hst storage

[hstmatt]

hi i was wondering are there any hsts in storage i remember there were some at long marston but i think xc have them now so just asking are there any in storage today

 

[ainsworth74]

Nope all HST sets are in service, there are a few spare vehicles kicking around however. As I recall they are a number of buffets and TGSOs going spare and XC have short formed their sets by one vehicle (2+7 rather than 2+8) so there are 5 TSOs not currently in use, but there isn't enough to make up a full set and even if there were there are no spare power cars.

 

[50Fan91]

As ainsworth47 says, there are no stored sets at all at the moment. Although I can't comment on the TGSOs, I am fairly sure that a number of the buffets are still being stored at Eastleigh. (I'm not 100% on that - I include a link to a picture showing the stock move to Eastleigh last July. I haven't heard anything since, so I presume they're still there unless anyone else knows otherwise..?)

http://www.tauntontrains.co.uk/NEWS-2010-JULY.htm

Hit "Control F" and paste this in to find the picture!

"GBRF returned North through Taunton with their stock move for First Great Western on the 8th July, their stock transfer move from Laira to Eastleigh depot conveyed former un refurbished HST buffet cars 40736 40725 40726 40744 40738 40709 & 40745 for storage at Eastleigh! 66728 is pictured at Norton Fitzwarren with the 5O66 from Laira to Eastleigh with 73206 and 73212 acting as barrier vehicles. (Photo: Cameron Walker)"

 

[Royston Vasey]

Nope all HST sets are in service, there are a few spare vehicles kicking around however. As I recall they are a number of buffets and TGSOs going spare and XC have short formed their sets by one vehicle (2+7 rather than 2+8) so there are 5 TSOs not currently in use, but there isn't enough to make up a full set and even if there were there are no spare power cars.

I dont think there are any TSs in storage, unless there is an odd one or two accident damaged. XC had to modify LHCS Mk 3 TSOs to make up their 2+7 sets and the short formation is because there is no buffet car, not a missing TS - the mini buffet is a modified TS/TSO. Also GNER's lengthening programme rather mopped up any spare TSs!

 

[387star]

How many did virgin xc have in comparison to arriva xc?

 

[BlythPower]

There's a handful of ex-Virgin 404xx buffets slowly decaying at Long Marston.

 

[ACE1888]

The HST show just 'keeps on a'rollin' along.....' THE classic design possibly????

 

[90019]

The HST show just 'keeps on a'rollin' along.....' THE classic design possibly????

Or the fact there's a rolling stock shortage and nothing to replace them.

 

[jopsuk]

Passed two years without a firm rlling stock order at the weekend.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

How many did virgin xc have in comparison to arriva xc?

According to my Spotters companion, Virgin Cross Country had 50 powercars in pools ICCS and ICCP in 2001, all allocated to Laira, Plymouth. This is in addition to the seven powercars for Virgin West Coast (pool IWCP, alloc. Laira, Plymouth).

According to thejunction.org.uk, Crosscountry currently have 10 powercars in pool EHPC, all allocated to Craigentinny, Edinburgh.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Passed two years without a firm rlling stock order at the weekend.

Is the IEP order not a firm one?

 

[ainsworth74]

Is the IEP order not a firm one?

Until pen is put to paper stating exactly how many we are buying and a delivery schedule is agreed then no, until then it's more an intention to buy same as the rolling stock for Crossrail and Thameslink, we're going to be buying it but it isn't actually ordered yet.

 

[jopsuk]

Not yet, as I understand it. It isn't even, if other parties have their way, 100% confirmed that it will be Hitachi, thanks to the odd way the business has been done.

 

[387star]

Also still seems hazy quite what we are getting. Christian Wolmar (love this guy) had a very interesting article in RAIL arguing the case for locomotives to haul trains under the wires instead of heavy and fuel absorbing engines to be lugged around the country hither and thither.

Speaking of those parts that won't be wired for which the pioneer bio fleet will operate on are these significant? Of course there is Cardiff-Swansea but if HSTs are to be retained to Devon and Cornwall which other routes will these prodominately electric trains run on when off the wires?

This is a Great Western question for I note East Coast run trains to Aberdeen and Inverness

 

[YorkshireBear]

modern railways made good points about loco's too.

I wish it would be decided so not only us but the operators know what is going on.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Also still seems hazy quite what we are getting. Christian Wolmar (love this guy) had a very interesting article in RAIL arguing the case for locomotives to haul trains under the wires instead of heavy and fuel absorbing engines to be lugged around the country hither and thither.

Speaking of those parts that won't be wired for which the pioneer bio fleet will operate on are these significant? Of course there is Cardiff-Swansea but if HSTs are to be retained to Devon and Cornwall which other routes will these prodominately electric trains run on when off the wires?

This is a Great Western question for I note East Coast run trains to Aberdeen and Inverness

The other IEP Great Western diesel routes are those beyond Oxford, and perhaps the trains to Weston-Super-Mare and Cheltenham Spa. In my opinion somthing like an INTERCITY 225, with the electric loco swapped for a diesel one at the last wired station is the best option for most routes, with the second best option being an EMU dragged by a diesel locomotive over of the off-wire sections (eg. the weekly(?) Pendolino to Holyhead). The bi-mode multiple unit only makes sence if the layout at the final wired station prohibits attaching a diesel to drag the train, and the only place I've heard there could be a problem in this regard is Oxford. Putting the diesel engines under the floor rather than in a seperate power car will attract noise complaints and I think has resulted in the hybrid (think Toyota Prius on rails) system being dropped. Given that's only going to need a few units, is there anywhere Voyagers or 180s run entirly under the wires? If so replace those with electrics and add a pantograph car to them to run the GW services beyond Oxford, the only services that seem to need the daft bi-mode multiple unit.

How much is it going to cost to guage clear Cardiff - Swansea, Bristol TM - Weston Super Mare and Swindon - Cheltenham - Severn Tunnel Junction for 26m coaches? You could probably wire them (or some of them) if the electrics where the same size as IC125s, if so perhaps using IC225s on this routes instead of the out-of-guage IEPs could allow the electrification of those routes.

 

[387star]

Beyond Oxford? I always thought HSTs terminate there or do you mean the Cotswold line

 

[Rhydgaled]

Beyond Oxford? I always thought HSTs terminate there or do you mean the Cotswold line

Yep, that's the one I mean.

 

[387star]

Sorry just as I was typing the Cotswold line sprung in to my head.

 

[142]

All FGW ones are out at the moment, although 43003 with fire damage, and 43041 with accident damage were stored until as recently as last month!