RoscoTrain107

So it seems like that the Class 185s will be done from around late 2034?

Well not exactly as new Alstom Adessias Stream by then will join Transpennine Express fleet

Well lets just say it will be more of GBR Transpennine Express

So before I get into it apologises on taking down my original post from earlier this morning because I didn't quite cover enough in terms of the announcement.

Whilst when a bit of news I do want to try and be as much as informative as possible based on the facts however I didn't go far enough.

Anyway from that cleared up and clarified lets get into it.

So It was announced yesterday evening that 29 x 5 car sets BEMUs which will be built by Alstom at Litchurch Lane, Derby from 2028 onwards

Likely to do services such as Manchester Airport to Saltburn, Liverpool Lime Street to Hull and Manchester Victoria to Scarborough.

Other present TPE services the new trains could also do could get mentioned later down the line pending on any additional orders.

The new BEMU Adessia Streams or just Adessias will join Transpennine Express fleet of Class 397 and Class 802 Novas and of course the Class 185s.

Prime minister Andy Burnham give his reaction especially when it came to issues with rail services he knows first hand in his time as Mayor of Greater Manchester the frustration commuters have been feeling and today’s announcement feels that this will be a start of a turning point saying.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times someone has stopped me to tell me about the train that never came. And when that happens, it means missed shifts, missed appointments, and missed opportunities. Today that starts to change. These 29 new trains will bring faster, more reliable journeys to the North, and thousands of British jobs for the next generation.”

Remember not that long ago Alstoms Litchurch Lane future was in jeopardy and whilst the extra 10 sets of Class 345s for Elizabeth Line have kept them afloat but with the Aventra being at an end after the last unit 345080 is complete a long term solution was needed

The Alstom Adessias Stream being the first to be built in the UK is likely to be the long term solution and probably the beginning perhaps in a way in different variations who knows

Whilst Ben Powden who represents Campaign for Better Transport whilst welcomed the announcement as a boost for Jobs but he still caution the fact that just because you order biomodes doesn't mean you dismiss the need to electrify more of the UK rail system. He says.

"This is Positive news for jobs and the ecomonuy in the Midlands. And with more accessible trains, speedier journeys and thousands more seats, it's great news for passengers in the North of England too. In fact we all benefit when better rail journeys tempt more people on board, from clearer roads, cleaner air and a more stable climate.

However, it is import that in celebrating these new biomode trains - which are undoutbedly better than diesel - we don't forget about the need to electrify our rail network"

I’ll leave a link down below
www.railadvent.co.uk/2026/09/new-british-built-tra…

My take on it is 

The Alstom Adessias was kind of going to be expected to be announced as the follow up to the Aventras so in way its not that surprising.

However when you look at these based on the rendering that have been released to the video from Alstom itself there are two minor issues that I have

Firstly the GBR livery itself and whether it blends in with the Adessias

I will say that the GBR livery to be honest I’m a bit split 50/50 and whilst It might look ok on some trains but certainly doesn’t quite work based on the visuals when it comes to the Adessias

The second issue is going for single leaf doors bit similar to the ones on the Class 397 and in a way could be a bit of a problem especially when it comes to overcrowding

However to be fair to Alstom that step free access shouldn’t be a problem and with level boarding should make it easier for people with wheelchairs, push cars and luggage.

The seats at the moment look kind of based on those on the Class 185s although on the video itself having the plugs in the middle of the table seat not the best idea although probably would expect that to change.

As for the Adessias well the reason for the building not starting until 2028 which is over 16 months away is because once the final Aventra for Elizabeth Line is complete then Alstom would have to overhaul their facilities of Litchurch Lane in preparation for the building of Adessias.

And of course still at least several years before the Transpennine Route Upgrade itself is finished completely not just the electrification but also the signalling upgrades too which is likely to be around 2032.

So on the face of it, Is it a game changer in the North? 
Well no in a way however its a starting point and a first step.

The question will be is what will happen to some of the Class 185s when they get replaced well by 2034 they will be over 25 years old and in a way its possible they could end up being scrapped.

