With lack of rolling stock soon to become a problem in some areas of the country, would it be worthwhile reintroducing loco-hauled services in order to release much needed stock for other services?
Let me give an example: more stock is required for services in the northern area but there is no extra stock available within TOC or in others - we could take a line which is fairly long with stations that aren't to close together such as the Settle & Carlisle line (ignore the gradients for now) and replace services with loco-hauled stock. By replacing these services, it would allow smaller DMU units (150/156 etc) to be cascaded to other lines where they can increase capacity.
This would solve the potential rolling stock problems whilst increasing capacity on lines. Ignore the fact that the S&C has steep gradients - I am giving an example as there are many other lines that would be potential candidates. I would like to know what everyone thinks as I have been pontificating over it for a week now. Could we go as far as saying that some regional services such as HFD-BHM could have loco-hauled at peak time to increase capacity, allowing stock to go to the Chase Line for example?
Could it work??
Let me give an example: more stock is required for services in the northern area but there is no extra stock available within TOC or in others - we could take a line which is fairly long with stations that aren't to close together such as the Settle & Carlisle line (ignore the gradients for now) and replace services with loco-hauled stock. By replacing these services, it would allow smaller DMU units (150/156 etc) to be cascaded to other lines where they can increase capacity.
This would solve the potential rolling stock problems whilst increasing capacity on lines. Ignore the fact that the S&C has steep gradients - I am giving an example as there are many other lines that would be potential candidates. I would like to know what everyone thinks as I have been pontificating over it for a week now. Could we go as far as saying that some regional services such as HFD-BHM could have loco-hauled at peak time to increase capacity, allowing stock to go to the Chase Line for example?
Could it work??