northwichcat
Veteran Member
This has been brought up in two different threads but probably warrants it's own thread:
I would imagine if this is to happen the most logical thing would be to trial it on a fully electrified route with Northern, in the same way the IPEMU 379 was trialled on a fully electrified route with Anglia. That way if there's a problem with running off the wires the pantograph can be put up or another unit of the same class can be sent to rescue it.
Given a batch of bi-mode 319s won't appear overnight and they won't meet the requirements for 'Northern Connect' Barrow/Windermere services which will be the most obvious route for Northern to use bi-modes, I wonder if the plan is to offer them to bidders of the next Great Western and Wales & Borders franchises?
319427 has gone for to Brush to see if 319s can have diesel engines put on them and used as bi modes for Northern.
319427 is at Brush for evaluation to see if the concept if possible, with diesel engines fitted to the Driving Trailers. If deemed viable, another 3 units could be done.
Perhaps it does warrant it's own thread, given there is no confirmation of the unit going to Northern - although there is a suggestion that it may well be trialled with them.
I would imagine if this is to happen the most logical thing would be to trial it on a fully electrified route with Northern, in the same way the IPEMU 379 was trialled on a fully electrified route with Anglia. That way if there's a problem with running off the wires the pantograph can be put up or another unit of the same class can be sent to rescue it.
Given a batch of bi-mode 319s won't appear overnight and they won't meet the requirements for 'Northern Connect' Barrow/Windermere services which will be the most obvious route for Northern to use bi-modes, I wonder if the plan is to offer them to bidders of the next Great Western and Wales & Borders franchises?
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