HS2

Huguenot   10/03/2017 at 10:49

No, the loco and carriages will not replace the Class 350s, which cannot operate east of Manchester. They will replace some of the Class 185 diesels. Whilst loco haulage is welcomed, their speed will be limited to 100mph which will take up valuable capacity on the otherwise 125mph ECML.

Chris M   10/03/2017 at 12:00

The class 185s they will replace are also 100mph limited and these manage perfectly well on the ECML. They however only have 168 seats, so the new trains will offer far more seats and the welcome elimination of noise and vibration from underfloor engines. The new carriages are designed for and fully capable of 125mph - so if the government ever manages to electrify from Stalybridge to Colton Jcn these CAF mk5s could be hauled by 125mph electric locos/powercars,

Andrew Gwilt   10/03/2017 at 13:21

With CAF also to build the Class 397's. That means that Class 350/4's that could be used on the Manchester Victoria/Piccadilly-Blackpool via Preston service once the electrification is finished as the Class 397's will be working on the Glasgow Central-Manchester Piccadilly/Victoria-Manchester Airport service that the TPE Class 350/4's already operates between Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport. And with the new Hitachi Class 802 IEP's also to be built for TPE would also operate on the Manchester Piccadilly-York/Scarborough/Hull routes and other routes that the Class 802's would operate on both electric and diesel. Same with Hull Trains that are also to order the Class 802's to replace the Class 180's on the London King's Cross-Hull route and to allow Grand Central to use the Class 180's on the London KX-Bradford and Leeds service.

Scott Lawrence   12/03/2017 at 13:52

My issue is why are these carriages not being built in the UK.

David   12/03/2017 at 21:46

Because no manufacturers with UK facilities made a bid for the contract. CAF's deal was considered affordable because it piggybacked off the sleeper coaches.

J, Leicester   13/03/2017 at 15:11

What's the weight like on a typical Mk 5 carriage compared to, say, a Mk. 3? Presumably we won't have another Nightstar situation on our hands where well-meaning inclusion of too much new technology makes the rolling stock too heavy to cope with the rigors of service and reduces the financial feasibility of operation? I only ask because of the gradient-filled nature of the trans-Pennine route. Then again, a modern loco like a 68 should in theory have plenty of power to lug 5 coaches of any weight up and over, say, the Hope Valley. Put this down as the ramblings of a nitpicker. I'm all for more loco-hauled stock and want to see this tender be the first of many, but I hope CAF's products are practical enough to warrant further roll-out.

David   16/03/2017 at 00:10

J, the Class 68+Mk5 formations won't operate the Hope Valley Line, as this will be remain the domain of the Class 185s, hopefully in semi-permanent pairs.

Paul   16/03/2017 at 07:46

It seems somewhat short of windows... I don't know if this is the standard for all the carriages or just this one but 5 short windows and a little half window for a carriage of this length seems to suggest lots of passengers will not have a view

Splinter   19/03/2017 at 16:12

A total of 66 shell will be ....... But 13 5-coach sets =65. Is it buy 65, get one free?

David   19/03/2017 at 19:30

"Splinter", I believe there will be one spare driving trailer built.