Class 221 Virgins

[150001]

With First ordering 11 new six car trains to expand services, will these replace eleven of the 20 operational voyagers or will they supplement the Voyagers. If they did replace the Voyagers, then where could the Voyagers go. Really they would be useful for the Penzance services if Thor went ahead but apparently the 222s may perform the duty. Sounds stupid really but wouldn't they be good in Devon on the Exmouth branch to Paington. It'd free up some 150s for Northern and also they could make use of the 100mph stretch to Dawlish. The Exmouth branch wants newer trains and these would do that, although this is pretty unlikely!

Perhaps the Exmouth idea should now be ignored...., sorry!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Did you really just suggest using 125mph inter-city rolling stock on the Exmouth branch?

*Waits for someone to post photo of HST on Exmouth branch as part of 150th anniversary celebrations*

I'm sorry, no, just no. Where they do go (if they leave FWC, big if at this point) is intriguing, but I'd suggest maybe Edinburgh / Glasgow-Inverness / Edinburgh or perhaps the Chiltern Main Line.

 

[Mr Spock]

It is my understanding that the new trains will be additional to the stock already being used on the West Coast.

 

[150001]

Don't worry, I was entirely joking over the Exmouth branch! The Chiltern line would be a great place for them actually. Although what would happen to the 168s? Being serious this time, Devon?

 

[starrymarkb]

Did you really just suggest using 125mph inter-city rolling stock on the Exmouth branch?

*Waits for someone to post photo of HST on Exmouth branch as part of 150th anniversary celebrations*

I'm sorry, no, just no. Where they do go (if they leave FWC, big if at this point) is intriguing, but I'd suggest maybe Edinburgh / Glasgow-Inverness / Edinburgh or perhaps the Chiltern Main Line.

Can voyagers use MU limits? if not then it's max speed 30 on the branch.. plus they seat less then the 4 coach 143s used at present...

 

[BananaRepublic]

Part of First's winning bid, was to increase capacity, not just to replace trains with like for like (OK I know the new trains will be 6 car and with a higher passenger load per carriage).

The OP may have failed to notice that First also intend to expand services to include Bolton, Blackpool, Telford and Shrewsbury. They'll be needing some or all of those displaced 221's for these extra routes.

There are no plans to offload them just yet.

 

[northwichcat]

The OP may have failed to notice that First also intend to expand services to include Bolton, Blackpool, Telford and Shrewsbury. They'll be needing some or all of those displaced 221's for these extra routes.

They've also proposed more capacity between Bangor and London.

 

[swt_passenger]

It is my understanding that the new trains will be additional to the stock already being used on the West Coast.

My understanding too. It's what the original press release, and various follow up 'daily seat increase' type calculations imply after all - as per discussions in previous threads.

150001 contributed to this thread, where the Voyagers were also deemed to be remaining on the WCML:

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=70177

...so I don't really see the point of this new question.

It is only Virgin that are planning to off-load the Voyagers.

 

[dosxuk]

Don't worry, I was entirely joking over the Exmouth branch! The Chiltern line would be a great place for them actually. Although what would happen to the 168s? Being serious this time, Devon?

By any chance, do you live in Devon / Cornwall?

 

[Class172]

By any chance, do you live in Devon / Cornwall?

I don't think they do actually. From what I can deduce, they're from the Midlands, but I may be wrong.

Voyagers on the Exmouth line? Maybe we should next be putting an HST on the Stourbridge branch - just walk through the train from end to end. :roll:

 

[fgwrich]

I don't think they do actually. From what I can deduce, they're from the Midlands, but I may be wrong.

Voyagers on the Exmouth line? Maybe we should next be putting an HST on the Stourbridge branch - just walk through the train from end to end. :roll:

Well it would be more comfortable than that 139 thing! (hides)

 

[222007]

As a crazy idea maybe if they did release any units maybe just maybe they could go to XC ?

 

[MCR247]

They aren't going to

 

[150001]

Sounds much better than my crazy moment:roll:

 

[johnnyp_360]

Send some of them Anglia way, I love voyagers Probable completely impractical, but they are certainly more exciting that turbostars and sprinters.

 

[172212]

With First ordering 11 new six car trains to expand services, will these replace eleven of the 20 operational voyagers or will they supplement the Voyagers. If they did replace the Voyagers, then where could the Voyagers go. Really they would be useful for the Penzance services if Thor went ahead but apparently the 222s may perform the duty. Sounds stupid really but wouldn't they be good in Devon on the Exmouth branch to Paington. It'd free up some 150s for Northern and also they could make use of the 100mph stretch to Dawlish. The Exmouth branch wants newer trains and these would do that, although this is pretty unlikely!

Perhaps the Exmouth idea should now be ignored...., sorry!

I was always under the impression that the voyagers would stay with First/Virgin because of the long distance London routes that First were promising