Northern's 153s
Has any ROSCO produced a plan for making the modifications required for post-2019 use to the 153s?
Northern's 153s
Has any ROSCO produced a plan for making the modifications required for post-2019 use to the 153s?
Nothing official I think, though the 155 currently at Brodie's in Kilmarnock may shed some light on what's required and whit it'll cost. Keeping them as single-cars seems unlikely though.
I recall when Porterbrook produced glossy brochures for their trains, they detailed the essential and optional refurbishment options for the 155s but for the 153s they just described them in their current state and said something about it not being economically viable to keep them in service after 31st December 2019 as single car trains. Maybe after spending money on an ePacer to find new ITTs ruled out Pacers - they don't even want to have consultants looking at proposals for 153s unless operators/franchise bidders specifically express an interest in them?
Probably wise... I wouldn't be surprised if growth outstrips the forecasting and Northern find themselves short of capacity, in which case a few extra 155s paired up would be useful. Also means they'd be less of a micro-fleet...
Would a 2 car 153 become a 155 again or would they have to keep it as a 153 or give it a new class number because of differences crew members would have to be aware of?
Has all the operators said they are going to Withdraw Class 153s?
Northern are releasing theirs (18), with 1 going to EMT. GWR are releasing theirs (14), with 6 going to London Midland, so their 150s can go to Northern. Greater Anglia are releasing theirs (5).
Eww, boxing them into other formations would be a nasty idea, I think they'd be better off staying as single for attatching when needed for strengh. Toilet issue just rip off half the seats from the carriage as is happening with most newer/refurb stuff anyway
There are also suggestions that their bodyshells are sagging, however it remains unclear whether that is a genuine problem or just froth.
At least 30 Class 153s will be off lease in a few years time. This means that you could get 15 2-car units made. What operators might need these?
Is there any official statement on that stated matter of "sagging bodyshells" rather than the forum supposition.
It has supposedly been stated that too much seating capacity would be lost in adding a compliant toilet module. There are also suggestions that their bodyshells are sagging, however it remains unclear whether that is a genuine problem or just froth..
My completely unbased-on-any-data prediction, that they will be reformed into 155s with only one half getting the required toilet mods, and end up in Wales as a short-gap solution to scrap the Welsh Pacers until such time as the Valleys have wires.
My completely unbased-on-any-data prediction, that they will be reformed into 155s with only one half getting the required toilet mods, and end up in Wales as a short-gap solution to scrap the Welsh Pacers until such time as the Valleys have wires.
153s are not cleared to work north of Radyr, similar to 158s, being 26m stock. They would have to be confined to the Rhymney route. Coryton and as far as Radyr where they currently have diagrammed work also Barry Island and Penarth no problem.
Could they work other places 150s work, to free up more 150s for the valleys?
The 153s would be different to the 155s even if reformed.
Extra (small) cabs in the middle unlike the as built Class 155.
wont they just be used as trailers and/or marshaled into 2 car trains?
Not sure there will be enough to withdraw all the pacers operated by ATW as they operate 30 2-carriage units in total. Would still be a capacity improvement if they just replace the 142s with the 153s/155s, and retain the 143s with mods though (+ take on the 8 GWR 143s)
The issue with that is the TOCs then needing to maintain a fleet of units which can't be used unless attached to something else. That isn't very flexible, and isn't the optimal use of the assets.
Northern are releasing theirs (18), with 1 going to EMT. GWR are releasing theirs (14), with 6 going to London Midland, so their 150s can go to Northern. Greater Anglia are releasing theirs (5).
The issue with that is the TOCs then needing to maintain a fleet of units which can't be used unless attached to something else. That isn't very flexible, and isn't the optimal use of the assets.