New stock required

David Clough’s letter on the North deserving better than second-hand rolling stock ( Open Access, RAIL 802) was both timely and accurate, yet did not fully describe the problems facing rail in northwest England.

The accompanying picture was of a Class 350/4 on an AngloScottish service, but these units are by no stretch of the imagination an inter-city train. Having travelled recently from Scotland to Manchester I can testify to their smooth(ish) riding, but the seats are way too hard.

Also there are simply not enough of them. The forecasters who worked out how many units were needed for the service are clearly in the same league as the IMF, Bank of England and HM Treasury when it comes to looking at the future.

The ‘350s’ are an outer-suburban semi-fast train, although not as cramped as a Voyager or as smelly as a Pendolino (thanks Virgin!), and would not be used on long-distance trains emanating from London.

There is one railway for London and the Home Counties, and another for the rest of the country. By the time the new five-car sets get to the North West, they too will be inadequate.