Vivarail's 'D Train' - 'D' stock reborn

Well, it seems that the plan is to have several different versions, city, commuter, and country. Both commuter and country only have 2 doors per side. They will be internally gangwayed, and the cab structure modified, most likely to meet the new crash regulations that gave us the front sloped end of the class 380. I'm assuming that they will rip out all of the underfloor equipment and refit as necessary per their design, otherwise it might be a tight squeeze! They seem to also be planning on having them easy maintenance, and stop-start engines. Will be very interesting to see how this turns out.

Also, may I ask why this thread has been stickied?

Looks like someone has put a motorcycle crash helmet onto the front cab!

Seems a lot of thought has gone into the project.

Also article in "Modern Railways" out today

[rincewind]
"Three months for conversion seems a bit tight, OK later on in the program perhaps, but the first one?"

Actually four (January to May).
If they've had the opportunity to measure one accurately, the modular nature of the interior and engine packs would allow work to have started already, but given the age of the units there are likely to be minor differences between them and they will probably not know which one they are going to get. Some work will doubtless be necessary to remove some existing equipment and fit whatever fittings will allow the power packs to be replaced readily.

Moreover, it is usually LU's practice to withdraw non-runners first, so whatever is wrong with the first unit to be withdrawn will need to be rectified as well. Remember that the first C-stock to go had a big dent in it. If they're lucky, the fault will be something that was going to come off anyway, like the shoegear. (A double-ender would be ideal, as they'll need two DMs to make a complete train)

I wonder what gricers will nickname them. My suggestion would be 'Wombles' because they used to travel to Wimbledon and in the words of the (Wombles) song :- "Underground overground". OK of got my hat and coat ready.

I would probably buy an expensive train ticket up north to try one of these!

As far as I know, there haven't been any confirmed orders, which is why at the moment they are proposing these different configurations and making a demonstrator. If they prove the demonstrator to work, then they will likely find an operator. General consensus is they will act as pacer replacements for northern, but they may end up on other lines (marshlink perhaps?)

I would be interested to know what the power to weight ratio will be based on 2 x 200 hp Duratorq turbo diesel engines per car. Any thoughts?

The diesels will be powering the electric motors.

The South West could do with these trains. On the Exmouth (5th biggest town in Devon) Branch to Exeter (2nd biggest and planned to have eight stations) they have a 30 minute service and want a 15 minute service although requires two more passing places.

Paignton (4th biggest),and Torquay (3rd biggest with two stations and a third planned) want a regular 30 minute service which is irregular at the moment even after the recent smokescreen timetable changes. They need trains with faster acceleration and stopping times and easier loading times to make the journey to Exeter faster. This would also benefit Newton Abbott (6th biggest town), Kingsteignton, Teignmouth, and Dawlish would also benefit.

Barnstaple (7th biggest) and Crediton would like longer trains and a half hour service in the peaks. Reopening to Okehampton (already open on summer Sundays) would be a real possibility.

The shortage of diesels and the right type of train is holding up expansion of the services even though Exeter is expanding and is a nightmare for car drivers.

Services into Plymouth also need expanding.

@ revupminster

Whilst I agree absolutely with your sentiments, unfortunately, grandstanding politicians got involved especially after last winter's Dawlish flooding.

I do not want to turn this into a political thread, and any attempt to do so would not last long.

However, with the current Government, there is evidently a definite distinction between a "pledge", a "promise" and a "definite promise"

Cameron seems to have given the locals pledges and promises last winter, but no "definite promises"

Whatever Cameron said at the time about alternative routes, has long been forgotten (by him but not the locals) and I now doubt if he can remember where Dawlish is. Like many things in rail planning, it would seem that they have now gone into overdrive to find reasons "why not" to fulfil their "pledge"(etc,) regarding re-opening the Okehampton - Tavistock route, than finding reasons "why", and "how" it can be done.

It would be a nice thing to have, wonderful in fact, but this Gov't would rather bribe people with their own money in more marginal areas.

so is that right about the eu restriction on new build diesels being lifted? when did that happen? the dash for classic old mainline locos to bolster the growing amount of new freight is now over!

I like to keep abreast of of all railway matters!