Thameslink and Great Northern

[SK15 GZG (Moderator)]

RE: Thameslink and Great Northern

(22/06/2019 23:11)iMarkeh Wrote:  Such a shame about the age of the 313s. They would be fantastic for Northern. Based on the fact you can double them for extra capacity and stations should be the right length whereas the 319s would need platform extensions if you wanted to add extra capacity or you have to use diesels under wires which is just daft. What will happen in a few years when demand outweighs capacity again. 3 car trains are the future for Northern I think. Shame there isn't any available for use and those which are available are too old.

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