Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
I suspect it gives them the space they need to prepare for the Alessia ( or whatever it's called ) while still keeping the necessary skills* up and a bit of revenue coming in. The interview with the MD says Derby would be the worldwide centre for excellence* for that new generation of units but they did need something to ride them over in the meantime, so it'll be as much about keeping the works and staff available as anything else.I was one of the people saying 10 units wasn't enough to keep Litchurch Lane open but the current plan to not start them until first half of next year means its enough. There will be no trains made at Litchurch Lane for roughly the first half of the gap between now and the start of production of HS2 units. I am not sure how that will work financially or practically!
*Let's not anyone say it...!!!