I guess that proves once and for all that XC fleet expansion comes at a cost which isn't acceptable to the DfT.
According to who? Your personal tastes? I’d probably rather have a Voyager than a 180.
May you link this in please, as I can’t find it on Beacon Rail’s website.
At least GC passengers will have a train. XC have another 10 that they can play with if the tight fisted DfT ever pull their fingers out.
They are only taking on enough units to directly replace the Adelantes on their existing ECML services.
With no ballaises on the route, the tilt mechanism wouldn't function on the ECML in any case.
As the last diesel operator into KGX It is hard to see their track access agreement being extended without a commitment to obtaining bi-mode units.
Is that legislative to change, or just a matter for the regulator to decide upon?
You mean the opposite way around. Voyagers are more reliable than 180s and always have been.
XC has always been overcapacity and Avanti mostly run their Voyagers in pairs. GC will be fine with 5 car Voyagers, and they are a better quality train than the 180s that's for sure.
AFAIK you won't find anything publically viewable, but training is supposed to start soon - XC instructors at Leeds I understand.
Overcrowded I meant. Even 10 more Voyagers would be crucial for them, and the Nottingham Cardiff should really go over to Voyager operaton as well to see off more 170s to double up the Brum - Leicester - Stansted services.
XC removed the tilting mechanism yonks ago - my understanding is the 221's have fixed bars in place of it, to save on maintenance costs. If memory serves correctly, Stafford to Birmingham is about the only corridor of the entire XC network that could have made use of it anyway
There was a section between Oxford and Banbury as well. But IIRC the timetables always allowed for operation by 220s anyway.
An hydraulic ram is replaced by a solid one. That's it.
With an impressive sub half-min gain...
Do you mind if I ask how you got this information?
I would've thought that 80Xs would have been cheaper than 221s under wires. Hitachi must have really put the price up and/or Beacon put the price down.
Probably similar to the mk4, so GC seat covers signage and carpet.
My family has a long connection with railways (going back to my great-grandfather); ergo - I'm privileged to know some people
I can also second that the transfer is planned, but can’t give any public sources. I was told it would be only a ‘soft touch’ refurb and rebrand so make of that what you will.
Not necessarily. As fuel and electricity prices fluctuate (wildly, recently) so one type of traction becomes more or less expensive than the other. DRS, Freightliner and DB Cargo have all reduced electric traction usage in recent times as electricity prices have gone up.
A half-life train with no other projected use is likely to be cheaper to lease than a brand new one.
Are all ten to enter service after Avanti has finished them, or can we expect 142/143 to head over almost immediately to support the current 180s until the other eight can come and displace them, which surely won’t be for about a year considering 805/807 introduction and the refurbishment is coming first?
My guess would be that the first 2 will head over earlier to allow for crew training and competence retention, until the rest can join
