[fgwrich]

Originally Posted by YorkshireBear

See i was right thanks for that feel quite proud now as it was just a guess.

When are they expected in full service?

Whenever really - Shouldnt be too long now as a Spring start seems to be the most mentioned, so give or take a few weeks really - In short, it all depends on how many staff are trained up and how far the 180s are through the mods program.

[Zoe]

Originally Posted by Failed Unit

There are quite a few places that have IC stock that don't need it, Norwich is the other where an EMU with decent seating would be fine.

It could be argued that the London to Bristol doesn't need intercity stock though as it's largely a commuter route these days. I doubt that would be popular though.

[calc7]

Originally Posted by Failed Unit

But what is wrong with Cambridge's service? It has a fast and frequent service to London, much better than Oxfords!

There are quite a few places that have IC stock that don't need it, Norwich is the other where an EMU with decent seating would be fine.

Agreed. Yes, Oxford is a nice, aspirational city but it's too close to London to justify HSTs being used on runs terminating there and it's hardly the "blue chip" area like the Fens. If it didn't have the uni surely it's just be another Swindon!

[Failed Unit]

Originally Posted by Zoe

It could be argued that the London to Bristol doesn't need intercity stock though as it's largely a commuter route these days. I doubt that would be popular though.

Nope, good point maybe Bristol should get 395s, they are good enough for Margate services! 395s for Newark Stoppers!

[jopsuk]

with Cambridge and IEP being brought up- stated seating capacity I can find for a 365 is 242- making the 12 car peak time services 726 seats. How many seats will a 2x5 car IEP have? The likes of the 0745 from Cambridge leave with more than 726 people on board...

[Schnellzug]

isn't that the point of a test run, to identify & iron out problems before they go into service? So it could be said that it's worked even though it didn't actually run. A kind of virtual test run, perhaps. :S

[VTPreston_Tez]

How about ordering some 185s? They have good acceleration and braking as well as 100mph top speed, they could be designed to be 5/6 car 185s with 125mph top speed? If not, then maybe modified 170s? I'm sure it would work but I don't know much about the GWML...

[MattE2010]

Well bear in mind that 125mph trains need a crumple zone and you'll see why it may be quite complex to modify 170s or 185s for it - it would require a complete front end rebuild that I'm guessing wouldn't be possible on existing units. AFAIAC 180s are perfect for the Cotswolds route, I suspect their 125 is handy between Paddington and Oxford.

[W-on-Sea]

Originally Posted by calc7

If it didn't have the uni surely it's just be another Swindon!

Fighting words, there! If (and it is, admittedly, given their history, a very big if) they do prove reliable, the 180s will be great on the Cotswold Line - similar capacity to the Turbos (for all that they are longer trains), but much more comfortable and suited to the route.

As for HSTs from Oxford - there is definitely the demand for a train that can shift that number of people in the peaks, at least. While if anything at weekends (perhaps Sundays more than Saturdays) the train service from Oxford to London really isn't adequate to deal with the numbers, at some parts of the year, at least.

[TEW]

Originally Posted by Schnellzug

isn't that the point of a test run, to identify & iron out problems before they go into service? So it could be said that it's worked even though it didn't actually run. A kind of virtual test run, perhaps. :S

These aren't test runs though, they're crew training, so if the train is always broken crew training is going to take longer.

[Tiny Tim]

Originally Posted by VTPreston_Tez

How about ordering some 185s? They have good acceleration and braking as well as 100mph top speed, they could be designed to be 5/6 car 185s with 125mph top speed? If not, then maybe modified 170s? I'm sure it would work but I don't know much about the GWML...

Nobody's going to be ordering new motive power for the soon-to-be-electrified GWML. That's why they're having to make do with hand-me-downs in the interim.

[sprinterguy]

Originally Posted by jopsuk

with Cambridge and IEP being brought up- stated seating capacity I can find for a 365 is 242- making the 12 car peak time services 726 seats. How many seats will a 2x5 car IEP have? The likes of the 0745 from Cambridge leave with more than 726 people on board...

500 standard class seats and 118 first class seats.

[NSE]

Originally Posted by Zoe

The door layout on the 395s would suggest they were not intended to be intercity trains. Cambridge will finally be getting an intercity service with the IEP, about 15 years after Oxford got its half-hourly intercity service to London.

I can safely say Cambridge does not need an intercity service. It would be overkill, off peak all is needed is maybe a couple of 8 car trains on the non-stop services. Even that wouldnt be vital at all, but would be welcome. Capacity is definatly needed in the peaks, but not new trains. Just longer 365s, the speed is fine as north of Hitchin line speed drops and the door layout makes them ideal for when they run semi fasts. I know there aren't any more 365's but we certainly don't need HST type trains, mostly because all trains terminate at Cambridge. It's only the Kings Lynn and the XC services that regularly run as through services off peak, and only a few GA to Kings Lynn.

[boltonwanderer]

I would certainly take the 180's back in my morning commute into Manchester without a doubt.Much more comfortable ride than the 142's or 150's that we have now - and people not left behind on the platform at Bolton!

[D1009]

Originally Posted by jopsuk

The likes of the 0745 from Cambridge leave with more than 726 people on board...

I would rather doubt that as it suggests that no-one joining at Royston gets a seat. Unless things have changed recently I heard there was plenty of room in the rear coaches of the 12 car formations.