More Rolling Stock Leaving FGW?

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2944296.ece

Just another story in today's Independent on Sunday confirming that the 180's will be leaving us soon. From what Ive read here and elsewhere this will be as soon as the HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) refurb is complete which is running late, just like everything else on the regions rails, to be around Feb/Mar time.

Still at least we have 142s to look forward to! 

The local Bath Chronicle is getting in on this story as well:

http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=180730&command=displayContent&sourceNode=227209&contentPK=18351318&folderPk=106757&pNodeId=227220#views

[martyjon]

From the December timetable 11 Class 180 "adelantes" diagrams will be replaced by 10 HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diagrams facilitating 17.7% more capacity in the morning peak and 11.4% in the evening peak. This will lead to the phasing out of the unreliable and low capacity Class 180 fleet and replacing them with high performing MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) powered HSTs one of which may be coming from the GNER^▸ (Great North Eastern Railways) fleet but not until December 2008. Another HST may result from investigations going on into the feasability to convert the displaced buffet cars into full passenger carrying vehicles and use of "spare" power cars.

[Timmer]

Another HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) may result from investigations going on into the feasability to convert the displaced buffet cars into full passenger carrying vehicles and use of "spare" power cars.

They really dont need to do that. They are now able to convert the electrics on M3b ex-West Coast stock which runs on a different electrical system to HSTs so all you need is to find some power cars. Where from I dont know when you take into consideration that XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) are searching for five sets and East Midlands is to have an additional set.

It is possible that if East Coast were to have additional sets of Class 90s and Mk3b bought in earlier they could free up a couple of HSTs where those diagrams only ever have them operating under the wires. But they have to have a minimum stock for Aberdeen/Inverness and Skipton/Hull/Harrogate services that are not under wires.

I find it absolutely amazing that a few years ago it was all get rid of these old 70s pieces of rolling stock and replace them with Voyagers/Adelantes. Now the government and rail companies cant get enough of them. Proof if it were needed what great trains the HST is which is being shown by how well the refurbishments of both the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and GNER^▸ (Great North Eastern Railways) fleet look with people thinking they are brand new trains, pretty much are with the new MTU^▸ (Motor Traction Unit) engines. Bet the government wish more were built in the late 70s early 80s rather than BRs^▸ (British Rail(ways)) fleet wish list for HSTs was dramatically cut due to cost.