Class 800/801 and their possible use

Class 91s are obsolete and suffer many problems - not least only one pantograph on the whole train. There had been proposals to re-use the mk1V coaches but they would have been linked to new locomotives. In the event, the target TOC - Greater Anglia - plumped for new multiple units. So if they don't go to Greater Anglia, where would they go. By the way, Eurostar class 373s are already going for scrap.

To state the blindingly obvious, there is a great deal more to a train that just it's engines/motors. You can't make a tired old train 'new' just by replacing it's traction system.

I've often wondered about the age of rolling stock, though.

They are a little like medieval axes in that most parts are replaceable, and there is no reason in principle (apart perhaps, from lengthening carriages) why you could not keep a train going for any length of time you wanted to (it would not, of course, make economic [and/or operational] sense, but that's another matter).

Are you sure? As I've read that the 373s have been refurbished and relivered to match the newer trains

A shame about the 225s though, I feel they are being retired abit early

There are plenty of examples around where that is exactly what has happened. Quite a few "Modernisation Scheme"- era locomotives running around with new alternators replacing the original generators (class 37), or new engines (HSTs, class 47 (aka 57) and most recently class 73). Likewise, SWT are replacing the dc motors with new ac packages on their 1980s suburban stock. Bodyshells go on for ever, and interior fittings are relatively easy to update - most Underground stock has been through at least one round of this.

But it depends. For example, some class 373s are indeed about to be withdrawn, although I understand others are being refurbished
www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2016/09/20/eurostar-prepares-to-scrap-186mph-class-373s




Some of the shorter "North of London" sets, which have been used on SNCF internal services, have already gone to store. For specialised stock which has been overtaken by technology, 22 years is a good run. The Deltics were in service for only twenty years. The original Japanese Shinkansen sets had a 44 year service life, but no subsequent build has lasted even half that long, some being withdrawn after as little as 18 years. (The oldest currently in service were built in 1997)

It shouldn't be too much of an issue to fit a second pantograph. ICE trains in Germany and Austria have 2, but only the rearmost one is used. Also in Austria, some of the 1116 class have 2 pantographs, and I have seen one 1216 with 4. As these locomotives are capable of running on several overhead power systems I wonder whether there is one panto for each system. The 1216s will run in Italy but the 1116s cannot. Also it is interesting that on these locos they always use the rear pantograph. 

I don't think there is much room on the roof of the class 91 for a second one. And what is at the other end of the train is not a power car but a DVT - essentially one of these


or maybe one of these


As well as fitting a pantograph to the DVT, you would need to run a 25kV bus line under/over/through all the carriages from the DVT to the locomotive (or a transformer in the DVT and a low voltage power connection). Neither the DVT nor the intermediate Mk4 coaches are designed for this.

The variant bi-mode has been to Plymouth. I bet it did not go through Dawlish at high tide with an easterly wind. Lets hope unlike the Voyagers they are seaworthy. I wonder if seawater will damage the pantograph even though not used beyond Newbury. There are plans to electrify between Newton Abbot and Plymouth as electric traction can handle the hills of South Devon better than diesel.

Some HSTs may be kept by GWR as shortened versions on a planned Exeter-Penzance 1/2 hour service supplementing the new GWR trains and Cross Country services. Cross Country could do with replacing the Voyagers that have to stop running in bad weather.

Just to clear up the confusion around the 373s, around 8 trains are to be retained and refurbished (as 'e300's) and the remainder are to be scrapped. One (the first) departed for scrap last week.

The NoL units are all - aiui - stored and will also be scrapped. Indeed, one power car has already been passed to the national collection and is on display at the NRM.

The units are, without a doubt, life-expired and any re-use would not be practicable.

Nowhere to run.

The Norwich service was the last hope and multiple units have been ordered.

One set will work with Tornado in due course.

They may do, but the generic pictures don't look promising

the chosen set will get a generator van.

Top quality dining too.

Why are the Stansted express electrostars being replaced already?! Seems like such a waste, unless ofcourse they are going to be cascaded to another part of the uk for use

The plan the A1 group have involved includes fitting opening windows to the Mk3 set (presumably of the hopper type) so that passengers will still be able to hear the loco. As regards the door droplights, following the incident at Balham, the pressure is on to remove these (either through making the door locks openable from the inside - CDL preventing them being opened unless the train is at a station or by conversion to automic operation as per Chiltern). A crew support coach with generator is also proposed (which would also help with keeping the stock cool / warm while it is in the sidings between runs) - which could be converted from a Mk2 BSO

Yes, that (capacity gain) was the same advantage of the 305s over the N7s 60 years ago. However, it's rather undermined by GA's practice of running 4-car units in the peak shoulders!

Anything leaving Chelmsford between 3 and 4 is vastly overcrowded from school traffic. Mind you, with "a grammar school in every town", that may change!

GA, I still think, would do better to equip their top-of-the range trains with stock other than bog-standard sardine cans. And I suppose they may have to pull something out of the hat to meet the timings they have promised the Govt.