If Southern are after 7 units (14 cars) and Scotrail Turbostars are all 3 car units...
Is it likely that the 7 centre cars would remain with Scotrail and be used to strengthen retained turbostars to 4 car units?
Instead of pratting about getting more diesel units just electrify the bloody route!
Instead of pratting about getting more diesel units just electrify the bloody route!
Exactly! Diesel units are required in so many places and none are being built, and Uckfield is a relatively easy third rail bit of in fill isn't it?
I've heard via a reliable source a number of Scotrail Turbostars are being moved to Southern
Anybody know when and how many?
Scotrail will have spare diesel units but not in the short term.
The DMUs freed by this summer's electrification will be used for strengthening and to cover Borders rail when it opens next year.
So you're looking at the first phase of Edinburgh - Glasgow electrification (Dec 2017), Introduction of HSTs on Scotrail Intercity routes (Dec 2018) or electrification to Dunblane/Alloa (Dec 2018).
Basically there will be lots of spare Scotrail DMUs but not for 3-4 years.
If the lease is up the lease is up. Transpennine is losing its Turbostars against its will and its was already struggling desperately for rolling stock. In comparison, right now Scotrail has perhaps five DMUs that are surplus to capacity.
Exactly! Diesel units are required in so many places and none are being built, and Uckfield is a relatively easy third rail bit of in fill isn't it?
Apparantly there is a Network Rail consultancy on electrifying the North Downs, Uckfield and Ashford line next year.
23 miles of line i think. Expensive!!!!
Is it a bit cheaper as it's third rail?
im not sure third rail is cheaper to install? Its cheaper to maintain though.
They could of course decide to electrify the Uckfield Line with overhead instead. Mind you it is quite handy having it diesel, its very easy to find the train at London Bridge and East Croydon!
Network Rail advised me in a tweet recently that the platforms will be extended by Nov 2016 which implies that the new stock may arrive in December 2016. However I am not sure that the stock which had been found for that time period is available now.
Whilst the Uckfield Line is a relative backwater I understand it is actually profitable and it would also reduce overcrowding on the BBL and Hastings line as well. Class 170s would of course be ideal as the current fleet is Class 171 so all that is required is a coupler change.
http://www.courier.co.uk/end-line-c...tory-23260449-detail/story.html#ixzz3Ga79lXLE
very poorly written piece!
It could be confirming extra DMUs for the Uckfield line, but it's hard to have much confidence in it.
Chris
It seems the scotrail 170s mentioned are off lease as of july 2015? Maybe wrong though.
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All leases for trains operating ScotRail services in Scotland will terminate at the end of the current franchise with the exception of the class 380s which are covered by a Section 54 agreement.
although according to a network rail guy who travelled in my cab a few weeks ago, if third rail was installed, miles and miles of new fencing would have to be put up to conform to regulations!
It seems the scotrail 170s mentioned are off lease as of july 2015? Maybe wrong though.
Yeh its profitable and usage has increased massively since the DEMUs were replaced.
I know a few people from tunbridge wells and lewes areas use the uckfield line in the peak cos its cheaper.
although according to a network rail guy who travelled in my cab a few weeks ago, if third rail was installed, miles and miles of new fencing would have to be put up to conform to regulations!
New security fencing is required with OHLE too.
Installed last year across Chat Moss through open fields.
20 miles of the stuff must be expensive!
We do go overboard in the UK which must push up costs on schemes to an extent some aren't done. I've used railways all over the world and none are obsessed with expensive (and ugly) fencing to the extent the UK is. I concede there is very often a need for fences but the UK goes overboard on the type used.