GWR Class 802 'IET' - The Worst High-Speed Train? - Standard Class Review (London to Exeter)

Hello, and welcome back to another train trip report, this time I review the GWR Class 802 in Standard Class.
For this week's video, I am travelling on a new-ish bi-mode Hitachi Class 802 units from London Paddington to Exeter St Davids.
These trainsets, along with the very similar DfT-spec Class 800s wholly replaced GWR's long-distance fleet, including the Class 180 Adelante, and of course the fan-favourite Class 43 HST.
Unfortunately, this new train is plagued with many faults and problems, which is why I would describe it as the worst high-speed train I have ever been on. It's definitely my least favourite train to ride.
Watch the video to see why I really dislike this new train, and let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Hope you enjoy this video, if you did give it a like, and don't forget to subscribe for more weekly content.
#gwr #iet #tripreport
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Journey Details:
Origin: London Paddington
Destination: Exeter St Davids
Company: GWR (Great Western Railway)
Train: UK Class 802 'Intercity Express Train' (IET)
Accommodation: Standard Class Seat (2nd)
Distance: 174 miles / 280 kilometres
Price: £33.40
Time: 2h08m + 19L
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[@adamgreen7524]

It's a shame - these trains were such a long time coming and they turn out to be a disappointment

[@KempSimon]

Fun fact - When I commuted to school during the mid-1970''s the trains used on the Portsmouth to Waterloo line all had through gangways between sets! So if the London end of the train was packed, you could walk through all twelve carriages to the Portsmouth end and soon find an empty seat!

[@petervaughan9111]

I've stopped travelling by train and switched to driving because they were so stupidly uncomfortable. I felt more comfortable sat on the floor than I did in the seats

[@Tom55data]

See my comment elsewhere - they were a long time coming as they were redesigned from an original diesel shunt mode to full running spec in diesel model. The 940hp under coach design is massively underrated for each coach set (the HST is a two 2250hp unit) resulting in poor reliability due to over heating. The constantly fail and wont last long, it was a cheap stop gap for the cancellation of electrification.

[@typhoon-7]

@@Tom55data I have worked on both types of traction and have done so for years. People either have a short memory or don't look at objective facts. The reliability data of these on diesel or bi mode is much better than HST even on MTU engines.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

Blame Hitachi there rubbish Edit: And the DfT.

[@cryptidhunter9901]

The HST remains the most comfortable passenger train in the UK. A train released in the 1970s. Its amazing to think all these newer replacements today are more uncomfortable for passengers!

[@alfredroyal3473]

Designed by and built by the much maligned but much missed British Rail. It wasn’t all that bad and BR didn’t get as much subsidies as the privatised railway does.

[@iankemp1131]

I was shocked to hear the complaint of a traveller who had just experienced the new trains that the seats were too hard even in first class. This trend towards thin hard seats in recent years is ridiculous when trains have to compete with cars and coaches for long distance traffic.

[@reececollison5101]

Add masks into that too. I totally get they’re to protect everyone, but if I have a choice of a comfortable 5-hour journey in my car mask-free, compared with a train with rock hard seats and having to wear a mask that whole time, I know which option I’ll be choosing.

[@robtyman4281]

It's part of the government's concerted effort to get people out of trains and back into cars. The same attitude now, that the Tories had in the 1960's. Deplorable. But typical Tory.

[@OnTheRailwayOfficial]

I didn’t find a problem with the seats when I went on one they we nice and comfy.

[@LexusLFA554]

I know my example is a short distance train, but the german Fugger Express (Alstom Coradia Continental 440) is a piece of crap, and the seats are awful. I want Superalbs to make a video on it, lets see if he does so :)

[@sutton513]

The seats are awful compared to the old HSTs and the first class is a joke.

[@patrickswan4537]

That these class 800/802 trains are a shocking, embarrassing disaster is now very well known. The fact that they also now appear to be so shoddily built makes this whole saga a scandal. They need re engineered suspension and a complete interior refit. A long distance ride on a HST had a sense of occasion, even in standard. A ride in an 800/802 is an ordeal.

[@physiocrat7143]

Civil Service procurement. The military have always had to put up with it.

[@OnTheRailwayOfficial]

These are my favourite trains, because they a good.

[@michaelsandford1015]

I have nothing against the class 800/802 trains

[@robwales2282]

These are such a big step backwards from the Intercity HST, no buffet carriage, no leather seats in First Class, uncomfortable seats in standard class, no doubt they will have fallen apart within a few years, i cant see them lasting for over 40 years like the HST. So sad that other companies are using them not just GWR.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

There lasting for 40 years......

[@RifleRF]

*Somebody say hairline cracks?*

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

@@TEBEnthusiast Your dreaming. The crap ride quality will insure that after 20 years they will have shaken themselves apart. What do you think gas caused all those loose pannels.

[@TEBEnthusiast]

@@thearsenalmisfit2414 they said they would last that long, I’m not joking, but the build quality will only make them last 10 years

[@RocketJSykes]

GWR is doing is thw worst way

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

It speaks volumes about the attitudes of people at the Department of Transport and the Rail Delivery Group that they now consider bright lighting for court cases to be more important than passenger comfort. Each generation of new trains seems to get worse, and these people are responsible. They even make Ryanair look good! I'm glad I'm not the only one to be annoyed by constant announcements - ScotRail are pretty awful too - in the suburban area the announcements can fill the entire journey between two consecutive stations. I used to enjoy train travel, but I haven't missed it during the Pandemic. I'm sorry to say that.

[@jimmenycricket4598]

I have the "pleasure" of travelling on Northern Trains new class 331's between Doncaster and Leeds. The various automatic announcements (usually in 4 different loud voices) are just about continuous due to the number of stops. Having said that, although I find the seats quite hard, it's nice to have Intercity style seating (2 + 2) rather than the high density suburban seating the previous trains (class 321/322) used to have. Mind you the 321/322 had a better ride....

[@matthewsmith2787]

Scot rail trains are terrible for this, it was announcements galore

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@Mark Tyrrell I agree - but the odd thing is that I have ridden on the Frecciarossa trains in Italy and they are very good by comparison.

[@andrewclark8630]

The seats were really offensive. If you punched them (and you could be forgiven for wanting to) you'd hurt your hand. They were only marginally softer than wood. Why? Why couldn't they offer a little more padding? I used the train for 12 minutes, it was fine with a Japanese ambience with the lighting and styling but I'd get a very sore bottom if travelling for an hour on it.

[@physiocrat7143]

@@andrewclark8630 Why? Because the seats were specified by civil servants at the Department for Transport.

[@CurvedGD]

The javelins are the same type of train, made in Japan with Shinkansen genes for journeys that take at most 2 hours, ARE WAYYYY BETTER THAN THESE TRAINS THAT ARE DESIGNED FOR 5 HOUR TRIPS!

[@telemachus53]

Javelins are my favourite! 57 minutes to Folkestone and very comfy seats.

[@paultanton4307]

May i Suggest Japanese Build Quality vs Italian ?.

[@limeyfox]

@@EliasSchmid00 are you serious? IET isn’t known as the Incredibly Expensive Train for nothing...

[@winclouduk]

So southeastern have done something great then lol. It's like the lner ones are just refurbished javelins,

[@dasme7174]

What kind of trains are those? New or refurbished?

