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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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 !

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.

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!!

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

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

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.

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

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! ✌️

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

Hopefully the Auroras are better. EMR have promised huge improvement

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".

Merry Christmas to everyone:D

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.

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!

A Brilliant accurate review just telling it as it is...the evidence is all there to easily see its of poor build quality and directly tarnishes the good name of GWR with its historical origins of quality trains with quality service. The DfT is to blame here for ordering an austerity train for austerity times. Such a big disappointment after all the hype of promising something special for intercity use. Well these GWR trains have certainly killed off the intercity product for good, unless they are refurbed internally with better quality seats, fittings and more luggage space and introduce a mini shop like the LNER Azuma sets.

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

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.

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

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

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.

They are easily the MOST uncomfortable train I have ever travelled on. I actually put my back out on one on a two hour journey, had to be helped off the train and ended up in hospital for the night with a slipped disc and six months of recovery physiotherapy. My back was 100% fine when I got on, nothing to indicate the problems I was about to suffer. Simply decided never to use GWR again until they get rid of these cheap, uncomfortable pieces of utter crap.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 😂🤣

IET: Intercity Expensive Torture

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!

Don't worry about wrong announcements. I had one journey on the horrid networks from Gillingham to Charing cross and every station was Gravesend. Then another day it was saying all the station in the wrong order.

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

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

As the day of writing this comment all have been withdrawn due to cracks, well done Hitachi for terrible train 👏👏 I’m seriously shocked, never would happen on a HST in this year

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.

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 ... 😁

Superalbs I would love a HST review on GWR

And GWR think that is progress, better acceleration than the HST but everything else is a massive step backwards, not to mention losing the buffer car & now back to a trolley service. Those MK3 coaches were a joy to ride in, nice & quiet with comfy seats.

Oh god these trains are the bane of my life as I live near London and work in Penzance (although not travelling during COVID so at least my anger has subsided for a bit). I go First Class because I did my back in so badly in Economy I spent more on an osteopath than it would have cost to have bought a First Class ticket. The seats on these trains are hard as ironing boards, and less roomy than the previous trains. Frequently the heating has either been on full or freezing (I remember a train manager telling people what temperatures various carriages were if they wanted to move because the whole heating system had gone up the pokey). Seat reservations often don't work so you can end up in a rubbish seat having booked a better one (I also suffer from vertigo so have to travel by a window). But now the trains split at Plymouth, with 5 minutes to get to another platform to another, so when the train is even a minute late you miss the connection. Last time I went I asked which end of the train I should be (there is First Class either end of a 9 carriage train) and I got told the wrong one, so at Plymouth I had to run down a platform to get into the second half of the train, but because of COVID you're not allowed to walk along the train inside so I then I had to run down to First Class. With luggage. And if you're in the wrong part of the train you then can't walk along to get into the right part until you reach the next station, and I've seen so many people have to wait 1.5 hours while it gets to Devon so they can move. And the ride between Paddington and Reading is so bad that I've had train managers apologise in advance and tell people to hang on.

Why do I get the idea that the reviewer wants to put "ISN'T IT SHIT?!!!!!!" after almost every comment?

I am a former employee of FGW , I worked for them from 2002-2011 . I have been on those trains when I visit my old working area and I am appalled by them . The ride is so awful I have started feeling queasy on them , I never ever felt like that even working an Adelante 180 with their well commented awful ride. As for seat comfort .. I have sat on more comfortable walls , I know them as sciatica specials I have to take more cushions with me now to make sitting down more comfortable what I learnt from the first ever trip on one. Awful things ....

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.

A classic case of 'new' not equalling 'better'.

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.

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

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.

This is so disappointing. The IET externally looks superb. The single worst issue is the ironing board quality seats. Now anything new may have teething problems but seat quality is hardly a new science. This train fails by design i.e. not by accident but deliberately. I would like to find the person responsible for making the seats so uncomfortable and ask him what he was thinking.

ah yes, the Hitachi stamp of quality

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.

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.

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

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!

The seat cushions were loose?!? That's absolutely outrageous for a train that hasn't even been in service for 5 years. I very much doubt we will be seeing these in 40 years time

I can only agree with you all the way. We use the Azumas on the East Coast main line - same beast. They are uncomfortable, the seats in particular. Even in first class I get backache. Bring back the HST's.

I'm not a train expert but it would be really nice if they just brought back the HSTs and made them electric. Known as EHSTs. That would be great. Sure hope GWR will see my suggestion one day.

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

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

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.

I went to Denmark back in February and the seats in the train were literal sofas, a huge step up from the ironing boards I’ve sat on in the UK

At last some one who isnt taken in by the hype GWR spew out about these rancid,plastic crap agree 100% over all that's been said. I havent travelled on one and dont plan to do anytime soon. Good honest review. NB why not send a copy to GWR ? not that it will do much good

Bottom line, Total Crap Experience.

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.

I used them once from Newquay and it took me over 12 hours, I actually had a tantrum on the train as I had been on it so long. Worst experience of my life. I could have flown to Florida in the same time.

I don't know why everybody critizies these things and judge them real quick, i mean many trains have problems when they start service they will be fixed soon, like the hst had their fare share of problems too when they began service like they needed like a 100 rebuilts, the mrk3 emu had an awful amount of problems when they began service (way more than the IEPs) so people shouldn't be so quick to judge these things, besides the only problem is the interior (which can be easily fixed) at least they don't have mechanical and technical problems like the hst and mrk 3 emu had when they began service, so stop saying ooh these trains are shit because of that, I mean it's OK of you don't like them but don't used that logic, if you use that logic that means the hst and mrk3 emu are crap too right.

Oh the magnificent of the Italian manufactures! In Italy we are all so proud of our beautiful and unique products. This train is a rare peace of Italian perfection!! Wow this train is so amazing that I will avoid it like the COVID

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!! 🙂

I have to disagree. I travel on these trains usually about 2 times a month between Cardiff London and Bristol and think the seats are extremely comfortable and I am also a fan of the bright lighting. I must admit the condition these trains are in after just 5 years is poor

I heard they were going to have more comfortable wooden slats for seats instead but rejected them because they'd be more expensive.

Very interesting, seen a lot of mixed reviews since they came into service. Miss the regular HST workings too, very comfy in comparison. Bring back the Kings and Castles 🤣

In my experience 800 are quite average ok seats sat in 1 from Swansea to reading the 802s are abhorrent there were no toilets for a 3 hour journey so we had to switch 2 be honest u just miss HSTs why couldn't they have kept the mk3s and got new units like 91s electric engine

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!