Ex GC 221s to move to EMR

[DaveyJones]

They are older units and these particular ones have spent time out of use, which usually isn't good for reliability.

This pair have barely been out of use, they went from Avanti to Grand Central pretty swiftly, and one of them is in traffic today

Train Allocations Lookup | Rail Record

Search UK Train Schedules By TOPS Number, Show Loco Allocations and Unit History | Train Tracker | Rail Record

live.rail-record.co.uk

 

[fgwrich]

I believe this is the pair at GC, which have been out and about every day.

Indeed they are, Arriva / GC obviously has enough confidence in the Adelante’s now, potentially with 4 more arriving, that these two can depart the fleet for pastures new.

 

[45Fox]

I'm afraid that I can see all sorts of pitfalls to having just a pair of 221s interworking amongst a (admittedly reduced & further reducing) fleet of 222s.

Most of them have already been well covered by other posters:

● crew training
● incompatability between the two classes
● crew traction knowledge for specific depots
● maintanence location/requirements
● methods of door operation & train despatch
● neccessity to ensure they keep to specific diagrams
(The above list is not exhaustive).

The last two listed bullet points could prove to be very troublesome; should they be moved at short notice onto a diagram that includes short platforms (Long Eaton, for example, only 4 cars fit there) this would create problems as 221s are not fitted with SDO.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Can the 222s keep to time on 4?

In my recent experience yes.

It would be ironic if part of the reason the 810 programme is in the state its in is because of complex re-engineering to deliver performance that they didn't strictly need...

 

[cactustwirly]

I'm afraid that I can see all sorts of pitfalls to having just a pair of 221s interworking amongst a (admittedly reduced & further reducing) fleet of 222s.

Most of them have already been well covered by other posters:

● crew training
● incompatability between the two classes
● crew traction knowledge for specific depots
● maintanence location/requirements
● methods of door operation & train despatch
● neccessity to ensure they keep to specific diagrams
(The above list is not exhaustive).

The last two listed bullet points could prove to be very troublesome; should they be moved at short notice onto a diagram that includes short platforms (Long Eaton, for example, only 4 cars fit there) this would create problems as 221s are not fitted with SDO.

No different to how the 180s and HSTs operated before

There are only 3 train crew depots for EMR for the intercity side. Sheffield, Derby and St Pancras.

Would make sense to base the 221s on diagrams which are Derby out and backs which will be primarily Derby crews

 

[dk1]

Let's hope Hitachi are paying for this and not the taxpayer.

Best to just get the short term lease agreed as the route is suffering quite severely currently. The financial side of things can be sorted at a later date.

 

[Trainman40083]

One of the two Grand Central 221s is on Central Rivers today..