Better reduced to 3-car 317s and introduced asap on Manchester-Glossop and before Manchester-Wigan/Blackpool is energised. I thought 2x3 cars is what everybody wanted especially with through gangways. Send the 319s back down south.
It is volume that matters not length. 3+3 modified 317s is not a problem. Surely it is better than 1x319 or 1x323 and they do have through gangways in multiple that all the others do not have.
Additionally, why introduce 185s to the discussion that was all about ac units used on ac fitted or about to be fitted routes. How many seats would a 3-car 317 have and quality could be improved by new carpets and seat covers as happened with cascaded 319s? 317s trump 185s in reduced noise and vibration.
You've got yourself very confused or not explained your idea very well.
The longest trains that can be accommodated on the Glossop/Hadfield route is a 3 car 323 or equivalent. A 4 car 317 or 319 cannot be accommodated but platform lengthening has been scheduled in so that a 4 car 319 and eventually 331s can be accommodated.
Therefore when you said 2 x 3 cars and mentioned Blackpool I presumed you meant using pairs of 3 car 317s on the Bolton corridor. If that's what you meant comparisons to 185s are very relevant as a 7 car 317 formation would be the equivalent length to 6 car 185s and there is a franchise requirement for Blackpool-Airport services to be of a better internal standard than the 185s (ignoring the loss of FC) and the 317 interiors are much worse.
I'm also a bit confused about 'carpets on 319s' as they don't have carpets and as far as I know never have had carpets.
I think your comment about 317s or 319s being quieter than 185s is debatable. The EMUs might not have a noisy diesel engine but they do have doors which make a loud bang when passing other trains at speed, plus not being air conditioned means the windows may be open and if they are the noise generated from that can be louder than the diesel engine and air conditioning system.
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I fail to see how 185s are relevant in this argument as they don't serve the Hadfield line.
He mentioned Blackpool and 6 car EMUs as well and there certainly won't be provision for 6 car EMUs on the Glossop line anytime soon.