Yes. This is the main cause of them going for scrap. With so much other stock available it was simply never going to be cost effective to fit TPWS. What most people won't know is the purchase of the units came with a load of spare parts worth more than the units themselves. HEX just needed them off Old Oak Common before they started being charged punitive expenses by HS2 for not relinquishing the site.
I always find it curious why some enthusiasts take such a keen interest in ”parts recovery”, as it’s almost never discussed in the public domain.
Yes, as @adc82140 says, there needs to be a bit of realism considering it's a fleet of only five units. What's being currently operated with DMUs or older EMU fleets that could realistically be switched over to such a small class? Neither is it practical for them to be added to the fleets of existing operators, seeing as they're no good to current operators of gangway-fitted Desiros, or to current operators of 700-series Desiros, or to operators of third-rail Desiros, and so on and so forth.
I think it’s also been emphasised before that EMR have enough 360/1 units to run most services as 12 car anyway, but now they’re usually no more than 8 car, its even less likely they need any more.
People can suggest what they like. The evidence is that the railway has not been able to identify a business case to do that.
The significant difference is that the likes of the 319's are plentiful - a sub-class of 5 is not going to be economically viable (before finding what existing problems the units have)
Let's not make these 360s the new 442s or Deltics...
The 769s should demonstrate exactly why they shouldn't be considered.
Exactly. Fiddling around with old trains just because people are desperate to make everything last 40 years, and it just leads to a slow, cruddy train that provides an embarrassing and unreliable service. I know from living on a 769 route - thankfully our ones are being replaced.
Yep, 360205 was built in late 2005, so is just shy of 17 years old!
People, or asset owners? I don’t see the issue with trying to maximise use of an asset - heaven knows the hysteria that would have taken place in the Speculative Discussion subforum if the 319s had all been scrapped immediately.
To be fair, much greater criticised suggestions have made it into build, including the D trains and the 769s, with equally unappealing results. This one could have been better. Or it could have been just as poor.
Frankly, the difference does not bother me as either way, it results in a rubbish knackered old thing propelling passenger services, so the 230/769 projects have shown. I’m not denying that they’re a fair bit older than 360s, mind you.
They might have been able to make the case for leasing them in 2019, but there's no way it would happen now.
I went on a 230 on the Marston Vale line and it was actually pretty good.
Platform height is wrong for the other countries that use 25kV.
They physically work when they work, yes. But that doesn't mean that they are an effective and safe solution, or good value for money.
"All around the world" - Thailand to be exact. I guess you could count Gautrain as well but they operate electrostars.
They also operate 360s in Thailand.
I wouldn't call them unsafe either. Just that they're rather less safe than what will replace them.
Yes, but they probably don't need any more of them for an airport link. You'd also need to fit better AC.
Oh that would be the icing on the cakeAny chance they can do the EMR 360s while they’re about it?
- bin them off too and get in some new stock akin to the 745s. One can only but dream! ... but they've already bought 756s? The 360s also wouldn't be able to use the discontinuous electrification at TfW. Overall just a bad fit.
