What should happen to the Varamis Rail fleet?

[RUK]

ScotRail don’t have enough EMUs for their newly-electrified line - so perhaps some of the remaining Class 321s from Varamis could be converted to 3-car Class 320s, as has been done to Class 321s before?

 

[sad1e]

ScotRail don’t have enough EMUs for their newly-electrified line - so perhaps some of the remaining Class 321s from Varamis could be converted to 3-car Class 320s, as has been done to Class 321s before?

Really depends on how hard it is to convert a mail converted 321 back to stock.

I could see it as a cost efficient solution as scotrail already have a large fleet of 320's

 

[fgwrich]

Really depends on how hard it is to convert a mail converted 321 back to stock.

I could see it as a cost efficient solution as scotrail already have a large fleet of 320's

I wouldn’t say it would be too difficult - the conversions only really saw the seats and door vestibule panels removed, and steel plate floors installed. The windows themselves use a small little lock to keep them closed - all the interior panels are there and even the now unused PIS.

Of course, any further conversion would require new seats though.

 

[Bill57p9]

mod note - split from:

Varamis Rail Given Operators Licence from ORR

Just saw this Tweet: https://twitter.com/RailVaramis/status/1570019575638687744?t=QZAbhsR2g1W5Sl0l7Ql1Lw&s=19 ***BREAKING NEWS*** We’ve only gone and been granted our Train Operating License by the @railandroad!! Now let’s move a train…. I'm not really sure who they are but they promise an...

www.railforums.co.uk

They look in perfect condition to be cascaded to ScotRail and marketed as “new trains”

 

[Class15]

The fact that the Renatus refurbished 321s were not taken by ScotRail makes me pretty sure that these won’t be either.

 

[D365]

The fact that the Renatus refurbished 321s were not taken by ScotRail makes me pretty sure that these won’t be either.

From a commercial perspective, Eversholt treated the Renatus 321s as an entirely different fleet. And on top of that, ScotRail decided that it wasn't worth the hassle of swapping out their long established Mk3-derived EMU fleet for a fleet that is, erm, the same age.

Further non-refurbished 321s would simply supplement rather than replace the existing ScotRail fleet.

 

[brad465]

Taking on 350/2s and fitting SDO to them to replace all the 320s, plus expand the fleet, would probably be easier than trying to convert the Varamis units, and given the ages of the units involved, more cost-effective long-term.

 

[Southsider]

From a commercial perspective, Eversholt treated the Renatus 321s as an entirely different fleet. And on top of that, ScotRail decided that it wasn't worth the hassle of swapping out their long established Mk3-derived EMU fleet for a fleet that is, erm, the same age.

Further non-refurbished 321s would simply supplement rather than replace the existing ScotRail fleet.

Supplementing is what’s required if they wanted to run East Kilbride as electric only.