Future uses for class 220s/221s and 222s?

[skyhigh]

Bit of a wildcard, but could Northern be interested in them?

No chance

 

[Ex-controller]

Is it this summer or next that ASLEF has said they will refuse to drive the HSTs?

They didn’t say they’d refuse, but that they wanted a plan in place for their withdrawal. Not heard any more from them about it though.

I’d be delighted if their demand was achieved, as it happens.

 

[class397tpe]

They didn’t say they’d refuse, but that they wanted a plan in place for their withdrawal. Not heard any more from them about it though.

I’d be delighted if their demand was achieved, as it happens.

Is it just ScotRail that ASLEF are against HST use? Or GWR and XC as well?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Is it just ScotRail that ASLEF are against HST use? Or GWR and XC as well?

ASLEF had concerns about the continued operation of HSTs without any improvements to cab crash worthiness by all 4 current mainline operators, all of which have ASLEF representing their drivers.

 

[43096]

ASLEF had concerns about the continued operation of HSTs without any improvements to cab crash worthiness by all 4 current mainline operators, all of which have ASLEF representing their drivers.

Four current mainline operators? There's more than that.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Four current mainline operators? There's more than that.

True I’m not sure how many of the newer set ups have ASLEF representation for drivers?

The 4 I was thinking of were:
GWR
XC
Scotrail
Colas

Please feel free to add to the list!

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Sorry to dig this old chestnut out again but is it possible CrossCountry could have all the Avanti 221's and EMR 222's if the 222's were reformed into 7 coaches but refurbished to provide more Standard Class seats?

 

[Neptune]

It’s been said so many times before that nobody knows. As soon as anything is announced I’m sure it will be posted on here somewhere.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

It’s been said so many times before that nobody knows. As soon as anything is announced I’m sure it will be posted on here somewhere.

If you were referring to my post then I was only asking if it was possible that could happen or if just one of the batch that's all.

 

[Neptune]

If you were referring to my post then I was only asking if it was possible that could happen or if just one of the batch that's all.

Yes I was answering your query.

There’s plenty of speculation over it ever since the announcement that AWC and EMR are replacing their respective 22x fleets and many seem to have an opinion with how it can happen (without any costings I hasten to add) but that is as far as it goes for now and probably the next year or so.

 

[JonathanH]

if the 222's were reformed into 7 coaches

One of the biggest issues would be depot capacity for 7-car units. Most of the places where CrossCountry get their trains serviced, including Central Rivers, are set up around the trains only being 5-car length. Introducing 7-car fixed-formation units would appear to be problematic / require significant investment in depots.

(I appreciate that HSTs are longer but they are serviced at depots on the route which have been handling them for over 40 years.)

 

[JohnRegular]

One of the biggest issues would be depot capacity for 7-car units. Most of the places where CrossCountry get their trains serviced, including Central Rivers, are set up around the trains only being 5-car length. Introducing 7-car fixed-formation units would appear to be problematic / require significant investment in depots.

(I appreciate that HSTs are longer but they are serviced at depots on the route which have been handling them for over 40 years.)

That's a very good point that I hadn't previously considered.

I would argue that an investment in depot facilities now that also passively provide for future 7 or 8 car bi modes would be a good thing, but I can't imagine that will go down well with the people holding the purse strings.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

My apologies and thank you.

That's the thing - the capacity would be massively welcome but where do you have the space for all the trains? Tough one that!

 

[REVUpminster]

Surely the staff at Laira can learn to service a new train or will the staff be made redundant when the HSTs go?
Having said that Exeter still do not seem to be making full use of the servicing facilities at the new depot.