My idea for Scotrail to get Class 37s

[snakeeyes]

Would it be a good idea for Scot Rail to have a few class 37 and coaches for peak times, extra trains and for the summer?

 

[Carntyne]

They use Class 68 & coaches from DRS for peak Fife Circles at the moment. Are 37's reliable enough?

 

[snakeeyes]

they are basic, no fancy electronics, must be cheap to buy now, much better for the HML, going through snow etc

 

[59CosG95]

Besides, all the intercity routes in Scotland (e.g. EDB/GLQ-INV) are due to get HSTs for intercity journeys in the next few years.

 

[CosherB]

Would it be a good idea for Scot Rail to have a few class 37 and coaches for peak times, extra trains and for the summer?

Oh yes.......but where would you get the spare 37's (presumably with ETH) and the spare LHCS from these days?

 

[Emblematic]

While all the time ignoring the growing ranks of HST rakes, just needing PRM TSI mods, but most likely heading for the scrapyard...

 

[jopsuk]

I'm trying to work out what these trains would be used for and why Scotrail would want to spend money on having them hanging around? Most of the time their DMU fleet has acceptable availability and does an acceptable job. They're not running a preservation society for enthusiasts. Northern are only using 37s plus mark 2s out of desperation.

 

[Darandio]

Northern are only using 37s plus mark 2s because they were told to.

Fixed that for you.

 

[47802]

they are basic, no fancy electronics, must be cheap to buy now, much better for the HML, going through snow etc

There's enough of this old junk on the Cumbrian, as has been pointed out they have 68's for a couple of peak services, and obviously they will be getting HST's hopefully in the next few years.

 

[DT611]

There's enough of this old junk on the Cumbrian

well, whats "junk" about them? are the carriges comfortable? i'd suggest yes . would people rather them over say a 153 or a pacer? i would imagine so. are they maintained properly? i should think so. the fact is units aren't availible and it will take time until some are. so this "old junk" will be a welcomed stand in i should think.

 

[hibtastic]

well, whats "junk" about them? are the carriges comfortable? i'd suggest yes . would people rather them over say a 153 or a pacer? i would imagine so. are they maintained properly? i should think so. the fact is units aren't availible and it will take time until some are. so this "old junk" will be a welcomed stand in i should think.

Luckily in Scotland we have no 153s or pacers so they may well be considered old junk here. Saying that, I have no complaints with the 68 and Mark 2s on the Fife Circle (the 68 is a fantastic machine though and it and the coaches look great in the Saltire livery).

 

[47802]

well, whats "junk" about them? are the carriges comfortable? i'd suggest yes . would people rather them over say a 153 or a pacer? i would imagine so. are they maintained properly? i should think so. the fact is units aren't availible and it will take time until some are. so this "old junk" will be a welcomed stand in i should think.

My view that single engine trains, ie Loco Hauled and 153's for that matter over 40 years sold hould have to demonstrate a certain level of reliability before being used on Franchised scheduled services that would include body snatchers as well, and ideally Loco Hauled would be restricted to class 67/68 only.

 

[DT611]

My view that single engine trains, ie Loco Hauled and 153's for that matter over 40 years should have to demonstrate a certain level of reliability before being used on Franchised scheduled services that would include body snatchers as well, and ideally Loco Hauled would be restricted to class 67/68 only.

thats fine, but the railways are short of stock. so therefore what can be used should be until such time as there is sufficient new stock, which is a bit of a way off. anyway i'd imagine reliability is taken into account when hiring in locos is it not?

 

[Ash Bridge]

thats fine, but the railways are short of stock. so therefore what can be used should be until such time as there is sufficient new stock, which is a bit of a way off. anyway i'd imagine reliability is taken into account when hiring in locos is it not?

Well I was on the Cumbrian coast loco hauled trains yesterday and all three trains I used were on time give or take a few minutes spotlessly clean internally inc. the toilets and very comfortable, dozens of workers boarded at Sellafield and the overheard comments from the table opposite were very positive about these "Luxurious" trains.

I certainly hope 47802 wasn't referring to me when he mentioned old junk on the Cumbrian

 

[DT611]

Well I was on the Cumbrian coast loco hauled trains yesterday and all three trains I used were on time give or take a few minutes spotlessly clean internally inc. the toilets and very comfortable, dozens of workers boarded at Sellafield and the overheard comments from the table opposite were very positive about these "Luxurious" trains.

I certainly hope 47802 wasn't referring to me when he mentioned old junk on the Cumbrian

for what its worth, i don't personally agree with his comments. just because something is old doesn't make it junk. if its looked after and someone is willing to use it then there is no issue. people seem to be happier with this stock then what they usually get, so thats the important thing. the fact is the railway is short of stock, there are no more units availible. so if this works, so be it

 

[hibtastic]

for what its worth, i don't personally agree with his comments. just because something is old doesn't make it junk. if its looked after and someone is willing to use it then there is no issue. people seem to be happier with this stock then what they usually get, so thats the important thing. the fact is the railway is short of stock, there are no more units availible. so if this works, so be it

Anything beats a pacer or a 153...

 

[route:oxford]

Serco are going to have a few 73s kicking around the North of Scotland. Might as well use them on a few diagrams during the day.

 

[Emblematic]

Well, Serco will have six 73s, with four needed for the overnight diagrams which will be unavailable until the sleeper cabins are vacated and the sets disposed. I don't see how that helps Scotrail. However, if they did want spare stock for reliefs and specials, they could just acquire more HST rakes from the scrap lines in a couple of years, no issues with driver knowledge, maintenence etc.
I don't see anything older than a Mk3 getting adapted for PRM TSI.

 

[Observer]

Well, Serco will have six 73s, with four needed for the overnight diagrams which will be unavailable until the sleeper cabins are vacated and the sets disposed. I don't see how that helps Scotrail. However, if they did want spare stock for reliefs and specials, they could just acquire more HST rakes from the scrap lines in a couple of years, no issues with driver knowledge, maintenence etc.
I don't see anything older than a Mk3 getting adapted for PRM TSI.

HST rakes would require the electrics to be redone to work with locomotives that aren't Class 43s. It's an expensive job.

 

[Emblematic]

HST rakes would require the electrics to be redone to work with locomotives that aren't Class 43s. It's an expensive job.

Agreed - that's the point. Class 43 will be the standard locomotive at Scotrail. Why consider anything else?
Actually all the HST Mk3 rakes would need for standard ETS is an electronic converter (modern replacement for the MA sets) and the cabling and jumpers added, so not so expensive, but no need, standardise on what you have.