Researching 'gritty realism'.

A train talk without me

Of course he would, he would have just made sure to get one of the GNER trains which runs through to Glasgow

Mallard fan. I hate the fabric on the 125's (it's scratchy! ), but the seats in first are more comfortable on the 125s - and they were the first to have the power points and wifi. And from York, it's generally longer to fly down than it is to train, which explains why I tend to train for work. And they do the most wonderful pints of hot chocolate with a double chocolate muffin to take away for breakfast on a winters morning at the station...

Interesting about the 1970s' green decor report from StarAllianceGold - wonder who they have borrowed that from? The leased Eurostar trains return is imminent, leaving GNER with a bit of a hole - we wondered how they would fill it. Is green decor not Midland Mainline?

But anyway, so long as they continue to provide toasties (the ultimate comfort food), i'll continue to use them

Never mind that, how can there be two FTers with Star Gold status who make regular weekend trips between Edinburgh and Doncaster on GNER in first class?

The toasties are great ^ as are the endless tea refills. This compared to First Great Western, where weekend pax must go to the buffet car and collect complimentary water or tea which is served in measures approximately half the size of the ones sold to standard class pax from the same counter. Moral of the tale: on FGW, ask for two of everything

Oh and forgot to mention the other great thing about training up to Scotland.. the personal meeter-greeter service - although not specifically a GNER benefit

If we are talking pants weekend food though in first I point you at VS.... where you have to walk down the train yourself to get a tray of e-numbers and sugar they call dinner

"Sorry, no hot food on a weekend"....

And who needs the First Lounge when there are the elegant surroundings of the Coopers Bar?

well exactly - and many the phone conversation can be heard there along the lines of...

"sorry <insert family member here> I've missed the connecting train again, I'll get the more direct one in an hour that arrives 20 mins after the one I should have got!"

That would be Virgin Trains IC125s which GNER haven't got round to refurbishing yet. The problem with these trains is that the loos get very chilly during the winter. MML also has green decor but the difference between them and VT are the headrests ie. crap design on MML -no side support for your head. VT have the old InterCity designed headrests with plump pillows. The newly refurbished MML IC125s are refurbished in a more eye-pleasing blue now.

The domain name www.trainstalk.com is available. Perhaps Randy should think about setting up a new site


*Hangs up anorak*

Are you sure the 125s have Napiers? I always thought they were Paxman-Valentas?

<crawls off to slit own wrists under desk.....>



Edit: After a furtive Google...it's both. The former is the supercharger of the latter.

Wow, Napier Blowers and Paxman diesel engines on FT. You'll be talking about English Electric's in the 37's and Ruston's in the 56's and 58's next.

BTW, if anyone wants a Napier Turbocharger we've got about 20 of them in in various states.

I was always told the Paxmans were much louder....here endeth my knowledge of trains.

<slitting wrists with BahrainLad>

Hnnnnnyyyeeeesssss...

Good grief... you turn your back for one moment and the place is over-run by trainspotters. It frightens me that some of you know some of the things you know.

What have I started?
Your festival diary sucks (yet again). I wouldn't be seen dead in a Scotsman gossip column not written by Pia.
No. Although, as Jenbel suggests, I would have looked at the GNER service, but even then I think the extra hour might swing the pendulum back to bmi. Just...
Unfortunately I'll be up there in November. And if I told you why I was going, you wouldn't believe me...

IC125s have dirty, noisy but beautifully powerful Valenta Paxman VP185 engines - originally designed for ships IIRC - but it is the Napier turbocharger that produces the distinctive screaming sound when opened up to full throttle. Top tip: at Edinburgh Waverley, take care when using the overbridge steps leading up to Princes Street: when IC125s wait at Platform 19, one of the power cars is directly below the footbridge - when the whistle blows and the train departs, any poor bugger walking over it will get a sudden hosing in burnt diesel. First Great Western is already trialling new German MTU engines which are cleaner and more efficient...but don't sound the same
Yes they are. Slightly quieter colours both inside and out

Can't believe I've posted this