Intercity Express Programme (IEP) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[The SprinterMeister]

Two nods to modern rolling stock design:

1)  The 180s.  I'd forgotten just how much leg room you get in standard class.  For my money the right combination of tables and airline seats for a long distance train and all seats having a good view out of the window.  Though in many ways a lovely carriage, Mk2^▸ (Mark 2 coach)'s with nothing but table seats were not so good when you wanted to have a little privacy and not play footsy with the person opposite.  Oh, and I hate fixed armrests!

The 180's were the best of a bad bunch (above the underframe and between the cabs anyway) and far superior to the 22x.

IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) would appear to be the long wheelbase lovechild of a class 395 and a class 221 and I'd be very surprised if thats exactly what you end up with. Same width as the Voyager / 158 / 153 apparently.

[TonyK]

A year or two ago , a locomotive hauled train of (I think MK2 coaches) ran regularly from Taunton
Many passengers believed that this was "all first class" or looked in vain for steerage. Being presumably used to modern DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), they could not believe that the large and well spaced seats, every seat at a table, could be steerage class !
No doubt they enjoy the modern DMUs now used in that service.

Ah, the Orient Express! It worked cardiff to Taunton, IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly). I caught it to Weston from BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI)) many times. It was smoother, quieter, and more comfortable than the regular DMUs, and I didn't know it had been taken away.

I caught a similar train from Blackpool to Manchester some few years back, that did have a first class carriage, although the train was shown as standard class only in the timetable. So I sat in it with my mate, the only two in the whole carriage, with no problem. The conductor didn't mind. Standard class was standing room only, and not much of that either. You have to think these things through, sometimes.

[The SprinterMeister]

IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) appears to be an inevitability now. From a normally impeccable source on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes);

It's official, Thanks to Uncle Roger for the information.

IEP has won the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) replacement contract.

Make up of the order to be confirmed. Following so-called standstill period to be signed 20th July.

Some positive murmurings about OHLE to Swansea though.

[TonyK]

IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) appears to be an inevitability now. From a normally impeccable source on WNXX^▸ (Stored Unserviceable, Mainline Locos HQ All Classes);

It's official, Thanks to Uncle Roger for the information.

IEP has won the HST^▸ (High Speed Train) replacement contract.

Make up of the order to be confirmed. Following so-called standstill period to be signed 20th July.

Some positive murmurings about OHLE to Swansea though.

Er, rejoice?

[broadgage]

Not a cause for regoicing at all in my view.
Mainline services to be downgraded to DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), even if these can also use electric power.
I stand by my earlier remarks about the likleyhood of bus style seating layout, reduced legroom, minimal catering, and shorter trains.
Voyager mark 2

[The SprinterMeister]

Not a cause for regoicing at all in my view.
Mainline services to be downgraded to DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), even if these can also use electric power.
I stand by my earlier remarks about the likleyhood of bus style seating layout, reduced legroom, minimal catering, and shorter trains.
Voyager mark 2

It has been decided that the Western has had it too good for far too long. All these splendid comfortable HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s roaring round in profusion while other passengers have to make do with truck engines on steroids roaring away under narrow cramped saloons. Now it is our turn to have standards reduced / dumbed down to the levels of the rest of the post 1996 replacement Intercity train fleets I'm afraid.

[TonyK]

Not rejoice, then. 

[ChrisB]

Roger Ford tweeted this, this morning....

Unless someone has protested, the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) contact has been awarded. Suspect that DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) may save the announcement for the GW^▸ (Great Western) franchise ITT^▸ (Invitation to Tender) launch

[IndustryInsider]

Just been released today!

http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120725a/

[homsar]

Looks like it's going ahead then

[IndustryInsider]

and no compromise on leg-room

That bit should please 'Broadgauge'!

[IndustryInsider]

It's interesting to note that noises from Govt. regarding HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) have recently gone decidedly quiet. The cynic in me sees the Govt. saying, 'look what we're doing for the existing rail network'.

No mention whatsoever for HS2 in Network Rail's next Control Period......

I do agree it's gone a little quiet regarding HS2, but that might partly be due to the huge amount of work sitting in the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about)'s inbox.  HS2 is not a Network Rail scheme, yet, so they will not be making references to it, though the HLOS^▸ (High Level Output Specification) released last week makes two references (at least) to HS2:

'The strategic intent is to develop the network in a way that will enable it to shoulder demand until High Speed Two (HS2) becomes operational, but is then able quickly to adapt and integrate around the high capacity HS2 corridor.'

'The Secretary of State wishes the industry to prepare for the future and, to this end, is providing ^140 million over CP5^▸ (Control Period 5 - the five year period between 2014 and 2019) to fund innovation and the development of potential enhancement schemes for CP6^▸ (Control Period 6 - The five year period between 2019 and 2024) (2019/20 to 2013/24) including all necessary work on development of the linkage of High Speed Two with the existing rail network.'

[paul7575]

Looks like it's going ahead then

Can't see why anyone ever thought it wouldn't go ahead. 

Lots of hot air in rail forums was never going to stop the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

(Fixed your link by the way...)

The DfT official announcement is here:  http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120725a/

Paul

[paul7575]

Apart from the interfaces with the exisiting network, HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s))'s core route may well remain in separate ownership to NR^» (Network Rail - home page) anyway, like HS1^▸ (High Speed line 1 - St Pancras to Channel Tunnel) - (notwithstanding NR have the maintenance contract).

As you say the main project isn't HLOS^▸ (High Level Output Specification) subject matter - that's why there is a separate HS2 company, again like set up for CTRL1/2 (later HS1), and HS2 has a separate funding line outside NR...

Pointing out its absence from the HLOS as a poosible sign it is being sidelined is clutching at straws, I think.

Paul

 

 

[homsar]

Looks like it's going ahead then

Can't see why anyone ever thought it wouldn't go ahead. 

Lots of hot air in rail forums was never going to stop the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about).

(Fixed your link by the way...)

The DfT official announcement is here:  http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120725a/

Paul

Thanks, I fixed the fixing of my link. (Why can't forum software agree on whether url tags need quotes or not?)