Almost 4,000 currently serviceable vehicles will be withdrawn when their lease ends within the next three years.
The Rail Delivery Group’s sixth annual Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy, published on March 22, indicates that a number of fleets will be withdrawn as new trains are delivered.
Some 2,400 vehicles due to be withdrawn are more than 30 years old. The future of these remains uncertain, although RDG predicts that some will be scrapped.
The report states that the number of new vehicles committed for delivery is 7,187. This equates to more than 50% of the current in-service fleet of 14,025 (of which 7,377 were built since privatisation). These deals are worth £13 billion, and the number of vehicles in traffic as a result of these orders will rise by 6% next year and by 5%-13% by 2024.
RDG says the long-term outlook remains unchanged from previous studies, with an increase in the national fleet of between 40% (5,500 vehicles) and 85% (12,000 vehicles) forecast over the next 30 years. The mix of traction is uncertain, but by 2047 the number of vehicles in traffic could be as high as 25,969.
- For the FULL story, including lists of what is due off-lease, read RAIL 850, published on April 11, or available now on Android and iPad.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 09/04/2018 13:57
Why can’t West Midlands Trains keep the Class 350/2’s but use them on London Euston-Northampton, Milton Keynes Central, Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street services. Or perhaps transfer the Class 350/2’s to Cardiff and South Wales once the electrification has been completed. Or cascade them to ScotRail to use them on Strathclyde suburban services and to replace the Class 314’s and Class 318’s. And to work alongside the Class 380’s and Class 385’s. Heathrow Express could inherit the Class 379’s instead of using and modifying the GWR’s Class 387’s. Or Greater Anglia to retain the Class 379’s but use them on local branch lines in Essex. Southern might inherit the Class 707’s to use them on London Victoria/London Bridge-Caterham, Tatternham Corner, East Grinstead, Epsom Downs and to replace the Class 455’s as SWR have ordered the Class 701’s that will enter service from next year. But the real question is. Why displace the newish trains that were built in the early 2000’s as most of them are still very reliable. Just because brand new trains will replace them in the upcoming years ahead. It’s just not on.
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dazza - 09/04/2018 14:48
Simple solution send the 323s,350/2s and the 185s to northern to replace the 30yr old stock instead of spending money refurbing them.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 09/04/2018 19:40
The Siemens Desiro Class 350/2’s are very reliable and have done very well since they were first introduced in the mid 2000’s when London Midland (now West Midlands Trains) took over from Silverlink Trains. So why would WM Trains wants to get rid of them. I suppose they will retain the Class 350/1/3/4’s and the Class 350/2’s to be moved elsewhere. Same applies for the Class 360’s that Greater Anglia and Heathrow Connect will replace them with new rolling stocks in the next few years.
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BigTone - 10/04/2018 17:59
I think most of this is down to the DfT keeping changing their minds, particually on the subject of electrification. The franchisees cannot sensibly plan anything.
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Andy Burford - 10/04/2018 19:28
No wonder train fares are so expensive!!!
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William Livie - 20/04/2018 20:41
Agreed! It's cheaper to go anywhere by car even when you factor in parking and fuel costs!
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 10/04/2018 23:14
I’d appreciate the dislikes. Suppose I speculate too many times.
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Stephen Hepburn - 11/05/2019 10:35
Hi there, can I ask why they would be sent to the Glasgow area when they are not compatible (fully) with the class 380 & 385 sets. Getting rid 314 & 318 sets and replacing with another set that cant assist. Seems a bit pointless unless I'm mistaken about something..
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Manchester Mike - 10/04/2018 14:32
Having almost 4.000 nearly new vehicles rendered unneeded, or worse yet scrapped, is a colossal waste and indicative of DfT's abysmal planning process. They have no strategy other than holding franchise bids for the highest possible, short-term, price. No long term train fleet thinking.
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Piccolo - 18/04/2018 12:32
My solution for the 350/2 would be sending them to Cross Country on a Manchester - Birmingham International/Coventry section, 2 electric service per hour, one via Crewe and possibly Manchester Airport and one via Stoke on trent, Replacing one of the 2 voyager service per hour to maintain half hourly via stoke on trent, That would release a number of voyagers to other service to increase capacity, Not to mention the 350 are already being modified to run at 110mph, The only section where the voyager can run faster is Wolverhampton - Stafford, All other lines for non tilting traains are upto 100/110mph.
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The Train Enthusiast - 19/02/2023 21:11
The Class 379s Need a New Home They've Only Been Around From Nearly 11 Years old They Will Be Good For Another 30 Years Maybe They Could Go To Great Northern And Help Facilitate The Class 387s There In The Future
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