[@johnnyboy3949]

The south west class 159 service does take a lot longer but the seats are soooo good and the price is dirt cheap if you book in advance. If you aren’t pushed for time it is the way to go.

[@Martindyna]

I like to go from Basingstoke to Andover or Salisbury on the Class 159s. Excellent trains with good acceleration, comfy seats, aircon & modern effluent retention toilets. Made by BREL Derby.

[@thetelephoneprankster4254]

Taking the South west train to Basingstoke and changing there for Reading is usually best and more comfortable too

[@xsentinel3044]

Yess they’re the best! I used to take them to Salisbury frequently!

[@xsentinel3044]

@@Martindyna Yes indeed! I love the throttle sounds they make when getting up to speed!

[@Martindyna]

@@xsentinel3044 I think one of the reasons that they are so acceptable is the slow revving sound of the engines as compared to the Class 165 `Thames Turbo' trains that sound higher revving and less refined.

[@kevinh96]

You should send a link to this video to GWR, there is absolutely no excuse for a modern intercity train to have such build quality issues when it's only a few years old. Even the much maligned Voyagers were better than this train. Hopefully GWR can put these trains through a quality inspection to fix the rattles and loose panels. I would say the engine noise comparison is perhaps a little unfair, the HST's were only really noisy near the loco as of course, that's were the engines were. These new trains have their motors under the carriages so yes they will be a bit noisier especially if you sit on or very near the motors, but again maybe GWR and others could look at implementing better sound insulation in future. If I had to guess I'd say the over bright lighting on modern trains is because of the CCTV systems they have installed. I completely agree about the very poor and thin seats though, they are not suited to long distance intercity trains at all and should be replaced when they inevitably come up for refurbishment in a few years.

[@matthewsmith2787]

I rode on the first class, and it sounded like a tube train, very loud motors. Great for enthusiasts, but on long journeys you want peace and quiet

[@AdeleAdkinsfan7]

it's no surprise the fixtures and panels are loose. These trains rattle like crazy especially at speed and when they pass other trains! Going over points is also loud and causes the train to jolt which isn't pleasant. These trains are light so it's no wonder they are flimsy they obviously cut costs to make them as cheap as possible. The bright lights are also awful especially if you're traveling at 5am!

[@GWRailFan]

These are hitachi owned and cared for, gwr run the trains Hitachi maintain them, just missing screws from when they get repaired not sure if GWR would be very pleased to see there trains being played with tho especially panels in a pandemic when they wanted limited movement and touch on parts that aren't needed

[@robwales2282]

I much prefer the older Virgin trains that go from Euston to Blackpool, Pendolino i think?

[@adamgreen7524]

A graduate social media manager will just reply to say 'thanks for your comments. We've introduced a fleet of X new trains and great new fares, and reduced CO2 by X%'

[@DiaryofaRollerCoasterGirl]

The seats are incredibly uncomfortable, which is ludicrous given that they mainly serve long distance journeys!

[@i-need-donuts6137]

That’s the requirement of dft. Gwr don’t get a say in the seats

[@Carlover10183]

FR I never traveled in the 802 but the TransPennine express 802 is much more better then the GWR 802

[@joemercedeschannel196]

The 197's also have the same style of seat on a IET. Execpt a little more comfortable with more padding added to them.

[@olivergray1367]

I travel regularly from Bristol to London and have done for 4 years now, I have to say I do like the faster journey time which is now an hour from Bristol parkway and I did enjoy the new timetable with 4 trains per hour now, but I’d much rather have the HSTs comfort wise! I remember the first time I travelled on one of these new trains back in 2017 and I sat down and was shocked how hard the seat was!

[@wewillrockyou1986]

They are going to need to overhaul the whole interior of these things... Seats, fittings, sound insulation... Fixable but it will be expensive and should never have been approved in its current state. The atrocious ride quality might also be fixable with a better suspension but there's also a good chance that isn't possible.

[@SR-eo5no]

Nice to know that I'm not the only one going from Bristol Parkway!

[@HFStuart]

I know the company that worked on the procurement contract for these, it's not a great surprise that the product quality and/or service contract is compromised. The no window issue applies in first too. I'd be mighty pissed off if I'd bought a full price first ticket to look at a piece of plastic for 4 hours.

[@alexmckenna1171]

We are always told how much sampling and research goes into designing these interiors, taking months and months. People trying out the seats, etc etc. Obviously this stage was skipped.

[@jimbojunior8236]

I really wanted to like this train. It looked great and i had a chance to travel from Swansea to Paddington when they were first brought into service. I stumped up for a first class ticket (the only time I've ever done this) to savour the trip. I went with an open mind and really looked forward to my journey. Sadly it was a shocker. The first class interior was nothing fancy and the seat was rock hard and just plain uncomfortable (poor ergonomics). However, what really unnerved me was the ride quality. I love travelling by train but frankly this train at speed is bouncing everywhere. The old HST mk3 coaches hid the speed and age of our track, these Hitachi trains magnify it. Say what you like about BR, they nailed it with the mk3 coach and we all took it for granted. There is absolutely no way on earth these trains are giving 40 years of service. I haven't been on one since. Its like a very fast pacer !

[@2112jonr]

I've abandoned using GWR for exactly the same reason. Refuse to put my health at risk and I'm not ending up in hospital again because of their frankly appalling carriages.

[@Martindyna]

A lot of people were pro BR since they did a good job, by and large, on a shoestring. It was the right wing press who liked to bully BR. An example being `the wrong type of snow' whereby very cold fluffy snow would block up the DC motor vents on Southern Region EMUs. No mention was made of the fact that similar problems occured in France on suburban trains.

[@Martindyna]

I might add that this is related to selling off the country’s technical know how (BREL, BR Research etc), we loose control. They panicked when the crashes happened due to Railtrack’s incompetence because they didn’t know how many more Hatfields were about to occur (metal fatigue rail failures). The result being 1800 emergency speed limits while worn out track was replaced. See Hatfield rail crash on Wikipedia if interested.

[@muttley8818]

I have to agree. I've travelled on the Heart of Wales line all the way from Swansea to Shrewsbury on a Class 150 and a Class 153. Both of them are smooth as silk, especially considering they are 'old tech' and DMU's. It's a 4 hour plus journey and was comfortable to the point where I could fall asleep. Took an 802 from Swansea to Swindon and I noticed the rattling and shaking all the way. You'd think the 802 is older tech and the DMU's are brand new. Just made me wish the HST's came back. Went on a few of them when they were running and loved it each and every time.

[@lewis72]

I used to regularly travels on 125s/Class 43s from Reading to Paddington and really enjoyed that short journey. It was better than the almost 2 hours I had done getting there from Norwich on London Liverpool Street on Class 86s. I remember travelling on a 225/Class 91 up to Darlington some years back and thinking that the ride quality (on the Mk4 coaches, I presume) was noticeably better than the Mk3s.

[@akw1819]

Having been on these trains many times, I agree they are very uncomfortable, especially for longer journeys. I found the 377s to be more comfortable even. IETs are the most boring train hands down as well

[@transporttechnologykent5829]

When this popped up, I knew the negative was about the seating, the seating is crap

[@pfield39]

I agree wholeheartedly with every part of your assessment. I've only experienced the 802s a few times but they are so dreadfully uncomfortable in future trips to Cornwall, which I prefer to do by train, I will take the car. One can only hope they will shake themselves to bits and be retired early. Alas post Covid the railway will be so skint that they are unlikely to be able to afford improvements. So disappointing.

