And yet comfortable, reliable stock like the 379s are going off lease. It's a crazy world.I'd not see that as a given - after all the unreliable junk that is the Class 180 is still knocking around...
And yet comfortable, reliable stock like the 379s are going off lease. It's a crazy world.I'd not see that as a given - after all the unreliable junk that is the Class 180 is still knocking around...
So surely the problem is that there aren’t enough 397s relative to 802s. 350s to supplement 397s may have been better than 802s, if they hadn’t gone to LNWR.As good as the 397’s are there’s only 12 of them to run services to Liverpool and Manchester. It will be interesting to see the 800’s make their WCML debut it also helps out when a 397 has a problem just like 185’s ran to supplement 350’s
And this is why I don’t agree as much with 802s on the WCML. Using their bi-mode capability on the Calder Valley line is a very good idea, with Liverpool - Newcastle services being diverted that way starting on Saturday 21 May. I highly doubt that many of the 80x units will keep their Diesel engines permanently as long as electrification keeps pace, but they were ordered primarily for their bi-mode capability so they weren’t necessarily the best electric unit available, but given the amount of unelectrified lines over the Pennines, Diesel capability on both primary and diversionary routes is obviously essential, but other than for non-existent Settle - Carlisle diversions, what is the purpose of running them on the WCML?If the units are AC only, they would be unable to divert for engineering works or disruption - there is currently no prospect of the Calder Valley or other diversionary routes being electrified. So you can look forward to bustitutions every second weekend. I hardly think so!
Furthermore, diesel engines aren't a given. Even if fitted when the units are supplied, they're modular and designed to be able to be removed. There's nothing saying that any of the 80x fleet will necessarily keep their diesel engines forever - for example, they may well be replaced by battery packs.
And even if they do end up lugging around diesel engines for their entire lives, with electricity becoming greener all the time, is that really such a problem?
I’m not sure how/why that has happened. Try asking Grand Central.I'd not see that as a given - after all the unreliable junk that is the Class 180 is still knocking around...
Which you could resolve if the add-on order was for more 397s instead of more 802s.As good as the 397’s are there’s only 12 of them to run services to Liverpool and Manchester.
Do the diversionary routes have the capacity to accomodate everything that normally uses them, plus the full TPE service diverted from the normal route through Huddersfield? With TPE running at least four fast trains per hour plus the stoppers, I doubt it. While I am not familiar with what happens when there is engineering work on that route, I assume some services are diverted and others bustitued. TPE would still have its current fleet of 19 class 802s for Redcar/Saltburn, Hull and Scarborough services and, assuming the Calder Valley has capacity to take 2tph diverted TPE services on top of the regular Calder Valley services then you could simply divert two of those.If the units are AC only, they would be unable to divert for engineering works or disruption - there is currently no prospect of the Calder Valley or other diversionary routes being electrified. So you can look forward to bustitutions every second weekend. I hardly think so!
Electricity itself may be becoming greener, but building the infrustructure necessary to generate that electricity is never going to be totally zero-impact. Not having to build quite as many nuclear power stations / solar panels / wind turbines would be a plus.And even if they do end up lugging around diesel engines for their entire lives, with electricity becoming greener all the time, is that really such a problem?
Manchester to Preston is where the 397s have their biggest advantage, being able to take advantage of the 100mph line speed. A Pendolino went via Bolton on Sunday and was restricted to 75mph the whole way from Salford Crescent to Euxton Junction, with only 20mph on the Windsor Link. For this line to revert to Diesel operation would be a significant downgrade. The Diesel fallback should only be used when running on unelectrified lines or when there are issues with the power supply.
802s are more suitable for these Lime Street - Manchester Airport Chat Moss services than 185s, because they at least make use of the electrification. Did the 802s use the electrification as far as Guide Bridge or not?Some 802s were operating a Manchester Airport - Liverpool Lime Street (via Newton-le-Willows) services yesterday, quite a lot of passengers were on them towards Manchester Airport!
Some 802s were also operating Manchester Piccadilly - Newcastle services (via Guide Bridge).
No. They can’t currently change traction on the move.Did the 802s use the electrification as far as Guide Bridge or not?
Can't or don't?No. They can’t currently change traction on the move.
Not replacing, but supplementing. At least in the short term.Are 802s replacing 397s on Scottish services soon ?
I don't think changeovers will ever take place at Guide Bridge - the route will be wired through to Stalybridge soon enough. But who knows.Can't or don't?
In terms of capability they have the same kit as cl 800 but that also requires lineside kit which is perhaps not fitted west of Colton Jn as for most journeys the power changeover can take place in the platform at man Vic. .
Also Guide Bridge being a diversionary route would be unlikely to have lineside kit fitted in any case (I suppose they could stop to changeover but that would add to journey time).
I was going to start a thread but this is in relation to my question
How well utilised is the TPE fleet in regards to the 19 802’s as I don’t see the current timetable as using all of them?
Same for the 51 185’s.. not everything runs 6 car and a number of Hull, Redcar’s, Scarbs and Soutb TPE run 3 car
Are the 185’s that clapped out after being worked flat out before the Nova’s arrived?
Can’t.Can't or don't?
802s are more suitable for these Lime Street - Manchester Airport Chat Moss services than 185s, because they at least make use of the electrification. Did the 802s use the electrification as far as Guide Bridge or not?
for most journeys the power changeover can take place in the platform at man Vic. .
