Southern Trains

[H101GEV (Administrator)]

RE: Southern Trains

(25/11/2012 15:09)First Class Wrote:  London Midland tendered for TPE, it makes no difference who orders the stock!

The only reason London Midland ordered the 350s on TPE's behalf is because it is such a small fleet (10 units) and they are needed in the short term. LM had the option for extra units available and wanted an additional 10 for themselves, so it made sense to combine the order. It is very different for Merseyrail, whose fleet is far larger than ten and new trains are a good five years away being optimistic. Of course, there is also the point that 377s are completely unsuitable for Merseyrail without modifications to the current design.

I'm not sure how you jump to the conclusion Southern's order is connected with the NW electrification. It would surely be more cost effective for the 319s to be fitted with a compatible pantograph if they are truly not compatible with the new wires. If the 319s aren't available in time, there is always the 317/7s which Abellio Greater Anglia have stored as an interim or medium-term fix. I will be amazed if the Liverpool - Manchester lines receive new trains.