Hello, I wanted to suggest adding both the Virgin Pendolino and the Super Voyager to the already superb fleet we already have in TSW3. I understand Virgin Trains ended their services a few years ago due to the Pension Row. However, with the time period in which TSW3 could set, I would like to ask whether it would be possible to bring these Locomotives, which changed the British Railways Industry, to TSW3 in the future.
Either you meant the ECML and have got the wrong trains or you meant WCML but put the mrong letter. Personally I would much prefer the ECML which is the superior of the two!
ECML is just superior to the WCML no matter the era. It is faster, more reliable and has the better rolling stock.
ECML was in its prime with GNER newer than that it gradually gets worse or 80s 90s when the 91 was introduced would be great (I love the Intercity Swallow Livery) the Deltics were iconic too but I don't know when they were around, would love to see them though
Without going into it too deeply the 80xs have brought vast improvements with them and are a more standardised design. I prefer to have them over 225s which is something I would never have thought I would say. So yes 80xs are the best intercity trains in Britain in my opinion. I would much prefer to see the ECML in the 70s or 80s as it is when I remember it growing up as a child and young adult with the Deltics and Valentas bombing by. I started my railway career in the 80s as well so sadly never got to drive the Deltics but the 91s in swallow livery, bring it on as well. Like I say I would take ECML any era as it has formed a part of my life since I was born up to this very moment.
wow is it really that bad now. from my experience I have only ever been on 1 type of 80x train (for a ride) and that was with TPE which really suits the 802s and it was comfortable in standard class on my journey from Manchester-Liverpool and on another from York-Leeds overall a great train (maybe other operators are worse) so I really don't understand why everyone complains about it, the lighting isn't too bright, the ride quality is good on par with other trains I have been on but then again the fastest I have ever been on one is 100mph it might be worse at 125mph so yeah they are high quality trains from what I can tell and are much faster than its predecessors but I think comfort wise it is not as good, unfortunately in terms of fast trains I have only ever ridden with Cross Country, Transpennine Express and Grand Central so I couldn't tell you how comfortable an Intercity 225 is but it looks way better and the reviews support that so while I think the comfort isn't bad it is still a down grade and it doesn't compare at all with the 185 which appears to have the best first class and standard class seats in TPE.
I must agree with you here. The 80xs are a much smoother ride and from a staff members point of view better. A passenger point of view they are nice as well and as you say a lot of the things people complain about a not really problems. As I say from a staff and passenger view I prefer the 80xs but from a nostalgic point of view it is the 225s. Like I said the 80xs are the best intercity trains in operation in Britain and would love to see them on an ECML route nearly as much as Delics and HSTs!
I just feel like the ECML is losing its diversity in trains e.g Hull trains-802 TPE-802 LNER-800+801 Lumo-803
There is still a fair bit of variety and is standardisation really a bad thing from a business point of view?
the ecml is arguably more diverse than it was in the gner era (80xs, 91s, 700s, 387s, 717s then you go up north to the 331 and 2s the 185s, 802s, 385s, the sprinters) the ECML is more diverse, people made the same complaints when the deltics were being replaced by HSTs by saying they were going to take over the network, and people used to flame 91s before the mallard refurbishment. The only reason why 800 hate seems to be so big is because we are in the age of social media, give any railfan from the 70s or 90s social media, we would hear the same slander about hsts and class 91s
Don't forget the 180s as well! I also have seen a couple of 170s recently too. Yes I remember when I got my first railway job HSTs had been around for approximately the same amount of time the 80xs have now and the feeling towards them was very similar as to what the feeling for the 80xs is now. Thirty or maybe forty years from now the same process will happen when the 80xs are replaced.
ECML before in GNER had 91s, HSTs, 373s, 89s, FCC 365s, 313s, TPE 170s, 185s, Hull Trains 180s Grand Central 180s and HSTS
No they don't deserve it I quite like them I think the only reason people don't like them is nostalgia
Yeah I like the modern day fleet and I prefer it honestly but I think GNER was the best ECML operator and the 91s and HSTs really suited their livery well but I also think we need an early 2000s route and that would be perfect
Bring it on and remember the Blunt end of Class 91 was designed for Goods trains and sleepers. There's this article on Trackside classic on the Blunt end of Class 91
Hello, Yes, I apologise I meant the West Coast Mainline not the East Coast. Apologies again Thank You for correcting me, Anonymous
There seems to be a debacle here on whether an ECML route should be GNER or LNER (the modern one), but maybe they could use the dual timetables that GWML uses and then we could have Valenta HSTs and 373s, along with 800s in the other timetable — on the same route! That would be good.
I think, regarding the 80× criticism here, if you're a boss at LNER, Lumo, GWR - whatever company you want to talk about - it is absolutely the best option to standardise your fleet. It's easier than getting a bespoke design, and because of Hitachi's growing presence in Great Britain, maintenance can be done by the professionals at their own sites if needed. From the POV of a Train Sim World player, or a railfan in general, the HST/IC225 is far more interesting, and offers a totally different experience. I personally agree with the statement that <2010 ECML was better than the WCML in rolling stock terms, however now I don't. Although, soon AWC will have 80× trains as well... So enjoy it while it lasts. As for commuter stock - probably an even battle, today at least.
I think the 80xs both sound and loook nicer than both pendos and voyagers (obviously in diesel mode). They are definitely more comfy than xc voyagers soo I expect awcs are just as bad. I have never travelled on a pendo though but apparently they are very claustrophobic and stuffy which the 80xs aren’t!!!
XC Voyagers, now that's a memory... One time the AC failed in the toilet, so it was sending fumes of - well, we all know what - through the carriage. Anything to make it worse? Yep, it was warm as hell. It was about 2012/13 so I was 4/5, fortunately I hardly remember the stench! Did get a free crosscountry ticket of my dad's choice; used well to get me to Thomas Land down at Tamworth, as any child of that age should Where was I? Ah yes, coming off Memory Lane and onto the East Coast Mainline; I haven't had the luxury (or misfortune) of an 80× journey - yet. I did get onto a Pendolino in June '21 and I have to say, it was quite a pleasant ride, nice and quiet due to COVID as well. Wouldn't say they were stuffy or claustrophobic at all, factoring that in. Quite packed in but, nonetheless, quite comfortable. Been on the ECML a few times, mainly heading down to Berwick (but also done it to Newcastle once) on XC. Apart from the aforementioned trip from hell, the XC Voyagers aren't all that bad. Went on VTEC once, not a clue what train it was though. TPE will always be the G.O.A.T., stuff the E/WCML
Every time I’ve been on a voyager it has been crowded and I always seem to end up sitting next to a ‘village idiot’ sort of character (you know the type!) and couldn’t say I’ve ever had a good voyager trip!!! Even before the awc days when I travel from London to Scotland after work once a month ( don’t worry I don’t live in London ) I always make sure I go on the ECML and then the Scotrail service to wherever as it is just a much nicer trip and is quicker!!! In regards to TPE they are good trains to be on if they turn up!!!
