Potential changes to Transpennine Express traction / route allocations

[59CosG95]

The existing line (plus the new bits being built under TRU, eg the extra tracks from Huddersfield to Ravensthoroe) is to be fully electrified, as per the Government statement.




No doubt the batteries will be useful, but they (nor the Diesel engines) will be needed on the core Transpennine route in normal service when the electrification is complete. Indeed I’d be surprised if the 802s were still needed.

I keep hearing that, upon completion of the main TP corridor's wiring, the Nova 1s and Nova 3s will switch position, with an electric loco (poss. 93 or similar) taking over the Liverpool - Newcastle runs, while the 802s take over the Scarbados traffic.
Of course that could all be folly, but it would certainly save on diesel running under the wires...and god forbid any rolling stock strategy makes sense in this country

 

[LittleAH]

I keep hearing that, upon completion of the main TP corridor's wiring, the Nova 1s and Nova 3s will switch position, with an electric loco (poss. 93 or similar) taking over the Liverpool - Newcastle runs, while the 802s take over the Scarbados traffic.
Of course that could all be folly, but it would certainly save on diesel running under the wires...and god forbid any rolling stock strategy makes sense in this country

That's all supposition. I'd imagine in an ideal world, new rolling stock would be procured for the fully electrified routes.

 

[Bevan Price]

I keep hearing that, upon completion of the main TP corridor's wiring, the Nova 1s and Nova 3s will switch position, with an electric loco (poss. 93 or similar) taking over the Liverpool - Newcastle runs, while the 802s take over the Scarbados traffic.
Of course that could all be folly, but it would certainly save on diesel running under the wires...and god forbid any rolling stock strategy makes sense in this country

Surely more Class 397s would be more suitable than electric locos ?

 

[Chiltern006]

if anything is ordered it will be some more Hitachis. 803 or 801, 397s and the N3s have been a pain for TPE

 

[XAM2175]

397s ... have been a pain fr TPE

They've settled down of late though, haven't they?

 

[JonathanH]

They've settled down of late though, haven't they?

Not sufficiently for twelve units to cover ten diagrams though.

 

[AM9]

Not sufficiently for twelve units to cover ten diagrams though.

Well they are CAF so it's not surprising. However thwey are in functional terms exactly what electricmedium distance express traffic (as is normal on TPE services) needs. Nimble, comfortable and hopefully eventually low cost of ownership. In fact they could turn out to be an example of the oft suggested here "class 344" - i.e. a 23m end door car EMU capable of 125mph.