Latest on IEP/GWML

[Nym]

That won't be b-mode though will it? I thought HSTs were to be retained for that route.

Who knows, would make sense to use the IEP though, make it as uniform as possible in the fleet

 

[Zoe]

F*** knows, would make sense to use the IEP though, make it as uniform as possible in the fleet

Also if the ECML only gets EMUs the HSTs will have to be retained for Aberdneen and Inverness.

 

[Nym]

CONFIRMED Via bath and via Parkway

 

[Zoe]

Bristol Temple Meads to Bristol Parkway to be electrified, allowing 4 tph from Temple Meads to London.

 

[Nym]

Also if the ECML only gets EMUs the HSTs will have to be retained for Aberdneen and Inverness.

Or use bi-mode on that part of the route...

 

[anthony263]

Shame the wires are not going to swansea have the DFT forgottten about the swanline services which could be increased to hourly and use EMU's?

 

[Zoe]

I'm surprised he hasn't confirmed the HST life extension yet.

 

[Nym]

I think Philip Hammond is getting sick of repeating himself to pepole moaning about Swansea

 

[WatcherZero]

Hitachi Statement:

Agility Trains Confirm Intercity Express Programme Contract
LONDON, UK, March 1, 2011 – Agility Trains Ltd. today announced that it is delighted by the Department for Transport’s decision to proceed with the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) with Agility Trains, subject to financial close. Under the IEP Agility Trains will deliver train services to Train Operating Companies at a fixed price for approximately 30 years using the IEP family of trains.
Since the Preferred Bidder announcement on 12 February 2009, Agility Trains has worked very hard to improve value for money in response to the UK’s public financial position and has passed on 100% of all value for money benefits to the UK Government. In addition Agility Trains is delighted that the programme has passed a rigorous value for money assessment and the company looks forward to completing this innovative, competitive and complex procurement to provide new Intercity trains on a fully maintained and serviced basis to both the Great Western and East Coast Mainline routes.
The Intercity Express Programme includes delivery and maintenance of a family of new state of the art Super Express trains which will constitute a step change in capacity, improved reliability and reduced environmental impact on every train journey. All of this will lead to a significant improvement in passenger experience and cost savings to the UK government on the long term operation and maintenance of intercity train services across the UK. The Trains will be funded, owned and maintained by Agility Trains and will be provided to Train Operators (TOCs) on a pay-as-you-go basis contingent on fully serviceable, clean, reliable train services being delivered.
In addition, Hitachi is pleased to announce that Newton Aycliffe in Co. Durham is the preferred site for its planned European rolling stock manufacturing and assembly centre (subject to finalising commercial agreements). This investment will generate at least 500 new jobs, and major opportunities for the UK and European supply chain. The company looks forward to working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, local authorities and a new workforce to create a world-class manufacturing facility.
Agility Trains is now looking forward to finalising the commercial details and engaging with its lending banks to reach financial close on the project by the end of the year.

 Agility Trains is a consortium comprising Hitachi Limited and John Laing Projects and Development Limited, which was formed for the sole purpose of delivering the DfT's Intercity Express Programme ("IEP").

 Agility Trains was announced as Preferred Bidder in February 2009 and, after finding solutions to the financial liquidity crisis, were close to reaching commercial close in February 2010 when the then Secretary of State (Lord Andrew Adonis) appointed Sir Andrew Foster to perform an independent review to ensure IEP was the right option for the UK Government. Since that date, the negotiations have been on hold, but the Hitachi bid remained valid.

 Since Preferred Bidder, Agility Trains has maintained technical compliance and significantly improved value for money in the delivery of the IEP train provision services.

 The IEP family of trains meet technical requirements which are more advanced than any other high speed train in the UK as follows:
o they are required to be extremely reliable;
o the dual powered IEP train will operate on the whole UK network which ensures:

 maximum flexibility of deployment;
 ability to use diversionary routes; and
 ability to run under the wires in times of severe weather conditions or electricity outages improving the robustness of the UK high speed rail network;
o significantly lighter weight per metre and seat and greater energy efficiency, all of which will reduce energy costs and costs of rail maintenance due to reduced impact of train movements on the degradation of the UK rail network;

Looks like perhaps only Bi-mode ordered no all electric.

