This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41633356
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Fault delays new high-speed train's first journey from Bristol to London | Fault delays new high-speed train's first journey from Bristol to London |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Broken air conditioning and a 41-minute delay have overshadowed the launch of the UK's new fleet of high-speed trains. | Broken air conditioning and a 41-minute delay have overshadowed the launch of the UK's new fleet of high-speed trains. |
| The Hitachi 800 engine will be faster and carry more passengers and will run on GWR for the next 27 years. | The Hitachi 800 engine will be faster and carry more passengers and will run on GWR for the next 27 years. |
| But passengers on the first Bristol to London service arrived late and some had to dodge drips as water leaked from an air conditioning unit. | But passengers on the first Bristol to London service arrived late and some had to dodge drips as water leaked from an air conditioning unit. |
| Hitachi said the delay was due to a "minor technical issue". | Hitachi said the delay was due to a "minor technical issue". |
| The fleet of intercity trains was designed to be electric, but due to delays in electrification of the line, engines will also be fitted with diesel power. | The fleet of intercity trains was designed to be electric, but due to delays in electrification of the line, engines will also be fitted with diesel power. |
| The service was supposed to leave Bristol Temple Meads at 06:00 BST but got under way at 06:25 and finally arrived at Paddington 41 minutes late. | The service was supposed to leave Bristol Temple Meads at 06:00 BST but got under way at 06:25 and finally arrived at Paddington 41 minutes late. |
| The air conditioning had to be turned off, after the leak was spotted. | The air conditioning had to be turned off, after the leak was spotted. |
| A Hitachi Rail Europe spokesman said: "There was a minor technical issue just before the train left the depot which engineers were able to fix, but meant the train was late leaving Bristol." | A Hitachi Rail Europe spokesman said: "There was a minor technical issue just before the train left the depot which engineers were able to fix, but meant the train was late leaving Bristol." |
| He said the air conditioning was a separate issue and the train had been taken to the London depot to be fixed. | He said the air conditioning was a separate issue and the train had been taken to the London depot to be fixed. |
| The problems prompted complaints on social media by passengers. | The problems prompted complaints on social media by passengers. |
| Great Western Railway and Network Rail have installed overhead cables for the electric trains, that will eventually replace Intercity 125s completely. | Great Western Railway and Network Rail have installed overhead cables for the electric trains, that will eventually replace Intercity 125s completely. |
| Due to budget cuts and delays, electrification has fallen short of the Bristol rail section so far. | Due to budget cuts and delays, electrification has fallen short of the Bristol rail section so far. |
| 'Transformational' | 'Transformational' |
| It means the trains will run on diesel from Maidenhead to Bristol. | |
| The Department for Transport says the new trains will cut journey times, increase the number of seats and services, and be more comfortable. | The Department for Transport says the new trains will cut journey times, increase the number of seats and services, and be more comfortable. |
| Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who was on the first service, says the new trains will be "transformational" for people from Bristol. | Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, who was on the first service, says the new trains will be "transformational" for people from Bristol. |
| He said: "These are the smartest trains in the country, probably the best we have ever had in the country. | He said: "These are the smartest trains in the country, probably the best we have ever had in the country. |
| "This going to be a fantastic service, really regular trains and far more capacity." | "This going to be a fantastic service, really regular trains and far more capacity." |
| Hitachi said the longer carriages provided much more space and comfort for passengers. | Hitachi said the longer carriages provided much more space and comfort for passengers. |
| What questions do you have about this story? Use the form below and we could be in touch. | What questions do you have about this story? Use the form below and we could be in touch. |