GaryBrown156
Member
- Joined
- 28 Apr 2015
- Messages
- 67
Moderator note: Split from Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/scotrail-hst-introduction-updates-discussion.137911
Yesterday I had my first ever trip on a ScotRail HST (the delayed 17.48 from Stirling to Glasgow Queen Street). I have been hearing mixed views about the HST's (some love them, some think they where a big mistake) but as I had never travelled on a ScotRail HST I wanted to try for myself before judging. I was traveling with a relative who is a non rail enthusiast so it was good to get the views of "the ordinary punter".
When the train approached the station the first thing my relative said was "thats a really old looking train". The fact that it didn't have a front destination display also caused some confusion as to whether or not it was the Glasgow or Edinburgh train as we had missed the previous one due a combination sitting in the waiting room and an incorrect tannoy announcement.
Boarding the train was not the most user friendly experience (especially for those with limited mobility), the entrance is not level as is the case on all other ScotRail trains and my relative required assistance to board, I myself also nearly slipped on the "half step" into the carrage.
Onboard, the train was spotless clean and the refurb is pretty decent, however as a person who suffers from severe anxiety I did find the high backed airline seats rather claustrophobic so we opted for a table seat (there aren't many of t
hese and it may be difficult to get one on busier services post pandemic), the toilet facilities where also spotless clean and up to modern standards.
Upon arriving at Queen Street my relative also had similar difficulties alighting so again required assistance.
As we walked down the platform we couldn't help but notice that the train was absolutely filthy (whoever decided to paint the carrages light grey definitely made a poor choice as it really shows the dirt and does the train no favours). Our final experience of the HST before leaving the station was choking on the strong diesel fumes when passing the power car. We are used to travelling on Class 156 and 170 DMU's and strong fumes have never been an issue. I don't know if this particular pc had a fault or this is common on HST's but it was extremely unpleasant (especially for someone with asthma).
So to sum up, our impressions of the HST where a mixed bag. Not by any means the worst train i have ever travelled on but it certainly felt like a 50 year old train which had been "tarted up" as opposed to a new train and wasn't up to the same standard as any other class of train in the ScotRail fleet.
Other than a speed advantage it doesn't offer any improvement over its predecessor (The class 170) in terms of comfort or for people with visible or hidden disabilities.
I am now firmly of the view that a double Class 170, another class of DMU such as double 185's (had they been available for lease), or 6 car 158's would have been a better stop-gap choice until new purpose built trains could be procured.
Yesterday I had my first ever trip on a ScotRail HST (the delayed 17.48 from Stirling to Glasgow Queen Street). I have been hearing mixed views about the HST's (some love them, some think they where a big mistake) but as I had never travelled on a ScotRail HST I wanted to try for myself before judging. I was traveling with a relative who is a non rail enthusiast so it was good to get the views of "the ordinary punter".
When the train approached the station the first thing my relative said was "thats a really old looking train". The fact that it didn't have a front destination display also caused some confusion as to whether or not it was the Glasgow or Edinburgh train as we had missed the previous one due a combination sitting in the waiting room and an incorrect tannoy announcement.
Boarding the train was not the most user friendly experience (especially for those with limited mobility), the entrance is not level as is the case on all other ScotRail trains and my relative required assistance to board, I myself also nearly slipped on the "half step" into the carrage.
Onboard, the train was spotless clean and the refurb is pretty decent, however as a person who suffers from severe anxiety I did find the high backed airline seats rather claustrophobic so we opted for a table seat (there aren't many of t
hese and it may be difficult to get one on busier services post pandemic), the toilet facilities where also spotless clean and up to modern standards.
Upon arriving at Queen Street my relative also had similar difficulties alighting so again required assistance.
As we walked down the platform we couldn't help but notice that the train was absolutely filthy (whoever decided to paint the carrages light grey definitely made a poor choice as it really shows the dirt and does the train no favours). Our final experience of the HST before leaving the station was choking on the strong diesel fumes when passing the power car. We are used to travelling on Class 156 and 170 DMU's and strong fumes have never been an issue. I don't know if this particular pc had a fault or this is common on HST's but it was extremely unpleasant (especially for someone with asthma).
So to sum up, our impressions of the HST where a mixed bag. Not by any means the worst train i have ever travelled on but it certainly felt like a 50 year old train which had been "tarted up" as opposed to a new train and wasn't up to the same standard as any other class of train in the ScotRail fleet.
Other than a speed advantage it doesn't offer any improvement over its predecessor (The class 170) in terms of comfort or for people with visible or hidden disabilities.
I am now firmly of the view that a double Class 170, another class of DMU such as double 185's (had they been available for lease), or 6 car 158's would have been a better stop-gap choice until new purpose built trains could be procured.
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