tbtc
Veteran Member
I can't see why the branches arn't being electrified, leaving islands that would be cheaper to electrfy surely than just leaving the odd DMU half way down the GWML.
Its a real false economy, not doing things properly first time, because it may be a generation (or two) before we go back and fill in the gaps - look at Uckfield...
I am sure i read somwhere that the management at FGW have said they would pay for the thames valley branches to be wired if they won the next GW franchise.
I hope so - otherwise they'll be stuck with a small DMU fleet at Reading, with the complication of trying to interwork services (and potentially fewer "through" trains from London to Henley etc.
I'd like to think that the branches have been saved for a subsequent announcement, so that they can get another "good news" story into the press (same with extension to Swansea etc)
I think you're right given the current electrification plans. However add in North TPE and/or MML electrification and I recon the entire 319 fleet would be perfect for Northern
Fingers crossed.
If they do the MML properly (filling in the triangle between Sheffield/ Doncaster/ Barnsley/ Wakefield/ Leeds) then that would free up a number of DMUs.
Same with doing TPE properly (plus the Harrogate loop etc) - I just wish these were commitments (and not just "ideas")
Thats working at current service levels though...
If you increase service levels drastically on the electrified routes I got it up to 45 units required with current electrification.
ie.
Bolton slows over to EMU, extended to Chorley or Horwich.
Wigan via Paitcroft 2tph slow
etc etc. Got me up to 45 units
Add in Lostock electrification, Chinley Electrification and possibly Rochdale / Stalybridge and then you can easilly use all 86 units.
You'd have to increase things very dramatically (e.g. Bolton already has eight/ hour to Manchester, few spare paths at flat junctions), or commit to further electrification.
Bear in mind that if Northern gets the 319s (and not a cascade of 323s from LM) then you are talking about four coach EMUs mainly replacing two/three coach DMUs (there are a handful of 180 duties through Chorley, there are some doubled 156s, but just maintaining the existing frequencies with four coach EMUs will be a significant capacity increase.
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4. At present there is no guarantee that the existing 350s will be allowed to run at 110mph. It's subject to the outcome of tests.
There's no guarantee of many things, but if the 350s can't do 110 on London - Birmingham and Manchester Airport - Glasgow/Edinburgh services then there's going to be a lot of going back to the drawing board.
I still don't see why you'd want corridor connected 350s at Northern (which won't need to use doubled up EMUs) and non corridor connected 319s at LM (which needs a lot of doubled up services at the southern end of the WCML).