Scotrail class 156 speculation

[Scotrail88]

Could the not convert the evening and more weekend ( All Sunday ) to electric traction?

Surely a better plan to maximise when possible.

Even off peak using a unit that runs off to remain out and the 156 stable till peak?

 

[3RDGEN]

At what point in the project was it realised that there wouldn't be enough electric trains? Seems like a pretty serious error to me. I doubt anyone would have agreed to all the cost and disruption for a one in three chance of getting a different train. As I mentioned above, the obvious medium term solution would have been more 320s converted from 321s. Space would be freed up for them by sending 156s elsewhere.

The Transport Scotland decarbonisation plan from May 2022 quoted;

"2024 - Electrification Complete: Glasgow Central to East Kilbride.
- Service Introductions and Rolling Stock Notes: Glasgow Central to Barrhead Using existing EMUs - Class 156 units withdrawn

2025 - Service Introductions and Rolling Stock Notes: Glasgow Central to East Kilbride, Some services use existing EMUs - Class 156 units withdrawn".

So it's been the plan for years. Converting a few more 321/4's to 320/4's would be a good option if the latter ones Varamis Rail got from Eversholt are still in passenger format and ScotRail could/would want to obtain them.

 

[RUK]

Varamis Rail seems as it may be shutting down, according to the thread on them, so their Class 321s may be becoming available, but they would need converting back from parcels to passenger format - trolley securers removed, seats re-fitting, etc. The situation with Varamis Rail seems to be quite fast-moving, so I don’t know if ScotRail can get hold of their Class 321s quickly enough.

the class 365s (not to mention they were awful and had no business being near such a route).

Awful? It seems that quite a few people on this forum prefer the Class 365s to the newer Classes which replaced them where they came from (377, 387, 700).

 

[SC318250]

Had a look at the diagrams

SO

There are 5-7 spare 318/320 units at Yoker on a Saturday, 2 off whicj should operate Yoker to Shields but rarely run in the morning

There is one spare unit at Motherwell TMD on a Saturday, so if the empty Glasgow Central to Motherwell Weighs CHS FO ran to TMD then the spare unit could go to Glasgow Central high level on Sat am, and could return on the 2320 Glasgow to Newton on Sat evening.

We know one diagram is already covered.

The 6 car due to run Shields to Yoker Sat am could be held for 380/385 cover on Saturday…. With the 2 units that are booked to run Yoker CS to Shields operating what the 2 units arriving at Yoker would operate.

Sunday there are enough 380 units spare to operate East Kilbride services or the soare 385 units could operate Inverclyde to release 380 units or 385 operate Lanark to release 318/320 to release 380

 

[hux385]

Why does East Kilbride have to have 380s? Could it not also run as 385s? Reducing train lengths on the Shotts line to be 3 carriages all day would free up a unit or two perhaps?

 

[Busman84]

There is also Lanark 6 car working 385s. Reducing capacity elsewhere (which shouldn’t be the answer) would be the only solution for EMUs on the EK line. Perhaps 385 workings will be on the line with 380s.

 

[HighlandStorm]

Given the E&G has not returned to every 15 minutes during the day outside the peak periods Mon-Fri, does the lack of units for EK mean restoring the 15min service throughout the day via Falkirk High would require shortening trains or reducing frequency elsewhere?

Seems odd that halving the service on the flagship route doesn’t generate any spare 385s ?

 

[Bikeman78]

Given the E&G has not returned to every 15 minutes during the day outside the peak periods Mon-Fri, does the lack of units for EK mean restoring the 15min service throughout the day via Falkirk High would require shortening trains or reducing frequency elsewhere?

Seems odd that halving the service on the flagship route doesn’t generate any spare 385s ?

It is still every 15 minutes in the peaks so no units are saved.

 

[Bikeman78]

Looking at RTT, on weekdays two of the three off peak diagrams to East Kilbride are shown timed for EMUs. No doubt I will get told off, you can't rely on timings loads shown on RTT etc. However, the electric schedules are slightly faster than the remaining DMU diagram. It would be most odd to accelerate the schedules and then continue to use DMUs which would struggle to keep time.

 

[380101]

Why does East Kilbride have to have 380s? Could it not also run as 385s? Reducing train lengths on the Shotts line to be 3 carriages all day would free up a unit or two perhaps?

Because they'd have to train over 100 drivers at Ayr on the 385, which would be 300 training days. This is not a viable or cost effective option when all the drivers that sign the East Kilbride route (Dumfries excluded as they lose the route in December) sign 380s.

 

[SC318250]

Do the Class 318 still retain the option for guard operating doors from time on North Berwick?
And do drivers that sign East Kilbride route all sign Class 318?
Would be another option class wise.

 

[380101]

Do the Class 318 still retain the option for guard operating doors from time on North Berwick?
And do drivers that sign East Kilbride route all sign Class 318?
Would be another option class wise.

The only electric unit that all drivers sign (excluding Dumfries as they lose the route in December) is the 380.

 

[BerkshireRails]

Could Scotrail take on a small fleet of 321s from the store in Wembley so that the East Kilburn Line could withdraw the 156s completely rather than just on one diagram?

 

[380101]

Could Scotrail take on a small fleet of 321s from the store in Wembley so that the East Kilburn Line could withdraw the 156s completely rather than just on one diagram?

Not going to happen. The new EMU fleet tender is due out imminently, with new trains to be delivered by 2030, so expect them to continue with the available units until then. Not ideal, but Transport Scotland are very unlikely to agree funding for 35 year old emus to be overhauled and added to the fleet for such a short period of time.