Cross Country Getting EMT HST`s

[37401]

Hi all

ive heard about this and some say its true some say false but the GEN is that in January next year East Midland Trains are swapping there HST`s for Cross country`s Voyagers

If this is true then i have a feeling XC wont be so fast to replace the 12VP185`s with MTU`s as it seems a waste of money for EMT to buy 43089 a VP to only have it MTU-ed.

This is very intresting indeed and ive heard that Drivers have been told about this, however XC and EMT have not gone public about this yet.

Anyone else got any GEN on this?

 

[Mintona]

Whilst probably being a good thing for XC, why would EMT want to vastly reduce the capacity of their trains? They would have to be given 2 Voyagers for each HST to maintain capacity, and then XC wouldn't have enough Voyagers to operate all their diagrams. Sounds plausible, but unlikely if you ask me.

 

[Edvid]

EMT are due to refresh/refurbish their mainline fleet in the not-too-distant future, are they not? Regarding the HST/Voyager swap I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[222001]

Would they be given the some Voyagers or some Super Voyagers?

I just don't think they can afford to cut the capacity.
It could be true though as no more sets have been painted and refurbishment which was going to start early this year hasn't.

Look out for any Voyagers that do not go through the shop removal program.
I don't think it is going to happen though.

 

[Techniquest]

I really can't see it happening myself. Doesn't make sense to me especially since the Voyager/Super Voyager fleet cannot work in multiple with the Meridian/Pioneer fleet.

 

[Dave R]

I could see this happening as XC badly need more capacity and EMT may want a 'standardised' fleet as they could just change the couplers (and other things) like southerns class 377s changed from tightlock to dellner couplers, i think it would improve EMTs timings as they can accelerate better.

 

[generalvegitable]

I think that they should, EMT could use the extra acceleration power especially because the route is limited to 110mph, and HSTs cannot get up to that speed quick enough to satisfy the need, plus EMT do stop alot at Bedford and Luton so there are more stops to consider.

 

[The Planner]

EMT would have told NR about this by now as the Dec 09 timetable is already being worked on. We've not heard a peep from EMT about this. It would involve a change in their access contract too as its a different rolling stock to what they are permitted.

 

[MCR247]

I could see this happening as XC badly need more capacity and EMT may want a 'standardised' fleet as they could just change the couplers (and other things) like southerns class 377s changed from tightlock to dellner couplers, i think it would improve EMTs timings as they can accelerate better.

Its not couplers it, electricals

 

[Jordy]

Reliable sources say no, this isn't happening.

 

[Max]

Voyagers and Meridians are so different electrically that I cannot see this happening.

 

[devon_metro]

What a load of twallop.

 

[37401]

Voyagers and Meridians are so different electrically that I cannot see this happening.

i doubt they`ll be put together

 

[Ben]

Source for this victorialine? Or more froth from you?

 

[devon_metro]

Its actually froth copied from some froth on a gen group.

 

[ukrob]

Voyagers and Meridians are so different electrically that I cannot see this happening.

i doubt they`ll be put together

That would be because they can't be, there is no 'doubting' about it

 

[TEW]

It's absolute rubbish, someone who claims to have spoke to EMT's MD has said it's rubbish. They did say XC asked about hiring an HST for the summer though.

 

[mumrar]

Had to check whether this thread started on April 1st. Every piece of logic says it's stupid, and TOCs barely swap stock when we see good reasons for it. If it happens, we'll have to open a restaurant that serves hats!

 

[tbtc]

Whilst this story is clearly nonsense, how easy would it be to build more 222s? (hypothetically)

The idea of EMT getting new7/8 coach 222s to replace all of their HSTs makes some sense. However, the idea of swapping an HST for a Voyager is clearly a non starter...

 

[Edvid]

If it happens, we'll have to open a restaurant that serves hats!

Preferably in Luton.

 

[asylumxl]

If it happens, we'll have to open a restaurant that serves hats!

Isn't that the same as McDonalds?

Preferably in Luton.

We've got one

 

[WillPS]

Whilst this story is clearly nonsense, how easy would it be to build more 222s? (hypothetically)

For EMT? Impossible, at least for the next 5 years or so - their franchise agreement states something to the effect of "no new stock" - which is a bugger because a certain cross country route they run could really do with some!

Altogether? I really don't know. I guess if there was an order large enough, Bombardier would do it, but at a guess we've seen the last Meridian enter service now. It's a shame, they're bloody lovely trains, the best InterCity stock around in my opinion.

 

[37401]

Its actually froth copied from some froth on a gen group.

yup i got it off my HST GEN and decided to post it up here for disscusion, so no froth here mate!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If it happens, we'll have to open a restaurant that serves hats!

ok your on mate, its a deal

 

[martyn29]

no way will that happen

 

[222001]

For EMT? Impossible, at least for the next 5 years or so - their franchise agreement states something to the effect of "no new stock" - which is a bugger because a certain cross country route they run could really do with some!

Altogether? I really don't know. I guess if there was an order large enough, Bombardier would do it, but at a guess we've seen the last Meridian enter service now. It's a shame, they're bloody lovely trains, the best InterCity stock around in my opinion.

EMT were not even meant to get the HT 222s! I think they were allowed 3 153s! That would really sort out their problems!

I agree with you on the Meridians, I don't think there will be any more. I don't even think there will be anymore InterCity DEMUs built in the future.

 

[37401]

I don't even think there will be anymore InterCity DEMUs built in the future.

I picked up "Today`s Railways" magazine today and there was an artical stating that the Pendolino could well be the last ever Hig Speed train bulit in/for the UK it was that or something along those lines.

 

[Calum]

I doubt the swap will happen, especially if EMT are still going to refurbish their Mk3 rakes.

 

[mumrar]

there was an artical stating that the Pendolino could well be the last ever Hig Speed train bulit in/for the UK

It must say last built in uk, otherwise what have Hitachi and Agility Trains been given loads of money for? It certainly won't be a 14x DMU replacement!

 

[tbtc]

For EMT? Impossible, at least for the next 5 years or so - their franchise agreement states something to the effect of "no new stock" - which is a bugger because a certain cross country route they run could really do with some!

Altogether? I really don't know. I guess if there was an order large enough, Bombardier would do it, but at a guess we've seen the last Meridian enter service now. It's a shame, they're bloody lovely trains, the best InterCity stock around in my opinion.

Thanks.

In an ideal world, it'd be a good idea to give EMT a dozen (?) long 222s (and maybe a similar number of marginally shorter ones for the Liverpool - Norwich route?), passing all of their HSTs to Cross Country (meaning EMT only had one type of "intercity" train).

Cross Country could then replace a dozen short Voyagers on their "ex" Virgin routes, meaning they could cascade them onto the Nottingham - Cardiff route, or start to rebuild Cross Country services to places like Swansea that were withdrawn.

Sheer fantasy, I know

 

[martyn29]

codswallop