Guards van on trains - bike storage

[Mad Doug Biker]

On FGW I'd guess that it's still and Intercity 125 set, so the bikes will be stored in the dummy power car (there's only one locamotive, the other is empty space).

That's news to me!
I think you are actually referring to the Loco and DVT sets operated elsewhere, HSTs (125s) have an engine at both ends, as Bromptonnaut also points out.

 

[fossala]

I used to go from St. Austell to Plymouth for Uni. They have them at the rear and no one "gaurds them". Also be careful because the straps that they have to tie your bike up don't work very well. I have had my bikes fall over many times. It may just be better to lay it on the floor if there are no other bikes around.

 

[mcshroom]

That's news to me!
I think you are actually referring to the Loco and DVT sets operated elsewhere, HSTs (125s) have an engine at both ends, as Bromptonnaut also points out.

I think I've got 125s and 225s mixed up

 

[ufkacbln]

That's news to me!
I think you are actually referring to the Loco and DVT sets operated elsewhere, HSTs (125s) have an engine at both ends, as Bromptonnaut also points out.

Often only one in use though


We once went "Cross County" from York, and then tried to get off and change trains to find the platform side door would not open. The next platform on the other side was not until we returned to York so we had to go via London.


Guard tried to make us pay a London supplement, until we pointed out that it was not by choice.

Eventually after some 30 minutes trying to sort the door, we ended up exiting through the cab!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Often only one in use though

The HST is designed to be at its optimum with both power cars, and if it is running on only one engine then the train soon looses time. Of course, I haven't really seen them since they changed the engines to MTUs, but certainly that has only been the status quo for the last 30 years!

I also need to point out that the MTU is considerably quieter than the old Valenta engines which had that distinctive screaming whine noise. I am presuming here, but you might simply not have heard the MTU.

We once went "Cross County" from York, and then tried to get off and change trains to find the platform side door would not open. The next platform on the other side was not until we returned to York so we had to go via London. Guard tried to make us pay a London supplement, until we pointed out that it was not by choice.
Eventually after some 30 minutes trying to sort the door, we ended up exiting through the cab!

What door, on the Coach, the guards van on the HST or a DVT?

 

[ufkacbln]

Door on the 125 driving unit

 

[fimm]

What's a DVT? The (very helpful) platform staff at Durham station mentioned a DVT while talking together while waiting for the train that we were going to put our bikes on.

 

[mcshroom]

It's a Driving Van Trailer

Basically it looks like a locomotive and has all the same controls, but there's no engine inside it.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Door on the 125 driving unit

I wasn't really aware of that those were used these days, but then, I've never had to take a bike on an HST before. So let me get this right, you eventually took our bikes through the engine room?
I bet that was a laugh and a half!


Regarding the humble DVT, yes, we railway enthusiasts were familiar with the Term LONG before people sitting on planes had ever heard of it!


I'll get me coat.