Scotrail Draft ITT

[Carlisle]

On fares- interesting that the regulated fares are done so NOT on a "Fares basket" approach- so the franchisee cannot hike fares on "premium" routes by keeping fare increases low on other routes (as appears to happen on some franchises in England)

I thought they planned to put a stop to that practice in England too

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

If Scotland become independent will that provide barriers to internal cascades?

All the rolling stock is privately owned and Scotland going independent won't change that.
When the leases expire in 2015 they will go to the next TOC signing up for them.
TS are not proposing to buy any new rolling stock for the new franchise.
Class 380s will be leased into the new franchise, but the same principles will apply when their lease expires..

 

[scotsman]

Would the 185's be more suited to longer distance Scottish routes freeing up 156's 158's or the 170's?

Perhaps - powerise - not a huge amount of seats, however.

 

[WatcherZero]

All the rolling stock is privately owned and Scotland going independent won't change that.
When the leases expire in 2015 they will go to the next TOC signing up for them.
TS are not proposing to buy any new rolling stock for the new franchise.
Class 380s will be leased into the new franchise, but the same principles will apply when their lease expires..

I thought they were requiring scenic trains for highlands routes and welcoming bidders to put forward scenic trains on other routes too. Unless the bidder is suggesting sawing Mk3s in half and fitting a glass ceiling ala Swiss trains then they would have to be new stock as as far as I know there is no existing UK stock with wrap around windows?

 

[HSTEd]

I sincerely hope any tourist trains are operated on a purely business basis and not given any subsidies whatsoever (including subsidised track access charges).

Taxpayer support for lines like the West Highland Line is often sold on the basis of social benefits of public transport and so on.
A fancy tourist train is not a transport system.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I thought they were requiring scenic trains for highlands routes and welcoming bidders to put forward scenic trains on other routes too. Unless the bidder is suggesting sawing Mk3s in half and fitting a glass ceiling ala Swiss trains then they would have to be new stock as as far as I know there is no existing UK stock with wrap around windows?

No, by "buying" I mean TS being the owner, as opposed to a ROSCO.
I'm sure additional stock will be needed, but ROSCO (or TOC)-owned.
Ultimately, SG will guarantee usage via the franchise contract.

 

[cf111]

I'd take the 170s on the Far North Line .

 

[Altnabreac]

The scenic trains idea is fantastic and closely corresponds to ideas I posted on this forum earlier in the year. Obviously someone at TS reads our posts closely!

I hope they pursue it for the Far North line and Stranraer as well as Kyle and WHL. Then there would be new DMU stock on all the never going to be electrified lines and they can get on with extending electrification beyond the central belt.

You would hope that DfT/Welsh Assembly might be interested as that sort of stock would also be perfect for Settle Carlisle, Cumbrian Coast, Heart of Wales and Cambrian. A bigger order would reduce the unit cost for everyone.

 

[cslusarc]

Scenic coaches make sense if the seats are located on an upper deck, but bi-level carriages are a no-no in the UK because its loading gauge is too small.

 

[clc]

I don't think it's the journey timings that's the problem per se but more the comfort levels.. I think there is a thought that 170s are not suitable certainly in there current guise for these levels of journey. I know I prefer travelling on East Coast to Aberdeen, not done Chieftain yet

I agree, I've just recently made a return trip from Glasgow to Inverness. My main problem with it was the resonance from the engine, it definately doesn't make for a relaxing journey on a 3 hour trip. Are there any realistic alternatives which would deliver more refinement?