East West Rail goes shopping for trains? What are your thoughts/predictions?

[InTheEastMids]

Richard Clinnick (Rail Magazine) reporting that EWR are going out to tender for pre-loved DMUs. However also indicating that the 6 year lease sought suggests electrification is becoming more likely perhaps

https://twitter.com/Richard_rail/status/1237031892274339842?s=19

Tender issued for second-hand trains for@ewrconsortium. Hints at electrification as long-term, and wants initial fleet to be able to get services up and running. Class '175s' or '185s' anyone?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

If so, thank god for commonsense

 

[D365]

I think the options available to EWR might depend on what Northern Trains does, as unless things have changed (which is possible), they are also in the market for twenty-odd DMUs?

 

[Class 170101]

I think the options available to EWR might depend on what Northern Trains does, as unless things have changed (which is possible), they are also in the market for twenty-odd DMUs?

And presumably also what happens with the Nottingham to Liverpool route of EMR.

 

[hooverboy]

I think the options available to EWR might depend on what Northern Trains does, as unless things have changed (which is possible), they are also in the market for twenty-odd DMUs?

given that the sets will probably be required 2023/4 ish, I would have thought they would have an eye on some of chiltens 168's(fleet size is 24 sets IIRC)
they could run the 12-14 3 car sets as the mainstay, with a couple of 2 car sets providing additional all stations stoppers at peak time(requires platform extensions)

they would seem like the most likely fit for the route-as they are only looking for a short term lease of 4 years or so.
Perhaps SWR 159's as well if they are due for replacement,but I think EWR marketing would be quite keen to secure "newer and shinier" for a new line.

 

[Brissle Girl]

given that the sets will probably be required 2023/4 ish, I would have thought they would have an eye on some of chiltens 168's(fleet size is 24 sets IIRC)
they could run the 12-14 3 car sets as the mainstay, with a couple of 2 car sets providing additional all stations stoppers at peak time(requires platform extensions)

they would seem like the most likely fit for the route-as they are only looking for a short term lease of 4 years or so.
Perhaps SWR 159's as well if they are due for replacement,but I think EWR marketing would be quite keen to secure "newer and shinier" for a new line.

There’s no suggestion of replacing the Class 159s, and it would be a rather convoluted way of providing stock for EWR.

Neither is there any plan to replace Chiltern’s stock, and until the new franchise or whatever replaces franchises is sorted there won’t be.

There is however a fair amount of Class 22x stock coming available soon. Some of that will be to increase capacity (eg XC), but I would imagine the rest will result in a cascade, which could release suitable stock. As an example, XC could use 4 car 220s on the Cardiff Nottingham service freeing up 170s. There are other possibilities.

for this sort of cascade to work sensibly there needs to be an overall strategy, rather than a franchise by franchise approach. It’s just possible that the new post Williams approach might result in that.

 

[HowardGWR]

Surely this is about whether EWR should be electrified or not, - not what diesels they should use if it isn't? The notion that it would not be, would be perhaps the worst example of short term thinking, yet displayed by those who are in power?.

 

[Mikey C]

Surely this is about whether EWR should be electrified or not, - not what diesels they should use if it isn't? The notion that it would not be, would be perhaps the worst example of short term thinking, yet displayed by those who are in power?.

EWR won't be electrified when it first opens, that's the reality of the situation. Even if the Chancellor announces today that it will be electrified, that won't be complete until well after the line is open, so it'll need something to operate its services in the interim period

 

[RealTrains07]

EWR won't be electrified when it first opens, that's the reality of the situation. Even if the Chancellor announces today that it will be electrified, that won't be complete until well after the line is open, so it'll need something to operate its services in the interim period

What about the trains currently running the Bedford to Bletchley operation? Class 230s

 

[work-traveller]

EWR won't be electrified when it first opens, that's the reality of the situation. Even if the Chancellor announces today that it will be electrified, that won't be complete until well after the line is open, so it'll need something to operate its services in the interim period

That's aside from the fact that the, now authorised, TWAO for East West Rail doesn't include land for substation sites - as had previously been calculated/identified when the Electric Spine project was part of the proposal.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

https://eastwestrail.co.uk/latest-news/east-west-rail-goes-shopping-for-trains

East West Railway Company opts for a short-term solution of leasing trains for the section of East West Rail between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and Bedford as it publishes an official Invitation to Tender in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) today, Monday 9 March.


