There is a serious point to this question, so please, no guesses. I'm looking for reliable source data if it exists.
South West Trains operates a third rail electrified branch between Brockenhurst and Lymington with modest patronage. We don't have any 2HAPs any more so SWT use a 4 coach Desiro Class 450 at weekends (75% empty). And during the week they use a smaller class 158 DMU! . I know this is probably for stock availability reasons but the whole thing is counter intuitive, so my question is , what are the economics of running a train that says it
a) it is cheaper to run a DMU diagram entirely over electrified line every weekday than to own an additional class 450
b) Run a larger EMU at weekends when patronage is actually lower (presumably to allow the class 158 to be serviced) ?
In addition to the above Does anyone know
1) the leasing costs of of a class 158 v a class 450 (or any other unit)
2) the network rail track access costs per mile (presumably per vehicle by weight) so one would think a 4 car EMU costs more than a 2 car DMU to run as a train cost.
Thanks for any pointers
Hope this makes sense
South West Trains operates a third rail electrified branch between Brockenhurst and Lymington with modest patronage. We don't have any 2HAPs any more so SWT use a 4 coach Desiro Class 450 at weekends (75% empty). And during the week they use a smaller class 158 DMU! . I know this is probably for stock availability reasons but the whole thing is counter intuitive, so my question is , what are the economics of running a train that says it
a) it is cheaper to run a DMU diagram entirely over electrified line every weekday than to own an additional class 450
b) Run a larger EMU at weekends when patronage is actually lower (presumably to allow the class 158 to be serviced) ?
In addition to the above Does anyone know
1) the leasing costs of of a class 158 v a class 450 (or any other unit)
2) the network rail track access costs per mile (presumably per vehicle by weight) so one would think a 4 car EMU costs more than a 2 car DMU to run as a train cost.
Thanks for any pointers
Hope this makes sense