Future Rolling Stock In The South West

[Irascible]

But then a short term solution (15 years) may be exactly what is needed to tie things over until a longer term solution (which may involve more electrification) can be implemented

For the westcountry? all that needs replacing down here in the near future is the 150s, and I bet anyone on the Exmouth-Paignton route wouldn't really be too bothered if they stuck a 158 on it, let alone a more convenient 16x. All that lot will last until 2030 at least.

 

[Mikey C]

For the westcountry? all that needs replacing down here in the near future is the 150s, and I bet anyone on the Exmouth-Paignton route wouldn't really be too bothered if they stuck a 158 on it, let alone a more convenient 16x. All that lot will last until 2030 at least.

The express 158 might be considered overkill on such a route though, where 769s would be more suitable.

 

[MarkyT]

For the westcountry? all that needs replacing down here in the near future is the 150s, and I bet anyone on the Exmouth-Paignton route wouldn't really be too bothered if they stuck a 158 on it, let alone a more convenient 16x. All that lot will last until 2030 at least.

Exactly. They're all around the same age, won't rot significantly with their aluminium car bodies, and should last another decade at least while new energy strategies coellesce. If neccessary some similarly rustless hybrid/all battery D-trains might be drafted in to cover local work/isolated branches, and hybrid experimentation could also be carried out on the 15x,16x fleets, with 3rd rail 'plug in' feature where expedient.

 

[Irascible]

The express 158 might be considered overkill on such a route though, where 769s would be more suitable.

AIUI it's getting ex-Thames Turbos of some sort. Also AIUI, Exeter depot can't handle anything longer than 3-car units so you'd have to send 769s off to ( I guess ) Plymouth or Bristol for servicing.

 

[Grecian 1998]

158s have proven completely impractical on Exmouth - Paignton in the past - the end doors cause excessive dwell times so they can't keep to the timetable. The 1 minute they can shave off the journey running at 90mph between Starcross and Exeter St Thomas doesn't compensate anywhere near enough.

158s are fine on Barnstaple - Exeter services where the vast majority of traffic is end-to-end. Exmouth - Paignton has a high turnover of passengers throughout, not just at the two main Exeter stations, but also at Topsham, Digby & Sowton, Exeter St Thomas, Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot. Even Starcross and Dawlish Warren can have high turnover in summer, so wide doors at 1/3 2/3 are vital.