Would 185s be suitable for use with another operator, such as GTR or SWR?

[mmh]

Moderator note: split from 185's 110MPH Upgrade - Practical?

I'm like a broken record every time this topic comes up.

Just move them to Southern or South Western Railway where there's a use for small fleets of incompatible diesel units, allowing compatible go-anywhere class 171 and/or 159s to go where they're more needed.

 

[E100]

I would love it if they were simply used on Northern route replacing some of the 156's/153's but maybe that's too wishful? I feel they'd be well suited to the gradients and fuel consumption would be less of an issue due to the lower speeds.

 

[sw1ller]

I really thought they were gonna end up on the north wales coast at one point. Holyhead to Manchester & Liverpool would suit them rather well.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm like a broken record every time this topic comes up.

Just move them to Southern or South Western Railway where there's a use for small fleets of incompatible diesel units, allowing compatible go-anywhere class 171 and/or 159s to go where they're more needed.

And like a stuck record it's time to counter that too - they are no use to SWR, they are non-gangwayed and make too inefficient use of space.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I really thought they were gonna end up on the north wales coast at one point. Holyhead to Manchester & Liverpool would suit them rather well.

Yes, I'd agree with that. 6 car from Holyhead, split at Chester.

 

[Bantamzen]

I would love it if they were simply used on Northern route replacing some of the 156's/153's but maybe that's too wishful? I feel they'd be well suited to the gradients and fuel consumption would be less of an issue due to the lower speeds.

Is the correct answer!

Like you I see the 185s as perfect enhancements to Northern's fleet for some of the Pennine & Windemere Routes. After all, these routes were why they got such powerful power units, so it would seem a waste not to use them to their potential.

 

[AM9]

Not wanting to play the same tune on a broken record, could there be a benefit in using them on GWR Devon/Cornwall intermediate services? 100mph limit wouldn't constrain inter-city services on the line and an Exeter-Penzance service could keep good time over the many gradients on a line that surely doesn't have too low an RA. This suggestion does not reflect any consideration as to whether the TOC would wish to run the stock, - merely a technical compatibility issue.

 

[TrainBoy98]

Southern? Could be useful on Marshlink - most services are 2 car so an extra coach would be appreciated. Slower linespeed on Marshlink so could run on 2 coaches powered for economy? And doesn't need gangways as they don't currently have them anyway, but the Turbostars could surely be more useful elsewhere where they could run in multiples?

 

[43096]

And like a stuck record it's time to counter that too - they are no use to SWR, they are non-gangwayed and make too inefficient use of space.

Not to mention there aren’t enough of them. 22 185s (or however many it is) aren’t going to replace 30 159s and 10 158s.

 

[SideshowBob]

What will TPE use on the Cleethorpes - Manchester Airport route (and Nottingham - Liverpool, if it ends up going to them) if the 185s (horrible trains though they are) have been moved elsewhere?