The introduction of three Vivarail Class 230 trains with London Northwestern Railway has been delayed.
The trains were due to enter traffic from the December timetable change, running on the Bedford-Bletchley line. However, problems identified during testing on some of the controls that optimise operational systems on 230003 means that sets 230004 and 230005 have been delayed owing to the time spent on the first set.
Vivarail remains confident that it will deliver the trains in the New Year from its base at Long Marston, although spokesman Alice Gilman told RAIL on October 30 that she could not give an exact date. The company said it is taking full responsibility for the delays.
LNWR will continue using Class 150s and ‘153s’ on the route until the ‘230s’ are ready.
Jonny Wiseman, head of stations for LNWR, said: “The Class 230 programme is an innovative scheme that will deliver many benefits to local rail users. We will continue to support Vivarail in bringing this new concept to the Marston Vale line.”
- For the FULL story read RAIL 865, published on November 7, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from November 3.
AndrewJG8918 - 30/10/2018 18:42
London North Western Railway could plan ahead to introduce the Class 230 DEMUs possibly from early next year (January) next year or in Spring 2019 (April or May). As they have postponed their introduction for the new trains that would of started service in December. But they might decide to change their mind and to introduce them just in time for Christmas. When the other 2 Class 230s have been refurbished and transported to Bletchley to start service with the 3 Class 230s already there as they were working on test runs. And to replace the Class 150 & Class 153 on that route that both the Class 150 & Class 153 could be cascaded to West Midlands Railway or Great Western Railway or Northern. Or possibly cascade the Class 150 & Class 153 to KeliosAmey Wales.