http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOjU0AedDwQ
A vveiw of 172331 leaving Stratford upon Avon on 27th April 2011 on it's return to Tyseley. They already look at home.
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I do feel that the criticism of bombardier is wrong. Yes they are under pressure to produce a lot of vehicles to dead lines which are well over with some. The down turn in the world economy hasn't helped as we all now.
Bomardier build there products on our door steep so we all are aware and see problems eg the issues with LUL's 172's and the teething problems 172331 had at Old Dalby.
In europe they have more room, there own testtracks and are away from the eyes of the railway press.
The Bombardier factory in Derby is clean and well regimented. I once went to a BMW production line and Derbys is on a par.
Someone touches on something from Todays Railways which talks about all 3 cars being complete. This may well be true. On my visit to Derby back in Feburary I was in the factor as the 4 Chiltern 172 was being lowered on to its bogies. I asked the question 'How long does it take to build a unit. The answer was about 5 days from bolting the first bits together till the static tests. 172333 was being started that day in front of me.
There were engines and bogies in the factor with 172333/334 and 211 on. The last could of been reallocated to a differant unit.
Using all this maths then Todays railways could off been right in saying all 3 cars are built. They might not be fitted out inside yet but even if they are LM probably can't except them all till they start there driver training program properly as they don't have anywhere to put them.
Hopefully LM will take the option on the other 26 vehicles as like will all lines the only way they will continue to grow is if they run more trains. The Snow Hill lines has overcrowding isses like everywhere else.
LM with network rail are currently looking to extend where possible all platforms to 6 car lengths so maybe are hoping to run all trains as 3 or 6 car. The extra vehicles would allow the 2 car sets to become 3's.
They may also be used on the Bedford to Bletchley line and Nuneaton to Coventry (Leamington) Line. Even the Hednesfords in the long term so 26 Vehicles could end up being maybe even a bigger order than the current one.
Look at the 13 170 2 cars that Central Trains ordered who was to know that they would end up with 33 2 and 3 car sets and 20 others from other tocs.