Possible AC EMU future cascade scenarios?

[Doomotron]

Yes this (sadly) happened - all of LNR’s 350s that were refurbished (minus the 350/3s) now have a consistent interior in both first and standard class.

I wonder where they get the seats from? I would have thought those Compin seats were discontinued years ago, possibly when they were acquired by Fainsa.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If they were it is only very recent - the budget TGVs were done out with them.

 

[JonathanH]

I wonder where they get the seats from? I would have thought those Compin seats were discontinued years ago, possibly when they were acquired by Fainsa.

Did SWR reduce the number of first class seats in their 450s as part of the refresh of those units?

I suspect that with train seats, so long as the design drawings still exist it is possible to go to a relevant manufacturer and get them made.

 

[swt_passenger]

Did SWR reduce the number of first class seats in their 450s as part of the refresh of those units?

Yes, from 24 in an intermediate car to 16, (8 at each end). But then the temporarily altered 450/5s also had to be refitted with 16 first class where all 24 of theirs had previously been replaced with a standard 2+3 layout. But it’s still big numbers involved with 450s, given there’s 127 of them.

 

[Prestige15]

Should have send them to Lumo, They already can do with extra capacity anyways, 100mph top speed wouldn't hurt.........

 

[D365]

Should have send them to Lumo, They already can do with extra capacity anyways, 100mph top speed wouldn't hurt.........

???

 

[Class15]

Should have send them to Lumo, They already can do with extra capacity anyways, 100mph top speed wouldn't hurt.........

But the lumo trains are 125mph

 

[Poyntz]

You missed the bit where the DfT blame "the railway" for not preparing for the eventuality the DfT created.

Might ScotRail be interested in the 350/2s as "360 ish" to allow retirement of the 318s?

Far more likely to be interested in Renatus 321's.

 

[JonathanH]

Far more likely to be interested in Renatus 321's.

They really aren't likely to be interested in them to replace 318s. If they were, Eversholt wouldn't be touting them for battery fitting and the current wave of overhaul work on 318s would be happening.

 

[XAM2175]

Far more likely to be interested in Renatus 321's.

It's already public knowledge that ScotRail are seeking to procure a new-build fleet to replace the 318s and 320s together, and possibly after that the 334s too. Indeed I'm pretty sure that this has already been mentioned in the four pages of posts following the post you replied to.

 

[Poyntz]

They really aren't likely to be interested in them to replace 318s. If they were, Eversholt wouldn't be touting them for battery fitting and the current wave of overhaul work on 318s would be happening.

Thanks, I'd forgotten. But, if times do get as hard as being forecast, who knows, maybe they'll have to use old BR make do & mend & keep bu++ering on!

 

[JonathanH]

Thanks, I'd forgotten. But, if times do get as hard as being forecast, who knows, maybe they'll have to use old BR make do & mend & keep bu++ering on!

I think that Scotland may take a different view to the rest of the country on the matter. Make do and mend is more likely with the DfT Train Operating Companies, not least because we are reaching the point where the fleets that need to be replaced are on the operations that have traditionally required more subsidy.

The 1980s approach of 2 vehicles replacing 3 which brought new stock to the Regional Railways won't work this time round.

 

[Poyntz]

Forgive my sarcasm on the state of things. The strategic approach of both Scotland and Wales is impressive.

 

[Inthewest]

So if a 12 car unit has a fault you’d rather can the whole train than run it as an 8 or a 4? I doubt many passengers would agree with you.

What do fixed train formation operators do when their is a fault on the unit?
I wonder whether customers would prefer to wait and not be crush loaded than standing on a 4 coach train for 2 hours +.

 

[Wolfie]

379s to c2c wouldn't be a terrible idea, could displace the on order 720s to GA so more 745s aren't needed. 12 720s is about equal to 18 379s. Remaining 12 can help with the intensive diagramming and extending trains to 8/12 cars.

Or indeed, given that some folk on here have posted, from what l recall, that some of the 357s aren't in great shape perhaps start withdrawing the worst of them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2022 ==

'Conversion' doesn't really apply. The only differences are the interior. The first class I believe is the same (note: I believe the plan was to downgrade the 350/4 first class to the same as the other 350s but whether this has happened or not I do not know - somebody correct me if needed) and the seats are very similar. It is quite hard to justify modifying the existing seats to be 2+2 with armrests and tables but technically possible - the question is whether there's a reason to do it in the first place...

