Scotrail unit 156478's return to service

[61653 HTAFC]

Or maybe they could couple the least damaged coach to a 153, to form a semi-permanent 2 car unit for Northern or East Midland.

The only issue there would be the creation of a single non-standard unit, though that needn't be a massive problem at GA/EMT/Northern as they do at least operate both types. If 153/5s and 156s have different schedules between exams it might cause a problem though.

On the original flooding thread I predicted that this unit (at the time I, like most members, assumed it would eventually be repaired) might become the first to receive the "scenic stock" modifications. It has since been revealed that scenic 156s won't be overhauled to quite the same extent that 158s are planned to be though. It would make sense to use it as a test-bed for modifications though, if indeed it won't ever be returned to front line service in some form.

 

[Clarence Yard]

I may have got this wrong but when I was in a nearly similar situation a few years back with a vehicle that could of (but didn't) get written off, if a vehicle is actually written off the owner gets the insurance value and the title to the unit passes to the Insurer.

The Insurer then disposes of the unit. As the unit was being repaired by Scotrail (old) and seems not to have been leased by Scotrail (new), it is presumably still somewhere in the Kilmarnock area. I would not be surprised to learn that the unit has already been sold on (given that some work would have been done on it) and that we won't have seen the last of it.

 

[Emblematic]

I may have got this wrong but when I was in a nearly similar situation a few years back with a vehicle that could of (but didn't) get written off, if a vehicle is actually written off the owner gets the insurance value and the title to the unit passes to the Insurer.

The Insurer then disposes of the unit. As the unit was being repaired by Scotrail (old) and seems not to have been leased by Scotrail (new), it is presumably still somewhere in the Kilmarnock area. I would not be surprised to learn that the unit has already been sold on (given that some work would have been done on it) and that we won't have seen the last of it.

There's a lot of pragmatism in the insurance business. Car insurers deal with thousands of car write-offs and have all the processes and contacts to do this efficiently, unlike the owners. There's also a process to ensure excessive damage is never repaired (Cat A/B write off.)
It's the reverse with rail, the insurer just wants a simple financial transaction. So what actually happens here is:

• 156478 is owned by Angel Trains, leased to First Scotrail, and is water damaged.
• Unit is taken to Bonnyton Rail Depot (Brodie Engineering) for storage and possibly initial assessment.
• FS, probably at behest of AT or their insurer, issue and manage the repair tender process. They may be obligated to do so by the lease contract.
• During the repairs, either the repair costs escalate or the unit is found to be in worse condition than expected. AT and their insurer agree to cease repairs and settle financially, based on original and residual value. Everyone involved in the repair is paid out.
• AT are now free to scrap, part out, store or rebuild whatever's left of the unit.
• FS or 'Old Scotrail' are no longer involved; 'New Scotrail' never were.

Even if the unit reaches the scrapyard, it can still be sold on and returned to use. An exception is London Underground stock, TFL insist that disposal is swift and discreet, and their contracts specify no resale.

 

[devinier]

Given that an extra class 156 would be highly sought after by other TOCs, I doubt it will actually be scrapped. Every part below solebar is available to replace more or less off the shelf. If repair costs are deemed too high for some reason I think it would be stored so that Angel Trains have 2 spare cars in the event of another unit actually being collision damaged in the future.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

How far away are the 156s (all TOCs) from their next major overhaul (to the level where they get striped down nearly to be bare bodies? If they're due, could 156478 be used as a prototype for a major overhaul?

 

[childwallblues]

This I one of my last two 156's. I've been in this position for almost 20years....can't believe it....

Hard luck. Lets hope that it comes back. I actually have had rides in both carriages of it.

 

[Techniquest]

I sympathise with the forum member who only needs 2 156s, although I'm also jealous of course! I too need 156478, so I have my fingers crossed for it coming back as I would like, in the next few years, to get to a point where I can say I've had all 114 156s. It would be rather gutting to get to 113 and not have a chance to have that last one!

 

[455driver]

Has anyone posted a link to an official source about this withdrawal or is it just hearsay from W--X?

 

[scotraildriver]

It is listed as "scrapped" on the list of RETB equipped 156's posted at relevant depots. Also 446, 458 and 496 not to be used on RETB duties. Don't know why....

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It is listed as "scrapped" on the list of RETB equipped 156's posted at relevant depots. Also 446, 458 and 496 not to be used on RETB duties. Don't know why....

