Ozexpatriate Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 Mr Bachmann will probably be delighted at this. How different in appearance is the Hitachi AT300 from the Class 395? Mr. Hornby might be pleased too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakydoke Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 How different in appearance is the Hitachi AT300 from the Class 395? The Class 395 is also part of the AT300 family, but quite different from the SET trains ordered by the IEP and by FGW (being called AT300). The impression I had was that the only external similarity between the AT300 (otherwise known as SET or class 800 series) and the class 395 would be the end cabs and front profiles; but it appears they are quite different. Different windscreen shape, different lights in a different position, completely different windscreen wipers, slightly different nose profile, different shaped coupler doors and different deflector skirts/fairings. The class 395 also has those bulges on the lower nose side, that the 800 doesn't have. Altogether a different looking cab front. I must admit surprise as I'd only expected minor differences, such as the light units. The train vehicles are different in length, with the longer IEP and FGW ordered trains having 26 metre long vehicles, with an end vestibule door arrangement and tapered coach ends. I can't tell from photos if the windows are different sizes , but there are obviously more of them in the longer inter city trains. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I bet Hornby will still get the livery wrong..... ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfsup Posted September 3, 2015 Share Posted September 3, 2015 I bet Hornby will still get the livery wrong..... ! Shhhh. It might turn out better! Then again, it's not that difficult for Hornby to be confused - the Night Riviera and the HSTs both have the slanty Matt Band, but at opposite ends of the Mk3s to each other! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 4, 2015 Share Posted September 4, 2015 I know, I look after the NR. Who's idea was that..... ?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garry Morris Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Returning to the topic of livery. The new colour is functional rather than showy. It is cheap to maintain to a high standard and is a recognisable brand colour. It is designed specifically for its purpose. FGW are operating at or near full capacity and gaining further passengers through flashy livery applications will create problems of overcrowding.The company is trying to solve this overcrowding by buying bigger trains and creating more seats plus abolishing catering on the London route thus saving on a catering vehicle. They are unable to control numbers by economic means and put up fares so dumbing down is their chosen option. Plymouth and Cornwall have no motorway or airport to compete with mass travel. FGW have done their homework on this and long term they need to hold useage to manageable levels. Some London bound HSTs are pretty unbearable with overcrowding.The plain livery is entirely appropriate they don't have to sell themselves on livery. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakydoke Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 (edited) ...It is designed specifically for its purpose. FGW are operating at or near full capacity and gaining further passengers through flashy livery applications will create problems of overcrowding.... They are unable to control numbers by economic means and put up fares so dumbing down is their chosen option. FGW have done their homework on this and long term they need to hold useage to manageable levels... Ah! So the new livery is deliberately drab and uninspiring so as to put off or scare off potential passengers? What's next, an advertising campaign? "Don't take the train - it's a complete pain" "If you're going far - take the car" "The ages on the train" Edited September 5, 2015 by Oakydoke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Kazmierczak Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Returning to the topic of livery. The new colour is functional rather than showy. It is cheap to maintain to a high standard and is a recognisable brand colour. It is designed specifically for its purpose. FGW are operating at or near full capacity and gaining further passengers through flashy livery applications will create problems of overcrowding.The company is trying to solve this overcrowding by buying bigger trains and creating more seats plus abolishing catering on the London route thus saving on a catering vehicle. They are unable to control numbers by economic means and put up fares so dumbing down is their chosen option. Plymouth and Cornwall have no motorway or airport to compete with mass travel. FGW have done their homework on this and long term they need to hold useage to manageable levels. Some London bound HSTs are pretty unbearable with overcrowding.The plain livery is entirely appropriate they don't have to sell themselves on livery. Um, that's an "interesting" business plan..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 5, 2015 Share Posted September 5, 2015 Laughable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PenrithBeacon Posted September 7, 2015 Share Posted September 7, 2015 The new green seems to me to be an odd shade for a company that wishes to promote itself. It's also going to the very devil to get the exposure right for such fugitive colour! Regards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 To get sets in the right place for the franchise launch, sometime this weekend both Night Riviera sets are being swapped ecs. This presents the rare opportunity to photograph both sets passing each other in daylight. Keep an eye on Realtime trains..... . One set will be all green apart from b coach. