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Author Topic: Feasibility study: Bombardier to fit crosscountry class 220/221's with pantograph cars  (Read 19489 times)
anthony215
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« on: September 11, 2011, 11:48:10 »

This has appeared on the gaurdians website and is now spreading like wildfire on various railway forums.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/sep/11/bombardier-120m-crosscountry-trains-deal

Nice idea in theory especially if the units get an extra carriage so more seats which may help provide some relief to overcrowding. Pity the DFT (Department for Transport) didnt decide to spend some money on some extra class 172's I am sure FGW (First Great Western) would have liked those 11- 4 carriage sets for the Cardiff - Portsmouth Hbr route.
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paul7575
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« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2011, 11:59:45 »

It's probably at least two years since this was first proposed, but there is some evidence that it is being seriously considered, because Hammond has just mentioned it positively to the Transport Select commitee...

Paul
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2011, 12:08:36 »

Slightly misleading thread title. This is a feasibility study at the moment. Nothing more.
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2011, 12:37:43 »

i hope if they do get the contract that this is justified by them fixing the faults on the bag of crap vomiters they subjected us to in the first place
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2011, 18:52:12 »

Slightly misleading thread title. This is a feasibility study at the moment. Nothing more.

Fair comment: I've amended the topic heading accordingly.
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bobm
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« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2011, 00:01:31 »

I've learnt something new today..

From the BBC» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Quote
The Cross Country railway line runs from Penzance to Aberdeen.

When I was a full time journalist I'd have been shot for writing that. Shocked
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2011, 13:12:31 »

It does seem like a win-win-win-win-win situation:

  • A win for the passengers in terms of added capacity on routes which are regularly very overcrowded resulting in passengers standing for long periods even outside the peak hours.
  • A win for the TOC (Train Operating Company)'s as Cross Country (and perhaps Virgin) will be able to grow their markets better with the added capacity, and also operate the trains more cheaply when under the wires.
  • A win for the environment.  At a guess over 50% of the routes XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise))'s Voyagers and Super-Voyagers regularly travel on are electrified.  Probably nearer 75% of Virgin's routes.
  • A win for the government as it will take the heat off of them regarding Bombadier.
  • And a win for Derby's Bombadier plant as it will mean at least some of the workforce will be retained, pending their attempt to win the big future orders for Crossrail, replacement of Pacers/Sprinters etc.

Even issues such as platform lengths will be few and far between as Reading's bay platforms (maximum 5-car length) will be a memory by then with all the extra full-length through platforms to accommodate them.  I will watch this one develop with great interest...
« Last Edit: September 12, 2011, 13:18:51 by IndustryInsider » Logged

To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
Btline
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« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2011, 13:19:12 »

It does seem like a win-win-win-win-win situation:

  • A win for the passengers in terms of added capacity on routes which are regularly very overcrowded resulting in passengers standing for long periods even outside the peak hours.
  • A win for the TOC (Train Operating Company)'s as Cross Country (and perhaps Virgin) will be able to grow their markets better with the added capacity, and also operate the trains more cheaply when under the wires.
  • A win for the environment.  At a guess over 50% of the routes XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise))'s Voyagers and Super-Voyagers regularly travel on are electrified.  Probably nearer 75% of Virgin's routes.
  • A win for the government as it will take the heat off of them regarding Bombadier.
  • And a win for Derby's Bombadier plant as it will mean at least some of the workforce will be retained, pending their attempt to win the big future orders for Crossrail, replacement of Pacers/Sprinters etc.

Even issues such as platform lengths will be few and far between as Reading's bay platforms (maximum 5-car length) will be a memory by then with all the extra full-length through platforms to accommodate them.  I will watch this one develop with great interest...
Grin
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smokey
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« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2011, 14:23:31 »

And lets not forget that additional Win,

Able to keep running when the Wires are down!
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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2011, 14:29:34 »

added bonus for xc is they could off hire/sell the hst's ...... noo they wouldnt do that??
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ChrisB
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« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2011, 14:38:12 »

not theirs to sell, are they?
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brompton rail
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« Reply #11 on: September 12, 2011, 14:43:21 »

Why would any contract go to Bombardier?
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ChrisB
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« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2011, 14:49:04 »

to quell the job losses/pressure on HMG
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2011, 14:51:58 »

And because Bombadier built the original trains.  It's their design.  I doubt any other manufacturer would even bother to tender - should tendering even be necessary to lengthen an existing fleet?
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To view my GWML (Great Western Main Line) Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/
6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #14 on: September 12, 2011, 14:54:10 »

not theirs to sell, are they?

i don't know chris hence the 'off hire/sell' section of my comment
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