This thread has prompted all sorts of suggestions, but they didn't seem to address what I understood to be the main stumbling block, namely that all suggested replacements have significantly higher axle loads, and all available newbuilds even more so. My understanding is that this is the main reason why Scotrail has not come up with a replacement strategy for these very old units yet.
Does anyone have any fresh ideas that properly address this constraint?
Could a rebuild/radical refurbishment be an answer, given that body shells and underframes tend not to wear out very quickly? Would repowering with more efficient/cleaner engines be possible, given that a more powerful heating system would be highly desirable if not essential to overcome the "Polar Express" label that the current units have earned?