[@bryanduncan6178]

Just to answer a few of your criticisms.... The Italian built 802s are going to be put through a 'de rattle' programme as it's fair to say that the build quality leaves a bit to be desired..... both Hull Trains and TPE have the same issue. The P.A issue that you experienced has now been resolved through a TMS update. The engine noise in the carriage leads to the same dB reading as a mk3 coach used to be, it should be noted that you 'conveniently' sat right on top of it! However, if the battery test is successful, you'll see two of the engines replaced by battery packs with just the 8320xx vehicles having their engines left. The coach lighting has to be at a minimum lux level to all the CCTV to work effectively - hence the brightness. If the lighting was too dim we couldn't use the footage in a court of law. The seats are a little like Marmite, I personally find them to be really comfortable and well shaped, however I know others who find them just as uncomfortable. The actual seat bases do come away that easily (although it does look like a couple were not quite right) as Hitachi have a pool of bases which they rotate to keep them clean. The number of 10 car formations have been reduced from the December timetable, with a 9 car formation now on the 14:04, 15:04 and 18:04 to Penzance. There is a large list of improvements for these units in the works!!

[@sidney001]

I would rather have subdued lighting and not be able to be constantly watched on CCTV rather than have a light induced migraine by the time I reach Truro 4hrs and 45mins later. I would rather staff wear body cams instead if they are worried about being able to prosecute passengers Unless its of course just so the annoying train manager I seem to get these days can constantly remind me to wear a mask in an empty carriage and then spent the next 5minutes telling me how much I'm going to get fined if I don't. These trains are without exception, bloody awful in just about every single way.

[@M1CAE1.]

I have been waiting for someone to say something like this! You can't blame the operator for poorly built trains, GWR, LNER etc. are getting wayyy too much stick for their trains.

[@sidney001]

@@M1CAE1. Surely the operator as the customer should have the ability to reject a poorly engineered product until it is of a quality standard. I blame the tocs for accepting these pieces of junk just as much as I do the DfT for penny pinching. A MK2 carriage from the 1970's is more pleasing to the passenger experience in every single way than these units are

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@Bryan Duncan - I'm sorry but what you say sounds a lot like Corporate Claptrap as I call it. For example, blaming someone for choosing to sit on the "wrong seat" when in fact you can't specify a "quiet seat" when you make a reservation, or if the train is very busy you have limited choice anyway. If you're saying people shouldn't sit over the engines - why are there seats there? I have got into the habit of taking my own cushion when travelling on Pendolinos, and it won't be long before I add strong earmuffs to my essential rail travel luggage, so I don't have to listen to eternal announcements. Oh, and maybe we should get eye masks to avoid the excessive lighting which is mainly for the benefit of litigation lawyers it seems. People who specify and design trains no longer have any idea what it's like to be a normal human being.

[@samuelschofield7324]

@@sidney001 it's realistically dft for this order, as the HSTs needed replacing the government specified these trains

[@mscott3918]

I used to travel this route regularly in the late seventies and early eighties. The trains then were quiet and comfortable, not like this ugly, cheap looking and uncomfortable thing. Progress? I think not.

[@droge192]

These days, "progress" only really means "cheaper, and therefore better for shareholders and profits". Standards for consumers drop daily.

[@FK-qh3mm]

The exterior is fine is just the interior that ruins the train in general

[@daydays12]

@@droge192 so true 😞

[@daydays12]

@@FK-qh3mm and the evident disregard for the passengers

[@matthewbutterfield7233]

They are dreadful. A massive downgrade in service quality compared to their magnificent predecessor.

[@ahoyittttt7802]

A university got given a fgw hst and id trying to make it run on hydrogen

[@AFCManUk]

Acceleration is amazing, but those standard class seats....awful!

[@KempSimon]

Acceleration in electric mode is amazing ... but why shouldn't it be, with 25kV in the OLE backed up by the National Grid? Acceleration in Diesel mode .... less so! As for the South Devon hill climbs (Hemerdon Bank, Dainton Bank West) don't even go there ...

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

Give me better seats over better acceleration any day. Adding 10 minutes on to a journey in a comfortable seat is much peffered over a long journey sitting on what feels like a piece of plywould for hours on end.

[@brawlstarsmomentsandvideos6530]

The Acceleration Is Amazing

[@daydays12]

But the trains don't even go fast !!!! Rubbish. It takes 2 hours to cover the 400 kilometres from the city where I live to Paris and the trains are comfortable and even first class is cheaper than second on this excuse for a train!

[@daydays12]

@@thearsenalmisfit2414Me too comfort comes first for this old man!

[@LondonRiderAri]

And now I'd rather take the slower SWR service. At least they have a lot more comfortable seats (Even in Standard Class).

[@itzroblox_games6262]

Martin Przytulski there first class is amaizing but I hate there class 701

[@LondonRiderAri]

@@itzroblox_games6262 I hate the 701s as well but they're only used on commuter services. For now, SWR is using the 158/159s on the London to Salisbury/Exeter services

[@itzroblox_games6262]

Martin Przytulski bruh that's more worser then gwr

[@LondonRiderAri]

@@itzroblox_games6262 It's not my fault that the lines aren't electrified. Heck, have a look at EMR!

[@itzroblox_games6262]

Martin Przytulski Yh

[@sah3173.]

On the plus side, judging by the poor materials used and the build quality at least these trains shouldn't be around for long.

[@garthcox4]

If they are mechanically sound they should be, they might be totally gutted and redone internally after a few years .......I hope

[@matthewsmith2787]

These will probably last around 15-20 years

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@@matthewsmith2787 Like the Pacers - LOL!

[@stevecooksley]

I should imagine they'll be looking for gaffer tape on Amazon pretty soon.

[@rabd9881]

cry more boomers

[@Lakesider52]

I always find it farcical that train operating companies like to compare themselves to airlines in order to justify some of their extortionate fares but cannot even be bothered to supply a hot drink. Even pondlife like Ryanair serve hot drinks.

[@SR-eo5no]

A return flight to Ireland is cheaper than a return journey to London too. And Ryanair have better seats...

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

@@SR-eo5no you won't like the sears on the new Boeing Max aircraft. There piss poor as well. It a trend by transportation of all sorts that passenger comfort now takes a back seat behind massive profits. When I fly now I make sure I stay away from the newer aircraft such as the Max.

[@daydays12]

@@thearsenalmisfit2414 the Max is dangerous too

[@evilcdh]

I've gone back to using the car from Penzance to Paddington. The old 1st Class was classy. The current 1st Class is 2nd Class in every respect.

[@sidney001]

A lot of people drive to Tiverton Parkway and catch the train from there as it saves the 3hr grind through Cornwall and Devon

[@andrewstock9450]

The first class on the HST was so comertable.

[@James-gc5if]

Brand new shiny trains driving people back to their car! If that doesn't jolt whoever's responsible into action, nothing will.

[@2112jonr]

Me too. I refuse to use GWR since the seating in these shoddy trains caused me to suffer a slipped disc.

[@ajf3202]

@@2112jonr hope your alright now mate

[@bobtyler8374]

Hard seats, obnoxious lighting, no food service for some very long trips, of course its the worst......

[@matthewsmith2787]

LNER Azumas are the nicest interior

[@2112jonr]

Dangerously hard seats. I ended up being carried out of the Bath to Paddington train after being injured going over old track at speed. If this happens to anyone else, contact me and I will happily give evidence if you wish to sue GWR. Unacceptable.

