Project Churchward - Future regional fleet for the west

[whole diary]

[broadgage]

Build some proper intercity trains for the longer distance routes, and cascade the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to regional or secondary routes.

[bradshaw]

Lease of Class 175s to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) dated 29 August 2024

This VTN sets out First Greater Western Limited's ("GWR") intention to award a contract to Angel Trains Limited for the leasing of 70 x Class 175 Diesel Multiple Unit vehicles, to be in service from May 2025 on Devon and Cornwall routes.

The contract will have provisions to potentially run until 2032.

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027591-2024
This is a new web service in beta at present.

[stuving]

Lease of Class 175s to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) dated 29 August 2024

This VTN sets out First Greater Western Limited's ("GWR") intention to award a contract to Angel Trains Limited for the leasing of 70 x Class 175 Diesel Multiple Unit vehicles, to be in service from May 2025 on Devon and Cornwall routes.

The contract will have provisions to potentially run until 2032.

https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027591-2024
This is a new web service in beta at present.

We still don't know when the date of award was or will be:

Subject to internal governance approvals and receiving no notice of any intention to legally challenge the award of this contract, First Greater Western Limited intends to award the Contract on a date following conclusion of the voluntary standstill period (i.e. no earlier than 10th September 2024).

[grahame]

I can't help wondering if Project Churchward is being morphed - at least at this interim stage - to Project Holman Fred Stephens.

The Cardiff - Portsmouth route currently in the hands of turbos which are fine for local journeys but not for journeys in excess of an hour. To be replaced by other vintage units - though in my view having additional stock AND stuff designed for regional services is an improvement.  Col Stephens was famous for stretching out the life of locomotives he bought almost-life-expired, and I can't help looking at current reliability issues in the area - "cancelled because of a fault on this train" stuff, and wonder how that will change with more 158s around.

[grahame]

Trying to do an FAQ^▸ (Frequently Asked Questions) about trains mentioned - classes we may have or be about to have:
Class 255   Origin year 1976
Class 150   Origin year 1984
Class 158   Origin year 1989
Class 165   Origin year 1990
Class 166   Origin year 1992
Class 175   Origin year 1992
Class 230   Origin year 2015 (on 1976 base)

And classes that may have been mentioned and could be useful in our regional fleet
Class 172   Origin year 2010
Class 756   Origin year 2018
Class 197   Origin year 2022
Class 231   Origin year 2023
Class 398   Origin year 2023

Class 153, 155 and 156 units may also be in store / available for lease, but long in the tooth?

[anthony215]

Trying to do an FAQ^▸ (Frequently Asked Questions) about trains mentioned - classes we may have or be about to have:
Class 255   Origin year 1976
Class 150   Origin year 1984
Class 158   Origin year 1989
Class 165   Origin year 1990
Class 166   Origin year 1992
Class 175   Origin year 1992
Class 230   Origin year 2015 (on 1976 base)

And classes that may have been mentioned and could be useful in our regional fleet
Class 172   Origin year 2010
Class 756   Origin year 2018
Class 197   Origin year 2022
Class 231   Origin year 2023
Class 398   Origin year 2023

Class 153, 155 and 156 units may also be in store / available for lease, but long in the tooth?

Shame the last labour government cancelled that order for 4 carriage class 172s for the Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour service.

Hopefully we see movement on new rolling stock orders especially ro replace the BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Dmus.

I wonder if battery fitted Class 350/2's could be useful to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) possibly with further electrification

[eightonedee]

I can't help wondering if Project Churchward is being morphed - at least at this interim stage - to Project Holman Fred Stephens.

The Cardiff - Portsmouth route currently in the hands of turbos which are fine for local journeys but not for journeys in excess of an hour. To be replaced by other vintage units - though in my view having additional stock AND stuff designed for regional services is an improvement.  Col Stephens was famous for stretching out the life of locomotives he bought almost-life-expired, and I can't help looking at current reliability issues in the area - "cancelled because of a fault on this train" stuff, and wonder how that will change with more 158s around.

Shush Grahame - someone might remember there are quite a few Pacers still knocking around, particularly on heritage lines. 

[TonyN]

I can't help wondering if Project Churchward is being morphed - at least at this interim stage - to Project Holman Fred Stephens.

The Cardiff - Portsmouth route currently in the hands of turbos which are fine for local journeys but not for journeys in excess of an hour. To be replaced by other vintage units - though in my view having additional stock AND stuff designed for regional services is an improvement.  Col Stephens was famous for stretching out the life of locomotives he bought almost-life-expired, and I can't help looking at current reliability issues in the area - "cancelled because of a fault on this train" stuff, and wonder how that will change with more 158s around.

Shush Grahame - someone might remember there are quite a few Pacers still knocking around, particularly on heritage lines. 

I was thinking more along the lines of a couple of 10 year old single decker buses from Wales. Like the ones we now have in Worcestershire. Coupled together back to back and fitted with rail wheels like Stephens did with his Ford model T railbuses.