But if Rock rail as a ROSCO is paying Alstom for the trains as a long term investment, then the leases will not start until the 701 trains go in service, (currently 5?), so there is no large charge on the DfT or taxpayer if the DfT has a fixed operating contract with SWR (until GBR is setup to replace the DfT functions, if GBR ltd still goes ahead).
Presume some of the 707 leases have finished so the DfT is not paying any extra for the train leases on the SWR lines
Providing new 701 leases with Rock rail will sometime start to replace 455s, then Rock rail will make a good profit from the new 701s?.
(The situation with the manufacturers, Rosco leasing companies, DfT, the emerging GBR ltd and train operating companies can get confusing, so any more clarification is welcome)
Bombardier (now Alstom) paid following liquidated damages to Rock Rail South Western plc (per their published accounts)
Year to 31 Dec 2020 £ 49,678,000
Year to 31 Dec 2021 £ 61,778,000
Year to 31 Dec 2022 £ 67,723,000
Year to 31 Dec 2023 (accounts not yet published)
So probably, by now paid £250-300m as damages /compensation for late delivery / non performance etc. Ultimately the Alstom money is probably covering Rock Rails funders interest charge or SWRs continued lease of 455s which should have stopped 3-4 years ago.
I assume SWR pay Rock Rail for accepted units (now about 75 of 90 units) but get compensation if they don't work, but don't get compensation if it is their (or their staff) choice not to use them.