Clarence Yard
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The word is that First sold it on at the end of last year and a return to service in Scotland is on the cards. Time will tell.
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Scotrail unit 156478's return to service
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Blindtraveler
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I hope so. A fully up to date train with new interior, 2020 mods and better crew accom etc is an interesting idea. Must admit I didnt know drivers wernt the most well catered for onboard.
158722
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Interesting, along with the comments about it at Broadies. Sensible if they are doing something with it in terms of a mechanical/technical/electrical upgrade, as opposed to just the PRM mods as done on the Anglia and now Northern ones.
The driving cab of a 156 is a joke. If you are over 6 ft tall you have no room really. The seat adjustment is terrible. You can't stand up to drive unless you are under 5ft8 as you have to stoop to see out the window. Heater is pathetic and the drop windows rattle, bang and leak!
Scotrail are carrying out a full refurb on 38 units. This is to include full interior and exterior repaint, new seats, tables, carpets, 240v sockets, wifi (I think), 2 wheelchair spaces, new CET toilet. Drivers cab is to get a repaint, full seat refurb, new door seals, Windows replaced. All starting from 1st February and continuing till 2018. 10 units are getting CET toilets fitted and that's it before they go off lease in 2018.
Oh no...them again.
They can't be any worse than the current, originals that are fitted. Looks like they will give more leg room, which will be an improvement.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Blindtraveller will be glad to hear of new seats on 156s I suspect!
Are those the ATD things made in Coventry, or those god awful Fansia ironing boards from Spain? Shame it's not the rather comfortable Grammer seats as fitted to the Inverness 158s, but new seats will be much better than the original and outdated Ashbournes.
Blindtraveler
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The Ashborns have done well but as I learned to my cost when grycing West Highland and Stranrar last year they are past their best. I must admit though to enjoying the Northern ones I used earlier in the year and with the refurb described theyl be great. Amazed they are doiog so many before then letting them go off lease though?
The 10 that go off lease first are getting nothing apart from new bogs. I imagine with the late running wiring projects in England they may be thinking that east Kilbride/Barrhead/kilmarnock wiring could be delayed and the sprinters will be required for a longer period. Either way it will be a massive improvement to what they are at the moment.
I'm aware of that, however EK was meant to be 2020 and it is now looking more like CP7 which will be 2025, so almost a decade away. EGIP would be political suicide for the SNP if it were to be delayed, after all it is the flagship rail route in Scotland. Even though rail is devolved in Scotland doesn't make it immune from funding issues and delays as experienced in England. Borders rail is a prime example of delays and poor future proofing planning.
NotATrainspott
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Why are you worried? There's no signs of slippages from the current timetable. Clearance work on the Shotts route is progressing well and everything is already paid for. Remember that the wiring teams and contracts in Scotland are not only separate but have been planned for far longer. All the current electrification in England was only really thought up back in 2009 when the DfT realised that bio-diesel wasn't going to work, but EGIP was being planned well before it. Nothing in EGIP relies upon unproven technology either, unlike the GWML electrification with the failure of the HOPS train to be anywhere near as productive as it was meant to be.
There's no sign whatsoever that EK will slip to CP7. For it to slip that far, there would need to be a complete pause in electrification as the route is a high priority due to the inefficiency of using 156s on a busy commuter route. Sorting it (and Barrhead) out represents a quicker win for increased capacity and efficiency than most other wiring jobs. Scotland isn't like England and Wales where there are a large number of different schemes all equally useful and feasible within the same short timeframe. Once EGIP is done, the focus has to be to move northwards aiming towards Aberdeen and Inverness, but getting rid of the last diesel commuter line in Glasgow would get you a lot of good. Once you've sorted out Anniesland, East Kilbride and Kilmarnock the only DMUs left would be the scenic fleet running to the WHL, Stranraer and Carlisle. It will take a lot of wiring to get rid of the need to have a diesel scenic train fleet in Glasgow, so they may as well focus on other areas.
