C4 Dispatches: Investigation reveals number of 'ghost trains' lying idle in Britain

[Energy]

Footage may not have all been taken at the same time? TV programmes about railways are infamous for continuity issues...

Obviously but it has been quite a while since the last FTPE 350 was rebranded, I would have thought they would get the footage while they were in Manchester.

 

[Rhydgaled]

The ARN franchise agreement envisaged that the 331s would replace all 17 of Northern's 323s and 5 of the original 32 319s. But now all the 323s are being retained and 8 of the 319s are being converted to 769s. So the remaining 319s are being progressively withdrawn as the 331s enter service.

The last few Northern 319s will be returned to Porterbrook when the WMT 323s are cascaded next year.

Ok, so it's just a change of plan from 319s to 323s. Thanks for the answer.

 

[Class 170101]

Whilst I can see some sceptism with this programme I watched it and noted the following points

Short trains
Extended dwell times at some stations caused by the short trains and overcrowding.

So if the Class 319s are upto the job structurally then concvert them to Class 769s and put thenm on two car services and lengthen to four carraiges. The displaced two car train joins other two car trains to make 4 car trains.

It is no wonder that the Castlefield corridor doesn't work the dwell times needed to make it work in no way match the Rolling Stock used on it at peak times whether it be Class 802s, Mark Vs or Class 150s. There are either not enough doors or enough carriages with enough doors to get on and off quickly enough.

 

[marko2]

It was a poor effort really, very unbalanced but ultimately a report that typifies a lot of UK media work these days in that all they want to do is create sensationalism that will create outrage amongst 'the people'.

Did they get the RMT union to provide the 'balancing' viewpoint as the BBC aways does?

 

[SuperNova]

It was a poor effort really, very unbalanced but ultimately a report that typifies a lot of UK media work these days in that all they want to do is create sensationalism that will create outrage amongst 'the people'.

On reflection, I disagree. It's the first documentary in a long time that lays the issues at the foot of those responsible, the government, rather than the simplistic view of blaming Northern Rail. We shouldn't turn up our noses at that.

However, you could tell from the way it was created they had gone in with pre-perceived outcomes which were completely not true. You felt they wanted to drop HS2 in to frame the argument and the inclusion of the empty vehicles was pointless - no mention of PSVAR.

Issue is this needs more than 30 mins and with some ulterior motive. Would love to see a three part BBC4 series on the issues/future of rail that would get to the point.