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidB-AU Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 The new HST interiors look nice too. I was on 1C22 from Didcot to Taunton tonight. TRFB 40718 and TF 41116 have been refurbished and rebranded internally but not yet repainted. The blue lights are to make the power and USB outlets easy to find in the dark. Cheers David 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCML100 Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 To get sets in the right place for the franchise launch, sometime this weekend both Night Riviera sets are being swapped ecs. This presents the rare opportunity to photograph both sets passing each other in daylight. Keep an eye on Realtime trains..... . One set will be all green apart from b coach. any idea what day the night riviera is suppost to suppost to be swapping over? And what day is the launch? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted September 8, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 8, 2015 The new HST interiors look nice too. I was on 1C22 from Didcot to Taunton tonight. TRFB 40718 and TF 41116 have been refurbished and rebranded internally but not yet repainted. DSC_0386.JPG DSC_0387.JPG DSC_0383.JPG DSC_0377.JPG DSC_0378.JPG The blue lights are to make the power and USB outlets easy to find in the dark. Cheers David The only problem with them is the abysmal 'bus type layout of some of the seats which tends to make the area you are sitting in feel a bit claustrophobics. The seats themselves aren't too bad and the overall styling is quite pleasant I've found. However the worst part of the whole change is the ludicrous conversion of one of the 1sts into a compo which is a right nonsense as it doesn't fit with the markings on the platforms or announcements telling passengers that Standard Class is towards the rear/front! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium newbryford Posted September 8, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 8, 2015 DSC_0378.JPG The blue lights are to make the power and USB outlets easy to find in the dark. Cheers David In the dark? Surely the main interior lights would normally be on? I think it's just more "bling" than anything else. Cheers, Mick Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted September 8, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 8, 2015 (edited) In the dark? Surely the main interior lights would normally be on? I think it's just more "bling" than anything else. Cheers, Mick Just like the low level blue floor lights on some local upmarket bus services! Keith Edited September 8, 2015 by melmerby Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 any idea what day the night riviera is suppost to suppost to be swapping over? And what day is the launch? Believe Saturday but keep eye on sites such as Realtime. Engineering work in Cornwall Sunday. Franchise launch is 20 September. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glorious NSE Posted September 8, 2015 Share Posted September 8, 2015 In the dark? Surely the main interior lights would normally be on? I think it's just more "bling" than anything else. Everything looks cooler when you stick blue LEDs on it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Banger Blue Posted September 9, 2015 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 9, 2015 (edited) If anybody happens to be in Paddington on the 21st of this month, the Green HST, sleepers and the two Turbos are all going to be there. (Fully stickered up as well) Edited September 9, 2015 by Banger Blue Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatofludham Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 I wonder when Brian the Turbo (166201) gets his shiny new coat of green? (For those of you with a morbid dislike of Facebook, 166201 has it's own Facebook account under the name "Brian" to which people post photos of the unit. Harmless fun) 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Time for brass nameplate.... ! Thanks to engineering works, the passing of the Night Riviera sets in daylight will be happening at Old Oak. The Friday night down will now be going up ecs Saturday morning and the Sunday up will come down Sunday ecs to start the Night up at Plymouth. Confused.... . It's messed up the maintenance schedules big time what with the swapping and shunting. No sign of the first west unit in green yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
exet1095 Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Just stood next to 166204 in shiny and dull green on Oxford Station. The livery is definitely paint - 10 minutes after the train left and I can still smell it over the diesel fumes! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgman Posted September 9, 2015 Share Posted September 9, 2015 Time for brass nameplate.... ! Thanks to engineering works, the passing of the Night Riviera sets in daylight will be happening at Old Oak. The Friday night down will now be going up ecs Saturday morning and the Sunday up will come down Sunday ecs to start the Night up at Plymouth. Confused.... . It's messed up the maintenance schedules big time what with the swapping and shunting. No sign of the first west unit in green yet. Thanks for all the info, can I ask if you know an approx time through Exeter St.Davids please ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold big jim Posted September 9, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 9, 2015 Saw a couple of HST power cars freshly painted in the new green livery today in derby, they looked really nice 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chy Mengrowyn Paul Posted September 10, 2015 Share Posted September 10, 2015 Thanks for all the info, can I ask if you know an approx time through Exeter St.Davids please ? The latest info I have is Par around 1600 but strongly suggest checking Realtime Trains website or similar. Liable to change if staff not available ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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