Could Electric only Voyagers be a possibly?

[northwichcat]

With the Pendolino/IEP debate people have pointed out the small windows on Pendolinos would have no advantages if the tilting option is not used.

However, Voyagers and Merdians have larger windows and there's been talk of making them DEMU which seems to have now been ruled out because of expense. So could we have a 8-10 car electric only Voyager/Meridian which could be ordered with or without a tilting option?

And if that was possible and went ahead, couldn't that lower the cost of pantograph vehicles for the existing 22xs?

 

[O L Leigh]

The cost of a pantograph vehicle is only one of the reasons why the suggestion has now been kicked into the long grass. There were a number of technical and legislative barriers to clear.

O L Leigh

 

[starrymarkb]

The new Europendolino models have large windows now. (Previously they were similar to the UK size). Alstom have allegedly been touting a 180 style bodyshell with Pendolino traction for the UK

 

[D365]

It would be difficult to convert the existing Voyagers/Meridians to electric-only operation, let alone bi-mode. I believe this is due to various technical reasons, partially stemming from the fact that the family was not designed for external traction pickup. However, as you are querying about the possibility of brand-new units, I doubt that Bombardier would restart the production of this design as modifications will have to be made to allow OHLE pickup and comply with enhanced railway regulations.

The cost for converting existing Voyagers or constructing new sets would be high, although if the Bombardier/Siemens partnership had been chosen for IEP, one could perhaps have expected such a development? In any case, Derby isn't equipped for the production of steel-bodied rolling stock, and the Hitachi SET is being developed as the new InterCity train.

 

[Retorus]

The new Europendolino models have large windows now. (Previously they were similar to the UK size). Alstom have allegedly been touting a 180 style bodyshell with Pendolino traction for the UK

That'd probably be my perfect train to be honest!

 

[Ferret]

That'd probably be my perfect train to be honest!

You're easily pleased!

 

[gazthomas]

Anything is technically possible, but these were built to be DEMUs with lots of underfloor engines. Voyagers are 10+ years old now, so doing a major modification such as this around 1/3 way through their life isn't worth it. Let alone the issues with the Voyagers - narrow/cramped body due to design for tilt.

Going for units rather than loco hauled coaching stock is always going to limit options.

 

[MCR247]

Yeah because Loco hauled doesn't limit options in any way


But lets not go into that..

 

[anthony263]

The new Europendolino models have large windows now. (Previously they were similar to the UK size). Alstom have allegedly been touting a 180 style bodyshell with Pendolino traction for the UK

If it works well from the start I think Alstom could be onto a winner by combining the class 180 bodyshell with the pendolino traction equipment.

Maybe they could also build a disel locomotive to haul the trains push pull where there are no overhead wires.

 

[gazthomas]

If it works well from the start I think Alstom could be onto a winner by combining the class 180 bodyshell with the pendolino traction equipment.

Maybe they could also build a disel locomotive to haul the trains push pull where there are no overhead wires.

And put proper buffers on the front of the units!

 

[ainsworth74]

And put proper buffers on the front of the units!

Why? What purpose would they serve?

 

[gazthomas]

So they can be dragged without Dellners failing.

 

[HSTEd]

So they can be dragged without Dellners failing.

Then the sane option would involve AAR couplings, so it doesn't take 10 minutes of messing around to couple and uncouple them.

EMU drags are silly, better to just pony up the money for overhead wiring.

 

[bronzeonion]

I would rather a Class 395 than some cramped crap Voyager!

 

[LE Greys]

Well, I seem to remember talking about something similar ten years ago, as an alternative to bringing in more HSTs to replace GNER's Eurostars. It might work, but might not, I really don't know. I'd prefer the Della/Pendy cross, to be honest. Or simply more 395s.

 

[asylumxl]

Class 180 with Pendolino equipment? I do wonder if they'll be prone to the same spontaneous combustion issue as their diesel counterparts...

Afterall, it seems a trains not a train to some unless it's broken down and/or on fire.

 

[northwichcat]

Class 180 with Pendolino equipment? I do wonder if they'll be prone to the same spontaneous combustion issue as their diesel counterparts...

Afterall, it seems a trains not a train to some unless it's broken down and/or on fire.

The problem we have in this country is we have a small number of two different types of Cordia train split between multiple operators. Other countries have had more success with Cordias. I remember one news story for a foreign order of a total of 175 Cordia carriages which some people found amusing.

 

[swt_passenger]

The problem we have in this country is we have a small number of two different types of Cordia train split between multiple operators. Other countries have had more success with Cordias. I remember one news story for a foreign order of a total of 175 Cordia carriages which some people found amusing.

The name is Coradia with an A...