New Eurostar trains: Alstom out, Siemens in
- Thread starter kyser_soze
- Start date
They're probably just trying to concentrate on driving rather than being distracted by someone staring over their shoulder or banging on the window going 'oi mate! what time do we get to Amsterdam?'
teuchter
je suis teuchter
I've just read that the e320s don't have separate motor cars.
That sounds like a backward step.
How so? It's becoming more common - the last couple of generations of ICE trains haven't had separate motor cars; neither do most of the Pendolino variants including our ones on the WCML.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
me too, except they're not going to be allowed unless they completely redesign their trains. Summat about not being in two parts iirc
teuchter
je suis teuchter
The noise thing isn't really an issue with EMUs but it is with diesel MUs as anyone who's been in a Virgin Voyager knows.
The other downside that multiple units have is lack of flexibility and interoperability... not much of an issue in the UK now that our railways have evolved to be inflexible but if you travel on long-distance international trains (especially the overnight ones) on the continent you can see the advantage of the carriages being fairly dumb things that just need some wheels the right distance apart and a power supply. Just change the locomotive over when you cross borders etc, and add a couple of extra coaches on the busier nights of the week, and so forth.
The other downside that multiple units have is lack of flexibility and interoperability... not much of an issue in the UK now that our railways have evolved to be inflexible but if you travel on long-distance international trains (especially the overnight ones) on the continent you can see the advantage of the carriages being fairly dumb things that just need some wheels the right distance apart and a power supply. Just change the locomotive over when you cross borders etc, and add a couple of extra coaches on the busier nights of the week, and so forth.
teuchter
je suis teuchter
They already have done, and they are being built now, and one is visiting London later this month.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
It's so that if there's a fire in the tunnel, one half of the train can get out, if the other half is damaged/on fire (they'd move the passengers first of course!)
They're either going to relax that rule, or run 2 trains joined together nose to nose.
They're either going to relax that rule, or run 2 trains joined together nose to nose.
Maybe the noise/vibration thing isn't that bad on pure electrics, but tonight I was on old 125... The silent pull away is pure, silent, elegance. The engineering arguments I'm sure are different, but for passengers, having all the haul-loading kit isolated is fab.
GarfieldLeChat
fucking awesome but wrong
well if Siemens are building them I expect them to crash regularlly fail to do what they were designed to do be delivered late, massively over budget and be utterly trumped by better cheaper technology as soon as it's launched...
teuchter
je suis teuchter
Diesel yes I agree entirely but with modern electrics I don't think it's an issue. In fact noisy a/c is more likely to be an irritation (was in some hauled coaches recently where the noise of the A/C pretty much destroyed any advantage of not having an engine under the floor).
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
J
really? I was under the impression that they made good trains....
really? I was under the impression that they made good trains....
Did they pay you to say that?
http://amlawdaily.typepad.com/amlawdaily/2008/12/davis-polk-debe.htmlAlstom apparently not much better, though: http://fcpaprofessor.blogspot.com/2010/03/alstom-corruption-investigation-enters.html
GarfieldLeChat
fucking awesome but wrong
Siemens have a history of getting interesting projects and over complicating them and under delivering. They tend to put a huge resource into winning the bid and hopelessly under resourcing the actual delivery.
T & P
|-o-| (-o-) |-o-|
They look very similar to the AVE trainsets bought by the Spanish. Them and their Talgo counterparts are actually certified for speeds of 350 kph, but due to signalling shortcomings they will never reach such speeds in regular service in Spain. Still, smart-looking beasts.
Crispy
The following psytrance is baṉned: All
They're a variant of Siemens' "Velaro" model, shich has been sold to multiple European railways, including Spain. You'll find the same train in all sorts of colours everywhere
T & P
|-o-| (-o-) |-o-|
They do look good alright.They're a variant of Siemens' "Velaro" model, shich has been sold to multiple European railways, including Spain. You'll find the same train in all sorts of colours everywhere
It's a shame they weren't picked for the Ashford-London high speed commuting line. Those trains 'only' reach 145 mph, right? As the line is 186 mph capable, it seems a bit of a waste.
Oh and yeah the new stock exterior looks awesome, but would be good to see the interior. Not expecting the horrow show of FGW refit, or Pendolino inverse tardis, but would be good to see inside nonetheless.
If it's not yet obvious, I *fucking love* the service. If they did some kind of season ticket, I'd be on it most weeks.
If it's not yet obvious, I *fucking love* the service. If they did some kind of season ticket, I'd be on it most weeks.
teuchter
je suis teuchter
Feeling sceptical: are these the ones with motors underneath? And no full train walk through?
Bah. I'll learn to love them. The current stock is tired but still charming. I love the soundless drift as it starts moving. Like HSTs. Motors at the ends ftw
Yes! Seconded. It's gradually becoming rare to enjoy the no motors under the floor experience.
That and openable windows
Yes! Seconded. It's gradually becoming rare to enjoy the no motors under the floor experience.
That and openable windows
We are going backwards.
Which, as it happens, was that experience in an un motored carriage, with another train next to us.
Bah. I'll learn to love them. The current stock is tired but still charming. I love the soundless drift as it starts moving. Like HSTs. Motors at the ends ftw
Is that why they're so much more quiet than the Edinburgh-London leg when I go over and visit my folks? That's confused me every time
Is that why they're so much more quiet than the Edinburgh-London leg when I go over and visit my folks? That's confused me every time
Not sure, someone more knowledgeable will chip in, but I thought East Coast was/is our slopey nosed HSTs?
