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Hello

I would be most grateful if anyone knows whether there is any public information with regard to costs of HSTs (preferably First Great Western) and East Midlands Trains class 222s in terms of:

- refurbishment
- making toilets of the carriages compliant with DDA
- fuel consumption
- maintenance
- driver training costs for type training

Also, is there a measure of reliability and comfort of the HSTs and Meridians (compared to other rolling stock types) say in the form of a leeague table where passengers prefer one over another?

Many thanks

It begs the question, "Why do you want to know?"

There has been a lot of speculation that they will replace the HST's to Penzance when the Midland Main Line is electrified.

nozzacook wrote:There has been a lot of speculation that they will replace the HST's to Penzance when the Midland Main Line is electrified.

I'm struggling to understand what you mean there.

They will be replaced with the DMUs from the Midland Main Line?

So far as I know, HSTs will continue to work from Exeter to Penzance, as I believe there is no real interest in running bi-mode IEPs past Exeter.

On other rail forums the opinion is that the Class 222's on the midland main line will cascade onto the Penzance - Paddington Route. After electrification of the midland main line. Rather than run bi-mode IEP's.

But there was an articial in the Plymouth Echo which said there would be no decision taken until the franchise for Great Western was sorted. The New TOC would make the decision as to which rolling stock to use.

Here is a link to the post in the other forum where much discussion took place.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99576

Yes, but these "experts" on rail forums haven't had conversations with the people in our company who are making the decisions, as I have.

I have no interest in looking at that link, as I will only sigh and get angry.