Altnabreac
Established Member
I agree with nearly all of this. Shotts is looking to complete 12 months early in 2018 and all the structures work for EGIP, Dunblane and Shotts should be complete by 2017 so we could see structures teams move on to routes like EK, Barrhead and Maryhill before the end of CP5.
The one route I think could be delayed is Kilmarnock (and Barassie). The recent WCML diversions have highlighted the difficulties of the remaining single sections but full redoubling may be tricky to justify in CP6. There may also be a difficulty in separating Dumfries services out from Kilmarnock terminators. Finally there may be a political desire to ensure progress on northbound electrification starts before the 2021 parliamentary elections.
So my guess is EK, Barrhead and Maryhill are early CP6 but closely followed by Fife and Dundee rather than Barrhead to Kilmarnock which could well have to await CP7.
scotraildriver
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I'm not so sure about that. I read a circular today that said all 38 units will be refurbished to the same specification. Also the plan to use 158's on the West Highland line is under review due to braking issues ie the running brake test requirements of the 158 in snow would be totally impractical due to the low speeds and long gradients.
scotraildriver
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Sorry, yes that is right. Was thinking we only had 38 in total. Silly me
ER158715
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No different to the Kyle line really. When we leave Kyle, it's 45 mins before we reach a bit of line with anything over 35mph. There is also a good bit where snow can be an issue between Garve and Strathcarron.
The Kyle men would love 156s back as they were better suited to that particular route. Wick line has sections of 80/90 so 158 better for that.
Best thing would be to leave 156 to WHL as the passenger views seem better plus the tread brakes, as you say, have no restrictions
Just hope we don't ever end up with 158s on the Stranraer line! Ever! 156 may be getting on a bit, but it is by far the better unit to drive. 158 brakes are appalling and the cab is even more claustrophobic than the 156.
Update on ownership of 478. It is now owned by Brodies of Kilmarnock. Due back in ScotRail service early April. It will receive a refurbished interior similar to the refurb programme for the 38 that are staying. No idea on what outside livery it will receive, but likely to be the Saltire livery.
Some up to date pics of it inside Brodies.
Some up to date pics of it inside Brodies.
158722
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Very interesting, thanks for this.
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scotraildriver
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Also says on intranet will stay with Scotrail until mid 2019 when it's position will be reviewed.
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That really means whether they can afford the lease payments on it! Seems as if Brodies may tout it as a demonstrator to showcase what can be done with the 156 - with Scotrail as a long term trialist.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Ooh good news there, glad to hear they've not totally given up on it!
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
Go on, 478 get in there... There is life in you yet, old girl!
I was wondering if, as has been said, 478 is now OWNED by Brodies and will return to Scotrail services in the future, does this technically make Brodies a ROSCO?
I was wondering if, as has been said, 478 is now OWNED by Brodies and will return to Scotrail services in the future, does this technically make Brodies a ROSCO?
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
I suppose it does... The situation isn't all that different to if your car is an insurance write-off- your insurers pay out and either they or the company that recovered the vehicle gain ownership of it. Whether they then repair it to sell on or strip it down for spares and scrap is up to them.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
The difference with a train is that it is far more likely to be repaired to a high standard of safety. Sadly though the papers will make a meal out of this - "Scotrail making their passengers travel in written off carriages". Send em a 230 I say !.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Though that's the difference between in insurance write-off (the cost of repair is greater than the value of the vehicle once repaired) and a structural write-off. The big difference with rail vehicles being that sourcing a replacement vehicle is not quite as easy or quick as sourcing a replacement Ford Fiesta. To re-sell a repaired car which had been written off for financial reasons is perfectly legal, however to patch up and sell on a structural write-off is not.
Though your fears/suspicions that the journos will try to make a mountain out of not-even-a-molehill are probably well placed, sadly. :roll:
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