Journeyman
Established Member
- Joined
- 16 Apr 2014
- Messages
- 6,295
It’s a bodged up 1980’s tube train at the end of the day and we are now well into the 21st century. Had Northern been lumbered with these things I’m sure there would be many normal punters who would think the North got a crap deal yet again.
I don't think that's particularly relevant, or that many people would care.
The bogies are only ten years old, the traction equipment is new, the bodies are aluminium and therefore corrosion-resistant, the interiors were given an extensive refurbishment only a few years ago, and the things were built like tanks. They represent a pretty good improvement over what some lines are operating with.
Agreed, it's not suitable for everything, and it's ugly as hell - the D Stock was always quite boxy-looking - but it's a decent and flexible bit of kit at the end of the day.
Ultimately, the fact that it's D Stock doesn't really matter. It's what happened to be available. The concept, and the technology it has spawned, is ultimately what matters.