I often think when I board Redhill-Reigate shuttles in the evening that some form of single car unit is the way forward, especially if an extra platform gets built at Redhill. Enough railway land exists at Reigate for a micro-depot like they have at Stourbridge.
To be fair, I reckon such a unit could run the whole line from Reigate to Redhill and then on to Tonbridge during most of the off-peak periods. Peak times would be rather more tricky.
I'd prefer a "micro-depot" to be built at Redhill, using a little of the area of the derelict goods yards (currently providing oodles of space for nothing much at all, as you'll know).
I appreciate this is rather off topic, but I think some of the land at Reigate could be used for things like a third platform for terminating trains. Indeed, I understand there are tentative suggestions in place for this. I am of the opinion that the North Downs Line needs a scheme of building of passing loops (probably largely in place of old sidings) and, where relevant, rebuilding of platforms. This would allow further goods services (in conjunction with electrification and clearance works), as well as a greater number of peak-time trains. The off-peak service of 1tp2h for some stations is also not good enough.
Anything which did not need to run West of Reigate would not need to be of diesel traction. Third-rail electrification exists from Reigate to Redhill.
