Plans for the 225s?

Could a 225 set be used for charters? They're quick, reversible, comfortable and you could get say 12 mk4's and change the consist as necessary. They also comply with the door regulations so they don't need stewards in every single coach.

 

While such an approach looks atractive in monetary terms, it rather ignores the role of public opinion and their campaign groups. Just look at the fuss over the D stock conversion, with lots of hostility to them from certain sections of the public even though the end product is quite likely to be a step up from the much hated 'Pacers' ministers are very much awere of such sentiments and reflect that in the current process for letting franchises which encourages applicants to put forward new build stock.

In the case of the GEML, it has not had 'new' stock since the 1960s - everything else has been cascaded in over the years a factor not lost on the various passenger campaign groups. As such new stock will score highly in future franchise bids compared to yet more cascades, particularly as an EMU frees up space occupied by a loco (and the DVT unless it is rebuilt to creature passenger accommodation) for passengers.

 

What about some of the coaches and a DVT for the North wales coast instead of full voyagers ? The only downside is a loco change at Crewe unless a 68 can do 110 ? I haven't checked . One of the pluses is power doors on the stock. The arriva DVT set works well but some passengers leaving doors open costs time.

 

To be strictly accurate the 380s are 23m units using the latest bodyshell design - an intercity variant should be perfectly possible for Norwich services, perhaps based on their new 125mph 'Verve' platform.

North Wales services to Euston requires 125mph tilting stock, hence the current use of Super Voyagers and previously Pendolino's dragged beyond Crewe.

 

EU rules on enhanced crash protection for 'high speed trains' kicks in beyond 110mph so unless there are definite plans to go beyond this on the GEML it may be more cost effective to keep below the 110mph celling.

 

Changed to 118mph IIRC (190 kph). Hitachi (and others) were talking about seeking a derogation for 125mph but I don't know what happened.

Other builders were modelling 115mph emus against SETs on the Oxford runs and reckoned they would keep to the timetable

(All recovered memory from Modern Railways about three years back)

Patrick

 

That's a shame as 110,125- with the recovery time there's really not a lot in it and as a passenger is rather be seated than stood.

 

I don't think the issue is, lets keep below the EU speed ceiling so we can buy cheaper and less complex units, there are lots of constraints which would make it very expensive to run at 125. First there are the capacity constraints on the southern section where it would share space with slower stoppers, 4 tracks only make it to Shenfield! Second there are a phenomenal number of level crossings betweeen Ipswich and Norwich, which become more dangerous as linespeeds increase and 3rd I don't think the knitting is up to it. I think that even the new wiring at the southern end was only specced up to 110mph as there was very little chance of going above that for the reasons above.

 

Bombardier are also offering intercity versions of the Aventra that can do up to 125mph.

 

Slightly O/T but what is the art of the possible on the GE? Pairs of gangwayed 5/6 car 110 mph emus, an hourly 90 minute fast and an hourly semi-fast to Norwich? Are there some 'easy win' route enhancements?

Patrick

 

I don't think there are any easy wins as such but getting rid of some more level crossings would probably help remove some risk / reliability / pathing issues.

A couple of dynmic loops south of Ipswich would be handy to allow more overtaking moves, IIRC there was talk of putting in a couple north of Chelmsford (along with a new Parkway station) a few years ago.

A rebuilding of Trowse swing bridge to provide two tracks again on the Norwich approaches has also been suggested

 

I believe these are all still planned for the next few years.