Months of extensive market analysis and engagement with the industry led East West Railway Company to ask rolling stock companies and manufacturers to provide self-powered units under an interim, four-year contract with maintenance package. The company's interim approach:

• Prioritises getting passenger services up and running as quickly as possible on this section of East West Rail

• Gives East West Railway Company valuable time to explore a wider range of green energy technologies to power their trains, helping East West Rail become a net zero carbon railway when services run all the way through from Oxford to Cambridge by the end of the decade
  
  
• Allows for a smoother transition to electrification across the whole East West Rail line, from Oxford to Cambridge, should this be chosen as a longer-term solution.

Simon Blanchflower CBE, Chief Executive at East West Railway Company said:


“Local communities have told us they would like us to get on and give them the connectivity they so desperately need, and they also want us to deliver a railway that cares for the environment.


“This is why it was important for us to opt for an interim solution that will help us to accelerate delivery of this section of East West Rail while allowing us to explore in detail a wider range of green sustainable technologies.


“Our aim is to be a net zero carbon railway by the time passenger services run all the way along the East West Rail line from Oxford to Cambridge, and a short-term approach at this stage in the project is the best way to help achieve this aim.”


East West Railway Company began a rolling stock market engagement exercise in 2018, hosting workshops and meetings with organisations from across the market. This allowed the company to understand what is available to meet the entry into service requirements, shaped the strategy, and helped define specifications for the procurement.


The conclusion of the market exercise was announced through a Prior Information Notice (PIN), which was lodged on Friday 5 July 2019 and published in the OJEU. The PIN requested that interested parties refrain from further interaction with East West Railway Company until the formal process began.


East West Railway Company is seeking bids for leasing a fleet of 12 or 14 x 3 car self-powered units with modifications including European Train Control System (“ETCS”) Level 2 and Driver Controlled Operation (“DCO”) capability, supported by a full maintenance package (under a ‘wet’ lease). The lease duration is four years, with an option to extend for two years.

Any thoughts? It sounds like EWR is looking for existing trains rather than new stock and will probably go electric at the end of the decade

 

[IamTrainsYT]

https://eastwestrail.co.uk/latest-news/east-west-rail-goes-shopping-for-trains



Any thoughts? It sounds like EWR is looking for existing trains rather than new stock and will probably go electric at the end of the decade

Pacers

 

[Bob Price]

There will be surplus 175's and 158's once TfW get their new stock. Plus 185's from Trans Pennine.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

There will be surplus 175's and 158's once TfW get their new stock. Plus 185's from Trans Pennine.

185’s might not leave TPE. 175’s might be good. 158’s or 156’s from EMR?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I still don't think the 185s will go anywhere, I think it is more likely Liv-Notts will move in which will soak them up.

I would reckon Class 175. That said, they do mention needing ETCS (I really don't get why that's being used on the line, it's an expensive, complex waste of money for what is basically a poshed-up country branch line) in which case perhaps the ex-Cambrian 158s would be ideal?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

I still don't think the 185s will go anywhere, I think it is more likely Liv-Notts will move in which will soak them up.

I would reckon Class 175. That said, they do mention needing ETCS (I really don't get why that's being used on the line, it's an expensive, complex waste of money for what is basically a poshed-up country branch line) in which case perhaps the ex-Cambrian 158s would be ideal?

Yeah I also don’t think 185’s will be used and TPE will keep these for Liverpool to Nottingham

 

[The Planner]

I still don't think the 185s will go anywhere, I think it is more likely Liv-Notts will move in which will soak them up.

I would reckon Class 175. That said, they do mention needing ETCS (I really don't get why that's being used on the line, it's an expensive, complex waste of money for what is basically a poshed-up country branch line) in which case perhaps the ex-Cambrian 158s would be ideal?

That is just future proofing, certainly the bit from Bicester to Bedford is colour light for the foreseeable future unless they put an overlay on.

 

[Bob Price]

The Cambrian 158's have a few miles on them. They will need some series overhauling and refurbishing. Mind you so will the 175's.

 

[Mogz]

Personally, living in the area, and having travelled on all of them at some point I’d be happy with any of the following:

- Ex TfW 158s
- Ex TfW 175s
- Ex TPE 185s

The risk, of course, is that the line becomes very popular and the trains end up being too short.

Perhaps ex FGW 180s would be the ideal stock, though I seem to remember they had issues with reliability?

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Personally, living in the area, and having travelled on all of them at some point I’d be happy with any of the following:

- Ex TfW 158s
- Ex TfW 175s
- Ex TPE 185s

The risk, of course, is that the line becomes very popular and the trains end up being too short.

Perhaps ex FGW 180s would be the ideal stock, though I seem to remember they had issues with reliability?

180’s probably end up at Grand Central. 185’s might not go from TPE. There is also EMR 158’s and 156’s available. 175’s are a real possibility remember we need 12 or 14 of them so does that affect 175’s, 158’s and 156’s.