Pendolino 390 033.

[G6 UXU]

Does anyone know the latest on the situation with Pendolino 390 033 City of Glasgow, IE when will she be back running, or will she never run again ? All the best Chris.

[pavorossi]

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the carriages ivolved are going for scrap, although I'm not sure where I read it though.

Adam

[G6 UXU]

Thanks Adam, I have asked some of the Virgin staff at Lancaster and they are of the same thoughts, But I bet someone on here can come up with the answer, thanks again and all the best. Chris.

[GBRf_66709]

I read somewhere that only some vehicles to 390033 are unlikely to be repaired and end up being scrapped, the rest being rebuilt having suffered less damage to the overs.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks Craig, that`s good news. The reason I requested the info is I am having a trip on every Pendolino and when I have done all 53 I will be donating £53 to charity, I am up to 29 at the moment. Thanks again. Chris.

[hstudent]

What's actually happening in the mean time? Are Virgin using an older train to replace it or do they have a spare pendulino and don't need a replacement unless there's a problem with another train?

[G6 UXU]

The latest info I have is, two coaches are being scrapped and the other seven are apparently OK and they are going to put it back on the rails but I don`t know when, hstudent, I think they are making do with the 52 sets they have and I have`nt heard of them leasing anything to replace 033.

Chris.

[GBRf_66709]

What's actually happening in the mean time? Are Virgin using an older train to replace it or do they have a spare pendulino and don't need a replacement unless there's a problem with another train?

The latest info I have is, two coaches are being scrapped and the other seven are apparently OK and they are going to put it back on the rails but I don`t know when, hstudent, I think they are making do with the 52 sets they have and I have`nt heard of them leasing anything to replace 033.

Chris.

Virgin are hiring an EWS 90 + MK3 + DVT set. The 90 + MK3 + DVT set is usually used during the week and one working I know of is the 16.51 Euston - Birmingham New Street.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks Craig, we are getting there slowly but surely.

Chris.

[222007]

the 4 front coaches are said to be unrepairable

[G6 UXU]

Thanks 222007, between us we are narrowing it down nicely, all the best Chris.

[G6 UXU]

I have been talking with the staff on Lancaster station today 18/09/07 and they are of the opinion that 033 will not run again from what they have heard on the grapevine.

Chris.

[David A Hicks]

Whilst on the other side of the country Hull Trains are in the same scenario. Will this mean Virgin have to change their plans for the revamped 2008 timetable? I would have guessed that this would have meant at least one Pendolino on spare duties meaning Virgin relying on the rest for the job.

[G6 UXU]

More than likely David, that will be the case.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

Today Mon 24/09/07 I managed to have a trip on my 43rd Pendolino only nine to go, all the best Chris.

[G6 UXU]

On Wednesday 03/10/07 I did my 50th trip on my 50th Pendolino, just two more to go and then I can have a rest, it`s hard chasing the last ones.

Chris.

[Dave.]

I've heard that some of the carriges are write-offs, and will be scrapped, or stripped for spares.
New carriges to make up a full set will not be built due to cost, and the remaining cars will be used when needed.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks a lot Dave much appreciated.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

I am waiting for my last Pendlino to come out of the workshop at Polmadie namely 390 002 it has been in there since Sat 06/10/07 so I can have a run on it and then hang my gloves up and tally up the charity money I have made. Here`s hoping.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

I have just got back from Lancaster where I finally got 390 002 and went down to Preston on it, that completes the remaining 52 Pendolino`s, I have had a run on all of them now, I will now send £52.00 to the Macmillan Nurses at the cancer hospice in Blackburn. I have enjoyed doing this and it has taken me almost six weeks. Not bad to say I could not get on a train or bus or car at the beginning of this year due to panic attacks, and this is my way of saying thanks. I would like to thank Ian, Debra and Bob at Lancaster station for their help and support.

Chris.

[pavorossi]

That's a touching and inspirational story Chris, congratulations!

Adam

[swisstrains]

Great achievement.........Well done Chris.

[Trev]

Congratulations Chris. :)

Will you be letting Mr Branson know of your achievement?

[John H-T]

Fantastic Chris ...... well done!

Best wishes,

John H-T.

[G6 UXU]

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I have enjoyed doing it so much I am thinking of doing the Voyagers next before they dissappear from the WCML. I have done quite a few already. No Trev I have`nt mentioned it to Sir Richard, he will have enough to do without me troubling him. Have a good day.

Chris.

[John H-T]

Don't underestimate yourself Chris, I think it is the sort of thing Sir Richard would want to hear about!

[G6 UXU]

Thanks again John, I will get the money to the Hospice on Monday and see how I feel about telling Virgin about it later. I Thank you all for your support.

Chris.

