Super Express or Revamped HST for Great Western? Options

[whole diary]

[John R]

mmmmmm that'll make the oldest coaches and power cars 52 years old in 2030, the equivalent today of traveling in a Mk1 with a warship or western hauling it or even a classic DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit).

Didn't the Southern's 3 and 4-SUB units run from 1915 to 1983 and still be serviceable on withdrawal?

Regards,

OTC

No, the 4 SUBS dated from 1948.  They were still pretty solid on withdrawal though.



 

They were bouncy as hell though. And cold!

Affectionately known as Southern Discomfort in some quarters I believe.

[woody]

The aviation parrallel of course with extending the life of FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) is the USAFs^▸ (United States Air Force) B52 bomber which entered service in the 1950s and will remain in service until 2040 with the help of regularly upgraded avionics.Also whats the point of electrifying the Great Western main line if 10 years later say a parrallel Very High Speed Line is built as recent high speed line studies are recommending.

[vacman]

I think we are missing the point, HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s have lasted this long because they are good trains, they are still reliable, comfortable, safe etc.
Basicly what most of you are saying is that they should be replaced just because they are old, it doesn't matter if they are 10 years old or 100 years old, if they work, and work well then why replace? if it aint broke don't fix it! Just as the 1938 stock on the Isle of Wight does the job just fine, a bit rough riding I'll agree but you don't have to replace them just because they were built before the war!

Electrification of the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line)? i'll believe it when I see it!

[thetrout]

IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion) a rail network without the HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s simply wouldn't be the same... I agree with vacman's post in that if the HST works and works well... then surely it doesn't need replacing...

Yes I'll agree that the refurbs done by XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) aren't quite up to the complete standard for the modern day traveller... (E.g. WiFi, Resturant (XC), Disabled Loo's in First Class (FGW) and Automated CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) Systems Internally and Externally)... But really in the great scheme of things, these are only minor issues...

I'll agree that a HST is rather bouncy at times... but IMO^▸ (in my opinion) thats what makes travelling on them so great... I would personally choose a HST to travel to Dundee than I would fly... simply because the noise the HST makes whilst on the track is sort of reassuring that my feet are somewhat on the ground... (But then trout does highly disapprove of flying)

I think the HST has a good number of years left in them yet...

[matt473]

If HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) were to last longer, then no doubt we will see wi-fi and problems related to toilets as it would be easier to invest in someting for the long term where costs can be more spread out.

As have stated though, the best idea is new coaching stock that the current power cars can use which once electrification has been completed can mean the powercars can be replaced with electric power cars. The power cars then be displaced onto lesser workings with the mk3 stock onto lines such as Cardiff-Portsmouth which would allow a large increase in capacity, add first class, improve the quality of the journey whilst still having the benefits of units such as not requireing a run around.

[onthecushions]

"No, the 4 SUBS dated from 1948.  They were still pretty solid on withdrawal though."

The first steel-bodied 4-SUB appeared in 1941 (4101). The 3-SUB's started in 1925, as conversions. The earliest ones (1201+) were from 1915 by the LSWR^▸ (London South Western Railway), rebuilt from 1904 built stock!

Re-engineering taken to the extreme, or beggars can't be choosers.

OTC


 

[caliwag]

Have to say I will always choose an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) over a class 91 set on the ECML^▸ (East Coast Main Line), and XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)). I'm amazed however that there has not been more fuss, nationally, made of the toilets evacuating onto the tracks at high speed...no wonder lineside weeds grow so well!
I understand that, as they are currently configuered, it is impossible to fit tanks. Pity the track workers that, standing back, are covered in a fine spray of effluent as it carpets the surroudings!