[@pikachu8508]

@@matthewsmith2787 But LNER Azumas still have same problems as the GWR IETs, hard seats, bumpy ride. Same thing goes to TPE Nova 1s and Hull trains Paragons as both are virtually identical trains. Most modern trains have ironing board seats like those on GTR 700s.

[@planesimple8619]

@@2112jonr we’re not american.

[@FK-qh3mm]

@@2112jonr go and designe new seats for gwr then for class 802s🤝🏾🤝🏾🤝🏾

[@suomiphil]

I have never watched such things before but really enjoyed that thank you! I was hoping it would be better news as I've often watched these trains at York station and often fancied going on them. I'm sadly not that surprised though. I've also found the comments very interesting and I'm pleased to see there are even contributions from industry insiders! I hope positive changes are therefore made!

[@daydays12]

GWR will do nothing. They don't even reply to passengers they don't care

[@lnertrainfan1785]

Merry Christmas to everyone:D

[@samthetrainsandbusesfan1015]

Merry Christmas to you buddy

[@arlogeee]

And to you!

[@jamiestrainhub]

U too

[@brawlstarsmomentsandvideos6530]

U too!

[@chazbaz4519]

What do we want? Electrification to Exeter When do we want it? Within the next 30 years please for the love of God

[@johnspeller3666]

These trains were foisted on the operating companies by the government. The HSTs were "state-of-the-art"; these are about as far from that as could be. LNER has at least added some more comfortable cushions to its seats, but GWR refused to to this. With the seats as loose as they are there could be a major disaster if one of these trains were to be involved in an accident. Hopefully these trains will not have a very long life.

[@doomotron6160]

Correction: Hopefully the seats won't have a long life.

[@hoof2001]

Another Grayling initiative - cheap & cheerful but glossy superficially

[@rabd9881]

correction hopefully they will, make the seats better and the main issue is fixed. As for catering anything sold in a train or train station is overpriced anyway

[@hoof2001]

@@rabd9881 The travelling chef's bacon baguettes were the business and worth every penny haha

[@daydays12]

The GWR has responsibility for its paying customers - safety and comfort. Did the 'government' decide to make the seating as uncomfortable as possible on GWR long distance trains? 5 hour journeys with no food or even water. Extremely uncomfortable seats in train sets designed for commuter services filthy windows , dilapidated interiors with rattling and then violent shaking at quite slow speeds - 125 mph or so, blinding operating theatre style lighting....why?? This company is not serious and is treating its customers like dirt and charging them a lot for the privelege. Hopefully GWR will not have a very long life.

[@nathanw9770]

Nice! I came home to London from Uni of Exeter where I'm studying via SWR because I didn't want to struggle taking my luggage on the Underground from Paddington to Waterloo East (where I can catch a local train home), and I have to say although the journey was 2hrs longer than going via GWR (partly because of a diversion after Woking and our train joining another train at Salisbury) the journey was impressive! The seating was comfy, plenty of legroom and the train was surprisingly quiet considering it's a sprinter! After watching this vid I may go back on SWR again instead of GWR lol. The IEPs have definitely been rushed imo, that's a majour problem with modern vehicles these days, they put quantity over quality.

[@daydays12]

I don't know what to make of SWR. They get v bad reviews on Trip Advisor... but maybe that's their commuter trains

[@michaelsansom6]

An excellent review! I agree with your observations. I have travelled on the HST trains to Redruth many times, sometimes in First Class which had a wow! factor . Not so these new trains, hardly any difference between first and standard class. As you say, the trolley service is disgraceful. We can't blame the hard seats GWR, these trains were forced on them by Dept of Transport, Many thanks for the review.

[@millercool21]

Yeah this stupid rule im sure a leather seat wouldnt cause any fire problems

[@anderslarsen6009]

No surprise of the building quality, We here in Denmark has experienced it first hand with our IC4 trains :-)

[@gpan62]

Jingle bells, jingle bells, panel rattle all the way 🤣 merry Christmas

[@thomasohare8552]

Wonderful video, very thorough. You missed the fancy coat hooks! - they're great if you want to cover your window and fill half your seat with a coat. I found the seats ok, better than Thameslink or Grand Central, I even managed to fall asleep! I do like the folding table, and advise never to rely on an on board buffet even if an entire carriage is provided - absolute swindles.

[@rogerwebster1216]

Having worked on B.R. and I used to enjoyed travelling on the HST's as well as the earlier Mark 1 stock. Sadly, I do NOT enjoy travelling on these awful GWR 800 class trains for so many reasons most of which we have seen on the video. GWR were told so many times by passengers and staff please keep the Buffet Cars but they did not listen. The seats are atrocious and give me back pain after a short while; the lighting is so bright and the diesel engine sound is so intrusive. I avoid travelling on the trains. At least GWR have kept some HST coaches for local 4 car services and you can still ride on a few of the Cross Country services in comfortable HST trains between Plymouth, Bristol, Birmingham etc. I am still so amazed how DfT, GWR accepted such terrible trains that already are falling apart after such a short time. Roger

[@daydays12]

That's made up my mind. I have lower back arthritis which would certainly be aggravated by such dreadful seats. No travelling for me on GWR who have no concern for or interest in their customers

[@oliverstemp9132]

Hopefully the Auroras are better. EMR have promised huge improvement

[@neilmartin1531]

@Joseph Stalin. East Midlands Railway Class 810 trains.

[@oliverstemp9132]

@Joseph Stalin. a redesigned interior and completely different seats. Hopefully it won’t be so drab and grey

[@AndrewG1989]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_810 Plus Hitachi are also manufacturing the Class 803 for East Coast Trains and Class 805 and Class 807 for Avanti West Coast. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_803 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_805 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_807

[@stanley3647]

Same like 802 but: - One extra engine per trainset (louder) - Shorter (2meters) cariages due to short platform in St.Pancrass - 5+5 cars trainset configuration. So, maybe i'm stay with Meridian Trains service ;)

[@tescotrain]

@@AndrewG1989 Avanti is 70% FirstGroup. GWR is also owned by FirstGroup. I wont expect anything better with Avanti IETs.

[@lfcloyal8284]

Brilliant insight into these trains lad👍i'd definitely go to M&S at Waterloo and catch the rattler down to Exeter

[@garthcox4]

They certainly aren't well made but your checking for loose panels reminded me of the shoddy workmanship scene in Father Ted😂😂. Great video

[@martinross5521]

Perhaps Father Hackett was in charge of “assembly” of these rolling garbage bins. Compare with HST first class leather seats like sofas and a superb restaurant offering. These are really bad

[@physiocrat7143]

Italian quality.

[@brianlaunchbury4491]

As a Brummie train user I always thought the greasy wet and rusty wasn't a patch on lms. I see that they have kept the tradition. 🤣 The sooner these are retrofitted and ride/noise sorted the better. Have a good new year.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Enjoyable video, thanks. It's astonishing that no buffet car is provided on a train that serves the Paddington to Penzance route. I always enjoyed travelling on the HSTs and on other services with Mk3 carriages. After your report I'm not in any hurry to give the IET services a try. Other companies that use them seem to have similar problems to GWR. Given what passengers pay these days, the build quality is disgraceful. A case of putting up fares while dumbing down service provision.

