NXEC want the 180s

[delt1c]

Given the 125mph top end the ECML would be a logicalstamping ground for the 180's.
Having used the 180's on the London Cardif service the one big flaw from a passenger point of view is the positioning of the 1st class and I wonder if there may be any plans to move the 1st class accomodation to a driving car and then reposion the buffet car ajacent. That way you dont have a constant stream of passengers walking through the 1st class to get to the Buffet car.

 

[devon_metro]

Do you have to have a negative attitude towards everything?

:? :? :roll:

 

[Jordy]

Well you seem to love the thought of new companies/services failing, why?!

 

[theblackwatch]

I understand, but it would make sense tho have services splitting to save paths etc.

The one operator which has said that it is prepared to split/combine 180s is Hull Trains, which would couple/uncouple its Hull & Harrogate services at Selby or Retford.

 

[Nym]

How easy is it to couple the 180s anyway, I havn't seen a wacking great dellner sticking out the end of them in any of the photos or are they under a skirt of some kind, similar to pindos?

 

[me123]

How easy is it to couple the 180s anyway, I havn't seen a wacking great dellner sticking out the end of them in any of the photos or are they under a skirt of some kind, similar to pindos?

FGW appparently can do it (as said on their site), but I've never heard of it done myself. I always thought that the coupler was underneath the panel with the number on it, though:

 

[Nym]

and knowing what Alstom's front panels are like, it won't last long

 

[Crompton Karl]

and knowing what Alstom's front panels are like, it won't last long

Well these usints did run regularily in 10 car formations when working for FGW.

Karl

 

[Nym]

Well that would be the one reliable part of the entire train then, shame they let it lapse for the pindos

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

NXEC dont need them for a couple of years... and IIRC HT have already got some of theirs, so surely that only leaves 9? If GC get them then it's down to 7 (or 3 if another 4 are secured for GU), and I thought that FGW wanted to keep 3 for themselves... leaving 0 that NXEC can have! Unless Alsthom are going to build some more?!!!
How have they gone from being a hated unit that no-one wanted to suddenly being the unit everyone wants?!

 

[me123]

Aren't GC getting their Polaris units soon, anyway? Which means, if you get your 180s, they'd be displaced in the next 10 years anyway; again!

 

[Guinness]

I thought no plans were laid out for Polaris Set?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

No idea as to if and when the Polaris trains appear. I think a lot of people (myself included) are hoping these turn out to be fantastic trains, and the ideal replacement for the HSTs GC currently operate. The 180s may well be just a stop-gap until the Polaris arrives, but it will give some flexibility!

 

[theblackwatch]

NXEC dont need them for a couple of years... and IIRC HT have already got some of theirs, so surely that only leaves 9? If GC get them then it's down to 7 (or 3 if another 4 are secured for GU), and I thought that FGW wanted to keep 3 for themselves... leaving 0 that NXEC can have! Unless Alsthom are going to build some more?!!!
How have they gone from being a hated unit that no-one wanted to suddenly being the unit everyone wants?!

NXEC will want theirs for services which it would like to begin at the end of 2009(rather than the franchise obligation of 2010). This is sooner than most of the GU services which are planned. As I underdstand it, the FGW sets will probably only stay until they receive their additional HST set (EC64) when the NXEC refurbishment programme comes to an end.

Depending on the decisions made by the ORR regarding the ECML RUS, some of the operators may well find they have absolutely no use for the units!

 

[devon_metro]

Well you seem to love the thought of new companies/services failing, why?!

Is that so :?

 

[P156KWJ]

I still think 180s are a better idea than the original plan of getting some 90s of NXEA, as the 90s are allowed to do 110mph, whereas 180s (I think) are the only DMMU that is capeable to do 125mph in service.

 

[Donny Dave]

On a stopping service though, the top speed of a 90 is irrelevant, as it can accelerate quicker than a 91 and keep to time.

 

[gordonthemoron]

But 90's can't go to Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Knaresborough or Harrogate

 

[devon_metro]

I still think 180s are a better idea than the original plan of getting some 90s of NXEA, as the 90s are allowed to do 110mph, whereas 180s (I think) are the only DMMU that is capeable to do 125mph in service.

The Voyager family is capable of 125mph running although the pedants out there will tell me that they are DEMUs whereas 180s have hydraulic drives

 

[class 313]

The Voyager family is capable of 125mph running although the pedants out there will tell me that they are DEMUs whereas 180s have hydraulic drives

220/222s are DEMU.

 

[Guinness]

The Voyager family is capable of 125mph running although the pedants out there will tell me that they are DEMUs whereas 180s have hydraulic drives

Liam, that is correct.

 

[momentum]

But 90's can't go to Lincoln, Cleethorpes, Knaresborough or Harrogate

Not a problem

DBT get them Brush type 4s out.

 

[djw1981]

But they have a max of 75-100mph........so are not suitable unless you only use them as thunderbirds (like NXEA do) for the cl90's.

 

[Nym]

unless you clear the 90s for the route, shove the panto down, wack a second loco on and weyehey, you can go quick, remember what 90039 did going to Llandudno Jcn

 

[Z12XE]

One Railway were hauling a Class 90+MkIII set once each way between Norwich and Gt Yarmouth on weekdays for a while....the only problem was it was time consuming and impractical.

 

[87015]

One Railway were hauling a Class 90+MkIII set once each way between Norwich and Gt Yarmouth on weekdays for a while....the only problem was it was time consuming and impractical.

The entire continent is capable of changing engines with a reversal in about five minutes but obviously too difficult for us hock: DMUs obviously far easier and cheaper so always going to be preffered by TOCs.

you can go quick, remember what 90039 did going to Llandudno Jcn

Yes, an excellent move that was ! Some spinning ensued afterwards after John was sent to work the return working http://redcow.fotopic.net/p16776908.html

 

[37412]

Yes, an excellent move that was ! Some spinning ensued afterwards after John was sent to work the return working http://redcow.fotopic.net/p16776908.html

Wouldn't have minded a blast on that! Was sitting on 425 on the Rhymneys though! 8)

 

[djw1981]

2x180 reported Northbound at Stafford yesterday....

 

[matt]

2x180 reported Northbound at Stafford yesterday....

I believe that was a test run from Oxley to Crewe and return presuambly making sure they still work before they go to whichever TOC actually has them.

 

[djw1981]

Interesting.

Speculation elsewhere that they are standing in (short term) for teh damaged VWC train which got hit by a paving slab last week.