F Great Eastern
Established Member
Strong rumours suggesting that Alstom are very much in pole position for this contract, both on the French side and on the Irish side.
Can anyone substantiate it?
Can anyone substantiate it?
Quite possibly, I know the 8200s rather soured opinion of CAF.Strong rumours suggesting that Alstom are very much in pole position for this contract, both on the French side and on the Irish side.
Can anyone substantiate it?
I didn't think that the 8200s were anything to do with CAF?Quite possibly, I know the 8200s rather soured opinion of CAF.
Quite possibly, I know the 8200s rather soured opinion of CAF.
That was what l understood too, hence my previous post.They were GEC Alsthom, as it was then, units.
I didn't think that the 8200s were anything to do with CAF?
That was what l understood too, hence my previous post.
No worries. Buying penny packets of odd units certainly doesn't seem to be a recipe for reliability to me.Oops, what am I thinking of then? Something I'm sure was nicknamed 'Spanish' and not reliable - I thought it was the 8200s, but on checking those are indeed GEC/Alstom
Brain's got crossed wires somewhere; I still can't think exactly where I've got muddled.No worries. Buying penny packets of odd units certainly doesn't seem to be a recipe for reliability to me.
CAF built the 29000 class DMUs used on the Northern Commuter route from Dublin Connolly, could they be what you were thinking of?Brain's got crossed wires somewhere; I still can't think exactly where I've got muddled.
Yes I would agree, recent orders though have all been with the Tokyu company who also built most of the regional DMU fleet.
It wasn't them, I don't think they are unreliable for one thing.CAF built the 29000 class DMUs used on the Northern Commuter route from Dublin Connolly, could they be what you were thinking of?
Oh they are actually 'Spanish' then the 8200s?The 2700 DMU and 8200 EMU were built by GEC Alstom in Spain - that’s probably where people are getting confused.
The 29000 were also built in Spain but by CAF, as indeed were the Mark 4 coaches and the NIR 3000 and 4000 series DMU.
That’s exactly what I think you did.Oh they are actually 'Spanish' then the 8200s?
Well then, I think I must've been thinking of the 8200s and I've simply crossed manufacturers based on perceived 'nationality' if you get my meaning.
Oh well, at least that won't bother me anymore.That’s exactly what I think you did.
I believe they were, yes. I know Bombardier was a bidder, so it could be that the ex-Bombardier bid is what has been picked.Were the bids submitted before Alstom acquired Bombardier?
The 2700 class from the same manufacturer was a pretty large order - it didn't stop it from being a similar disaster to the 8200s (though they did survive in service slightly longer).No worries. Buying penny packets of odd units certainly doesn't seem to be a recipe for reliability to me.
The 2700 class from the same manufacturer was a pretty large order - it didn't stop it from being a similar disaster to the 8200s (though they did survive in service slightly longer).
It was large by Irish Rail standards at the time though - and especially when compared to the 10 carriage 8200 order. It was also a larger order than for both of the similar Tokyu built DMU fleets (2600 and 2800 class), both of which were and still are far more successful.26 carriages wouldn't qualify as large in my book.
These new trains will see off the 8100s. Hopefully one is preserved and put in a transport museum somewhere. They'll hit 40 years old in 2024 if they survive that long. Great achievement and the interiors are still in very good nick, a testament to the good quality overhaul and refurbishment Siemens gave them 15 years ago!
I do agree the 8100s have done very well - and it's not like they're had an easy life either. Working an intense stopping service day in day out (and never more than a mile from the sea). The fact the only casualties are the two units lost in the fire at Fairview depot is quite a record - and no EMU delivered in Ireland since has been able to match their comfort.
Rotem have definitely built for broad gauge before; their Changwon works ( in S Korea) has multiple facilities & assembly roads with broad gauge track. Back in 2010 when I visited a few times, I think they were building for the Indian market?The 22000 Class intercity DMUs were built by Hyundai Rotem but have Tokyu bogies, perhaps because Hyundai Rotem didn't have any broad gauge experience.