NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
CIE have an order with General Electric to supply their new rolling stock. The track guage is different to the UK as well.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_gauge_in_Europe
Seriously? couldn't they replace 156/158's (and pacers where there still are some) on longer rural services?
Probably not. 156s, 158s, and a lot more, are compatible with each other through BSI couplers and 2-wire 3-step braking control. 185 uses Scharfenberg couplers. Not aware of braking control logic, but could well be PWM, i.e. continuously variable. Not impossible to make a few changes - just rather difficult and expensive.
They are also a bit heavier, so probably attract significantly higher track access charges.
There was talk of the 185s being regauged for Ireland, but I don't know if it will come to anything.
The 185s are cleared for the Calder Valley routes as it's a diversionary route for TPX with a couple of their services going that way in the timetable to keep drivers signed on.
I don't know about interclass compatibility - surely it should be mandatory in this day and age but it's no surprise it isn't. Ironically a "new" 185 actually has less seats than the 3-car 158s they displaced from TPX, and in addition to being a bit weighty, they are also reportedly a bit thirsty too. All of which will count against them on Northerns network of stopping services, especially now they have their new trains finally arriving.
And while it won't happen now TPX have their new Novas, there was talk about forming the HSTs into shorter 5-coach trains to run their services...
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