EMR Regional and Connect refurbishments

[Trainman40083]

I was just thinking the same. Positively spoiled these days

Indeed. A Class 156 was nice on the Crewe, less so the class 158 (air con often broken). The Class 170 was luxury. Now there seems more passengers too.

 

[WesternLancer]

Indeed. A Class 156 was nice on the Crewe, less so the class 158 (air con often broken). The Class 170 was luxury. Now there seems more passengers too.

Yes. The railway doesn’t seem to recognise (well I mean the govt that funds it) that if you offer a better product travel experience more people will use it.

Offer a dirty crowded option and next time you’ll pick up the car keys. Lots of potential passengers do have a choice.

Refurbed local trains as well as new inter city stock can grow the market but likely quickly expose the shortage of seats.

 

[LowLevel]

The Crewe service running through to Nottingham again opened up a lot of long distance journey connections that previously might have gone via Manchester or Stockport - they carry a lot of passengers from the East Midlands for Chester, Manchester via Macclesfield and the West Coast Mainline. They're busy trains now - services that back in the days of the mostly 153 shuttle might have had 20 on in the early evening often now load to about 4 times that. The commuter services are full and standing into Stoke and Derby with a 2 car.

Obviously the better quality rolling stock helps as well.

 

[Adrian1980uk]

Yes. The railway doesn’t seem to recognise (well I mean the govt that funds it) that if you offer a better product travel experience more people will use it.

Offer a dirty crowded option and next time you’ll pick up the car keys. Lots of potential passengers do have a choice.

Refurbed local trains as well as new inter city stock can grow the market but likely quickly expose the shortage of seats.

That's probably what's not working with the railways more than anything at the moment, it's really hard to increase the length of trains to satisfy demand. The leasing market should allow for it but it doesn't as there is a no risk approach from the TOCs right up to the leasing company. Roscos aren't allowed to order extra DMUs now and there's a particular halt on all stock for non electrified routes waiting for battery tech.

 

[WesternLancer]

That's probably what's not working with the railways more than anything at the moment, it's really hard to increase the length of trains to satisfy demand. The leasing market should allow for it but it doesn't as there is a no risk approach from the TOCs right up to the leasing company. Roscos aren't allowed to order extra DMUs now and there's a particular halt on all stock for non electrified routes waiting for battery tech.

Thanks for these views and analysis. Helpful to read.

 

[QSK19]

I think the fundamental issue with EMR is that they don't have 'glamorous' routes so tend to only get hand me downs stock that's not designed for the routes they run on.

I think that Regional (excluding Liverpool-Nottingham) accounts for 5% of EMR revenue; so I’m amazed that it received 170s.

Because of the low Regional revenue, I originally imagined that EMR’s current 170s would have gone to a more lucrative TOC and EMR would have got their older stock (eg 170s go to Northern to supplement their 170 fleet and 158s move to EMR).

But things finally seem to be going in the right direction for EMR. Much deserved too.

 

[Bald Rick]

Goes to show how passenger numbers have grown on the Matlock line, given single 153s were common in early EMT days, I seem to recall.

Indeed - very busy whenever I've used it.

It ought to be a main line really, but that's another thread !

I used the Matlock line this week, about 15 people on each coach. Lunchtime service.

 

[LowLevel]

I used the Matlock line this week, about 15 people on each coach. Lunchtime service.

2 cars is ample off peak. Peak of course on this route does include summer weekends and school holidays as well but common or garden weekday day time trains will rarely load more than 50 people.

 

[tram21]

I used the Matlock line this week, about 15 people on each coach. Lunchtime service.

You should see it on a summer sunny Saturday evening. I have the 'joy' of often having to use it at this time, and it's completely crush loaded often leaving people behind on a 2 coach service. It would help if EMR just put a double unit on days like this, and they do when they have enough units.

It doesn't need it outside of sunny holiday days in Matlock though

 

[transportphoto]

and they do when they have enough units.

Exactly this. Sad reality is that strengthening at the moment often means robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[tram21]

Exactly this. Sad reality is that strengthening at the moment often means robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I would argue it is definitely worth the payoff to double Matlock trains on sunny summer days, especially weekends. Only then though.

 

[transportphoto]

I would argue it is definitely worth the payoff to double Matlock trains on sunny summer days, especially weekends. Only then though.

But where are you taking the capacity from? It’s not necessarily a debate for this thread mind.

 

[yorksrob]

I used the Matlock line this week, about 15 people on each coach. Lunchtime service.

They were stood in the vestibules when I used it on Saturday.

 

[Trainman40083]

They were stood in the vestibules when I used it on Saturday.

All those potential bus passengers

 

[tram21]

All those potential bus passengers

I'd imagine the buses were just as busy!

 

[yorksrob]

All those potential bus passengers

I'm sure if they'd been inclined to catch a bus, they could have found one.

 

[Russel]

I'd imagine the buses were just as busy!

When the train to Matlock is busy, the roads will be too, so I'd rather be stood on a 170 that on a bus stuck in traffic in the sun.

 

[DDB]

One of the joys of the Matlock line is that you can see the queueing traffic from the train!

 

[Cowley]

We seem to have strayed quite a long way from refurbishments here folks.

Back on topic please!

 

[tram21]

A bit late to the party, but made it onto the refurbished '170' this afternoon. Was the first time taking my bike onto a train, and the dedicated cycle space was very useful!! The train overall was very nice, and I look forward to more of them coming onto the network!

 

[tfw756rider]

A bit late to the party, but made it onto the refurbished '170' this afternoon. Was the first time taking my bike onto a train, and the dedicated cycle space was very useful!! The train overall was very nice, and I look forward to more of them coming onto the network!

42 more to go.

 

[swinny1990]

How's the latest refurbishments nearing completion?

 

[cjmillsnun]

Has anyone managed to fit reliable aircon to a class 158?

Yes, SWT managed. I suspect they don't work now though

 

[tfw756rider]

Has anyone managed to fit reliable aircon to a class 158?

Yes, SWT managed. I suspect they don't work now though

Funnily enough, I was on Transport for Wales' 158831 this evening with working air conditioning, and even the guard commented on how nice it was to have it! Probably best if this isn't discussed further in here though