The 350/4s have indeed had their first class 'upgrade'...

 

[Trainbike46]

What do fixed train formation operators do when their is a fault on the unit?
I wonder whether customers would prefer to wait and not be crush loaded than standing on a 4 coach train for 2 hours +.

They cancel the service, and then usually the next one is excessively busy / crush loaded

 

[357]

Or indeed, given that some folk on here have posted, from what l recall, that some of the 357s aren't in great shape perhaps start withdrawing the worst of them.

I don't know why 357 withdrawal keeps getting spoken about by different people. They are 20 year old units in need of a refurbishment, some extra units to take away the availability pressures, and that's all.

 

[Wolfie]

I don't know why 357 withdrawal keeps getting spoken about by different people. They are 20 year old units in need of a refurbishment, some extra units to take away the availability pressures, and that's all.

I wouldn't claim to know - l would say as a passenger that they are starting to look rough around the edges with some implication of corrosion.

 

[357]

I wouldn't claim to know - l would say as a passenger that they are starting to look rough around the edges with some implication of corrosion.

They are indeed, I think a good refurbishment is in order once the 720s are in use personally.

What do you mean by corrosion? Where the paint is coming off on the doors?

 

[Wolfie]

They are indeed, I think a good refurbishment is in order once the 720s are in use personally.

What do you mean by corrosion? Where the paint is coming off on the doors?

Around the external door buttons for a start - are they vinyled?

 

[357]

Around the external door buttons for a start - are they vinyled?

No, the units are painted. The previous purple was vinal though.

 

[3973EXL]

GCRE acquires first fleet with purchase of Class 360’s
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/gcre-acquires-first-fleet-with-purchase-of-class-360s/

The Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) has acquired a fleet of three Class 360/2 EMUs from Rail Operations Group. The Class 360/2s were previously used to operate the Heathrow Connect stopping services on the route between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington.

Currently stored at MoD Bicester, the Class 360/2s had been facing the end of the line and were destined for scrap but will now be moved to GCRE during 2023 when GCRE’s own commercial rolling stock storage facility becomes available to the wider market. The fleet will then be used as part of the GCRE research and innovation offer. The trains will be available to the industry as test train ‘mules’ available to test ETCS, novel train control, traction and suspension and many other railway innovations for the industry.

 

[Speed43125]

GCRE acquires first fleet with purchase of Class 360’s
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/gcre-acquires-first-fleet-with-purchase-of-class-360s/

Well isn't that interesting. Don't think any of us were expecting the remaining ones to survive like that!

 

[Mikey C]

GCRE acquires first fleet with purchase of Class 360’s
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/gcre-acquires-first-fleet-with-purchase-of-class-360s/

The 360s would seem ideal for the sort of intensive testing they want to carry out, as modern OHLE stock

 

[Class15]

GCRE acquires first fleet with purchase of Class 360’s
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/gcre-acquires-first-fleet-with-purchase-of-class-360s/

Wonderful news!

 

[Mamorin]

That’s great news, one more non life expired fleet saved from heading for the scrap heap.

Edit:more not less.

 

[Class15]

That’s great news, one less non life expired fleet saved from heading for the scrap heap.

Surely one more?

 

[Mamorin]

Surely one more?

My bad I should have said one more. Going to edit the post now.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Apparently this morning (Monday 24/10/2022) 387101 hes been taken from Ferme Park to Worksop. If true what theories does this trigger ?.

Seems weird as GN have gained the c2c 387/3s - unless those are cheaper to lease.

Does that weaken the options/dreams for swapping for 379s ?.

 

[43096]

Apparently this morning (Monday 24/10/2022) 387101 hes been taken from Ferme Park to Worksop. If true what theories does this trigger ?.

Seems weird as GN have gained the c2c 387/3s - unless those are cheaper to lease.

Does that weaken the options/dreams for swapping for 379s ?.

Posted elsewhere that 387101 is there for ETCS fitment.