Class 717 units - uprated to 100mph?

[Robski]

GN has published a video on the topic of the recent back-to-back weekend ECML closures for ETCS commissioning, in which there are multiple shots of what appears to be a class 717 cab and the speedometer reading 100mph.

There has been some talk of increasing the speed limit for these units in recent years - are they making any progress on this? Or are they just running them at 100mph for ETCS testing purposes with no plans to recertify the fleet?

 

[D6975]

I didn't see any 717 cab shots, just several 700 cab shots.

 

[Robski]

I didn't see any 717 cab shots, just several 700 cab shots.

The shot at 1:02 is definitely a 717 (700's have full width windscreens with a central driving position), and the cab shot with the 100mph reading at 0:31 looks identical.

 

[fgwrich]

The shot at 1:02 is definitely a 717 (700's have full width windscreens with a central driving position), and the cab shot with the 100mph reading at 0:31 looks identical.

I would agree that it’s a 717 than a 700 with the narrower cab desk and windscreen.

 

[Crithylum]

It was mentioned to me in passing a few days back that “millions” were spent so they could use the fast lines on ECS moves