[@daydays12]

Exactly! Who are the £££££££ first people at the top of GWR?

[@antcraft3590]

Yeah tell me about it. I have been on these trains many times from the Bristol area to London and back. They are a pathetic replacement for the HST. My issue isn't with the train itself (apart from the ride quality), just the fact the seats are wayyyyyyy too hard for any long journey, the bright lights make it impossible to relax, the lack of a café car as the trolley service takes ages and is so limited on what's available. It'd replace them with a HST any day. They may be old, but at least you can relax on them. Oh and about the compensation, once I had my train be over 35 minutes late and used their delay repay service. Gave all the details and they denied me any compensation, so that's just as bad as the train itself.

[@MervynPartin]

I used to really enjoy long distance travel by train (even going back to steam days) because it was comfortable with good views from the windows, and most trains had a buffet car- The BR sandwich may have been a joke to the newspapers, but I have never had cause to complain about them or the hot meals. In my distant youth, I occasionally used Southern Region suburban EMUs which had better upholstery than these IETs. As for airline seats, I would be better off in a plane, where I would also get a food service. Thank you for your excellent review. I had been thinking about visiting my sister in South Wales when things return to normal, but the train no longer figures in my plans- I will go by car instead.

[@Sophiebryson510]

People like you cause these trains ‘oh there terrible so I won’t use them’ use them, put up with it and get a better train but other than that I agree

[@stephenwilliams1269]

Before the first lockdown last March I used GWR once a month between London and Plymouth as I live and work in both cities. The old trains were very comfortable and quieter. The lighting seems rather harsh unlike the other new trains. I have travelled on the new trains twice and although faster the seats are far from comfortable on a 3 hours journey. I feel sorry for anyone travelling to and from London - Penzance. The reason there are no refreshments on board maybe due to covid policies but that is only a suggestion. Thank you for the video I found it most informative.

[@fuzzynutter8344]

I’ve travelled on one of GWR’s IETs and I found them pretty poor. The seats are uncomfortable, the lighting is too bright, the cabin ambience soulless and clinical, the ride was terrible and the underfloor engines noisy. The overall feel of the train is more commuter than long distance express. It’s the worst high speed multiple unit UK train I’ve travelled on, I find the much older Voyagers, Pendolinos and Adelantes much better even if they have been criticised by some passengers. What is inexcusable however is the awful quality of the fixtures and fittings. Yes, when these trains were specced cost saving was an issue, hence the naff seats, lighting, sliding doors instead of plug items etc, but that’s no reason for shoddy build quality.

[@pikachu8508]

So do LNER Azumas, TPE Nova 2s, and Hull trains Paragons as well as they are part of the IEP. Most modern trains have terrible seats such as Régiolis regional trains in France, Eurostar e320, and of course those ironing boards on GTR 700s.

[@mikeblatzheim2797]

Considering that the factory these came out of is the former Ansaldo-Breda factory, anything other than shoddy build quality would have been a small miracle.

[@RWL2012]

@@pikachu8508 The IEP brought the 800s and 801s. The 802/3/5/7/10s are "conventionally procured".

[@pikachu8508]

@@RWL2012 but those trains are mostly identical.

[@matthewsmith2787]

The build quality was terrible, there was numerous squeaks and rattles. Shaky ride, door problems, and loud motors. Not what you expect

[@martinross5521]

DafT have really shafted GWR and its customers travelling long distance. Designed for local journeys and budget cut as low as possible. Sad to read that people are reverting to car travel.

[@AymanTravelTransport]

Switching to car is, sadly, probably what the greedy bosses at DfT want if they make more money from car users than public transport users

[@martinross5521]

@@AymanTravelTransport bit of a dog’s breakfast, eh? So much for govt guff about climate change, sustainability and making sure humanity survives

[@martinross5521]

@ProfTheWood politics has no place in rail travel - the idiots at DaFT gave us plywood seats to bounce around on for 250 mile journeys. Compare and contrast with HSTs and their comfort; that was an engineering based decision which still holds good 40+ years later. The crummy IETs were cracking up after just a few years and horrible interiors are being ripped out. Farcical waste of time, money and resources 🥺

[@martinross5521]

@ProfTheWood thank you, interesting and informative insights. Privatisation has really ruined the rail industry while making a few like Porterbrook outrageously wealthy. Rob the poor to make the rich richer, like Monty Python’s Dennis Moore. Crap innit?

[@daydays12]

I was going too take the train but I'll probably take a coach now. GWR seem to be the railway company from hell like Thames water is the water company from hell. BTW there are NO replies from GWR to their Trip Advisor reviews. They don't care.

[@equilibriumdx]

I was excited about these new trains until I boarded and experienced it. You touched upon all the problem that I felt on my journey. The MK3 coaches just felt so smooth and comfy.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Me too, I travelled on the first day, just to try one, and it was a complete letdown. :(

[@ShockwaveTheLogical]

I'm from the North East and grew up with Pacers, Class 150s and Class 158s. Closest I've come to a high speed long distance train was a Class 180. Hope I get to go on one of these one day (mostly because the LNER livery is gorgeous) and I'm used to trains that fall apart around you so this feels right at home.

[@jonathanchester5916]

I'd like to see a video on who actually serves food on UK trains any more. I can't believe these numnumbs would run a train for 5 hrs with no buffet car - wtf!

[@GWRailFan]

No food service during the pandemic, there website was at the time advising to bring own food and drinks

[@Marks_Trains]

While it is true that a lot of rail companies suspended catering during the pandemic, GWR has not provided a buffet or restaurant on these trains, except the expensive but excellent Pullman restaurant on some of their trains. So for most passengers the trolley, if it gets to you, is the only catering. LNER does have a buffet service but had to strive against the DfT to get a buffet car in each train.

[@jonathanchester5916]

@@Marks_Trains I hear ya. What I want to see is a non-covid comparison of food served on train operators in the UK, and who has a buffet car left - that kind of thing. Seems to me very few left.

[@360scotland4]

@@jonathanchester5916 Buffet cars! That brings back memories. On ScotRail long distance trains there is a trolley, buy you're only allowed to buy a hot drink when the trolley passes your seat. They say this is Health and Safety, but when you point out that on Avanti West Coast you HAVE to walk to the buffet for a coffee, they have no answer to that. So if you happen to be in the toilet when the ScotRail trolley passes, sorry you can't have a hot drink. That's why I started taking my own food and vacuum flask even before the Pandemic. If you're going to the Far North, the connection times at Inverness are often too tight for you to find a café.

[@rosskiddle9113]

I agree with this review. But the most infuriating thing on my IET journey was that people pull the sun blinds down so those who want to enjoy the passing scenery can't see a thing. When I tried to push my blind up the guy in front went ballistic because he couldn't see his smartphone. Am I the only one who loathes those blinds?

[@martinross5521]

Sunblind wars are way more irritating than squabbling over the tiny arm rest on a flight. Soon I’m gonna put myself in a suitcase to travel undisturbed

[@joelang6126]

Same crap on the 385s too. Stupid, stupid design.

[@daydays12]

@@joelang6126 looks like major incompetence by people who have never travelled by train, including the directors of GWR

[@mathewperring]

This made me miss England, that was a journey I used to make, traveling home when I lived in London.

