using laptops on cross country trains.

jamesbrownontheroad

_ollie_ wrote: »

Don't count on it, HST's are rarely used by CrossCountry and they don't have many of them. However they are used on the route you are travelling so you may get lucky.

This information may not be up to date and can always change depending on operational issues, but the 125 Group have "diagrams" listing which of XC's services are served by the four refurbished HST trains currently in service. They refurbished five but they're more expensive to run so one is laid up or on hire elsewhere at the moment.

http://www.125group.org.uk/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=30

The diagrams feature scheduled departure times, 'headcodes' that identify the service and station names that use NR's three letter codes (key on page 2). So, for instance:

XC801 1V44 0600 LDS-PLY, 1S51 1223 PLY-GLC, 5S51 22+40 GLC-EC.

...means that on a weekday, one of the trains operates the 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth, the 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central and the 22:40 empty stock movement from Glasgow Central back to Edinburgh Craigentinny Depot.

I prefer them for comfort and space over the Voyagers, but with the new seats (which are quite upright) it's a matter of preference. Both the Voyagers and the HSTs have power plugs.

incubus72

jamesbrownontheroad wrote: »

This information may not be up to date and can always change depending on operational issues, but the 125 Group have "diagrams" listing which of XC's services are served by the four refurbished HST trains currently in service. They refurbished five but they're more expensive to run so one is laid up or on hire elsewhere at the moment.

http://www.125group.org.uk/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=30

The diagrams feature scheduled departure times, 'headcodes' that identify the service and station names that use NR's three letter codes (key on page 2). So, for instance:



...means that on a weekday, one of the trains operates the 06:00 Leeds - Plymouth, the 12:23 Plymouth - Glasgow Central and the 22:40 empty stock movement from Glasgow Central back to Edinburgh Craigentinny Depot.

I prefer them for comfort and space over the Voyagers, but with the new seats (which are quite upright) it's a matter of preference. Both the Voyagers and the HSTs have power plugs.

Thanks for the information it looks like I will be on a voyager rather than an H.S.T,hopefully I will be able to get some sort of reception with the mobile broadband. I know that Virgin Trains have wi-fi available on their services but they charge a ridiculous amount to use them,I don't think that Cross Country provide a wi-fi service so i'm hoping the mobile broadband dongle will do the trick, It's handy to know that both the voyagers and H.S.T's have power points,at least I will be occupied for the journey

incubus72

incubus72 wrote: »

Thanks for the information it looks like I will be on a voyager rather than an H.S.T,hopefully I will be able to get some sort of reception with the mobile broadband. I know that Virgin Trains have wi-fi available on their services but they charge a ridiculous amount to use them,I don't think that Cross Country provide a wi-fi service so i'm hoping the mobile broadband dongle will do the trick, It's handy to know that both the voyagers and H.S.T's have power points,at least I will be occupied for the journey

Correction ..According to that the 13.07 EDB-PLY service is an H.S.T but only on a friday so looks like it is a voyager after all.

yorkie2

The diagrams can change, but it really doesn't matter if you get a HST or a Voyager, other than HSTs have a lot more seats! Bear in mind only window seats have sockets, and some trains can be extremely busy.

If you book online using the XC site, it does give you the opportunity to view a seating plan and pick a seat of your choice to reserve. Alternatively go to your local station and ask for a window seat.

Note that reservations are not guaranteed as the reservation system on Voyagers does occasionally fail, then it's a free-for-all. If you don't get a decent seat from Edinburgh you can always move seats at a later point as passengers get off.

Livingthedream

yorkie2 wrote: »

If you book online using the XC site, it does give you the opportunity to view a seating plan and pick a seat of your choice to reserve. Alternatively go to your local station and ask for a window seat.

IIRC XC booking engine doesn't give you a seating plan but a lot of tick/drop down options for your reservation, which is the same as any other online ticket retailer.

yorkie2 wrote: »

Note that reservations are not guaranteed as the reservation system on Voyagers does occasionally fail, then it's a free-for-all. If you don't get a decent seat from Edinburgh you can always move seats at a later point as passengers get off.

This is the same for Virgin Voyagers as well as XC Voyagers, but its entertaining watching the agruments and then the train manager trying to sort it all out.

yorkie2

Livingthedream wrote: »

IIRC XC booking engine doesn't give you a seating plan but a lot of tick/drop down options for your reservation, which is the same as any other online ticket retailer.

They upgraded it recently, see this post.

Livingthedream

yorkie2 wrote: »

They upgraded it recently, see this post.

Nice link, you learn something new everyday.

Its a shame other train companies don't do the same, as the amount of people I see walking up and down a carriage holding a seat reservation ticket, mumbling '15a its around here somewhere' as their standing a few seats away from it, at least they would have an idea where to start from.

Or the family who comes in thru the opposite door to their seats and the dad then has to drag the family bags thru the carriage getting stuck every few feet on other peoples luggage, with the complimentary 'sorry' every few seconds, at least they would have an idea which door to go thru to start with.

_ollie_

sassy-one wrote: »

Hello ollie, MODS have not got round to checking the reports others made against you being a troll yet - but they will soon, don't worry.

Thank's for your advice though

Be interested to know how I am being a troll by just making the OP aware that although XC do use HST's they don't operate on that many of the services they run..As jamesbrownontheroad XC only have 4 in service HST's.

And as incubus72 has also now posted, he will be on a Voyager not a HST

I think sassy-one you need to think your replies through before slating people? Just a thought. Thanks

Quentin

So sassy is now reporting people as trolls!

You got say - thats different!!

wealdroam

Quentin wrote: »

So sassy is now reporting people as trolls!

You got say - thats different!!

lol.

132 posts today already! Amazing!

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: