Class 373 Questions

Just some questions...

1. How many North Of London sets still exist, if any?
2. When Eurostar are keeping 8 373s, do they mean half-sets or full units?
3. Is the Izy Eurostar one of the 8 units kept or a ninth that Izy have kept for their service?

1. There are no NOL units in service now.
2. Eurostar is keeping 8 full units, so 16 half-sets, + a spare power car.
3. The Izy unit is a ninth unit.

Why did they not replace all the 373's with 374's? How much longer will those 373's be around for? Do you think the merger with Thalys will have much effect on Eurostar operations, or is it more of a backstage kind of thing?

Unsure of numbers but when passing the RTC at Derby the other day there is an SNCF branded 373 power car and 1st coach.

3304.

Astro_Orbiter said:

Why did they not replace all the 373's with 374's?

Click to expand...

Because refurbishing some sets was cheaper than buying a whole fleet of new trains; so you might think refurbishing all the 373s would’ve been sufficient, but new trains were needed anyway for the Amsterdam services. Also, the Bourg St-Maurice and Marseille services have to be operated with 373s, as the Velaros aren’t cleared down south. The e320s can carry more passengers so they also enabled Eurostar to cut costs by reducing the number of train and staff diagrams.

Astro_Orbiter said:

How much longer will those 373's be around for?

Click to expand...

For the reasons stated above plus the fact they’ve just been refurbished, there’s no short-term end in sight for the e300s.

Astro_Orbiter said:

Do you think the merger with Thalys will have much effect on Eurostar operations, or is it more of a backstage kind of thing?

Click to expand...

As the merger project is still at an early stage and still hasn’t been EU-approved, I think it’s too soon to be sure of anything right now.

Astro_Orbiter said:

Why did they not replace all the 373's with 374's? How much longer will those 373's be around for? Do you think the merger with Thalys will have much effect on Eurostar operations, or is it more of a backstage kind of thing?

Click to expand...

Just as well they didn't, the 373s are a far better train

Astro_Orbiter said:

Why did they not replace all the 373's with 374's? How much longer will those 373's be around for? Do you think the merger with Thalys will have much effect on Eurostar operations, or is it more of a backstage kind of thing?

Click to expand...

Hopefully they go soon, the old trains are dire.

superalbs said:

Hopefully they go soon, the old trains are dire.

Click to expand...

On the contrary, they are more comfortable than the e320s