[@michaelwilliams2337]

I am glad you mentioned the hard seating, those seats give me backache. On the occasions I have travelled between London and Exeter the trolley service either never arrives or arrives just before you get off. Another problem (unless solved during the pandemic) is the lost of telephone signal in most of Wiltshire - surely the rail company could pay a few farmers to have a mast? I suppose this train is likely to be more eco-friendly than the HST. Have you tried the overnight train? In addition to the sleeping carriages, there are a number of normal coaches (similar to old intercity carriages), spotlessly clean and very quiet.

[@tristanmurray6949]

This video makes me glad I have Stadlers as my local intercity trains rather than these!

[@westy6214]

Indeed. They are a much better example of a better new train than the 80X

[@TEBEnthusiast]

I’m so unlucky I have IETs!

[@thearsenalmisfit2414]

This train is the Class 142 Pacer of long distance trains, what a wreck and they aren't even close to being in thier midlife yet and the are already falling apart.. It enough for me to want to take my car instead. God help you if you have any back problems becausd the seats won't offer you any protecton from the piss poor ride you showed coming out if London.

[@chris-io1ki]

The Arsenal Misfit Now that would be something a class 142 Pacer on an inter City service, would be popular with enthusiasts lol. They did have their own character though,and lasted a lot longer than planned which is a testament to their build. The IEP trains look the part but are let down by poor quality build and lack of comfort. Wonder if they will last as long as the Pacers lol.

[@2112jonr]

I do take my car now. These things are a joke and a health threat for long distance travel.

[@daydays12]

Thank you very much for that . I have some back problem.N Will not travel by the horrible GWR

[@DanielsUKT]

Nice trip report merry Christmas

[@adamc1272]

Hahaha this thing makes a 159 to Waterloo look like the Orient Express, never thought I'd say that. I am not e believer in mawkish nostalgia, but I bet you were quite jealous of the people sitting in that Mark 3 by the time you got to Taunton. Thanks for this review, very interesting and, as others have said, I would genuinely consider contacting the operating company, because this just isn't good enough! All the best, have subscribed to your channel on the back of this.

[@DentalHygieneTipsUk]

Superalbs I would love a HST review on GWR

[@colanitower]

There's a perfect Dutch word for poorly built, rattling and falling apart: "Gammel". This train is gammel 😁

[@KempSimon]

There's a perfect English word for poorly-built, rattling and falling apart : "Crap". This train is crap!

[@Euroduplex]

Interesting. In korean it's gomul

[@johngrant5448]

Ah that's a very interesting fact because rubbish in Yorkshire is Rammel. Another expression from Sheffield is Tommy Rot, it has died out now and it originated with the building of the Woodhead Tunnel.

[@ArtVandelay00]

Gammel means old

[@daydays12]

well said - I like that word !

[@stefannils2032]

Totally agree seats are rock hard, took this service from penzance to London having travelled down on the sleeper which was great, but the seats on the day service were so hard and uncomfortable I had to keep getting up to walk around and only a trolley service for catering, the longest 5 hours I've spent ever love trains but couldn't wait to get off this one ,old hst with the slam shut doors way better

[@simonc7947]

Good video. However, in the summer, assuming lockdown gets lifted, I should be traveling from either Paddington or Reading to Bath - you're making me dread the trains 4 months in advance.

[@tonysheppard5457]

That is a really accurate review from my point of view. Ive travelled a few times on those things and no buffet car... Ive never seen the trolley service... The seats are dreadful... In another comment here suggests sending this to gwr... I woukd support that... Or better still Grant Shaps

[@GWRailFan]

There is a buffet coach, its first classes/ its a kitchen for first class, no trolley service due to the pandemic to limit staff getting in contact with customers

[@tonysheppard5457]

@@GWRailFan So its a kitchen not a buffet car ..... I used these services before the pandemic and what i said is true... Mind you swr are loosing the trolleys all together... Is it gwr next..... It remains for me very accurate review...

[@GWRailFan]

@@tonysheppard5457 still a shame, as i dont think it was GWRs plan to put a kitchen where it is, i think they would have also prefered a buffet

[@emilianohaskurti9344]

The Seats Cant Be Called "Ironing Board Seats" Because That's On The Newer Electrostars & Thameslink Class 700s

[@daydays12]

@@GWRailFan don't GWR know the pandemic is over?

[@warweezil2802]

I’d sooner drive now. Travelled from Reading to Swansea on one and suffered for a couple of days afterwards. They should have refurbished the hst sets. For us west of Cardiff, we see so real improvement, we travel further on trains that are noisier and uncomfortable and lack decent catering, if I want warm tea from a flask I’ll bring my own as with cold sandwiches. No fresh HOT tea or freshly cooked bacon baggie is just another reason that this is step backwards, and all of this negativity comes from an ex railwayman. One bright thought tho, thevlousy build quality should see these disintegrate in a few years 😂🤣

[@gamingidoit3668]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

[@gamingidoit3668]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@gamingidoit3668]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@warweezil2802]

Pathetic

[@neilboulton9813]

@Chris Page refurbish the HST how long do people like yourself formally in the rail industry think 40+ year trains can actually work - 100 years? I think it is more of an embarrassment that we would have intercity trains on our network for over that length of time. The continual seat complaints are hilarious from all the old and bold, most of the people I see sit in them have plenty of personal padding. Lumo have already rectified this and it is an easy fix in the first refurb.

[@noggin48]

At about 8:40 if you were looking out of the Right Hand window, the train passes the old Horlicks Building in dark red, now converted to luxury apartments. When I was a youth, I worked there, where the centres of Maltesers were made as round malted-milk balls, which were then trucked to the Mars factory about three miles to the West, that was in the 1960's, a whole world away from life as we call it now.

[@rogerwebster1216]

I have just viewed Dylan's Travel Report on the journey with Chiltern Trains between Birmingham Moor Street and London Marylebone. So positive in comparison to the negative GWR trains which I have just commented on. These are old coaches which have been brought up to date with comfortable seats, good lighting and smooth riding qualities. I so wish we had them here in Cornwall.

[@daydays12]

Well done Chiltern Trains. Good to know.

[@rolandharmer6402]

The HSTs were very nice to ride on. They were better looking trains as well and they had buffet cars! So sad to see a good rail service being trashed by the Department for Transport and their consultants.

[@AquaFonic]

HST ARE OLD AND OUTDATED give over

[@sidney001]

@@AquaFonic Old and outdated but still better in every way from the passengers point of view, and customer experience is what should be driving the TOC's business plans not poorly engineered cost cutting

[@KempSimon]

Connex trashed the Central Division of British Rail's Southern Region 25 years ago and we've never recovered!

[@Scottish_Transport_Explorer]

@@AquaFonic Old and outdated doesn’t mean anything if the new IETs are less liable than what they are replacing. Give over to the fact that newer doesn’t always mean better

[@daydays12]

I thought these 'train sets' were run by GWR...or did they only paint them?

[@davidwebb4904]

20 minutes late into Exeter, is considered “on-time” by GWR.

[@hectorchittenden9749]

On time?! no no no, that is astonishingly early

[@walterclements7968]

Thats too early imo

[@noggin48]

In the the early days, they never ran a late train, as they would cancel the train, then made it a special, so nothing changes.

[@sorin-alexandrusandu3738]

He can claim ''Delay Repay'' for delays after 15 minutes, just like all the other companies.