[46235]

While I was driving my little lorry on the M6 going south from Spaghetti Junction I spotted an Allelly low loader on what I think is the A47 by the old Alstrom plant at Washwood Heath. On it was a Pendelino Driving Car ( forgive me I dont know the proper terminology for these things). It was numbered 390 033 and had a first class logo on the side and heading south as if going for the M6 or A38. I hope this helps in your search. Mike.

[G6 UXU]

Thank you very much Mike for that info, I wonder where it was heading, I hope, not to a scrapyard. Does anyone else know anymore details ? thanks.

Chris.

[Dave.]

I know that no vehicles will be scrapped until the inquest is complete. I should think that won't be for some time.
It was perhaps just moving to secure storage somewhere.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks a lot Dave your info is much appreciated.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

Hello everyone, I have just got back from the Hospice where I gave my cheque for £52.00 to the Macmillan Nurses and got a receipt. They where so gratefull that I have decided to have a trip on as many Voyagers as I can before they disappear from Virgin Trains and the WCML, I have already got a few in the bag. All the best and thanks.

Chris.

[pavorossi]

Good luck Chris!

Adam

[swisstrains]

Good luck Chris!

Adam

I'll second that.
Please keep us informed of your progress.

[Trev]

Best of luck Chris!

[David A Hicks]

Have fun on all those voyagers. I still have come to grips with the fact that our network is having a huge change in less than a months time. The latest press release on VTMedia Room shows that VTXC have achieved their best performace yet:

http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=1075

[G6 UXU]

Good evening all, had to go for my flu jab on Monday and went Voyager hunting on Tuesday and came home early feeling rotten and felt the same ever since, so, it`s going to be next week now before I can give it my best effort to get a few more trips done. Thanks again for your support gentlemen.

Chris.

[swisstrains]

I assume it's the flu jab that's made you feel rotten Chris. Although it's not very pleasant I suppose it's better than catching the real thing during the Winter. Hope you're feeling fit enough to "Voyage" soon.:)

[Dave.]

Good luck Chris!

[G6 UXU]

Cheers John / Dave, I will be out on Monday at Preston early and get my tickets for Lancaster and Wigan return then I dont miss anything going North or South. Thanks.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

Evening all, I am calling it a day after Voyager bashing for another week, it`s getting too cold for me now standing about on stations all day and here is what I managed to do over an eight week period in between the Pendo bashing. 220 Voyagers = 16 sets. 221 Super Voyagers = 40 sets making a total of £56.00 for the Hospice and a total of £108.00 overall. Many thanks to everyone for your encouragement and support and special thanks to the staff at Lancaster station.

Chris.

[David A Hicks]

Well done Chris. Great that you made a good amount of money for the Hospice and had a great railway adventure at the same time. And also not forgetting that you have been on some of the final ever Virgin XC services. ;)

[swisstrains]

Well done Chris.
Your efforts have helped a really good cause and now you deserve a well-earned break. The forum's proud of you mate:)

[Trev]

Yep, well done Chris! You deserve a medal! :)

[pavorossi]

Congratulations Chris.

Adam

[G6 UXU]

Thanks everyone, I have just got back from the Hospice and I said that I would do something else for them next Spring when it warms up a bit. Tomorrow I am off up to Scotland for a couple of days visiting my mate Bill and his mum, I am driving up and will call at Carlisle Citadel on the way up. Thank you again for your support.

Chris.

[Dave.]

Well done!

[G6 UXU]

Cheers Dave.

Chris.

[G6 UXU]

Good evening everyone, I have been speaking to the staff at the Hospice and I have promised to do something else for them next Spring. But, up to press I can`t think of anything. I have done all the Pendolino`s and 56 of the Voyagers + 29 of the 185s.

Has anyone any Idea what I can do ?

Many thanks and all the best, Chris.

[Dave.]

Spot all the 66's?

Or ride all the HST's?

But I suppose for both you'n need to do a lot of travelling.

[David A Hicks]

Adding to Dave's point, you have been on a lot of 21st Century traction, so perhaps you could look at more classic stock like HSTs. Or if you like travelling during the early hours of the morning :D why not go on a couple of sleeper services for some loco hauled action.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks a lot Dave and David, a few rides on the HSTs sounds good. I will probably have a week away to get them so where would be the best place to go because I don`t know where they operate out of. The ones I know of are the GNER on the ECML. Also I would need short journeys, IE stations not too far apart. Thanks again gentlemen, all the best.

Chris.

[Foghut]

Thanks a lot Dave and David, a few rides on the HSTs sounds good. I will probably have a week away to get them so where would be the best place to go because I don`t know where they operate out of. The ones I know of are the GNER on the ECML. Also I would need short journeys, IE stations not too far apart.
London may well be the place I'm afraid as you have;

* Kings X for Grand Central
* Paddington for First Great Western
* St Pancras for what used to be Midland Mainline

I'm not sure how you're gonna get a ride on the Network Rail banana, maybe if you tell Serco what you're up to and ask them for a cabride.

