Future of the Voyagers?

[djw1981]

I think their best utilisation would be for high frequency services along routes with line speeds of 105mph or higher; such as Edinburgh - Newcastle, Preston - Birmingham, and so on

Both of which are electrified, and running diesel under wires is never desirable.

The Central belt-aberdeen argument would be that you could then have a proper FC area, with 'intercity door spacing' something which seems to bother the Aberdonians a lot. Also, the Turbostars could then do the stopping services, and the voyagers run fast to reduce journey times from the central belt. To reduce pathing issues you could run a double set non stop aberdeen-Dundee, then split one for Edinburgh and one for Glasgow - maybe even into Glasgow Central for ease of interchange.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

Scrap man wont buy them, Too much plastic!

In serious, Cardiff - Pompeys Better than 158s(From Commuters point of view) but worse than the 33s they use to have on them

 

[Techniquest]

The Voyagers do not have SDO capabilites in answer to your question Techniquest.

There are a myriad of routes that would benefit from the Voyagers when they are displaced. As mentioned already, a whole host of Scottish routes such as Glasgow/Edinburgh-Aberdeen/Inverness, or some of the secondary cross country routes, Liverpool-Norwich, Cardiff-Portsmouth/Brighton (dothey still run to Brighton?) etc.

Thanks for clearing that up 91101.

To answer your question, yes FGW do still run two trains a day to/from Brighton, utilising 158s, with the afternoon one (1710 from Brighton I think it is/was) being diagrammed for a 3-car 158.

 

[PhilipW]

They will still be needed for Manchester-Bournemouth services as there will be no wires south of Reading.

These services are often overcrowded so running Voyagers as 4+4, 4+5 or even 5+5 would be very sensible.

 

[Techniquest]

That's a fair point actually and would be a sensible decision for sure. Even if it's just double sets between Manchester and Reading with one continuing onto Bournemouth and the other running to another destination/returning to Manchester/whatever.