[@daydays12]

you bet they are a excuse for a railway company

[@mt5144]

Even now the HST sets are so Comfortable compared to these Hitachi Units, I use the service a few days a week (prior pandemic) on the London-Cardiff Route and when they changed over from the HST to these new IET sets I noticed the comfort in the seats were non existent from London to Cardiff when you got off its as though you been sitting on a plank of wood, The First Class in the HST sets was definitely worth paying the extra cash for as they had a massive leather seats a decent free snack section & a few coffee's on route to your destination, I have only used the first class section of the Hitachi IET train once and the seat is exactly the same as the 2nd class seats with the exception of a padded head restrain, Sadly no trolley service was available at the time of travelling so not a chance of a free coffee, I would definitely not use First Class again on the Great Western Hitachi IET's as its a complete waste of money, If you notice that's the reason the first class carriages on these trains are always empty. The HST sets are now in 4 carriage formations on the South west route to Cardiff, I just wish they would put them back on the London Paddington - Cardiff Routes just to have a bit of comfort & a Quality Ride.

[@johnkeepin7527]

An honest review. The old HSTs (especially the original set up, with the lower seats and 72 per standard class) were a hard act to follow. Not perfect, but fewer seats that didn’t match the windows. (1977 was the first year I travelled on one). The more recent, taller seats were not so good overall. Over the years, I’ve done thousands of miles in them, and the suspension was really well designed, and it had a comfortable ride. For a quieter ride outside the wires, it’s probably worth opting for the cars with no engines - only 2 out 5 in the 5 car units - though according to the latest issue of MR mag, there is a plan to replace one out of 3 with a traction battery, so as to run electric only in non-electric areas, albeit at lower power. A kind of ‘hybrid’ set up, if they do that. Something to watch for in the future.

[@pmichael73]

It would be interesting to know how many of these faults were down to the manufacturer and how many the result of the GWR specification. Still, there's no excuse for loose panels and a rough ride.

[@ahoyittttt7802]

All of the iets are shit

[@nickwass9700]

Sadly just another example of the state of British trains. The private rail companies attitude is always "take it or leave it" to their passengers. That's why this awful train has no comfort, no service, isn't properly cleaned and is late. I can hear GWR saying "you can ride on this junk or walk - we could care less".

[@Gus0898uk]

I went from Paddington to Penzance and return in First class for my first time a couple of weeks ago on the new IET, it was about £112 Advance return fare with a railcard. The fare was pretty reasonable, especially when a customer wanted to upgrade his standard ticket to first, an extra £121 and he was only going as far as Newton Abbot. The ambience in first was just like standard, the seats looked the same to me, apparently there is not much padding to reduce the fire risk. Most of the seats in first had a decent view but with the tables for 4 I think GWR missed a trick by not having the Eurostar type half folding tables. The acceleration out of Pad was excellent, it was very quiet and It was impossible to spot the changeover from Electric to Diesel around Newbury. I didn't find the coaches too noisy with their diesel engines in Cornwall, not as bad as Meridians on the MML anyway. Arriving back in London I transferred to St Pancras and wow, an ex LNER short set HST with lovely leather seats. Subject to Covid I hope to return to Cornwall next year, unless I can find a good First class fare I would book standard.(off peak)

[@rizkyfajarfarhansyah3847]

Yes i agree,there are many things to fix but if those things can be fixed.It can compete with Other HSR.Thanks for the video,it was informative

[@CityWhisperer]

And TPE got theirs as well. Thankfully I only catch the 397 which, in my opinion, outperforms the 800/802 by a lot.

[@uzmaullah1432]

I've been on a 397 too and it is certainly better than the Hitachi lot. Not by much though. Still crazy that the UK accepts ironing boards for *intercity* services. It feels a bit more reasonable for commuter trains but still.

[@limeyfox]

The rough ride is partly due to the DfT-specified 26m vehicle length. The suspension has to be so tight to keep the vehicle within its maximum ‘kinematic envelope’ (ie how much it’s permitted to roll & sway) that there is very little capacity to absorb shocks from the bogies when going over bumps etc. Hopefully the EMR units should be better due to 24m length, which is the accepted practical maximum on U.K. routes.

[@jimbojunior8236]

I was not aware of that. Every day is a school day. Cheers (my journey was bumpy as hell - quite unnerving).

[@limeyfox]

@@jimbojunior8236 if it's any consolation I was getting to the point last February where I was starting to think twice about getting on an IET set due to anxiety. The unpowered intermediate trailers have lightweight inside frame bogies so are quite unstable at high speed and prone to hunting. I've found the end cars are best riding, being unpowered but having the heavy outside frame bogies. As long as you don't mind sitting in the quiet zone I'd recommend it as the best spot.

[@daydays12]

Another excuse for GWR making train travel as unpleasant as possible

[@hogyndrwg6253]

You identified the three unsatisfactory characteristics on this journey that immediately struck me when I used these trains a few times soon after their introduction; absolutely dreadful seats .. (that was in first class too), the unnecessarily bright lighting, almost migraine inducing, and the bone shaker rattling noises of the barely screwed together interiors. I really wanted to like these trains. They do after all look magnificent but the combination of all these drawbacks amounted to a great and uncomfortable disappointment. If there’s one positive observation, it’s that their capacity to shorten journey times through rapid acceleration means less time spent enduring these built in discomforts. I’m going to drive in future. PS Nice video, as always!! 🙂

[@stevesellers-wilkinson7376]

I believe the rule on requirement for in-cab signalling (ETCS / ERTMS) applies to 140mph and over, not 126mph and over. At least that was the rule when I was working for Network Rail in the signalling department (a year or so ago). Anyway, interesting video. Although, I think people are a little too scathing about the 80x trsins, possibly because of their (understandable) sadness about the retirement of the HST fleet. I do agree that the Mk III and Mk IV coaches do provide a superior ride quality. Probably due to their lack of under-floor traction equipment. Thanks for the video, though. Very interesting!

[@trashrabbit69]

Man, this thing makes the Acela sets look like Italo. Especially that ride quality, yeesh.

[@qjtvaddict]

That’s bad

[@TheArkamedBat]

IET: Intercity Expensive Torture

[@gabrielstravels-discoverin7368]

802010 is one of the GWR IETs I've been on lol, between Oxford and Reading. My opinion with the seats is that they are good and quite comfortable, but more suited to regional and commuter trains

[@NELSONFAIER1]

Yeah, I even prefer this type of seats, but not for long trips

[@Pisca-kk5cs]

How hard would it be to tighten everything up so the train doesn’t rattle so much?

[@310gromit]

I had the misfortune to ride one of these abominable things, luckily only from Taunton to Exeter st David’s never again! uncomfortable just beyond belief I used to love the old 125s

[@daydays12]

I hope GWR lose all their passengers.

[@jonahspiper]

Welcome to modern train travel in fixed short sets of tasteless plastic. Sit and don't move from your allocated solid seat in searing bright LED lighting so we can see what you're doing on camera, we don't want you to eat, god forbid do anything as human as visit a buffet car at you're convenience on a five hour journey, we might not even provide a window, why should we? You only want to plug in your device anyway. Sealed doors windows and constant, repetitive mind numbing announcements. Built for a generation of automatons. The HST's lasted because they were designed with passengers in mind not just as profitable, minimalist cargo carriers. Air con but automatically opening internal carraige doors, buffets and bars designed for a break from your seat and a sociable beer at the bar, full breakfasts, lunches and meals served on tablecloths all at a comfortable seat with curtains at the window and carpet on the floor, a human experience. We were even trusted to drop a window to the coach door and take in a breath of that sea air as you cruised past Dawlish. Class 802? No thanks, I'll take the car from now on, sat in traffic is better.