Well other options like East Midlands Railway (GBR East Midlands) and Great Western Railway (GBR Great Western) some say would be ideal but its very unlikely.

Same could be said for South Western Railway (GBR South Western) because their replacement long term for their DMU Class 158s and 159s will likely be done at around the same time as GWR but not until either just before or after 2030 but lets see.

And one final thing even with the battery / electric powered Adessias it should be used overall as a Substitute for Diesel Power or not electrifying more of the UK rail network because as we saw with the controversy back in 2017 when electrification is halted by rising costs and you use biomode to cover for that its like a definition of papering over the cracks.

I think in hindsight whilst the cost of electrification a decade was rising but you should of kept going and got it done so whilst costly in short term but in the long term it should eventually pay itself even if it takes time to break even which in a way British Rail and of course Mr Beeching should of learnt back in the 1960s.

Thats my take on the matter and I will also add that I will leave a video link by Alstom down below so if you want to find out more about the Alstom Adessias for Transpennine Express then do check out their video as well.

The video link is titled
"Alstom Adessia Stream for Transpennine Express"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-LQ7...

What do you think about the Alstom Adessias coming to Transpennine Express and replacing the Class 185s?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below

So for now take care and have a good one

Photo Credit: GBR / Alstom

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2 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 72

RoscoTrain107

Hi guys so sorry I wasn't able to do the monthly shoutout on Sunday because with the most daunting trip to Paris just over 3 weeks away I have had to spend quite a lot of time on preparations for that.

So I guess better late than never I will do them now

So here are those who deserve a mention
1. ‪@SniffTrains‬
2. @BusTrain308 (BusTrain)
3. ‪@theotrainofficial‬
4. ‪@PhoenixBrownstrains‬
5. ‪@Thenortheast-trainspotter2102‬
6. ‪@NoahsTransport‬
7. ‪@mltransport10‬
8. ‪@JackandEd‬
9. ‪@OliversTrainJournals‬
10. ‪@trainmadgeorge2333‬
11. ‪@HtheGreat16‬
12. @OwenBrown-20 - Owen Blox & Trains (OB&T)
13. ‪@LBH91YT‬
14. ‪@AlexBartlett-t2b‬
15. ‪@lbautosandrails‬
16. ‪@willjay2274‬
17. ‪@Adamtrainspotting‬ 
18. ‪@sarahandphoenixadventures‬

So well done to those who got a mention

Next Monthly Shoutout won't be until Sunday October 11th

So for now take care and have a good one

4 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 84

RoscoTrain107

So my last video possibly for a few weeks which was my 3rd visit to Liskeard is now out so do check it out

https://youtu.be/yK-1lqruZGA?is=4KWAp...

1 week ago | [YT] | 3

RoscoTrain107

Next video

3rd visit to Liskeard and the heat did cause problems especially for services to London Paddington

Premieres Saturday at 8pm

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1 week ago | [YT] | 99

RoscoTrain107

Well some may talk about the idea of reopening the former Woodhead Line however its very unlikely

However a few years ago I did a Train Sim Journeys video with a 4 Class 319 to see what the full former line was like.

Of course back then it’s 1500 volt DC unlike the 25kv AC system that probably would have used today.

Some of the line speeds limited to 70 or 80mph in modern terms with upgrades could get 90mph or 100mph in the Woodhead 3 Tunnel

It’s a shame that most of the original route was gone by the early 1980s and what one of a few cases of what might been.

Whilst there is a business case to reopen the Woodhead Line between Hadfield Southwards however with the cost of getting the tunnel overhauled for use along with other issues like line speed overhauls, track, signalling thats just the rail infrastructure

But also you have to purchase the land of the area around the former Woodhead Tunnel which presently is owned by National Grid and its like you have to spend a lot of time re-routing their equipment which would be a logistical challenge

In all its likely it will never re-open and the cost would probably be equal to building the London Underground Jubilee Line Extension in 2026 prices compared to 1999 prices which would be around 7-8 billion pounds.

What do you think?

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 11

RoscoTrain107

My recent video from my 2nd visit to Saltash is now out so do check it out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lznc...

