starrymarkb
Established Member
http://www.railpro.co.uk/news/?idArticles=694
IEP deal 'close to completion'
Paul Clifton
February 2, 2011
A deal to build the next generation of inter-city train is edging closer.
The Department for Transport has developed a plan, which can now be put before transport secretary Philip Hammond for approval.
The complex arrangement would include electrification of the Great Western main line as far west as Bristol. But civil servants have decided there is not a sufficiently strong business case for expensive electrification through the Severn tunnel.
Bi-mode Hitachi Super Express trains would operate the inter-city service, using pantographs to Bristol and under-floor diesel engines thereafter. Hitachi would build a final assembly plant at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham for the trains. The company says it would create up to 800 jobs.
An alternative proposal to attach diesel locomotives to electric trains at Bristol was seriously considered, but eventually discounted. Its hoped the new trains will enable four trains an hour between Paddington and Bristol, with two running via Bath.
Services to the south west will continue to use refurbished 35 year old HSTs for perhaps another decade.
Beyond that, it is likely that the Midland Main Line will be electrified. The DfT considers this would require a further new fleet of trains, releasing the current Meridian stock.
These trains could have an additional carriage with a pantograph fitted the trains are built as diesel electrics. They could then be cascaded as bi-mode trains to the Plymouth and Penzance services. They would run on electric power as far as Newbury.
This deal was largely finalised in the last few days, and is now ready for political approval.
This secretary of state has a mind of his own, commented one insider involved in the talks. So it is still possible he may not choose this option. But it seems some heavy lobbying by the Japanese ambassador has paid off.
This deal would cost dramatically less than the original Inter City Express proposal. Initially this was valued at up to £7bn but the costs are thought to have risen substantially.
By ordering a single bi-mode variant, the government would be dropping proposed separate diesel and electric versions of the train. These had led to an order so expensive and so complex that many observers had written off the project entirely. So far, the government has spent more than £25m developing the scheme.
Not electrifying west of Bristol would also save several hundred million pounds. And continuing with HSTs to Devon and Cornwall for a few years longer would allow the costs to be spread over a longer period.
The Midland Main Line was said to have at least as strong a business case for electrification as the Great Western, but the latter was more urgent because of the ageing rolling stock.
A final decision is still thought to be several weeks away.
IEP deal 'close to completion'
Paul Clifton
February 2, 2011
A deal to build the next generation of inter-city train is edging closer.
The Department for Transport has developed a plan, which can now be put before transport secretary Philip Hammond for approval.
The complex arrangement would include electrification of the Great Western main line as far west as Bristol. But civil servants have decided there is not a sufficiently strong business case for expensive electrification through the Severn tunnel.
Bi-mode Hitachi Super Express trains would operate the inter-city service, using pantographs to Bristol and under-floor diesel engines thereafter. Hitachi would build a final assembly plant at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham for the trains. The company says it would create up to 800 jobs.
An alternative proposal to attach diesel locomotives to electric trains at Bristol was seriously considered, but eventually discounted. Its hoped the new trains will enable four trains an hour between Paddington and Bristol, with two running via Bath.
Services to the south west will continue to use refurbished 35 year old HSTs for perhaps another decade.
Beyond that, it is likely that the Midland Main Line will be electrified. The DfT considers this would require a further new fleet of trains, releasing the current Meridian stock.
These trains could have an additional carriage with a pantograph fitted the trains are built as diesel electrics. They could then be cascaded as bi-mode trains to the Plymouth and Penzance services. They would run on electric power as far as Newbury.
This deal was largely finalised in the last few days, and is now ready for political approval.
This secretary of state has a mind of his own, commented one insider involved in the talks. So it is still possible he may not choose this option. But it seems some heavy lobbying by the Japanese ambassador has paid off.
This deal would cost dramatically less than the original Inter City Express proposal. Initially this was valued at up to £7bn but the costs are thought to have risen substantially.
By ordering a single bi-mode variant, the government would be dropping proposed separate diesel and electric versions of the train. These had led to an order so expensive and so complex that many observers had written off the project entirely. So far, the government has spent more than £25m developing the scheme.
Not electrifying west of Bristol would also save several hundred million pounds. And continuing with HSTs to Devon and Cornwall for a few years longer would allow the costs to be spread over a longer period.
The Midland Main Line was said to have at least as strong a business case for electrification as the Great Western, but the latter was more urgent because of the ageing rolling stock.
A final decision is still thought to be several weeks away.
^^^^^