Could the CAF Sleeper loco hauled build lead to a follow-on order for more LHCS?

[ash39]

Might be way off the mark with this (and a bit of wishful thinking on my part), but with the first new build of UK gauge rolling stock in quarter of a century, could we see a follow on order for a small/medium sized batch of passenger LHCS?

The mk1/2/3's won't go on forever, mk4s will logically stay wherever the 91's end up, so this might be the most efficient way of getting a new build.

DRS seem to be currently pitching for passenger work. The downside is dwell times for slam door stock. How more attractive a proposition would it be to TOCs if they had a set of small rakes of 4-5 coaches with modern facilities and power doors? Minimal extra training, and could be doubled up where appropriate for charters and specials.

 

[CosherB]

DRS seem to be currently pitching for passenger work.

what would that be? buying LHCS goes against 25 years of train procurement. and as for DRS, their recent experience on the Night Riviera might be an indication of how seriously they take some customers ..... :roll:

 

[ash39]

They 'operated' the Pretendolino for most of last year until it was finally retired for good. They are currently (I understand) in talks regarding providing 90034 for use with GA whilst their 90's are having work done.

In addition to that, they are providing locos and stock for the Northern Cumbrian coast workings from May. Also rumoured to have quoted TPE for 68's + stock for Liverpool-Newcastle services.

Agree with what you're saying, and LHCS will never return on the scale it once was, but it is useful for plugging gaps, and with the current DMU shortage not looking like being solved anytime soon, this may be a more feasible option than a new design of DMU.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Might be way off the mark with this (and a bit of wishful thinking on my part), but with the first new build of UK gauge rolling stock in quarter of a century, could we see a follow on order for a small/medium sized batch of passenger LHCS?

The mk1/2/3's won't go on forever, mk4s will logically stay wherever the 91's end up, so this might be the most efficient way of getting a new build.

DRS seem to be currently pitching for passenger work. The downside is dwell times for slam door stock. How more attractive a proposition would it be to TOCs if they had a set of small rakes of 4-5 coaches with modern facilities and power doors? Minimal extra training, and could be doubled up where appropriate for charters and specials.

Considering the number of 125 MPH DMUs that will likely become available when the MML is electrified, do we need them?

 

[ash39]

That's a fair point, not to mention the further cascades from IEP and other electrification further down the line.

Just think there's a need for some modern stock if it can be obtained at a competitive price. With the 68's doing seemingly very little, and 67's even less very soon (I make it a third of the fleet required for ATW, ECML thunderbird and Network Rail duties). Also who's to say Virgin EC will stick with 67's once they get settled in? DRS may be sniffing around that contract.

 

[Boothby97]

They 'operated' the Pretendolino for most of last year until it was finally retired for good. They are currently (I understand) in talks regarding providing 90034 for use with GA whilst their 90's are having work done.

In addition to that, they are providing locos and stock for the Northern Cumbrian coast workings from May. Also rumoured to have quoted TPE for 68's + stock for Liverpool-Newcastle services.

Agree with what you're saying, and LHCS will never return on the scale it once was, but it is useful for plugging gaps, and with the current DMU shortage not looking like being solved anytime soon, this may be a more feasible option than a new design of DMU.

They didn't operate the Prentendolino, they just leased a 90 from DBS and then sub-leased the 90 to Virgin Trains.
And as far as I'm aware 90034 has been returned to DBS now, so it would be them offering it to GA (it has been reported that it has had its DRS branding removed and DBS branding in its place).