Quote:
Originally Posted by Foxwall
Has electrification of the WCML and ECML acheived any significant improvements ?
The diesel HST provided a quality service on the existing network
The trend is to buy into this electrification ideology, but is it really worth it.
Cheaper fares are more important than so called state of the art electric trains.
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There is no doubt that electrification of both the WCML and ECML have made a vast improvement to services on both routes and all other routes that have been electrified. So much so that we talk about "The Sparks Effect!" Increased passenger numbers always seem to follow recent electrification of routes.
The HST must rank as one of the Great Railway Classics. They are great to ride in and they have served the railways well but they are now over 25 years old and have covered 10's of millions of miles. They cannot go on forever, although I do hope one is preserved for use on the mainline!
You have to replace equipment, preferably before it passes it's sell by date!!
Best wishes,
John H-T.