Could the 180's be converted to 175's?

[PHILIPE]

Most Manchester-Cardiff services are apparently now 3 car 175s as a result of the introduction of loco-hauled workings on Manchester-North Wales services.

There are still 4 x 2 Car Diagrams on the Manchester to Cardiff route. The introduction of the LHCS had no impact on this route, as everybody was thinking it would, Everything saved went to improve capacity on the North Wales Coast.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There are still 4 x 2 Car Diagrams on the Manchester to Cardiff route. The introduction of the LHCS had no impact on this route, as everybody was thinking it would, Everything saved went to improve capacity on the North Wales Coast.

Plus several 2-car on Holyhead-Cardiff, and a sprinkling of 158s.
The Marches is by no means an all-3-car route.

 

[SeanG]

With Northern set to start a Chester to Yorkshire service in 2017 and to enhance Mid-Cheshire line services at the same time, it would probably be more logical for the 175s to transfer to Northern than to move to another depot, if the next Wales & Borders franchise proposes the use of something other than 175s on Manchester to Wales services.

Would there be merit, if some 175s were needed for Chester - Yorks and some for Manchester - S Wales, to have a common fleet of 175s based out of Alstom at Chester?

 

[northwichcat]

Would there be merit, if some 175s were needed for Chester - Yorks and some for Manchester - S Wales, to have a common fleet of 175s based out of Alstom at Chester?

The 175s are a small fleet so it probably doesn't make sense to split them long term.

175s being used by Northern was just an idea I suggested in the event of the next Wales & Borders franchise securing alternative (longer) trains.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Would there be merit, if some 175s were needed for Chester - Yorks and some for Manchester - S Wales, to have a common fleet of 175s based out of Alstom at Chester?

They are ATW's trains until 2018 at least, and are the best trains in their fleet.
They would need replacement trains, and the new W&B franchise will have its own expansion plans from then.
It would be up to the bidders.
No doubt the Chester-Leeds plans will be confirmed in the imminent new Northern franchise award.

 

[Philip]

I'm sure I've seen several times that 175s aren't suitable to work across to Leeds. There was mention of a test run to Hull once at the time when TPE were using 11 units a day and it failed before it got far apparently.

 

[craigybagel]

I'm sure I've seen several times that 175s aren't suitable to work across to Leeds. There was mention of a test run to Hull once at the time when TPE were using 11 units a day and it failed before it got far apparently.

Not sure why it would be a problem, they've got more oomph than the 170s which until recently worked regularly to Leeds. Plenty of hills they go up and down in Wales! Their reliability is a lot better now as well than when they were with TPE.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm sure I've seen several times that 175s aren't suitable to work across to Leeds. There was mention of a test run to Hull once at the time when TPE were using 11 units a day and it failed before it got far apparently.

Not sure why it would be a problem, they've got more oomph than the 170s which until recently worked regularly to Leeds. Plenty of hills they go up and down in Wales! Their reliability is a lot better now as well than when they were with TPE.

I'd heard similar, but I think it was a gauging issue rather than anything mechanical. Obviously 180s run between Heaton Lodge and Thornhill LNW junctions (and run ECS via Dewsbury if I'm not mistaken) so if 175 vehicles share the same dimensions the problem area must be somewhere else.