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Title: SWR 158 / 159 replacements? Post by: Surrey 455 on October 23, 2022, 21:29:09 This popped up in my Google News feed.
From Rail Magazine (https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2022/10/14/swr-considers-dmu-replacements-to-achieve-net-zero) Quote South Western Railway intends to replace its Class 158 and ‘159’ diesel multiple unit (DMU) fleets by 2030 with an “innovative self-power solution” such as battery (which could include lineside rapid recharging points) or hydrogen. Outlining plans to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2040, SWR observed that its current DMU fleet, comprising 110 vehicles, is 30 years old and will need “significant investment” in the next five to ten years. The operator said that reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040 is dependent on a range of external factors, including: government funding; policy commitments to decarbonise the National Grid and electrify the rail network; investment and innovation in rolling stock technology; and action from the wider value chain. Title: Re: SWR 158 / 159 replacements? Post by: Clan Line on October 25, 2022, 09:07:05 I hope "net zero" doesn't apply to the legroom again ! Title: Re: SWR 158 / 159 replacements? Post by: eightonedee on October 25, 2022, 22:49:58 Quote South Western Railway intends to replace its Class 158 and ‘159’ diesel multiple unit (DMU▸ ) fleets by 2030 with an “innovative self-power solution” such as battery (which could include lineside rapid recharging points) or hydrogen. Hmmm....it will be interested to see what such "solution" turns out to be. Will the new GBR be able (capable?) of procuring a reliable standard product from one or more of the suppliers of rolling stock, suitable for operating to cover gaps in either third rail or OHL electric networks throughout the country? This seems the only realistic way of meeting this aspiration. The current state of public finances does not look promising for pushing ahead with the optimum solution of electrification of all the mainline and secondary rail network, sadly. Title: Re: SWR 158 / 159 replacements? Post by: broadgage on October 26, 2022, 03:18:51 I suspect that any new trains to replace the existing fleet will be some hugely expensive and unreliable TRI-mode units with batteries, diesel engines, and third rail capability.
"Flexible train length" which is rail speak for shorter. "comparable" leg room, which is rail speak for slightly worse. And of course catering similar to that provided at present, i.e. none. When half of the new trains fail to work, provide a connecting service via Basingstoke, as a "temporary" measure. Must be worse than IETs, this is called progress. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |