East west Rail Rolling Stock

[Kingsbury Jn.]

Not with a maximum of 106m for platforms and no end gangways.

 

[Trainician]

Not with a maximum of 106m for platforms and no end gangways.

That's where refurbishment comes in!

 

[Rick1984]

Why are the platforms only being built for 3 car trains? Doesn't allow for growth

 

[The Planner]

Why are the platforms only being built for 3 car trains? Doesn't allow for growth

Allows for 4x26m at a squeeze.

 

[Speed43125]

The whole spec now that everything been made cheaper, 90 rather than 100mph running, electrification cancelled, and pathetically short platforms is simply far too short sighted for a modern built railway. Do I need to bring up past example of this? Operation Princess? Borders Railway? etc etc?

 

[The Planner]

The whole spec now that everything been made cheaper, 90 rather than 100mph running, electrification cancelled, and pathetically short platforms is simply far too short sighted for a modern built railway. Do I need to bring up past example of this? Operation Princess? Borders Railway? etc etc?

When did it drop to 90mph? The signalling diagrams don't show that and I haven't seen a Network Change that says that either.

 

[Rick1984]

The whole thing certainly does seem a bit half arsed.

 

[swt_passenger]

When did it drop to 90mph? The signalling diagrams don't show that and I haven't seen a Network Change that says that either.

The TWA inspectors report still reckons Bicester to Bletchley is 100 mph, Aylesbury to Claydon is 90 mph, and Marston Vale remains 60 mph.

 

[klass43]

OK but what about 3 car class 185

Either way, it's another 'waiting forever' project. Why do rail projects take so long to get done in the UK?

Thameslink (originally Thameslink 2000). 18/19 years late.
Crossrail. 3+ years late.
HS1 (2007). 14+ years late (after the French built their longer link LGV Nord (1993)).

You get the idea.

Plus, yet another project downgraded it seems. One of many in the past.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Why not Class 175s by the time they got cascaded from TfW

 

[Trainician]

Why not Class 175s by the time they got cascaded from TfW

OK but I think class 170s or other turbostars will be better

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

OK but what about 3 car class 185

I suspect TPE will keep them for Liverpool-Nottingham services.

Why not Class 175s by the time they got cascaded from TfW

Could be a good candiate there are enough of them. They are 16 3-car units with TfW so they could use them all for EWR. They need 12-14 according to their website.

https://eastwestrail.co.uk/latest-news/east-west-rail-goes-shopping-for-trains

East West Railway Company is seeking bids for leasing a fleet of 12 or 14 x 3 car self-powered units with modifications including European Train Control System (“ETCS”) Level 2 and Driver Controlled Operation (“DCO”) capability, supported by a full maintenance package (under a ‘wet’ lease). The lease duration is four years, with an option to extend for two years.

OK but I think class 170s or other turbostars will be better

The turbostars will end up with EMR so no spares left.

 

[Trainician]

What about class 150s

 

[Domh245]

What about class 150s

Seeing as the youngest units are already over 30, I'd be amazed if there are any left in service (or even in one piece and mainline certified) by the time EWR opens

 

[Stephen Lee]

What about class 150s

Too old, and no air-conditioning(or called Hotdogs like what people in Hong Kong called Vehicles without air-con)

 

[Trainician]

Class 230s?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Class 230s?

Could be a very good candiate and they could be easily fitted with ETCS Level 2 as well as being self-powered

 

[The Planner]

They will need to be able to do 100mph...

 

[PeterC]

Equally suitable, though I imagine demand may require them to double up.

But if platforms are only going to be built for 3 cars .......

 

[Aictos]

Allows for 4x26m at a squeeze.

If the platforms allow for 4x26m trains, would that mean they should be able to easily accept 4x20m trains with plenty of platform space as it leaves least 24m free if I'm right?

As to the rolling stock, I think a train with doors set up as the Class 170s do would be ideal for the route.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

They will need to be able to do 100mph...

thats the only downfall to a 230 then... Class 175s might be the best candiate assuming they can be made to self-sufficient and fitted with ETCS Level 2 as they can run at 100mph

 

[Energy]

OK but I think class 170s or other turbostars will be better

Thats if any are available, the available ones are going to EMR and if any more are available EWR will have to try and get them before Chiltern or Northern who both have a rolling stock shortage and both already operate the 170 or the similar 168.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Thats if any are available, the available ones are going to EMR and if any more are available EWR will have to try and get them before Chiltern or Northern who both have a rolling stock shortage and both already operate the 170 or the similar 168.

Well.....12 of the 171s are due to transfer to EMR but have no idea where can the rest 8 go assume EWR will use 175s

 

[Energy]

Well.....12 of the 171s are due to transfer to EMR but have no idea where can the rest 8 go assume EWR will use 175s

Southern will still need the remaining 8 for the unelectrified sections, battery 377s have been suggested but they haven't materialised yet.

 

[JonathanH]

Southern will still need the remaining 8 for the unelectrified sections, battery 377s have been suggested but they haven't materialised yet.

Slightly off topic but 8 171s might be enough to run Ashford to Hastings and Oxted to Uckfield and forget about through running to London Bridge or Eastbourne.

No need for battery 377s and no availability of 171s for EWR.

 

[Energy]

Slightly off topic but 8 171s might be enough to run Ashford to Hastings and Oxted to Uckfield and forget about through running to London Bridge or Eastbourne.

No need for battery 377s and no availability of 171s for EWR.

Yep, the 175s seem the most likely for EWR.

 

[cle]

I would hope that this might have been reviewed and some Grayling de-scope reinstated (wires, speeds) - but with Covid and the doubling down on HS2, I can't see that there will be much spare, at this scale.

The two lines even cross, you'd think that might be a good place for one of the new garden eco new towns or whatever they are - with spiffy new connections at all angles (Oxford, MK, London and Brum all within 30 mins!) But there you go.

Most legacy platforms will take longer trains if they ever come - for instance, XC services or extended EWR due to demand - Bletchley would be the main problem though.

 

[Stephen Lee]

Slightly off topic but 8 171s might be enough to run Ashford to Hastings and Oxted to Uckfield and forget about through running to London Bridge or Eastbourne.

No need for battery 377s and no availability of 171s for EWR.

If you say this looks like some 171s are running under wires

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

I love the idea of Class 175's - it will be like Adelantes returning for a 3rd time to services in and out of Oxford, only I guess more reliable ones !

Also the comfort of these is fantastic!

 

[D365]

... only I guess more reliable ones !

The Class 175s weren't great at first either.

In any case, will be very interesting to see end-door diesels on EWR...