Eurostars back on the ECML?

[Daimler]

I wonder if they'd be any use for new electric services on the GWML...they even have a perfectly good depot for them (albeit a bit big)...

EDIT: Ah, I see what Nym meant by 'half sets'. As they have to run in pairs, just 6 trains isn't really much use. Ah well, pity!

 

[Nym]

EDIT: Ah, I see what Nym meant by 'half sets'. As they have to run in pairs, just 6 trains isn't really much use. Ah well, pity!

Yeah, and IMO 6 is too many for any one LDPE 25Kv OHL Operator, but not enough to cascade other stock, so I really do think that damp leasing from Stratford Depot by E* would be a reasonable idea. Of course, that would be easy if the railway stock percument was purely commercial and not entirely micromanaged by the DafT

 

[Aictos]

Pardon me for saying this but was there not talk a couple of months back of East Coast using the new 11 car 390 on the East Coast Mainline for a period of time?

Could not the DfT have changed it's mind and decided to use the North of London Eurostar's instead as they are already cleared for parts of the ECML?

 

[gordonthemoron]

not going to happen now, Virgin are shortening the 11 car set to 9 cars and running it on the WCML

 

[jon0844]

Exactly, allowing another train to be used on the ECML instead. We know Elaine hated the 180s so they were never going to be an option, but the Eurostar set sounds like a possibility?

 

[captainbigun]

not going to happen now, Virgin are shortening the 11 car set to 9 cars and running it on the WCML

Since when?

VT won't have use of the new pendos. The next franchise will see their use.

 

[MCR247]

Yes they will. They will run 054 in a 9 car formation

Hopefully from May

 

[TGV]

373's can only be maintained at TMI depot in the UK. So wherever they run from, they'll have to head back there for maintenance.

 

[TomJ93]

Any link to the 390054 arrangements? Will it replace WB64?

 

[MCR247]

Suppose it might....

 

[Pumbaa]

Since when?

VT won't have use of the new pendos. The next franchise will see their use.

VTs last two fingered salute at DfT. The paperwork meant they can shorten it and run it under the current safety case. Their franchise provision allows them to use 53 Pendolino sets; the Pretendolino is a recognised addition. Someone at DfT forgot to remove 033 when it was written off DfT being silly buggers is VT gain, and ours!

It will have its new cars re-inserted as part of the 11 car lengthening programme.

 

[Failed Unit]

presumably they could be used for the KGX-Newark/York services?

The problem is the dwell times on the Eurostar, the door opening sequence is longer and as selective door operation is used the needed to increase the times at stations. They could have enough flex in the timetable. My calculation is 3 sets (of any kind) would be needed to extend the Newark stopping service to Lincoln and fill in the gaps to make Edinburgh hourly.

 

[Nym]

373's can only be maintained at TMI depot in the UK. So wherever they run from, they'll have to head back there for maintenance.

They could run for East Coast out of KX then, not that far to run back. Will just have to see, From what you've said about maintenance it would make sense to have them out on a damp lease agreement.

 

[captainbigun]

373's can only be maintained at TMI depot in the UK. So wherever they run from, they'll have to head back there for maintenance.

That's no big issue given the trundle they had to get to North Pole last time around. Having said that the move back towards Stratford will involve a fair quantity of fannying around, but would be the first use of the HS1 to NLL link at St Pancras.
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Yes they will. They will run 054 in a 9 car formation

Hopefully from May

Is that published anywhere? As I understand it they aren't VT's to use.

 

[MCR247]

Pumbaa up the page

 

[captainbigun]

Queries with folk who work for both the manafacturer and the maintainer have drawn a blank! Seen to be believed for me.

 

[route:oxford]

I did enjoy travelling on the Eurostars when they operated on the ECML.

There was a regular apology in the restaurant in the morning that as a consequence of the stock they were unable to serve "good" scrambled eggs. Something about lacking a burner...

 

[Pumbaa]

Queries with folk who work for both the manafacturer and the maintainer have drawn a blank! Seen to be believed for me.

Edge Hill are fairly confident that thats what happening - Tony Miles covered the paperwork signing, I'll see if I can dig out what he's written. In fact captainbigun, its deep in the Pendo 054 thread on wnxx as well. Some wibble took over pretty quickly though so it was hidden.

 

[TGV]

I did enjoy travelling on the Eurostars when they operated on the ECML.

There was a regular apology in the restaurant in the morning that as a consequence of the stock they were unable to serve "good" scrambled eggs. Something about lacking a burner...

The galley indeed has no burner - each one (remember there are two per set) has two microwaves, and at least two ovens with many racks each, plus the usual coffee machines, fridges, etc...

EDIT: As I recall though - GNER had some of their own kit fitted for their requirements and some of that may still be on them. I know that for many many months (or even years), there were still the odd GNER sign, label or menu to be seen while SNCF were using them.

 

[TomJ93]

What if the French take up the offer to extend the lease by two more years?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

They are in good working order with SNCF with the exception of 3307/8.

SNCF have been using 3307 in service in a mismatched rake as a spare half set ( one of the others went tech but I can't remember which! ); it's only 3308 at Temple Mills which isn't currently servicable.

 

[33056]

surely the NOL sets are too short for the Channel Tunnel?

Not sure of the current requirements but I have definitely had a NOL set to Brussels in the past (pre 2000). Can't remember the exact date but the experience sticks in my mind as we had to be re-seated as we were booked in coach 18 and there wasn't one!

 

[jopsuk]

surely the NOL sets are too short for the Channel Tunnel?

given they were specifically built for trans-manche services, surely not? And, as said, they were used for some.

 

[captainbigun]

Edge Hill are fairly confident that thats what happening - Tony Miles covered the paperwork signing, I'll see if I can dig out what he's written. In fact captainbigun, its deep in the Pendo 054 thread on wnxx as well. Some wibble took over pretty quickly though so it was hidden.

Wibble surely not! I wouldn't expect Edge Hill to maintain and odd set, it'd go into the mix with the fleet at WB, OY, PO and LO. Still expect the DfT to stick their oar in....given the IEP farce, anything is possible.

 

[swt_passenger]

Er.. is the current version of the Railway Magazine the April 1st edition?

 

[kestrel]

Er.. is the current version of the Railway Magazine the April 1st edition?

Haha was jus gonna say the same!

RM are well known for their April fools spoofs and it looks like they've fooled you all!

consider it extremely unlikely to be true

 

[swt_passenger]

Haha was jus gonna say the same!

RM are well known for their April fools spoofs and it looks like they've fooled you all!

consider it extremely unlikely to be true

Because the RM persist with the tradition of using the following month on their cover, it falls a bit flat though, as far as I'm concerned.

And of course when MR's April edition arrives, it's actually about a month more up to date with the news...

As Matt is a moderator, this thread might disappear now...

 

[43167]

I hope the NOL Eurostars do return to EC services. They were good to travel on.

 

[jon0844]

Would this be a funny April Fool joke? Surely you'd come up with something crazy or outrageous, not something perfectly plausible and quite boring?

 

[rmt-driver]

Would this be a funny April Fool joke? Surely you'd come up with something crazy or outrageous, not something perfectly plausible and quite boring?

Which has happened before and could happen again....

What next for an April Fools Joke, Restaurants cars making a comeback ?