It is the role of the train leasing companies to take a view on the expected life of trains and offer them at competitive rates to the market, said Rail Minister Jo Johnson on May 8. This would then ensure they are kept in service for their expected life.
Johnson was responding to a Commons Written Question from Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, who had asked about the level of future vehicle leasing charges. McDonald claimed there was a projected shortening of average vehicle life.
In recent years, trains have been ordered for franchises that will lead to the replacement of fleets built as recently as 2006 (Class 185), 2009 (Class 350/2), 2011 (Class 379) and 2017 (Class 707).
It is also a matter for the rolling stock leasing companies to determine the use or storage of more than 4,000 vehicles coming off-lease in the next three years.
Johnson made the statement in a Commons Written Reply to McDonald on May 3.
Trains such as the Class 707s were ordered at the behest of Government, but currently have no future home.
AndrewJG8918 - 12/05/2018 02:28
I reckon that Southern should inherit the Class 707’s so that they can use them on suburban services and to replace the Class 455’s. And possibly Southern to transfer some Class 377’s to operate on the West Coastway services. Class 379’s might be ideal to be used on St. Pancras International-Kettering and Corby service under a new train operator. Or replace the Class 319’s on WM Trains (London Northwestern Railway) to Northern and use to the Class 379’s on London Euston-Northampton, Milton Keynes Central and Keep 1 Class 319 to operate on Watford Junction-St. Albans Abbey or inherit 1 Class 321 for the Abbey branch line. Whilst Class 350/2’s could end up being transferred to ScotRail to operate on the Strathclyde suburban routes.