Scotrail HST on the GSW?

[BDLhouston]

Is it possible for scotrail to put the inter7city HST's on stranraer, kilmarnock and carlisle services? They could open up more stranraer services and don't have the door problem of the class 158/170, obviously they might be too long for platforms but shorter sets could be ran or they could extend the platforms

 

[Watershed]

Is it possible for scotrail to put the inter7city HST's on stranraer, kilmarnock and carlisle services? They could open up more stranraer services and don't have the door problem of the class 158/170, obviously they might be too long for platforms but shorter sets could be ran or they could extend the platforms

Technically possible? Yes, of course. Mk3 coaches have been down there many times, and I'm sure there will have been some instances where HSTs did the journey, likely as part of engineering work diversions.

The real question is whether their use is justified, especially considering the fact that ScotRail would have to procure more sets, get them modified and then train traincrew on the new traction.

Overall it would be a very expensive endeavour which I couldn't see happening in a million years, seeing as ScotRail are already under pressure from the drivers' union ASLEF to announce their plans for withdrawing HSTs (in view of the Carmont accident).

I think the best you can hope for is that whatever replaces the 156s is a bit better. But I wouldn't hold out high hopes. In fact I'd say there is a greater chance of the line to Stranraer being closed than of it seeing HSTs or anything in that vein.

 

[Peter0124]

I wonder if 158s or 170s will be used on the Carlisle services if 156s are being replaced, though I can't see HSTs being used. They also currently interwork with East Kilbride so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to send a HST there either.

 

[BDLhouston]

I wonder if 158s or 170s will be used on the Carlisle services if 156s are being replaced, though I can't see HSTs being used. They also currently interwork with East Kilbride so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to send a HST there either.

I can see 156s lasting till at least 2030, they aren't showing signs of being tired and they've only just had 153s put onto them, I'd be surprised if they were withdrawn before then, that's at least 8 years from now which is a good amount of time for scotrail to get some bi-mode or battery powered trains.

 

[Falcon1200]

Possible yes, but justified ? Definitely not, from experience travelling on these routes a 2-car 156 or, at busy times, 4-car, is perfectly adequate for the traffic, and the most economical way of providing the service.

 

[route101]

I wonder if 158s or 170s will be used on the Carlisle services if 156s are being replaced, though I can't see HSTs being used. They also currently interwork with East Kilbride so it probably wouldn't be a good idea to send a HST there either.

They are not cleared on the GSW or East Kilbride branch.

 

[Falcon1200]

They are not cleared on the GSW or East Kilbride branch.

The GSW surely is just a technicality, given the types of stock that have worked over the route, including Mark 3 coaches ? Not that it makes the use of HSTs any more viable, however !

 

[43096]

They are not cleared on the GSW or East Kilbride branch.

They are cleared for the GSW.

Standard Mark 3s are cleared, but Mark 3(MOD) (as shown in the SA) are not, with Mark 3(MOD) defined as "Mk3 (MOD) = Mk 3 coaches (Modified) and refers to Mk 3 coaches which have been fitted with powered bodyside plug doors"; there is a subsequent note that states "Mk3 coaches used with Class 43 power cars and fitted with external power-operated sliding doors, manufactured by Vapor Stone Rail Systems, and CET are compatible with all routes shown as cleared for Mk3 coaches." I therefore read Mark 3 (MOD) as being the Chiltern sets, which have plug (as opposed to sliding) doors.

 

[route101]

They are cleared for the GSW.

Standard Mark 3s are cleared, but Mark 3(MOD) (as shown in the SA) are not, with Mark 3(MOD) defined as "Mk3 (MOD) = Mk 3 coaches (Modified) and refers to Mk 3 coaches which have been fitted with powered bodyside plug doors"; there is a subsequent note that states "Mk3 coaches used with Class 43 power cars and fitted with external power-operated sliding doors, manufactured by Vapor Stone Rail Systems, and CET are compatible with all routes shown as cleared for Mk3 coaches." I therefore read Mark 3 (MOD) as being the Chiltern sets, which have plug (as opposed to sliding) doors.

I should of said the 158 and 170s are not cleared for the GSW.

 

[SeanG]

I thought that 158s have previously been up the GSW on Leeds - Glasgow services for Arriva Trains Northern?

 

[hexagon789]

I thought that 158s have previously been up the GSW on Leeds - Glasgow services for Arriva Trains Northern?

I thought those services went via Beattock?

 

[Falcon1200]

I thought those services went via Beattock?

They did; They were slow enough as it was between Glasgow and Carlisle without having to go via the GSW too !

 

[hexagon789]

They did; They were slow enough as it was between Glasgow and Carlisle without having to go via the GSW too !

90mph max and performance over Beattock can't have been great, so that doesn't surprise me.