 

[anthony263]

Those mps moaning about swansea should wait and see there is a still a chance that the wires could still be extended from Cardiff to Swansea, especially if its done as part of the valley lines electrification

 

[WatcherZero]

Hammond just said mixture of Bi-mode and all electric, no all diesels.

 

[Zoe]

Aberdeen and Inverness confirmed as bi-mode.

 

[ainsworth74]

Looks like perhaps only Bi-mode ordered no all electric.

Hammond just said EMUs and Bi-mode for definite. Aberdeen and Inverness will be run by Bi-mode.

 

[WatcherZero]

LOL at gaffe by Hammond 'everyone would like HSR running to their street' much laughter in the house.

 

[Zoe]

About time a Westcountry MP asked about the HST life extenstion.

 

[WatcherZero]

Penzance services would still be 125's. Only ones in service. Possibility they may be replaced by bi-mode IEP's ordered at a later date.

 

[Zoe]

Westcountry confirmed as retaining HSTs. No proposals to replace at this time but possiblity of replacement by bi-mode IEP at later date.

 

[WatcherZero]

Westcountry confirmed as retaining HSTs. No proposals no replace.

He just said they may order IEP bi-mode replacements for them at a later date.

 

[Zoe]

Midland Mainline HSTs would also be retained, future of Midland Mainline not decided, depends on HS2 consultation long term.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

He just said they may order IEP bi-mode replacements for them at a later date.

Correct, I edited the post just after he said it.

 

[anthony263]

some MP's asking about the midland mainline

 

[Zoe]

No word on life extension for the remaining HSTs though, only that they will remain in service for now. This still gives them until 2020 to order replacements. Life extension would only be required if they were to remain in service beyond 2020.

 

[starrymarkb]

ooh Bombardier mentioned...

 

[Zoe]

That's it, they are talking about BBC World Service now.

 

[ainsworth74]

Well that was a whirlwind anyone fancy summing it up?

 

[starrymarkb]

And that's all!

If you disagree write to your MP...

 

[ainsworth74]

Railway Eye has put up the text of Hammond's statement here if anyone missed it.

 

[swt_passenger]

Well that was a whirlwind anyone fancy summing it up?

The DfT have:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/hammond20110301

 

[Zoe]

Key points:

IEP will be a mixture of fully electric and bi-mode.

HSTs on GWML and ECML to be replaced: GWML in 2016, ECML in 2018.

Electrification confirmed to Bristol and Cardiff, also between Temple Meads and Parkway allowing 4 tph from Temple Meads to London. Electrification to Cardiff by 2017.

Business case not sufficient for electrifcation to Swansea but bi-mode trains will be used on this route, chaning to diesel at Cardiff.

Possibility of Valley Lines Electrification.

Aberdeen and Ineverness services confirmed as bi-mode.

HSTs to remain in service on Westcountry routes and Midland Mainline. HST life extension to allow operation in 2020 and beyond not confirmed. No immediate plan for replacement but Westcounty services could in the future be replaced with bi-mode IEP. Midland Mainline depends on outcome of HS2 study/decision.

 

[ainsworth74]

The DfT have:

I meant in more a key points rather than just the text of the statement, I've heard that once already!

Edit: Much like Zoe just posted, thanks

Only thing I would add is:

Cardiff to be electrified by 2017.

GWML will get IEP in 2016, ECML 2018

 

[Zoe]

I meant in more a key points rather than just the text of the statement, I've heard that once already!

Edit: Much like Zoe just posted, thanks

Only thing I would add is:

Cardiff to be electrified by 2017.

GWML will get IEP in 2016, ECML 2018

Hope you don't mind, I've added those points to my post.