Stock shortfall fears if HSTs miss disability deadline
THE owner of the East Midlands Trains High Speed Train fleet believes that getting them ready for the January 1 2020 disability deadline “is looking increasingly unlikely”.
Porterbrook owns nine HSTs that were due to be withdrawn when the Midland Main Line was electrified and new or cascaded stock was introduced.
On July 20, Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling cancelled the MML wires north of Corby, and instead said bi-mode trains would be introduced on the line from 2022. That leaves a two-year gap when there may not be sufficient trains.
A senior Porterbrook source told RAIL: “Getting the HSTs ready for 2020 is looking increasingly unlikely due to supply chain capacity - a number of options are being considered.”
To continue operating beyond December 31 2019, the HSTs would need to be fitted with plug or slide doors, controlled emission toilets, improved access and passenger information screens.
Five CrossCountry HSTs, 11 HSTs for Great Western Railway and 26 for ScotRail are being modified. This is being done at Wabtec Rail’s Doncaster works, and the rolling stock company also owns the rights to the design being fitted.
Porterbrook declined to say what the alternative option for the EMT fleet would be. The route also uses 27 Class 222 Meridians owned by Eversholt Rail, and these meet the disability guidelines.
In a number of Commons Written Replies to Shadow Transport Secretary Andy McDonald, Rail Minister Paul Maynard defended the decision regarding MML and attempted to explain the benefits.
“Network Rail is continuing to invest in the Midland Main Line in Control Period 5 and 6, with over £1 billion of investment planned including electrification of the route from Bedford to Kettering and Corby and additional track capacity,” said Maynard.
“The majority of the planned journey time savings will still be realised through the provision of an additional sixth long-distance train path each hour, allowing the industry to make more efficient use of the infrastructure, as well as allowing higher-capacity services to run.
“These capacity and connectivity improvements are expected to be the key driver of the economic
impacts of the Midland Main Line programme.
“By also introducing the new fleet of bi-mode inter-city trains from 2022, we are maximising the benefits of the largest upgrade of the Midland Main Line since it opened in 1870. Passengers will also see reduced journey times on long-distance services from Nottingham and Sheffield by up to 20 minutes in the peak and an increase in capacity across the network.”
McDonald also asked what the cost to the public purse had been to date, regarding plans to electrify the MML north of Kettering. Maynard said £30 million had been spent on preliminary works north of Kettering, including the raising of bridges.
McDonald also asked “what comparable assessment he has made of the performance and costs of bi-mode trains and electric rolling stock”.
Maynard replied: “The rolling stock strategy for the East Midlands has been developed by reference to business case analysis of a range of rolling stock options including bi-modes, electric and diesel traction options.
“Rolling stock performance and cost are two of a range of parameters considered in this analysis. Ultimately the actual rolling stock solution for the East Midlands will be developed and implemented by the successful bidder in the current franchise competition.”