Chester-Liverpool Express

[prod_pep]

Merseyrail have denied all knowledge, but read the RMT release.
Basically it reads .... someones not buying new trains ...

The RMT statements final paragraph is correct, Merseyrail and Merseytravel could be over extending themselves because how many miles the fleet can do before a new set is ready could be a problem.
It all comes down to money really

The Echo reported of improvements to the existing trains in a recent report. If the 507/8s were given a new traction package, supplemented by 313s and internally improved in the years to come, that would be fine to me as a regular user of the network. From a passenger standpoint, the 507/8s are perfectly fine for the job they do, although there aren't enough of them to cope with loads nowadays.

Not buying new trains is not the same as axing peak time services. The supposed services "under threat" are the additional peak time workings on the Southport and Hooton lines which, in the case of the former, are used partly as positioning journeys following the peak.

 

[martynbristow]

The Echo reported of improvements to the existing trains in a recent report. If the 507/8s were given a new traction package, supplemented by 313s and internally improved in the years to come, that would be fine to me as a regular user of the network. From a passenger standpoint, the 507/8s are perfectly fine for the job they do, although there aren't enough of them to cope with loads nowadays.

Not buying new trains is not the same as axing peak time services. The supposed services "under threat" are the additional peak time workings on the Southport and Hooton lines which, in the case of the former, are used partly as positioning journeys following the peak.

Its just what the RMT said about not putting miles on the clock, given the news about rolling stock was only 1-2 days ago but of a coincidence.
Well were all pleased with the improvements and it did improve reliability but honestly a quick refurb isn't going to last forever, if it gave them 10 more years life span then thats up already. The refurb was late 2000's and its now 2014 any procurement would take 5 years to complete anyway if they went through you wouldn't have a new fleet till nearly 2020 as everything overruns.

Its just so catty making such a comment with what seems no factual basis.

 

[prod_pep]

Its just what the RMT said about not putting miles on the clock, given the news about rolling stock was only 1-2 days ago but of a coincidence.
Well were all pleased with the improvements and it did improve reliability but honestly a quick refurb isn't going to last forever, if it gave them 10 more years life span then thats up already. The refurb was late 2000's and its now 2014 any procurement would take 5 years to complete anyway if they went through you wouldn't have a new fleet till nearly 2020 as everything overruns.

Its just so catty making such a comment with what seems no factual basis.

I fully agree there. The 507/8s are going to need mechanical work to keep them going beyond 2020. The 2002-05 refurb was mainly cosmetic anyway with only minor technical work carried out (OTMRs were fitted and the previously mothballed six units were brought up to standard again but little else IIRC).

I seem to remember 2019-2020 being mentioned as the earliest new stock could be expected by, and that was over a year ago. The talk of reworking the existing stock instead is more recent and that seems to be the plan now if the Echo article is to be believed.

 

[M28361M]

No, not true according to Merseyrail themselves: http://www.merseyrail.org/seasonal/spring-2015-timetable-statement.aspx.

What worries me about that quote (and maybe I'm reading too much into it) is that it specifically refers to the Spring 2015 timetable which could give them a bit of wiggle room to introduce the alleged changes in, say, December 2015, after the fuss has died down.

It would be a massive mistake to cut the services, in my view. Can't comment on the Wirral services, but I'm often at Liverpool Central when the 1713 to Southport leaves, and it is always busy.

 

[martynbristow]

What worries me about that quote (and maybe I'm reading too much into it) is that it specifically refers to the Spring 2015 timetable which could give them a bit of wiggle room to introduce the alleged changes in, say, December 2015, after the fuss has died down.

It would be a massive mistake to cut the services, in my view. Can't comment on the Wirral services, but I'm often at Liverpool Central when the 1713 to Southport leaves, and it is always busy.

But they've introduced a lot of these changes why would they revoke them
My feeling is that they could have removed them from the draft to retime something into it.
With these services its cut trains cut profits :/ There not running around empty.
Unless theres an expected issue with reliability.