Chiltern 172s and related Evergreen 3 enhancements

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

How many rakes are in daily service at moment?  If two are away at Wabtec then they can't be described as 'already about' surely?  Or have I misunderstood your post?

Two or three. On RailForums board, there are 5 rakes detailed, and I know two are at Wabtec. So that should leave three, but of course you only see two inservice on any day, so it's difficult to tell without actually eyeballing them every day to be certain.

There's currently two (though I'm sure I counted three when I had my day out last week!), two more should be delivered by next spring, with a final spare set shortly after that.

It the wording here that's confusing. If Rail means 'delivered' as in being in service after Wabtec with power doors, then the current number is zero. If they mean currently in Chiultern's hands, then it's five already. So, either definition produces an answer different to Rail's!

Regarding the RAIL article - which I never claimed was any more accurate than the forum posting by the way, just contradicting it - the DVT^‡(resolve) situation is that, according to their quoted source, Engineering Director, Kate Majoribanks, 83201/4 are currently at Wabtec being fitted with Harrington Generators International for a delivery by the end of the year, with the other three following by next spring.

OK, I believe Kate. She definitely knows her stuff. Engineering degree and all. What she says goes - I'm sure I was informed that one had been done a short while ago.,

[JayMac]

Lots of work to do re-programming fares data, journey planners and the Routeing Guide then. I think though that choice should remain, via OXF^» (Oxford - next trains) or via HWY.

Chiltern could, I believe have a route Direct priced cheaper than a route Any Permitted. I wouldn't like to see an historical flow (via OXF) removed from the fares database just so Chiltern can grab all the farebox from Islip, Water Eaton and Bicester Town. Here's hoping that isn't the deal they thrash out with ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about), DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) who currently set the fares.

Chiltern may argue that they're funding the new station and improved service, but I don't think they should use that excuse to limit the choice of the passenger.

[ChrisB]

The only *change* would be that from Bicester Town.

I reckon Islip, with very few pax, will remain unchanged routing-wise. Especially since Chiltern aren,'t altering the number of trains calling there (as I understand it), so at least it would double the number of services to LOndon if they remain able to travel in either direction.

As for Water Eaton, it's a brand new station, of course Chiltern will want the whole fare box. It's their idea & money (well, sort of!). There is no historical precedence there.

As for Bicester Town - they will get the choice of stations to use - ok they're both to MYB^▸ (London (Marylebone)) (some would say a 'better', more central London station and at least 3 tph, many more in the peaks. Better than Oxford, I reckon.

Watch the delay caused by the TWA Order though - this route was to be a diversion for Oxford pax during the Reading remodelling. It's likely to be majorly over if they don't get this very soon.

Oh, and Chiltern already now set the fares on that route!

[JayMac]

Oh, and Chiltern already now set the fares on that route!

Not on the flows to London according to NFM10.

BICESTER TOWN 3104 - LONDON TERMINALS 1072

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)
      (S/R)    
FDS           S     47.00
FDR           R     94.00
FCR    P7    R    59.00
SDS           S     26.00
SDR           R     51.00
SVR    5K    R    23.50
CDS^▸ (Off Peak Day Single [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))    P7    S    21.40
CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day'))    P7    R    21.50

[ChrisB]

Hmmm, ok. That might be news to some Chiltern management! ( or a typo by ATOC^» (Association of Train Operating Companies See - here)!)

[JayMac]

The only fares I can find that are currently priced by Chiltern are those, Bicester Town/Islip <-> Oxford. 

[ChrisB]

Oh ok, that's right - I thought you were saying all fares (including between Bicester Town/Oxford) were still FGWs^▸ (First Great Western)!

Chiltern are only getting towards Bicester T, and onwards to MYB^▸ (London (Marylebone)) eventually.