Better and reliable yes but no more interesting is certainly contestable. Also I know I didn't quote it but I would regard voyagers much higher if they were longer because their cramped sardine tin nature is what makes me dread them, though luckily my travels on them are few and far between.
I think the Meridians prove that the only major problem with Voyagers is their length. I rarely see people complain about Meridians, apart from the usual "it's not an HST/ loco hauled set" comments, which apply to most post 2000 trains.
Yes the meridians are nice units to ride on actaully. The whole it's not a HST arguement really does me in if I'm honest but there we are.
Yeah, I meam tbh the hst is one of the most famous diesels so it makes sense that people say that for aforementioned reasons.
Cool shot! One day you should go to Derby rtc where they got like 10 in that livery. Next year for my Yorkshire holiday might take a detour to pass by the depot.
In keeping with the love for 37884 I perused my library to see if I had taken any shots of it. Sure enough it turns out I saw it back in 2016, when it was a guest at a St Phillips' Marsh open day.
Do you know what blows my mind?!? Over the past 3 weeks, I've been railfanning at my local station due to the fact that it's "rail tour" season on the great western mainline. I've watched everything go through from the pullman, to the flying Scotsman and it made me notice something. The locos, decades old, where running ahead of schedule (bar one rail tour on weekend just gone). The Scotsmen was even ahead of schedule. Not bad for a 100 year old kettle. And yet, I travel on the Elizabeth line daily and I can count on 1 hand when the XR has been on time since it opened. the unpopular opinion? Modern trains/rail companies are a bit turd
Oh my! I've just check RTT, and the Elizabeth Line seems to be doing fine at Ealing Broadway though...
Modern trains are far superior to older trains. In every sense but the aesthetic of them, but even that's subjective. However, as trains modernise and improve, timetables have to become tighter to what they are able to operate. Basically - modern TTs are far less lenient with how long it can take from Point A to B, to C, etc. That's why one delay has a huge knock-on effect.
Not really an improvement if one delay causes so many problems. It would make sense to still have a little extra time in the timetable to allow for such things.
The thing not being factored in here is the cushioning in the railtours timetables is much greater than that of a regular service, particularly on a line like the Elizabeth or Thameslink. If I had the cushioning that the railtours get I would never be late but sadly this just wouldn't work when your operating on a railway where in some areas trains are quite literally only a hand full of minutes away from each other. Modern trains are also not turd. As an enthusiast give me a Deltic, HST or 225 any day over an 80x but if I had to choose which was my favourite to work the 80xs win every day of the week: much, quicker comfier and reliable now they've settled in.
I'm gonna have to agree with matt#4801 here when I went on a Class 159 DMU they weren't the comfiest whereas I went to Swanage Railway in march and it was amazing! You could fall asleep in seats like that! (The steam engine makes that a bit harder though )
What train journey in the UK warrants that much food and silverware? They barely last longer than 5 hours!
*České dráhy enters the chat* I know not quite the same, but they have the best dining cars there are (in regular service)
Unpopular opinion(s) -Sprinters are extremely overrated - Desiros are much much better than electro stars - 800s are as iconic as 125s any day - The ECML is inferior to the Midland and West Coast Mainline - The Meridians are underrated
Sprinters aren't exactly overrated, unless it is anything but a 158. 185s are nice can't say they are better than electrostars though. I am based to those two because I work with 158s. and 185s are my local train. 800s are also nice. Their interior especially. Can't really comment on the other two as I have little to no experience with them.
I would actually have to travel on an electrostar to see the difference (of which I've never been near one), but from what I've seen of them 185s definitely look more comfortable.
