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5x Class 153 conversion to bike and baggage vans for Scotrail

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61653 HTAFC

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On the subject of symbols on the outside, we recently went to Denmark and traveled on the Oresundtag trains. 3 car units where the centre car as a low platform level centre section which is designed to take bicycles, wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Big bicycle logos on the doors of this unit along with logos for wheelchair, pushchair and luggage above the window line - https://www.flickr.com/photos/64316400@N07/48877150481/in/datetaken-public/

And a photo on the interior open space - https://www.flickr.com/photos/64316400@N07/48877344007/in/datetaken-public/
Those logos above the window line in the first image don't appear to stand out so well...
 
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Update on Twitter: first 153 due in service in 2020.

https://twitter.com/PickGS/status/1186949867316436992

that was always the plan...however they are still carrying out some serious corrosion rectification work on them at the moment on the 3 units that are currently at Brodies. One is in the workshop and the other 2 get shunted around the yard on a frequent basis to make room for other units and coaches. Lower panels of the exterior skin have been removed for months now with no sign of any progress on the 2 sitting in the yard.
 

S N Barnes

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I do attend the progress meetings at Transport Scotland.

The introduction is likely to be on one route at a time, so that gauging (153's are not quite the same as 156's) and stabling - initially 2 units operating with 1 maintenance/spare can be at one location. This will probably be Glasgow-Oban

The real challenge is that the most popular train is the 08.21 on a Saturday - connecting with the key ferry services to the outer isles, and other Argyll cycle tours. This is a splitter 2 to Oban 2 for Fort Bill 2 for Mallaig. last time I checked one out all bike spaces to Oban booked, 9 spaces available in other carriages. I've been directing disappointed cyclists to Buchanan Bus Station, where they can catch the Citylink 976 with their bikes (officially in bags) at 08.30/09.00 winter/summer. The summer 06.15 coach makes a handy connection for the overnight sleeper either in Glasgow (approx 30 min) or at Arrochar (approx 10 min)

One problem is that the length limit for these trains is (currently) 6 coaches, so the addition of a 153 to the most popular train in current timetable might not be possible.
 

marks87

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Is the 6 coach restriction caused by the units, or the infrastructure (e.g. length of passing loops)?
 

Meerkat

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Why the little cycle symbol on the front, rather than a bog bold one that can be seen from further away - it is after all the main point of the whole thing!?
 

xc170

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Are they replacing the windows as the opening bit looks bigger than at present, or is this just an inaccuracy in the computer generated images?
 

sprinterguy

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that was always the plan...
I don't think that's always been the plan, based on the wording in the tender document:
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT333240
After the initial trial of two carriages during summer 2019, further refinement of the design may be required during autumn of 2019.

The supplier must have capacity to deliver the overhaul of 2 vehicles by 1st April 2019.

The supplier must deliver a total of 5 vehicles by 1st April 2020.
Has the supposed buffet counter been dropped? Doesn't look like it's there in those pictures.
There's still space left where it would be installed based on the previous renders.
 

mcmad

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Scotrail tweeted yesterday that the buffet was only shown as a potential option and was never in the confirmed plans
 

najaB

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They weren't intended to be in use until the summer 2020 season.
I don't think that's always been the plan, based on the wording in the tender document:
Nothing in the tender document contradicts the plan for the units to be in service for summer 2020. All that hasn't happened is the trial in 2019.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the lack of a trial has any impact on service introduction.
 

sprinterguy

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Scotrail tweeted yesterday that the buffet was only shown as a potential option and was never in the confirmed plans
Ah fair enough, I did wonder whether that was the case.
Nothing in the tender document contradicts the plan for the units to be in service for summer 2020. All that hasn't happened is the trial in 2019.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the lack of a trial has any impact on service introduction.
That the first two units haven't entered service yet is evidently a departure from the timescales that were tendered for.
 

najaB

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That the first two units haven't entered service yet is evidently a departure from the timescales that were tendered for.
I don't deny that, but there are two possibilities: they weren't able to complete the units needed to conduct the trials in 2019; or the plan has been modified to omit a trial.
 

sprinterguy

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I don't deny that, but there are two possibilities: they weren't able to complete the units needed to conduct the trials in 2019; or the plan has been modified to omit a trial.
Either way then, the current plan hasn't "always" been the plan.
 

sprinterguy

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The in-service date hasn't, as far as we know, changed. Which is what @themiller was talking about.
The first two units were specified to be available for service from April 2019. Three units (I assume? Haven't heard anything about the remaining two arriving at Kilmarnock) entering service in April 2020 seems markedly different to two entering service from April 2019 (For a trial period) and a total of five in service from April 2020.

Though it doesn't really matter as long as they're ultimately available to provide much needed capacity.
I remember that era, from that viewpoint, fondly from holidays around Glenfinnan during the mid-late nineties. :smile:
 

47271

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JModulo

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The first two units were specified to be available for service from April 2019. Three units (I assume? Haven't heard anything about the remaining two arriving at Kilmarnock)

3 been at Kilmarnock for quite some time now, 1 more stripped than the others though.
 
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