Intercity Express Programme (IEP) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Network SouthEast]

Voyagers can work with Voyagers in multiple and Meridians can work with Meridians in multiple. I should stress I don't know much about these particular Bombardier products, but I think the issue with having a Voyager running with a Meridian is that it won't be possible for one type of train to give a door release to the other type. Although as Tim says, fixing this shouldn't be too much of an issue if the need arises.

[Rhydgaled]

I believe Voyagers have Alstom software as fitted to Pendolinos to allow Virgin to couple them in emergencies. Not sure about that, just what I've read somewhere.

[anthony215]

Yes the Virgin 221's have been fitted with software from Alstom to allow them to couple to a class 390 in required should a unit fail and needs to be rescued.

I am not sure if those units operated by Crosscountry have been fitted

[IndustryInsider]

Work to construct the Newton Aycliffe facility is about to commence:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/hitachi-starts-work-on-uk-plant.html

[ChrisB]

BVince Cable was there this morning. Presumably dug the first divot.

[eightf48544]

Divot very PC!

[TonyK]

Vince Cable was there this morning. Presumably dug the first divot.

Divot very PC!

Yes. there's a man who calls a spade a non-mechanical horticultural soil inversion implement. He probably had that divot pre=loosened by some poor sod.

[stuving]

From Railway Gazette - look, bi-mode intercity express trains!

Fleet renewal funded
05 Dec 2013


FRANCE: Transport Minister Fr^ric Cuvillier confirmed on December 4 that the government had agreed a funding package allowing SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) to proceed with an order of 34 inter-city multiple-units.

Funding worth ^510m, with an option for further investment worth ^100m, has been provided for the procurement of 34 Coradia Liner electro-diesel trainsets from Alstom, plus associated depot investment works.

As part of the government^s investment programme for SNCF^s long-distance services known as Trains d^Equilibre du Territoire, the new fleet will replace ageing locomotive-hauled Corail coaches.

Each six-car trainset would be 100 m long, with capacity for 267 passengers. Operating at up to 160 km/h under 25 kV 50 Hz or 1^5 kV DC^▸ (Direct Current) electrification or powered by six roof-mounted 350 kW MAN diesel engines, the Coradia Liner would be lighter than SNCF's existing locomotive-hauled trains, with improved acceleration and braking and 30% lower energy consumption, Alstom says.

[JayMac]

Is 100mph really 'express' though?

[stuving]

Is 100mph really 'express' though?

True - this was designed as a regional train, but the electric version can do 200 km/hr. I'm not sure if the hybrid power version could do that, in one or both modes, if you asked for one. It may be it's just never been asked for, due to the different priorities elsewhere in Europe.

But the point was really that it's not just a DafT idea - nor an entirely new one.

and yes - I did put that in the wrong thread by mistake!

[eightf48544]

Is 100mph really 'express' though?

Probably not in modern terms but is probably adequate for most French non LGV^▸ (Large Goods Vehicle) routes where it would be considered too fast.

[Rhydgaled]

Is 100mph really 'express' though?

True - this was designed as a regional train, but the electric version can do 200 km/hr. I'm not sure if the hybrid power version could do that, in one or both modes, if you asked for one. It may be it's just never been asked for, due to the different priorities elsewhere in Europe.

But the point was really that it's not just a DafT idea - nor an entirely new one.

and yes - I did put that in the wrong thread by mistake!

So, the SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) bi-modes are regional trains, not Intercity? If the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) ordered a fleet of bi-mode regional express trains, similar to class 158 or class 444 sets, at sensible non-PFI-inflated prices, I wouldn't mind. It is ordering Intercity bi-modes when we have finally embarked on a program of electrifying our remaining Intercity lines that is a DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) idea.

Similar story with HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)), take some ideas which are good in theory and throw them together in a way that makes very little sense.

[Electric train]

Roof mounted engines ............... and folks her moan about the noise from under floor engines

[stuving]

So, the SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) bi-modes are regional trains, not Intercity?

What is the difference is between a "regional train" that is capable of 200 km/hr, and an "intercity express" train that was pencilled in as 225 km/hr but ends up not needing to exceed 200 km/hr? A marketing label, I suspect, based on the different attitude to classes of line and their speeds in different European countries.

There were different priorities given here and in most of Europe to HS^▸ (High Speed (short for HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) High Speed Services)) lines and electrification, versus upgrades for existing lines. That explains a difference in labels and a real difference in the proportions of classes of line. However, the technical differences between trains with different labels seem to be disappearing. So it's not a surprise to find a similar train with a different label, and for some users to not want its highest speed.

(And perhaps it would be best to take this short strand and re-spin back it into the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) thread, please mods.)

[JayMac]

(And perhaps it would be best to take this short strand and re-spin back it into the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) thread, please mods.)

Done! Even though I still find 'merging' scary. 

Now, back to the merits, or otherwise, of bi-mode, roof mounted, underfloor...