I was thinking more that the 100mph top speed of the Class 88 would be the limitation.
Of presumably a more appropriate length than Grand Central, Hull Trains and LUMO stock, seeing as they seem to want to introduce three classes of travel.
Hmm, somewhat concerning. Either way, it'll be good if they specify trains longer than five carriages in anticipation for future growth. Lumo have achieved good loadings and will probably require longer trains at some point.
Well that will be interesting seeing as GWRs 9 cars are barred west of Swansea as they cannot fit in Carmarthen.
24 metre vehicles would make a lot of sense in that case, I can definitely see that happening. I feel the 4 power packs of the 810s might be a bit overpowered for their operations though, so maybe a similar engine configuration to the 802s or even the downrated 805s might make a better business case. If we're lucky we might even get an eighth type of IET, as it seems that every single 8xx needs a different TOPS number, even if a lot of the IETs are practically the same.
I think I remember seeing that the 2+8 HSTs only just fitted so I don't know whether there is a 6m leeway.
A 2+8 HST is around 220m, not 210m.
EMR is retaining the 158s - using a Voyager on Sprinter services would be entirely unsuitable.
You won't see the second Liverpool before P15 comes back into use at Euston after HS2 hand it back.
Most have been scrapped or gone to TfW now.
Unlikely, the paths provided are for IETs, HSTs would be slow and expensive. They'd also need somewhere to be maintained now Old Oak Common is demolished and Landore no longer does HST maintenance.
Not impossible but by the time they have been released from EMR and had ATP fitted Hitachi would be nearly done on some new AT300s.
Only 4 sets and it will be some time before they are released.
In the short-term yes - long-term I believe they’re aiming to acquire a variant of the 80X fleet.
Do you have a link for the 222 info?
www.railmagazine.com
More importantly, it pre dates 23 March 2020 when everything changed.Government and CrossCountry work on train capacity plan
Six extra Class 170 vehicles for CrossCountry to boost capacity as Government and Arriva work on longer-term solutions
Bare in mind the article is over two years old, however it’s more than what’s been said about the Avanti 221s.
True, but it is still possible in the short term in case of any delays that GU will be using existing stock like the class 222 units on possibly existing services and moving their class 180's over to do the services to Wales.
But they have/are getting class 170 units which where previously class 171 units from Southern which are replacing class 158/156 units?
Indeed, but again - still more than what’s been said about the Avanti 221s.
But that is the joy of the speculation thread. If they are buying off the shelf 802's then even then it will be a push to get them made, but as you say, Hitachi seem to think they can do it.
I think the issue with that is finding somewhere to service them. Where is there a depot with capacity on the electrified route between London and Cardiff that could maintain electric units for a short period?
A Cardiff - London “interim service” would be nothing but a straightforward revenue grab off GWR. Why would it ever be approved by ORR?
