Azuma Has Arrived
This article on Global Rail News is entitled Richard Branson unveils Virgin East Coast’s ‘Azuma’ Class 800/1.
You wouldn’t expect Branson to play second-fiddle to Great Western Railway on new trains.
Azuma means East, so will GWR give them a name that means West in Japanese?
Nishi or sai
Comment by Mark Clayton | March 18, 2016 |
Thanks
Comment by AnonW | March 18, 2016 |
Seeing evidence of the ‘Azuma’ propelling itself into and out of King’s Cross, my opinion that these trains should enter service on the East Coast before the Great Western has been reinforced.
If testing is indeed to be done on the East Coast first, the clearance of Class 800s to enter service on that line could feasibly be granted before the end of this year.
The announcement that ScotRail is to retain more of its Class 170s strikes me as a response to the delay in electrification of the Great Western and thus the release of GWR’s HSTs.
ScotRail is supposed to acquire HSTs currently used by GWR. Even by the Azumas replacing the East Coast HSTs first, the GWR HSTs could still be promptly released by being replaced on duties from Paddington by the East Coast ones.
Transpennine Express could either receive the second batch of Azumas or East Coast Mark IV rakes propelled by Class 68s. The latter would mean more time available for the North Transpennine route to be gauge-cleared for Azumas.
Comment by Ben H | March 19, 2016 |
It’s more complicated than that! I’m writing another post at the moment, which reveals another piece of evidence of a certain Mr. Baldrick at work. Except that this cunning plan is based on sound engineering.
https://anonw.com/2016/03/19/did-i-call-it-right/
This is the finished post.
Where are you based Ben?
Comment by AnonW | March 19, 2016 |