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 6

RoscoTrain107

Next video will be this Friday at 7pm

Which will be my 2nd visit to Saltash from August 15th

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 72

RoscoTrain107

Well the Class 150/2s on Great Western Railway are now over 40 years old and by the sounds of it, it does seem that the likely chance of what their replacements will be is unlikely to happen anytime soon as according to a Modern Railways article from Friday August 21st that they may have to solider on for a while

So in an interview with Managing Director of GWR Mark Hopwood revealed an admission about the short term future of the 150/2s and blaming the lack of electrification rolling out saying 

“It’s a direct consequence of a failure to sanction a national rolling programme of electrification, which could have made use of those EMUs, and the absence of a rolling stock plan. Hopefully, the advent of GBR will remedy some of this, but there’s no short-term relief in sight.”

Worth reminding that Great Western Railway will be nationalised by mid December

Whilst battery train options like the 230s doing West Ealing - Greenford so far thats all at the moment and according to Mark Hopwood its unlikely that 230 conversions aren't fore coming saying

“It is probably not worthwhile to do any more ‘D stock’ conversions as a new battery fleet is coming, but the trial has been worth it as it has generated a lot of data and proved the operation of the fast charge facility” relates Mr Hopwood. “We’re now trying to determine what extra facilities we would need to make conversion of the Thames Valley branches to battery operations feasible. The platform roads are wired at Maidenhead, simplifying things for the Marlow branch, but we’d probably need a fast charge installation at Twyford for the Henley branch, for instance."

Whilst a plan had been put forward but its likely that until its nationalised under DFTO but so far no tender has been issued

Its revealed that a two stage replacement with the first stage being Thames Valley and Bristol Area and then Stage 2 will be the Southwest.

Another thing that was revealed that the entry of the Class 175s has taken much longer than planned

Partly the trains were in poor condition because they were not put in storage properly originally North of Ely 

Also driver training has slowed because of the lack of 175s being serviceable at this time.

I will leave a link down below of Mark Hopwoods Interview with Modern Railways which will feature in the magazines next edition release next month
www.modernrailways.com/article/150s-soldier-due-el…

My take on the whole thing not just the 150/2s being forced to solider on GWR and the 175s issues its been a complete fiasco

I think the lesson is that if a rail company is going to release trains from their fleet they should be required by the regulator to make sure there is a transfer clause in any agreement with the lease operator.

When the 175s were withdrawn back in 2023 from Transport From Wales it should of been clear from the start that Great Western Railway should of got on the phone to both TFW and the lease holder Angel Trains and say we will take them on our fleet.

The 175s issues is like the 379 fiasco when they were dropped by Greater Anglia in 2022 but it took 2 years to finally get an agreement with the lease holder Porterbrook and Great Northern to take them on which should of been agreed two at least 2 - 3 months before the 379s were originally dropped at the time.

But of course the government back then were careless when it came to transport strategy focusing more on playing points scoring rather than solving a major issue.

The Class 150/2s probably will have to solider on till at least 2032 if possible and as for the Class 175s whilst Mr Hopwood says that they will be a welcome relief for the Southwest however I don't think it solves a long term problem.

Anyway thats my take so I will leave with 3 questions for you all 
1.What do you think about the 150/2s soldiering on GWR for a few more years?, 
2. Do you think the 175s will bring relief to the Southwest or exaggerate an already existing problem
3. Finally what do you think is the long term solution for GWRs DMU fleet replacement?

Leave your answers in the comments below and do please be realistic not just make up as you go without thinking first.

Also leave a like, share and subscribe 

So for now take care and have a good one

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 87

RoscoTrain107

October 1st - October 4th

It’s Confirmed

RoscoTrain107

Paris, France 🇫🇷

RER and Paris Metro

The toughest journey so far

A journey into the unknown

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 67

RoscoTrain107

Hi guys

I do apologise for not as being active this week but I do aim to start uploading again during next week

I do aim to upload my first of 2 main videos I filmed last Saturday in Cornwall which will be from my 2nd visit to Saltash

Then followed up in early September with my 3rd visit to Liskeard

That’s to come over the next 2-3 weeks

So that’s an update so far and for now take care and have a good one

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 101