Re: MML HST's to be stood down - per RAIL magazine


allan tracy wrote:

> Mark Wallace wrote:
> > According to RAIL, MML are standing down
> > 43007
> > 43104
> > 43166
> > 43178
> > 43184
> >
>
> It seems to be only a matter of time before MML stands down all its
> remaining HSTs.
>
> So what case is there now for HST2.
>
> GNER is an all electric railway anyway (or should be) leaving just GW
> with a requirement for HST2.
>
> In any case, HST2 is useless for the West Country which really needs a
> tilting train and it's a pity those Voyagers on MML aren't tilting
> either.
>
> I mean what is HST2 going to provide that existing trains can't provide
> already. Surely some more tilting Voyagers could be delivered much more
> quickly (a year or so?) and provide much faster services at much less
> cost.
>
> The HST was a great idea for its time (i.e. the 1980s) but surely it's
> time to move on and do something better to provide real service
> improvements for the GW instead of just more of the same.

Here we go again
1. Underfloor dmu's are neither fuel efficient or maintenance efficient
2. HST2 is not only going to be diesel
3. Tilting trains are expensive and offer little advantage the GW
metals where expenditure on trains and track systems into billions
would save only around 20 minutes between London and Penzance.
4. What would be useful is a train with the capacity to offer a proper
passenger environment in a diesel version that is convertible to
electric when electrification is provided.
5. Per vehicle 22x series cost around 23% more to maintain than current
HST. In the case of Virgin it is far more but warranty claims for
Cummins may get some back. Track access is about 40% more.
6. Tilting Voyagers are not used in the West Country at the moment in
any case. All the Voyagers used there do not tilt now and are very
unlikely to in the future, it simply isn't worth spending the money.

.

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