Possible AC EMU future cascade scenarios?

[43074]

Apparently this morning (Monday 24/10/2022) 387101 hes been taken from Ferme Park to Worksop. If true what theories does this trigger ?.

Seems weird as GN have gained the c2c 387/3s - unless those are cheaper to lease.

Does that weaken the options/dreams for swapping for 379s ?.

387101 will be the first GN 387 to be fitted with ETCS, it will be returning to the GN next year.

 

[AlexNL]

It'll also be the first-in-class fitment of Alstom ETCS to an Electrostar unit. The Heathrow Express 387s have been fitted with Bombardier equipment.

 

[D365]

For Great Northern ETCS, I have provided a dedicated thread.

 

[Peter Sarf]

387101 will be the first GN 387 to be fitted with ETCS, it will be returning to the GN next year.

Ah, thanks. That might put away the ideas for GN to have 379s then.

For Great Northern ETCS, I have provided a dedicated thread.

I will have a look.

 

[F Great Eastern]

The 350/2s have been awarded the Golden Spanner once again.

If these do indeed end up on the scrap heap then that is one of the biggest scandals in the history of British rolling stock.

Scrapping the most reliable trains of their generation whilst we have knackered old and unreliable ex BR stock hanging around with run down interiors is madness.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Really surprised that ScotRail on sniffing around these for when they become free, yes I know they are 4 coaches but they could quite easily integrate into the existing fleet on the Clyde coast and through a series of shuffling about and cascades allow the retirement of the elderly 318 and perhaps create a bit of slack in the 320 fleet as they too to show their age

 

[JonathanH]

Really surprised that ScotRail on sniffing around these for when they become free, yes I know they are 4 coaches but they could quite easily integrate into the existing fleet on the Clyde coast and through a series of shuffling about and cascades allow the retirement of the elderly 318 and perhaps create a bit of slack in the 320 fleet as they too to show their age

The routes through the low level stations are all set up around 3- and 6-car 60m / 120m trains and Scotrail has different plans for replacement. There is no amount of shuffling that make it straightforward to put 380s or 385s through the low level routes. Scotrail isn't there just to make good a void for the leasing company.

There is no obligation at all for the DfT or anyone else to find a use for any off lease fleet.

People lose money on investments all the time. There is no economic reason that investors in railway rolling stock should have their assets guaranteed future usage.

 

[357]

We keep hearing the railway needs to be run more like a business and less like a money pit.

The balance between cost vs reliability is a business decision to be made by the people paying for the units and depends on how much risk they want to take for what reward.

 

[JonathanH]

We keep hearing the railway needs to be run more like a business and less like a money pit.

The balance between cost vs reliability is a business decision to be made by the people paying for the units and depends on how much risk they want to take for what reward.

Indeed, and it may make perfect business sense for Scotrail to procure purpose built stock for the low level lines in Glasgow with a suitable maintenance contract rather than have to shoehorn something they deem unsuitable (such as the 350/2 fleet) into its operation when for the same lifetime cost they can get a purpose built fleet.

They may, having done an detailed assessment concluded that 318s and 320s can do another five years and then be replaced and that best fits the business plan.

 

[Bikeman78]

The 350/2s have been awarded the Golden Spanner once again.

If these do indeed end up on the scrap heap then that is one of the biggest scandals in the history of British rolling stock.

Scrapping the most reliable trains of their generation whilst we have knackered old and unreliable ex BR stock hanging around with run down interiors is madness.

The most sensible solution is to leave the 350s where they are and don't bother with most of the 730s. I don't think the passengers out of Euston will be thrilled to have less reliable trains. It will take years for the 730s to achieve the same MTIN as the 350s. Not to mention the likely cancellations whilst the crew are trained because there aren't enough spare crew.

 

[RailWonderer]

The most sensible solution is to leave the 350s where they are and don't bother with most of the 730s. I don't think the passengers out of Euston will be thrilled to have less reliable trains. It will take years for the 730s to achieve the same MTIN as the 350s. Not to mention the likely cancellations whilst the crew are trained because there aren't enough spare crew.

The 730s were ordered when interest rates were at record lows around 2017 and passenger numbers were on the up so more carriages for intensive peak workings were prefered and needed. Nobody knew what was coming.