Future of 321's

[D365]

Let's wait for the 317722 prototype before we even discuss the real thing

Sounds like a good way to save a bit of money, but if the production-rebuilt 317s are very different, there wouldn't be any point.

 

[Dave1987]

Yeah I've heard figures of around £4m per new unit vs £1m per complete upgrade and rebuild. I think it def makes sense to completely redo the current stock instead of spending stupid sums of money, like the IEP programme.

 

[jon0844]

Absolutely. Plenty of life in loads of EMUs from what I can see. A good refurbishment makes the train look virtually brand new anyway to Joe Public.

Of course, we need to build new trains too (if only to cope with increased demand) so that we'll have new stock to refurbish and extend at a time when it's no longer possible to do another refurb.

 

[317666]

It definitely makes more sense to upgrade units, which aren't even life-expired or in need of replacement, to comply with modern standards, rather than to just buy new trains. Ideally, the money saved could be used to fund infrastructure projects etc.

 

[jon0844]

Yes, but it will be interesting to see how people judge that decision.

I guess it will be one for political point scoring.

1) Investing in perfectly good, well built, rolling stock to extend the life and save money that can be better used elsewhere.
2) A cynical cost cutting measure that will force passengers to travel around in ageing trains, while impacting on jobs that could have been created to construct new stock.

I wonder what Bob Crow thinks? He's got a pre-prepared statement for everything.

 

[ginger]

Yes, but it will be interesting to see how people judge that decision.

I guess it will be one for political point scoring.

1) Investing in perfectly good, well built, rolling stock to extend the life and save money that can be better used elsewhere.
2) A cynical cost cutting measure that will force passengers to travel around in ageing trains, while impacting on jobs that could have been created to construct new stock.

I wonder what Bob Crow thinks? He's got a pre-prepared statement for everything.

it also depends on whether the job is done properly with quality in mind! If penny pinching TOCs are involved then the whole thing will fall to pieces in 3 years of heavy continual commuter use.......

If the ROSCOs bite the bullet and spend decent amounts of money and passengers re happy with the result then what can go wrong?

 

[jon0844]

The refurbishment shown in the video is pretty major, not new paint, seat covers and a vinyl floor or carpet change.

 

[Manchester77]

The refurbishment shown in the video is pretty major, not new paint, seat covers and a vinyl floor or carpet change.

aha i know right
hopefully more of the anglia fleet with have such a major refurbishment, even if it is just a full interior refurb without the engine thingsss...

 

[jon0844]

This an improvement being carried out by the ROSCO though, not the TOC. Totally separate to what TOCs do, which are usually fairly mild refreshes.