northwichcat
Veteran Member
Don't let Hull Trains renew their 180 lease. They'll probably buy some new trains. They've previously bought the 170s and let Scotrail have them when they got 222s, then let EMT have them.
IEP?
It might not be a bad idea assuming that IEP includes a Bi-mode version (I'm maintaining a forlorn hope that it won't) as a Bi-mode IEP would allow HT to use the wires as far as Doncaster and GC to use wires as far as Doncaster/Notherallerton. Which would be a big improvement over the current situation where at present on HT for instance on a journey of 205 miles around 155 miles is spent under the wires!
Surely the best way to get new trains is to add additional units to known planned orders.
GoCo are claiming that they will be ordering new stock for their Westbury-West Midlands services due to start in 2013.
It would be interesting if the Coop movement were to become a Rosco in addition to operating services.
Especially if the're more easilly joinable, GC could use one path to London and split at Doncaster for Sunderland and Bradford.
I thought Network rail were against this as there was indesicison about what happens if one portion is late...
BiMode 172s would be a bit hard with the mechanical transmission. Maybe better to start out with the Electrostar and add generators
The only feasible way of making a dual-mode 17x would be to have a completely separate electric traction system. This is possible, some EMUs (such as the Cl321) have all the traction equipment on one carriage with the others being trailers, but it would require uprated engines on the diesel vehicles as such a carriage would effectively a heavy trailer when on diesel power. Still, no real reason why you couldn't have a lower top speed off-wires to compensate, particularly since with separate traction systems you can have different gearings for each.
Yep, it does seem ideal for the likes of HT and GC.
The only feasible way of making a dual-mode 17x would be to have a completely separate electric traction system. This is possible, some EMUs (such as the Cl321) have all the traction equipment on one carriage with the others being trailers, but it would require uprated engines on the diesel vehicles as such a carriage would effectively a heavy trailer when on diesel power. Still, no real reason why you couldn't have a lower top speed off-wires to compensate, particularly since with separate traction systems you can have different gearings for each.