New Long Distance Regional Trains

[William3000]

Having seen the excellent 755 bi-modes which now operate across East Anglia on relatively short routes of up to about 1hr 40 across the region, it got me thinking about what possible train could replace the plethora of services that run on longer distance cross country routes that are generally limited to 100mph or less and thus don’t use Voyagers etc.

A 100mph light unit that can utilise springer speeds like the Stadlers with 4-5 carriages could be transformational for long distance regional services such as:
Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central, Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich, Cambridge to Birmingham New Street, Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street. Trans Pennine which runs similar type routes across much of the North of England has seen recent upgrades and I wonder whether the Midlands/East Anglia, and the South could benefit from a similar upgrade. The 158s and 170s that typically operate these routes are aging and limited in capacity. Basically I wonder whether there is a role for inter city style comfort like one gets on 755s that could be bi-mode as well reflecting the nature of these routes, but which typically don’t run on lines that have higher limits than 100mph.

Would be interested in others’ opinions.

 

[MikePJ]

Having seen the excellent 755 bi-modes which now operate across East Anglia on relatively short routes of up to about 1hr 40 across the region, it got me thinking about what possible train could replace the plethora of services that run on longer distance cross country routes that are generally limited to 100mph or less and thus don’t use Voyagers etc.

A 100mph light unit that can utilise springer speeds like the Stadlers with 4-5 carriages could be transformational for long distance regional services such as:
Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central, Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich, Cambridge to Birmingham New Street, Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street. Trans Pennine which runs similar type routes across much of the North of England has seen recent upgrades and I wonder whether the Midlands/East Anglia, and the South could benefit from a similar upgrade. The 158s and 170s that typically operate these routes are aging and limited in capacity. Basically I wonder whether there is a role for inter city style comfort like one gets on 755s that could be bi-mode as well reflecting the nature of these routes, but which typically don’t run on lines that have higher limits than 100mph.

Would be interested in others’ opinions.

Having been on the 755s and 231s quite a few times, I would agree that the Stadler FLIRT is a really nice train, and there's scope to fit them out with either a more "intercity" or "commuter" interior depending on the intended use. We're about to get the 756s in service very soon here in South Wales and I suspect that the versatility of a unit that can run on diesel, battery or overhead electric will also work well for many long distance regional services.

The other manufacturer to keep an eye on is CAF, as their tri-mode (diesel, battery, electric) Civity units for LNER might form the basis for further orders for regional trains.

 

[Allwinter_Kit]

Without meaning to disparage, my reading of the original post is "now that we can have some better trains, what routes would benefit from them?" and the answer is, of course, pretty much all of them? Having ridden on the FLIRTs they are better than anything we've got that predates the 195/331s really
170s? Better. Sprinters? Better. (I mean they are also better than Voyagers but don't hit 125mph so I guess we're stuck with them).

But, the question is, where would investment in FLIRTs be good? But then, again, the answer is "pretty much everywhere". Where does the Treasury think is worth spending money? No where.