I would order maybe 5-car units and 9-car units as well as looking at maybe expanding the network long term.
Indeed, as not all 5 coach trains are created equal:
- XC Voyager - 262 seats
- GWR 802 - 326 seats
- TPE 802 - 342 seats
That puts the 804's at a similar capacity to a 6 coach voyager (slightly higher or lower depending on the configuration).
Whilst currently there's a need for extra capacity across the core that could well reverse in the future with the opening of HS2 which would be much faster with a higher capacity for travel between Birmingham and Manchester, Leeds, York, etc.
As well as creating faster journey times and more frequent services, although not direct, from Reading and too a lesser extent from places South of Reading and travel to Birmingham.
If the Southern Approach to Heathrow is built and there's through trains between Basingstoke/Guildford and Paddington that would reduce the need for many to travel via Reading giving them a direct, or within one change, service to Old Oak Common.
That's going to change the need for as many long trains. However having said that, in time, it could well be that they are still needed as rail continues to grow. As although WFH would reduce the numbers traveling by rail every weekday, there's likely to be a similar impact (if not more) on car usage. This could lead to more leisure rail travel, which would lead to XC needing more capacity.
