Metropol

Anyone know where the HSTs are coming from? Presumably some will be freed up when the Intercity Expresses come into service, but that's not for a few years yet.

First great western, it seems their are due new stock.

barcode wrote:First great western, it seems their are due new stock.

Correct. They'll be getting those new Hitatchi Intercity Express trains when the electrification works which are in progress are complete. Apparently in December 2017.



http://www.hitachirail-eu.com/super-express-iep_57.html

So even with refurbishment it won't be until 2019 these transfers will start appearing.

Cross Country are also eyeing up some of our HST stock. Grand Central are disposing of theirs when they get our remaining 180s (although they are short formed non-standard sets). FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

Alexia wrote:Cross Country are also eyeing up some of our HST stock. Grand Central are disposing of theirs when they get our remaining 180s (although they are short formed non-standard sets). FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

I believe Abellio wanted some of the ex stock from Cross Country but alas no new stock for them so that was a dead end.

barcode wrote:

Alexia wrote:Cross Country are also eyeing up some of our HST stock. Grand Central are disposing of theirs when they get our remaining 180s (although they are short formed non-standard sets). FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

I believe Abellio wanted some of the ex stock from Cross Country but alas no new stock for them so that was a dead end.

CrossCountry (as they are now) haven't got any ex-stock so to speak; the Voyagers are left over from the Vermin days, the Turbostars inherited from Central Trains when the franchise map was redrawn.

The 4/5 HSTs they run at the moment are ex-Midland Mainline and ex-Virgin XC units that were in storage, and are formed of 7-car sets (2 first + 5 standard). They are also very well turned out, it must be said.

Alexia wrote:FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

Aren't these new ones bi-mode trains though - in that they can switch between diesel and electric propulsion?

AJ wrote:

Alexia wrote:FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

Aren't these new ones bi-mode trains though - in that they can switch between diesel and electric propulsion?

Only the class 800s. The 801s will be electric only. The 800s will be used on partially electrified routes like Paddington - Cheltenham via Stroud, west of Swansea, southwest of Bristol etc and possibly Paddington - Hereford. Paddington to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance via Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton etc. will remain HST-led - after all, why waste an electric-capable train on a mainly non-electrified route?

Alexia wrote:

AJ wrote:

Alexia wrote:FGW not getting rid of all HSTs mind, will still need some for Westcountry non-electrified lines.

Aren't these new ones bi-mode trains though - in that they can switch between diesel and electric propulsion?

Only the class 800s. The 801s will be electric only. The 800s will be used on partially electrified routes like Paddington - Cheltenham via Stroud, west of Swansea, southwest of Bristol etc and possibly Paddington - Hereford. Paddington to Exeter, Plymouth and Penzance via Westbury, Castle Cary, Taunton etc. will remain HST-led - after all, why waste an electric-capable train on a mainly non-electrified route?

The situation is really the opposite; DMUs are the scarce resource, wasted on routes running under wires. Happens almost everywhere there is wires. This will be even more so when the 225s are relieved.

Oh of course; hence the need for bi-mode, for the best of both worlds. To clarify, what I meant was any train to/from the Westcountry and Cornwall going Reading - Taunton - Exeter - Plymouth - Penzance will only be under wires for the first 45 mins or so of its 4 hour journey (Paddington-Newbury); hence why it will remain an HST-led journey rather than having bi-mode trains at first. Don't forget with the wires will come an increase in service (+1tph train to S Wales, +2 tph to Bristol) so the IEPs will be well employed.

225s going to MML or GEML, aren't they?