Recent content by Ribbleman

Is it not the case that TfW will be required to return the 158s to Angel Trains with all equipment in full working order, including the air conditioning? Unless they agree to foot the bill for Angel making arrangements to have the necessary work carried out by a third party?

If the DfT want to promote GBR in a positive manner the last thing that they should do is to associate it with the 769s.

Enquiries have been made as to whether Network Rail asked Northern not to use 769s during the heatwave given their propensity to fail. As yet, no response.

I doubt it. Morecambe & Heysham Corporation’s most modern double deckers were Leyland PD2s from 1962. They never bought a rear engined double decker.

Is it the case that the track access charges levied by Network Rail on the CAF Civity units is lower than that applied to, for example, 158s, 170s and 185s? So that in specifying units with cheaper, lower track force bogies, passenger comfort is sacrificed to save a few bob?

The thinking at Merseytravel a few years back was that if a through service to Liverpool from Wrexham was to be inaugurated, they would order more battery fitted units from their options with Stadler which would then be subleased to TfW, who would retain operation of the route. I would think...

Whilst it is certainly true that Northern needs more trains, it is diesel units that are in short supply, hence the interest in the TfW 158s. Leasing further 323s won’t help.

Of the remaining 153s, how many are owned by TfW and have a long term future? Of the other survivors, how many, if any, are PRM compliant? Are there others stored without that status? I am pondering the practicality of pressure being brought to bear upon the DfT to fund/permit refurbishment of...

Given the appalling lack of reliability despite component changes, the more urgent need at Northern is to replace the 769s. This would require 16 of the TfW 158s if done on a like for like basis. I understand that discussions have taken place with the DfT. 1764957334 The slide below was also...

To the best of my recollection manufacturers’ bids will be received before the end of February. Evaluation will follow with the aim of placing orders in summer next year, though no doubt subject to the DfT not delaying matters.

All the more puzzling as to why 3-car 195s are being used on some turns up to Corkickle rather than the usual 156s from Heaton’s allocation.The fact that they can’t run through from Carlisle should not prevent them being used from the Barrow end.

Given the current problems with 195 availability, why is the situation being made worse by some being employed north of Barrow instead of the usual 156s? As Heaton based 156 sets cannot currently work south of Whitehaven, the service from Carlisle requires fewer units. Could the surplus sets not...

Previous post from sd0733 suggests that it was to receive attention on the wheel lathe.

Replacing the 769s with ex-TfW 158s is a rather more urgent requirement.

There is no possibility of the TfW 230s with their diesel engines running through from Wrexham to Liverpool using the 3rd rail from Bidston. Passenger carrying vehicles with diesel tanks are not permitted through the tunnel system.