[@rabd9881]

Cya then 👋

[@daydays12]

well said

[@lifeinsidekyoto6553]

Fantastic review and filming as always. Have you ever been to Japan? I have the pleasure of living here and ride trains to work 5 days a week. The comparison between British and Japanese trains are night and day in terms of ride/build quality. It also amazes me that there are so many delays all the time, something which rarely happens here. In Japan it's considered late if its just one minute behind. Amazing service. I have ridden the bullet train here around 7 or 8 times and to this day it is still the best public transport system I have ever used, including air travel. The journey from Kyoto to Tokyo is around 500km and is the smoothest and quietest journey have ever had. No movement or rattles to be felt anywhere. Anyway apologies if it seems like I am judging the UK so much, I'm British so i have that right. Take care and I look forward to future videos.

[@B-A-L]

You are quite correct in your assessment. It seems to me that, while these trains may be from a Japanese manufacturer that is renowned for it's high production values, they have been designed to UK specifications and on a UK budget!

[@lifeinsidekyoto6553]

@@B-A-L if I’m right in thinking just the carriage shells are shipped from Japan and the entire interior is fit out at the destination country. These models are actually in use on some Japanese lines but the interiors are completely different.

[@daydays12]

Me too . I lived in Japan for two years and experienced those trains 🙂

[@devonbluetony]

Glad the seat question was addresed. I have only made about 2 journeys on this new train and agree that the seats are really uncomfortable. Frankly nothing beats the ICE or TGV for me and why we cannot manufacture decent permanent way I do not know. We used to be good at that sort of thing.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

Nothing more comfortable than an ICE seat! :)

[@droge192]

There's a newly discovered endemic fault with the heating in the 802s, so if you're due to be travelling on one, take a blanket, they are freeeezing cold at this time of year!

[@niro4833]

Those seats are absolutely awful, hard as a rock and zero lower back support. Extremely disappointing from GWR.

[@daydays12]

From all the vids I've seen and the reviews I've read GWR are a rubbish company.

[@paulhellander2791]

Just joined the channel and have enjoyed two or three clips so far, but I am not keen on the commentary-less earlier takes. Makes it hard to follow and enjoy when you are eating dinner in front of a computer and you have to look down to eat (sorry, reality!). I am travelling from Nice to Paris in late August on the TGV (1st Class) and would love to see a review of that train. See also my suggestion to review the new Athens-Thessaloniki high-speed train that I shall be taking next week.

[@SuperalbsTravels]

All videos going forward will be in the new style. 😃😃

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent quality ❤❤❤❤

[@muttley8818]

"Unforseen incident that occurred" - The driver was in the pub getting a last minute pint in then lol.

[@moose_ringo9161]

I would just like to point out that hardly any of this was GWR’s fault and is mainly the fault of the DfT who specified these trains. While GWR did order far too many 5 car units instead of 9-cars, and didn’t install a buffet unlike LNER did, they had no choice on the matter of interior or train. It’s funny considering serious proposals were put forward into retaining HSTs for Paddington - Devon and Cornwall routes but this did not come to fruition. If only! So, all in all, thanks DfT for landing us with these rubbish heaps! ✌️

[@bus131]

The 802 fleet was ordered by GWR, the DfT was only responsible for the 800 & 801 fleets. Any specs on these was down to GWR, with possibly the exception of the ironing boards.

[@moose_ringo9161]

@@bus131 Good point, I think for inter-operability purposes the 802s are near identical to the 800s apart from engines and fuel tanks so for the purpose of a common fleet they probably thought it best to keep the spec the same

[@daydays12]

One or two people want to defend GWR. Are the GWR defenders saying that the government imposed uncomfortable seats on GWSR's trains? Doesn't free enterprise exist in the UK? I thought the railway had been privatised...so private companies like GWR can make decisions like providing customers with very uncomfortable seats for long journeys. Is that not the case?

[@KempSimon]

The brakes on GWR's Class 800 IET's are pretty good! In January I was travelling between Reading and Didcot, in a train running at the full 125mph line speed, when a passenger whose first language clearly wasn't English, tried to flush the toilet by pulling the alarm handle. It was amazing how quickly we came to a shuddering halt, a few hundred yards short of the high speed crossovers east of Didcot! I've also travelled on an IET between Plymouth and Exeter - in Diesel mode - and the trainset really struggled on the two mile, 1:40 ascent of Hemerdon Bank. The seats are as hard as ironing boards, the arm rests are instruments of torture and the harsh lighting would look bright even in a hospital operating theatre! People like to criticise British Rail, but the InterCity 125 High Speed Train (introduced to the Western Region in 1976) was the height of luxury compared to a Hitachi IET. As for on-board catering, don't get me started ....

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Great video. Surprisingly this train is running through minutes late I don't know why. This train is doing a service to Penzance

[@paulcrook792]

A Sad day has come, When my Local Bus Service is by far better than an Inter City Train, who would have thought that many years ago , so sad.

[@colanitower]

Perhaps there's a second reason why these trains have diesel engines. Just in case the pantograph falls off. Hopefully the engine is mounted properly under the floor ... 😁

[@alexanderlebaigue3954]

I wonder if the pantograph and the engine are fitted with the same care and good design as the interior.

[@johnkelly1083]

@@alexanderlebaigue3954 I bloody hope not 😄

[@telemachus53]

One thing for sure, however tatty the new GWR 802s are it takes almost twice as long with The South West Trains from waterloo. (3'45") . Another thing for sure is... Merry Christmas!

[@daydays12]

I prefer twice as long in comfort rather than aggravated an already fragile back. I have learnt that GWR are hateful

[@johnwyldbore73]

Are the LNER ones built to the same spec? Just wondering if they are as poor as the GWR offerings.

[@davidturner2741]

These trains are a poor substitute for the HSTs. They are mechanically good but for the traveler they are not comfortable to sit in, I have sat on more comfortable double decker buses, whoever sanctioned these seats never spent time sitting on them and the rest of the train seems like it was designed for the cleaners, a quick refurbishment is required.

[@daydays12]

GWR will do no such thing that's obvious. They are like Thames Water!!

[@thomaslucock8066]

Whilst I obviously can't speak for your experience, the two trips that I've had in the 802s (return from London to Plymouth) were genuinely not that bad. I personally found the seats to be rather comfortable (as a counterpoint, my partner found them uncomfortable), and yes while GWR are to take blame for the lack of buffet (the current situation regarding "coughy-boii" doesn't help either), I'd honestly rather have the trolley than nothing else

[@limeyfox]

GWR may well take the blame but the DfT was the hand behind it, same with the interiors.

[@daydays12]

@@limeyfox Why defend GWR? They are responsible for the safety and comfort of their passenger aren't theyK? They charge them enough

[@Pulsarnix]

I thought you'd already done a review of the SWR 158/9s from Pinhoe to London?

[@dominicwest6683]

I have only travelled on these trains on LNER and also found the ride rough and the seats uncomfortable. I was interested in the comments on the lighting. A few months ago I was mugged coming off an SWR Class 707 that my assailants were also travelling on. The operator refused BTP access to the CCTV footage on grounds of cost and disruption (the trains have to be taken out of service). I hope this isn't the case with these trains ?