On 28/05/2016 16:15, Anna Noyd-Dryver wrote:
Charles Ellson wrote:
On Fri, 27 May 2016 23:24:53 -0000 (UTC), Recliner
wrote:

Charles Ellson wrote:
On Fri, 27 May 2016 22:12:54 -0000 (UTC), Recliner
wrote:

David C wrote:
On Fri, 27 May 2016 14:58:37 -0000 (UTC), Recliner
wrote:

As I'm sure most people know, the GOBLIN line is soon to
be electrified, and there will be partial and complete
closures starting from tomorrow. It will be completely
closed from 24 Sep to Feb 2017. It will then reopen,
presumably still using the current DMUs, until the
electrification is complete a few months later, and the
new 4-car Aventras arrive in early 2018.

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.co...lectrification



The line has eight 2-car 172s that are modern and in good condition, so
they're in no need of renovation. I wonder if they'll
just go into storage during the complete closure, or will
they be loaned to any other operator that needs extra
capacity, even if only for a few months?

And once they've been replaced by the new Aventras, has
their future home been decided?

For anyone who's interested, here's a few pics I took on
the line earlier this week:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/reclin...57668732378626




Chiltern would be the "obvious choice", the LOROL units were ordered
by Adrian Shooter & have a similar specification to the
Chiltern 172's

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I was wondering whose
decision it is?

Is there any hint of Chiltern needing some extra stock anywhere
? Depending on how the work is arranged, there could be scope
for 172s substituting for the buses if suitable sections of
GOBLIN were complete save for switching on the juice.

That's the situation when the line reopens in February. The work
won't be finished and the lines energised for at least another
four months, during which time I assume the 172s will provide the
service. They won't be available to anyone else till the Aventras
enter service in 2018. So the DMUs will be running under the
wires for at least six months.

That doesn't seem to leave long enough for any useful hiring out
in the direction of Chiltern unless e.g. there's something big at
Wembley or somewhere else (Stratford ?) they could be used for. If
there is coincidence with work somewhere else then they would at
least be available for e.g. diversions over alternative
non-electrified routes.


Dependant of course on driver route and traction knowledge...


Anna Noyd-Dryver


Might London Midland be interested in a short term hire, whilst their
fire-damaged units are repaired ?