Shortage of spares for the RETB equipment? I'd have thought there'd be a big spares float with ATW's Cambrian 158s no longer needing it.

 

[455driver]

It is listed as "scrapped" on the list of RETB equipped 156's posted at relevant depots. Also 446, 458 and 496 not to be used on RETB duties. Don't know why....

Thanks SRD.

 

[childwallblues]

Having looked in vain as to when this accident happened I have established that 156478 was on the 2212 Glasgow Central to Carlisle on 22/12/2014. The accident occurred near Mauchline.

 

[380101]

It is listed as "scrapped" on the list of RETB equipped 156's posted at relevant depots. Also 446, 458 and 496 not to be used on RETB duties. Don't know why....

I've driven quite a few 156s recently that have had the retb equipment removed. Presumably as the 158s will require it for the WHL when they become the scenic trains.

The flood damaged one is currently split at Brodies in Kilmarnock and appears to be receiving ongoing work as it is masked off at the front cabs. I pass their yard/depot regularly on killie-girvan runs.

 

[theblackwatch]

Slightly off-topic, but do ScotRail use portable RETB equipment on 156s on the WHL at all?

 

[scotraildriver]

No. Also the new RETB 2 system was meant to be up and running in February but we're still waititng.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

I sympathise with the forum member who only needs 2 156s, although I'm also jealous of course! I too need 156478, so I have my fingers crossed for it coming back as I would like, in the next few years, to get to a point where I can say I've had all 114 156s. It would be rather gutting to get to 113 and not have a chance to have that last one!

Just checked - has a red line under it. From memory, was my chariot for Crianlarich to Oban in May 2006 - then back to Glasgow QS...

 

[djpontrack]

Is there an update on this unit? It's one of the last 156s I need for haulage. Thanks

 

[59CosG95]

Is there an update on this unit? It's one of the last 156s I need for haulage. Thanks

A return to service doesn't seem on the cards, unless ScotRail decide to do a 'Flying Scotsman' on it and return it to service with a substantial cash injection...

 

[455driver]

A return to service doesn't seem on the cards, unless ScotRail decide to do a 'Flying Scotsman' on it and return it to service with a substantial cash injection...

Whats ScotRail got to do with it, the unit is owned by Angel Trains!

 

[NotATrainspott]

Since the Pacer replacement crisis is now over courtesy of CAF and Arriva, there's no real reason to spend absurd amounts of money fixing the train up.

 

[158722]

Whats ScotRail got to do with it, the unit is owned by Angel Trains!

There was an unconfirmed report of it having been sold to First Group around the time that they actually lost the ScotRail franchise to Abellio. Quite why they would want a 156 when they don't operate any of the class elsewhere is open to question.

 

[superalbs]

There was an unconfirmed report of it having been sold to First Group around the time that they actually lost the ScotRail franchise to Abellio. Quite why they would want a 156 when they don't operate any of the class elsewhere is open to question.

Don't TPE use some 156s?

 

[driver9000]

Don't TPE use some 156s?

6 sets hired from Northern.

 

[route:oxford]

Where is it now?

 

[158722]

Don't TPE use some 156s?

Agred, but not quite the same is it? 6 sets hired in on a daily basis?

 

[Defiance149]

Where is it now?

Its outside in the yard at Brodie, Kilmarnock.

 

[380101]

Its outside in the yard at Brodie, Kilmarnock.

Hasn't been outside Brodies since end of November at least. Possibly back inside the shed getting further work done or its been moved elsewhere and nobody has seen it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Or its maybe lerking on a supermarket shelf containing baked beans?

 

[adc82140]

Would it be cut up though? Or stripped for as many spares as possible, then the bodyshells kept somewhere to allow for any future needs?

 

[380101]

Last time I saw it outside Brodies it had what appeared to be refurbished bogies and all the under sole bar equipment looked to be freshly painted. So my guess is that it may still be getting returned to duty at some point. It's the ideal platform for angel trains to demonstrate a fully modernised and compliant 156.

Even if the electrical installations internally had been damaged beyond repair it's not beyond capabilities now to refit it with modern components that will be more reliable and take up less space - this would potentially allow massive improvements on the space the driver has. The current driving area is cramped and massively uncomfortable on journeys over an hour in length.