefurbished HSTs.

Grand Central and WSMR had the right idea with their rolling stock, rather have a MK3 then a 220/221 anyway of the week.

 

[WillPS]

From a documentary I watched, it seemed Grand Central wanted literally whatever they could get their hands on. They were close to a deal on the (then unused) Midland Mainline Meridians, but in the end MML took them on.

 

[SuperVoyager]

and as always... i am going to disagre with victorialine. MK3's are horrbile... seats are so up right, very uncomfy, doors are always opening and closing in the vesubles. much prefer the voyagers

 

[Pumbaa]

I prefer the Voyager over Mk3; more comfortable ride, airy and more "open" inside. I factor in where possible a trip on Voyagers/Meridians as often as possible, and enjoy travelling in them. I have learnt to block out the engine noise beneath me. As an aside, but I suppose a sign of a new generation of enthusiast, I prefer the sound of a Cummins QSK19 idling away underneath a Voyager to a Valenta roar from an HST.

*Runs and hides as quickly as he can*

 

[SuperVoyager]

I prefer the Voyager over Mk3; more comfortable ride, airy and more "open" inside. I factor in where possible a trip on Voyagers/Meridians as often as possible, and enjoy travelling in them. I have learnt to block out the engine noise beneath me. As an aside, but I suppose a sign of a new generation of enthusiast, I prefer the sound of a Cummins QSK19 idling away underneath a Voyager to a Valenta roar from an HST.

*Runs and hides as quickly as he can*

Coulden't Agree MORE!

 

[Daimler]

I much prefer Mark 3's although i can't say i like the way FGW have refurbished their sets, Grand Central's and WSMR's are much nicer layout. Does anyone how the refurbished WSMR Mark 3's will be laid out, similar to the one's used at the moment or more like FGW's? Chris

From what I can tell, they're going for something similar to that of Grand Central in standard class, with something similar to GNER in first...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixrYwMkTHII

Scroll through to around 3:50 - it's an amateur video but you can see what the seats'll be like - if you watch it all the way through it's got some other stuff on how the refurb is going on - looks smart! (note the Dyson Airblade in the toilet )

 

[asylumxl]

I like the sound of both equally.

As far as ride goes, Voyager/Meridians definitely smoother. I use sound isolating earphones so I don't hear any engine noise .

Use Meridians into London all the time, and love them, very comfortable. Done Derby and Nottingham on them too, and have no complaints of comfort then either.

 

[37401]

and as always... i am going to disagre with victorialine. MK3's are horrbile... seats are so up right, very uncomfy, doors are always opening and closing in the vesubles. much prefer the voyagers

A.The voyager doors open andclose alot too beacuse people are too heavy handed

B. im not the only one saying the Mk3 Is much better

c. go on a proper Mk3 not that Refurb FGW tis-was and youll find the seats are 1 million times more comfy i recomend the WSMR LHCS Mk3`s

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

A
c. go on a proper Mk3 not that Refurb FGW tis-was and youll find the seats are 1 million times more comfy i recomend the WSMR LHCS Mk3`s

Or EMT, Better than 67s and you may get 089, plus, those IC70 seats are SO comfy!

 

[WillPS]

A.The voyager doors open andclose alot too beacuse people are too heavy handed

B. im not the only one saying the Mk3 Is much better

c. go on a proper Mk3 not that Refurb FGW tis-was and youll find the seats are 1 million times more comfy i recomend the WSMR LHCS Mk3`s

Or EMT, Better than 67s and you may get 089, plus, those IC70 seats are SO comfy!

I personally do not like IC70 seats. At 6'3"+, they just aren't high enough to provide decent support. I get on fine with just about anything else (as long as it has enough padding, *cough* Central Trains' 158s), but Meridians are wonderful.

 

[SuperVoyager]

Can't say ive ever been on a Meridian.. But lots of good comments so id better try one out

 

[devon_metro]

and as always... i am going to disagre with victorialine. MK3's are horrbile... seats are so up right, very uncomfy, doors are always opening and closing in the vesubles. much prefer the voyagers

Seats upright???????????

It's a well known fact that Voyager seat pitch is much more upright than any seat fitted to a mk3.

 

[222001]

From a documentary I watched, it seemed Grand Central wanted literally whatever they could get their hands on. They were close to a deal on the (then unused) Midland Mainline Meridians, but in the end MML took them on.

I always thought that they wanted new build Meridians as MML had all the Meridians in service by 2006. Bombardier said the order would not be big enough to make it viable though.
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I prefer the sound of a Cummins QSK19 idling away underneath a Voyager to a Valenta roar from an HST.

*Runs and hides as quickly as he can*

Your not alone there! They can make some great noises. I like them accelerating away.

 

[37401]

Or EMT, Better than 67s and you may get 089, plus, those IC70 seats are SO comfy!

yeah i just ment ANY un-refurb Mk3 I would go for the HST
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Can't say ive ever been on a Meridian.. But lots of good comments so id better try one out

you must! the only member of the Voyager family i like is the 222 the seats are much better

 

[generalvegitable]

They can make some great noises.

what? like a Ford Transit? I reckon they sound like a broken Ford Transit Van

 

[Pumbaa]

you must! the only member of the Voyager family i like is the 222 the seats are much better

222s aren't part of the Voyager family They are Meridians, and 80% new train compared to the Voyagers

 

[37401]

222s aren't part of the Voyager family They are Meridians, and 80% new train compared to the Voyagers

i heard they were as its basicly the smae shape and uses the same engine, a search on google coughed this up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Voyager_family

 

[Pumbaa]

i heard they were as its basicly the smae shape and uses the same engine, a search on google coughed this up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Voyager_family

Well they're not - I'd trust the Manufacturer over Wikipedia anyday.

The prime differences between the two, just so you know for future reference, are the nose details, Meridians have far more complicated electronic and TMS systems that are hidden beneath the train rather than in it, they have an improved bogie from the 220 and the piping throughout the train is completely different to avoid the smelly toilet problem.

Hope that helps!