Britain’s rolling stock shortage - Nick Richardson looks at the lack of rolling stock available to Britain’s train operators, and at the solutions some operators have tried to get around the problem. The lack of suitable rolling stock is “restricting growth in the market as well as highlighting the lack of comfort experienced by many users” argues Richardson.
But he identifies ingenious solutions, such as the rebuilding of HSTs for a new lease of life in Scotland after being retired from First Great Western. The “concept of using former London Underground stock for use elsewhere is an interesting one”. The rebuilding of former Gatwick Express EMUs for South West Trains is also cited.
“The need for flexible operation has generated another good idea in the form of electric multiple unit that can run on battery power. “Experimentation suggests that it is a viable proposition that would help address infrastructure shortcomings and potentially open up new services. This is a worthwhile line of enquiry compared to the high cost of electrifying those sections surrounded by electric networks”. - PP
We read it in: Passenger Transport, June 2015, page 28
