Could a Modern BREL work these days?

[popeter45]

kind of a split off from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/how-would-br-have-handled-the-intercity-express-programme

expanding the idea of the IEP would the concept of a centalised Design with contracted out manafacture ecosystem work these days?
a modern BREL develop the standardised designs that CAF, Alstom, Siemens etc build to for all the TOC's so that parts are standardised at economies of scale and high volume orders can be better spread across factories

lets say new BREL design a new hypotheical class 760 regional bi-mode EMU. TFW, EMR and GWR all order to replace their fleets with CAF building for TFW and GWR while Stadler build for EMR all to same design

 

[43096]

kind of a split off from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/how-would-br-have-handled-the-intercity-express-programme

expanding the idea of the IEP would the concept of a centalised Design with contracted out manafacture ecosystem work these days?
a modern BREL develop the standardised designs that CAF, Alstom, Siemens etc build to for all the TOC's so that parts are standardised at economies of scale and high volume orders can be better spread across factories

lets say new BREL design a new hypotheical class 760 regional bi-mode EMU. TFW, EMR and GWR all order to replace their fleets with CAF building for TFW and GWR while Stadler build for EMR all to same design

Why would the manufacturers be interested in building someone else's design with all the risk that comes from it? It'd be a contractual and legal nightmare.

 

[JonathanH]

What are you suggesting? A design house?

Doesn't the DfT, as customer, just put out its requirements to tender, then the bidders decide what design to offer?

Isn't one of the issues with the IET that the DfT wrote the specification?

 

[popeter45]

What are you suggesting? A design house?

yea basicly, a centralised design house for UK designs, maybe manafacturing as well of at least parts like bogies but not the main part of what im asking

 

[Irascible]

What are you suggesting? A design house?

Doesn't the DfT, as customer, just put out its requirements to tender, then the bidders decide what design to offer?

Isn't one of the issues with the IET that the DfT wrote the specification?

I think he's after something a bit more like the RSSB with some elements of Derby Research/the CM & EE department ( and some teeth! ) - ie much more well researched, both theory & somewhat practical, technical detail requirements in areas that matter, and seeing what the manufacturer offered in areas that weren't quite so critical - something we used to do all the time even when BREL was building things. So ah, probably not *actually* BREL being around but the rest of the procurement infrastructure being wrecked was a mistake.

 

[Mikey C]

How was the Networker project managed? Clearly Chris Green and NSE had a major input into the design, but unlike the PEPs and Mk3 EMUs, production was split between BREL and Metro-Cammell, and the traction motors split between GEC and Brush, resulting in 2 very similar looking but completely different types of 465.

 

[Meerkat]

If you have a government supported BREL then it effectively becomes a monopoly - wouldn't be able to leave it unused to buy a better design from elsewhere. Doesn't seem a good way to improve technology, efficiency, or build quality to me.

If doing anything (and not starting from here, as the old joke goes) I would have government owned factories, that either licence built or were leased out to whoever won the contracts. But even that isnt really practical for the size of contracts on the British railway system.

 

[Irascible]

If you have a government supported BREL then it effectively becomes a monopoly - wouldn't be able to leave it unused to buy a better design from elsewhere. Doesn't seem a good way to improve technology, efficiency, or build quality to me.

Considering during the period a government supported BREL was in existence we managed to also support Met-Cam, Brush and GEC, I would disagree. I feel the OP is talking more about what BRR & the CMEE departments did than BREL though.

 

[Intercity110]

I think it’d fail, but i like the idea.