[swisstrains]

........................I'm not sure how you're gonna get a ride on the Network Rail banana, maybe if you tell Serco what you're up to and ask them for a cabride.

Now that's a good idea.
It goes through Preston regularly and you could get a return trip to Glasgow.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks John and Foghut, I think I will give the HSTs a go. Like John says the Network Rail banana goes through Preston on a regular basis. Have you any idea Foghut who I need to ask at Serco ? A week down in London sounds good, I will do some research on how to do has many has possible without travelling too far on each one.

Thanks again for your help. All the best.

Chris.

[shiny]

I work within the railway industry and have dealings with Serco on a regular basis , so I will have a chat with their standards team and tell them of your proposed charity HST hunt and I will see if they can play ball. All railway companies love a bit of positive PR so you may be in with a chance of a ride on the bannana, well no harm asking .

[G6 UXU]

Thanks a lot Shiny, If you can manage to do that it will kickstart the project for me which I hope to start next Spring.

Thanks again and all the best.

Chris.

[John_142]

With regards to 390 033 i tghink i have seen the carrage or the name plate transfered onto another one as the name rings a bell!

[G6 UXU]

Could anyone please tell me if the HSTs go from Cardiff to Newport and vice versa, If they do it would be ideal for me because I could do quite a few in the day. Also are there any hotels close to either of the stations where I could stay ? Many thanks and all the best.

[pavorossi]

I don't know about the HSTs, but there is a Tarvel Lodge in Cardiff, which is apparently 3 minutes walk from the station.

[David A Hicks]

Yes there are HSTs between Cardiff and Newport, they work both Cardiff terminating and Swansea to London services.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks Adam and Dave, I think I will have an early start next year and then in the Spring I will go to London and do some from there up the ECML. The travel lodge in Cardiff sounds just fine Dave.

Thanks again.

[pavorossi]

No problem Chris, I always like to be useful when I can.

[Dave.]

The cars have been moved to Long Marston for store. Virgin have said something along the lines of four cars will need rebuilding, but this will not happen unless the DfT allow the extra cars anyway.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks a lot Dave, I would love 033 to be put back on the rails then I can truly say I have had a run on every one. All the best.

[G6 UXU]

I will be off to Cardiff in the next couple of weeks to start my HST bashing. This time I have got the family to sponsor me. I am looking forward to it and hope it will be a bit warmer than it is now. All the best.

[swisstrains]

Good luck with your challenge Chris:)
Did you look into the possibility of a ride on the Network Rail NMT?

[G6 UXU]

Thanks John, I am looking forward to it. I have not heard from Shiny yet about the possibility of going on the NMT but I hope to do so soon, I hope he has not forgotten. Later in the Summer I will be going to London to do some more, I am hoping one of my son`s will come down with me. Thanks again John.

[David A Hicks]

Later in the Summer I will be going to London to do some more

Good idea Chris. Probrably the best place to travel around. I went down to London a few weeks ago to do a transport project for my transport and business management course I am doing. So many places to look around, and you can get a travelcard for only 6 pounds (off peak) and go on all trains, trams and buses around.

[G6 UXU]

Sounds good that David, I did`nt know that it only cost £6 for a travel card so that should save me a bob or two. Many thanks for the info David and good luck with your course.

[hairyhandedfool]

The rate of fares increase in London is astonishing, so go before they change again at new year. When I was down there a couple of years ago, 2005, the single fare from Blackfriars to Kings cross on Thameslink was £1.70, the London Underground fare was £2. Now the FCC fare is £1.90, whereas the LUL fare is £4.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks for that, the more I can save on tickets the more I can give to charity, I will let everyone know which one later on. All the best Chris.

[speysidetommy]

the leadind car 390033 is beyond economical repair.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks Tommy, I keep wondering if it will ever be returned to the rails, but one never knows.

[IEP HST2]

Will 390033 come back inton passanger services?

[Dave.]

No. The cars are to be used for spares, crew training and scrap.

[G6 UXU]

Thanks for the info Dave, that means that I wont complete my objective of having a ride on every one now, but we tried. All the best.

[Deathbyteacup]

Thanks for the info Dave, that means that I wont complete my objective of having a ride on every one now, but we tried. All the best.

I think you still technically completed your mission since you rode every machine in service. :)

Every class has a "spare parts" unit or a written off unit at some point, so I'd call it a mission complete.

A great achevement anyway, you have my respect for it. :D

[G6 UXU]

Thank you very much Danny, I really do appreciate your kind words. All the best.

[G6 UXU]

Update on my class 43 bashing, I have only managed to do eight this year and I will resume in the Spring of 2009. With one thing and another I have not had much time this year, but it is eight less for next year. All the best.

[David A Hicks]

I think whats makes travelling on the network so interesting these days is that everything seems to constantly change. Next thing you know we will have a load of XC HST's refurbished to bash too :D , plus all these open access operations.