What if Theory = Crossrail and Thameslink

[Prestige15]

Back then, Both Bombardier and Siemans were bidding for new stocks for Thameslink and Crossrail and ended up Siemans winning for Thameslink and Bombardier for crossrail.

Heres a what if theory.

What if it was the other way round? (Thameslink class 345 and Crossrail class 700)

 

[JonathanH]

What if it was the other way round? (Thameslink class 345 and Crossrail class 700)

The specifications for the two fleets, independent of the manufacturer, mean it wouldn't actually be quite as simple as you suggest.

 

[AM9]

The specifications for the two fleets, independent of the manufacturer, mean it wouldn't actually be quite as simple as you suggest.

Had Siemens been given the Crossrail contract, they would have built 90mph 23m cars with similar designs to Bomberdier. The Desiro City is a modular design and probably easily adaptable to a three sets of doors layout and a similar passenger load as the 345s. Bombardier obviously can produce EMUs for Thameslink service outside the core as for 10 years, the line was partially used by Electrostars.

 

[507020]

The biggest difference would probably have been the front end designs

 

[AM9]

The traction requirements are slightly different as the Crossrail routes all have fairly modest gradients and have exclusive track use even generally outside the core. The Thameslink duty involves some of the steepest mainline gradients in the country and short dwells whilst interlacing with 125mph IC trains. That has necessitated a high power to weight ratio both for self-recovery in the core and rapid acceleration up to maximum speed (100 mph) on the main line.

 

[swt_passenger]

Back then, Both Bombardier and Siemans were bidding for new stocks for Thameslink and Crossrail and ended up Siemans winning for Thameslink and Bombardier for crossrail.

Heres a what if theory.

What if it was the other way round? (Thameslink class 345 and Crossrail class 700)

Crossrail would have had 345s whoever built them, as we’ve been told they had reserved the number. Class numbers aren’t decided by the manufacturers anyway.

 

[SeanG]

Crossrail would have had 345s whoever built them, as we’ve been told they had reserved the number. Class numbers aren’t decided by the manufacturers anyway.

However, a lot of the Aventras appear to be 7x0 (ie 710, 720 etc)

 

[Mikey C]

If Bombardier had won the Thameslink contract, presumably they would have also won the Northern City 717 order too, for commonality

I imagine Stagecoach SWT would have stayed with Siemens for the 707 order, with their large fleet of existing Desiros.