Thameslink and Great Northern

[iMarkeh]

RE: Thameslink and Great Northern

(24/06/2019 18:26)Y474 KNF Wrote:  I don't think the 313s would be suitable for a single route operated by Northern. The 323s are much newer, have toilets, more seating capacity, superior acceleration (than the 313s and 319s) and a higher maximum speed. I also don't think replacing ex London trains with even older ex London trains would be very popular with passengers either - with or without a refurbishment and new traction package

I like the PEP stock but I don't think that there's any point spending money on them when much newer PRM-compliant EMUs are due to become available to other operators in the near future. If the 319s are replaced during this franchise period then personally I'd be very surprised if it's anything other than Northern retaining their 323s and leasing West Midlands Trains' when they go off lease

323s are perfect. I will agree. The issue is that not enough were built. The 323s were fully utilised before all the recent electrification. There is no spare of them for the electrified lines out of Liverpool and those through Bolton. Services via Bolton could be ran as 2x3 car as the platforms can't accommodate 8 car. Liverpool services can't take 8 car but they can all take 6 car. That is what works in their favour.

Northern don't need 4 car trains as they are too big and you can't couple them. All you are doing on these lines is replacing a 4 car diesel with a 4 car electric. No different to people. At least 313s run as 6s, fit into the platforms, provide extra capacity. The downside is ofcourse the toilets but we are talking about short distance train travel. You don't need toilets really on short hops.

It's highly unlikely for the 313s to move to Northern but it would be a good move if it happened and would help a lot I think with overcrowding.