A ”glut” is actually an excess though. Although that doesn’t really make sense as you‘ve written it, it‘s definitely a short term way of dealing with a shortage of capacity in any of the 3 DC areas.
They are not DOO compatible and have 0 cab space to fit in monitors, so they’re no use to southern
Then SWR should keep the trains that are just being refurbished for them and leave Southern some 450s - or even 701s for Bombardier/Alstom commonality. (No anger directed at you, of course!).
It's off topic, but the way I'd do it (and I have no idea how the calculations would actually workPerhaps you could offer your services as an auditor for the next survey.
) is to count it by units rather than coaches and then to combine that with the amount of services an average unit of a class would run, therefore making it more understandable from a practical point of view for passengers. Therefore if an operator had (for example) one ten-coach set of fourty year old coaches that only did one train per hour and twenty four-coach trains that are twenty years old that did six services per hour, the average age would mean closer to the lower end as statistically you're more likely to be going on one of the twenty year old trains. Obviously it isn't perfect, but neither is the calculation they currently use, which is a bit misleading to passengers I think.Can't argue with that methodology.It's off topic, but the way I'd do it (and I have no idea how the calculations would actually work
Has much changed then? I don't remember much about the first conversion but was it a day (as I already knew the 4 cars).I can't remember.
It was a refresher for most IIRC, although there were a small number who were due to work them on the inner sub who did need to learn them from new.
That's a good point.Wonder if I will still drive them.
Yup it was a refresher.
If they are enough of a training issue for SWR (moving to a route they have not worked before) then Southern also won't be interested.
But then Southern is DOO/OBS so there's a saving from not having guards training.
The panelling also looks as if it's new, though I'm not sure. Still doesn't look cosy, exactly.
Looking at the interior pictures, it appears that the interior panelling has been left untouched, with the fittings below the windows still in that gaudy blue colour. They have fitted internal doors between standard and first class though. Agreed it doesn't look particularly cosy.
So other than new seats, first class back to what it was?
Yes, the interior panelling looks unchanged in photos I've seen.
... which makes it even more unfortunate that their apparent fate will be to sit rusting on storage sidings for four years and then be scrapped.
Sorry, besides the 442s, what’s the other instance? The 769s?
Yes, specifically the GWR 769s which would have served the North Downs line and Thames Valley branches.
Great news.
I doubt the future of a small fleet in the south west has any relevance to the government no matter who is in charge. Far larger projects have not had their fate changed by changes of government. Conservative or Labour, the next government won't have an effect on the 458s - whatever fate they have now is almost certainly the same one they'll have after the election, whether it's to keep them or bin them.
It’s more than possible. If Labour puts control of the railways in the hands of a new, dedicated organisation (as seems likely), the 458s will almost certainly find themselves in service within a few years. And then there’s also the question of pre-general election. If the Government can make a big show of it, the 458s might be an easy way to appear as if they’re investing in rail, especially in key seats.
Well, these units were supposed to be used to improve services running through Jeremy Hunt's constituency - which he's allegedly considering not contesting, as boundary changes make it more marginal than previously. Maybe he'll suddenly find some money down the side of no11's sofa to put them to work?
That’s my speculation. But it’s not for this thread I suppose!
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
The DfT isn't a dedicated organisation. It's run by civil servants, not industry professionals. It's the cause of the majority of ills with the network.
Goldfish62 put it well, the DfT isn't a railway organisation and they have been tasked with running something they know too little about. But this has been discussed many times on many threads!
