Rail franchise row: Fears of Great Western 'overcrowding'

[whole diary]

[Southern Stag]

And even with a self contained branch you will still have to fit Central Door Locking, OTMR^▸ (On Train Monitoring Recorder) and now also GSM-R^▸ (Global System for Mobile communications - Railway.). That's not going to come cheap.

[swrural]

I wonder what Swanage has to do then?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

If the services run above 25mph? Do they on the looe branch?

[vacmanfan]

In reply to RW, I whole heartedly agree that the 1723 down service ex-Truro should be retimed.  It is constantly late anyway and misses the 1727 Falmouth service at least once a week.  Even if it left Plymouth at the same time but dwelled at Truro until after the Falmouth has cleared Penwithers it would make the train more accessible to more commuters. 

Just my 10 pence worth.

[anthony215]

the looe branch is self contained, why not run a heritage dmu on it? 

There's a limited number of branches where it would be nice to run heritage units (even MORE heritage, Chris!) - not only to release stock but also to boost passenger numbes ... let me see:
Liskeard to Looe
Brockenhurst to Lymington
St Erth to St Ives
Slough to Windsor
Twyford to Henley on Thames
in addition to those where they're used already:
Pier Head to Shanklin
Princes Risborough to Aylebury
Queen Street to Bute Road

However ... there's an issue with heritage stock - it's old, it's hard to maintain, and it might not be as reliable as a public service and businesses in the area require.

We only have to see the problems Arriva Trains Wales have with their class 121 to see the diffculties in keeping heritage units in regular service

[swrural]

I suppose you've all seen this report about between 13000 and 19000 new coaches needed?

One could have reasonably written that report some years ago.  I'm beginning to think my idea of push-pull with a bi-mode engine is a runner. 

[eightf48544]

I saw a report in one of the mags about re-engining some class 73s with 1500 hp diesel engines.

That would make them quite smart performers with 3 or 4 30 ton coaches in push pull mode. Much cheaper than a bi mode unit.

[Kernow Otter]

Seems someone at FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Towers is listening as a trial run was carried out today of the new regional stock comprising a single standard class coach, top and tailed with a 43 ! 

Came through Lostwithiel at about 1400 heading west, took me by surprise so no time for a photo.

Seriously, can anyone shed some light on this working ?

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Most likely on test or going for maintenance

[Southern Stag]

It was an ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) from Plymouth Laira depot to Penzance Long Rock depot. Probably providing some spare powercars and a spare coach at Penzance as the line is blocked Liskeard-Plymouth all this week.

[tramway]

I saw a report in one of the mags about re-engining some class 73s with 1500 hp diesel engines.

That would make them quite smart performers with 3 or 4 30 ton coaches in push pull mode. Much cheaper than a bi mode unit.

More re-engined 31's in push pull would be my favourite.