New trains needed for GWR local areas

[whole diary]

[simonw]

And any trains you run on local routes (not Intercity or regional), make sure you have plenty of space for cycles and pushchairs!

[paul7575]

Also, as has already been posted there is some disgust "up north" about the allegedly old class 319s to be transferred. Until a couple of years ago I travelled on them regularly, and whilst I had a very low opinion of the then thameslink franchise, this was not in general due to the rolling stock.

In my view, capacity is a huge problem, age of rolling stock is a non problem.

If there were ever to be a "steady state condition" of the country's entire rolling stock fleet, then with design life of EMUs^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) being 40 years or more, and with planned replacement and additions at a reasonably controlled pace (rather then the feast or famine of the last 15 years or so), then people ought to accept that new trains should only come round every couple of generations...

One of the main issues is that the south east slam door replacement, and to a degree the requirement for Thameslink whole fleet replacement, has skewed perceptions, just because of the vast numbers involved.   But there will be new trains going directly to the north and Scotland, and now Anglia is getting a full fleet upgrade including all the rural routes that may well release fairly new AC EMUs all over the country.

Could look totally different in a decade...

Paul

[TaplowGreen]

And any trains you run on local routes (not Intercity or regional), make sure you have plenty of space for cycles and pushchairs!

...........folding bikes and collapsed/folded pushchairs yes, but seating capacity shouldn't be removed for the sake of full size bikes, sorry (and yes I am a cyclist).

[Rapidash]

I think the metro routes in the West really missed out when the direct award came. It was right on the cusp of the transition point between 'its too expensive to order new trains, when we can refurb the old stuff' mindset which afflicted the DFT^▸ (Department for Transport) and the more recent 'Build build build! New is great!' Which can been seen in Northern, Scotrail, TPE^▸ (Trans Pennine Express), and Anglia all going for new build over refurbishment.

And now there is so much available for cascade, I somehow doubt we will see a replacement for the Sprinters for twenty odd years. Not that I mind sprinters - I'll be happy to see the 4 long coaches on the commute home when they appear Soon (TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context))

Hey, ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)), have I got a deal for you! 8 slightly foxed, badgered and bear'd Class 143's!  You'll love em! It's a matching set for yours!