Also Guide Bridge being a diversionary route would be unlikely to have lineside kit fitted in any case (I suppose they could stop to changeover but that would add to journey time).
I would agree with this. It may seem logical to change power at Guide Bridge now, but just Piccadilly - Guide Bridge isn't exactly far out of a whole Manchester - York journey and the wires are already being extended to Stalybridge, so it is unlikely it will happen there. Is the lineside equipment to change power on the move likely to be fitted at Stalybridge, given that it is a much better place to change over, in the open air, than in the concrete box of Victoria? It would greatly improve air quality in the station if 802s ran through Victoria on electric mode.I don't think changeovers will ever take place at Guide Bridge - the route will be wired through to Stalybridge soon enough. But who knows.
I thought the Lime Street - Manchester Airport 802 would use electric mode. I have been meaning to go on one of those.No, it was in diesel mode when inside / leaving Manchester Piccadilly (regarding the one going to Newcastle).
The one towards Liverpool / Manchester Airport was in electric mode though.
I would agree with this. It may seem logical to change power at Guide Bridge now, but just Piccadilly - Guide Bridge isn't exactly far out of a whole Manchester - York journey and the wires are already being extended to Stalybridge, so it is unlikely it will happen there. Is the lineside equipment to change power on the move likely to be fitted at Stalybridge, given that it is a much better place to change over, in the open air, than in the concrete box of Victoria? It would greatly improve air quality in the station if 802s ran through Victoria on electric mode.
I thought the Lime Street - Manchester Airport 802 would use electric mode. I have been meaning to go on one of those.
They will be pathed as 185s, but over ≤100mph routes, 185 and 802 timing loads are identical. So that doesn't tell you anything in itself. The best public indication is where the ECSs come from - if Ardwick then it's a 185, if Edge Hill then (for now) it's an 802.It looks like there are more planned TPE Manchester Airport - Liverpool Lime Street diversionary services for the 3rd and 4th June. However, looking on RTT, they are showing as Diesel Multiple Units so chances are they could be 185s for those days.
Fingers crossed if some are 802s!
Yes, that's the standard pattern. Effectively diverted into Piccadilly vice Liverpool with the Liverpool-Airport services picking up the Liverpool-Manchester leg of those, as well as the Piccadilly-Airport leg of the curtailed Redcar service.Looks like there are Manchester Piccadilly - Newcastle services booked that day also (again, via Guide Bridge). These look like they will be 802s according to RTT.
Current operating instructions require diesel mode when leaving Manchester Airport. They could theoretically switch over to electric en-route (e.g. at Newton-le-Willows) but there are no changeover points so it's diesel all the way.I thought the Lime Street - Manchester Airport 802 would use electric mode. I have been meaning to go on one of those.
Just had an 802 pass Chorley ECS heading for Glasgow.
Are they not the times of old TPE service?That's the daily Driver training trip. 5M92 07:10 Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport and 5S51 11:10 Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central.
The path of one of the currently withdrawn Glasgow services, yes. All of the Manchester-Glasgow services should (fingers crossed) be coming back in May.Are they not the times of old TPE service?
Today on Lime Street - Manchester Airport there appears to be 2 diagrammed 802s and 1 pair of 185s.It looks like there are more planned TPE Manchester Airport - Liverpool Lime Street diversionary services for the 3rd and 4th June. However, looking on RTT, they are showing as Diesel Multiple Units so chances are they could be 185s for those days.
Fingers crossed if some are 802s!
Looks like there are Manchester Piccadilly - Newcastle services booked that day also (again, via Guide Bridge). These look like they will be 802s according to RTT.
Today on Lime Street - Manchester Airport there appears to be 2 diagrammed 802s and 1 pair of 185s.
Yes I did Piccadilly - Manchester Airport - Lime Street on a 185 and then later Lea Green - Manchester Airport on an 802 which was on electric mode throughout but took half an hour to get from one side of Oxford Road to the other (and then Manchester Airport - Piccadilly on a 175) and then sat on the end of P14 at Piccadilly to watch the unexplained disruption continue through Oxford Road and all the 802s I saw pass were also in electric mode, except one heading to Guide Bridge. There was also a 68+Mk5a set ECS from Longsight to Walton Old Jn.That's right, they were running again today (to my surprise!). Looks like they are running again next week.
@Watershed I can confirm an 802 was running in electric mode between Manchester Airport - Manchester Piccadilly/Oxford Road today (and onwards towards Liverpool).
Are they not starting from Lime Street? This I believe is the last day of those since from next Saturday they will be running Lime Street - Newcastle via the Calder Valley, omitting Huddersfield.Can confirm some 802s running Piccadilly to Airport & vv today. All seen on electric, so there is no instruction to use diesel mode.
Yes, running Liverpool to Airport. But my post specifically directed at the comment that they have to run in diesel mode to and from the Airport.Are they not starting from Lime Street? This I believe is the last day of those since from next Saturday they will be running Lime Street - Newcastle via the Calder Valley, omitting Huddersfield.
That is obviously now obsolete nonsense. I went on one to and from the airport on electric mode last week and there have been numerous reports of pantographs raised and engines not running. With P13/14 not a changeover point, the post claimed 802s would have to run on Diesel all the way to Lime Street because of some issue a few feet from the airport.Yes, running Liverpool to Airport. But my post specifically directed at the comment that they have to run in diesel mode to and from the Airport.