Monty
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Jun 2012
- Messages
- 2,352
Why would a new train capable of running through the Channel Tunnel, not be able to operate along the West Coast Main Line?
Number of reasons I suppose, there was a rule on the length of the trains and the method they were propelled (the trains were required to have powercars or a locomotive and not distributed traction you see on modern EMUs). However this has now been eased to allow DB and Eurostar to run ICE 3s/Velaro stock through the Chunnel. Loading gauge is also obviously a factor, the only passenger trains in existence that is certified for use in the UK, Chunnel and Europe are the Class 373s.
However it has occured to me that SNCF may have proposed they use the leased NoL sets for this possible service (a bit of a cheek since they lease them off us, though it would be nice to see them used on a service they were built for after nearly 20 years!) However I imagine what is non compliant is the bid not the stock, the Daft isn't interested in trains to europe it's interested in trains to Glasgow and Manchester (etc)!