UK: Rail companies are working together to find ways to provide services while a significant number of Hitachi-built trains are out of service following the discovery of cracks.
With many inter-city trainsets operated by Great Western and LNER in particular being taken out of traffic, the Department for Transport has reportedly asked all operators, leasing companies and private rolling stock owners to identify any vehicles that could be used to provide additional capacity while a repair programme is developed and implemented.
Rolling stock changes
Five privately-owned HST Mk3 coaches formerly used by East Midlands Railway have been moved from Locomotive Services Ltd at Crewe to GWR’s Laira depot, while c2c is preparing to transfer three four-car Class 387 EMUs to GWR, although this is awaiting the clearance of some contractual issues. LNER reinstated the first IC225 Mk IV and Class 91 set from its ‘warm store’ fleet on May 11, with more to follow, while other options are also being evaluated.
On the evening of May 10 GWR was able to extend its Class 387-worked London Paddington – Didcot shuttle service as far as Swindon after sufficient guards had been trained to work on the sets over this section. Other support has included CrossCountry’s introduction of a shuttle service between Swindon and Bristol Temple Meads, GTR’s Great Northern lengthening peak trains between Peterborough, Stevenage and London King‘s Cross from eight to 12 cars and TfW Rail strengthening services where possible.
With further Class 802s being taken out of service by TransPennine Express, reducing its operational fleet from 19 to 14, and other sets due for maintenance, the company has amended its Liverpool – Newcastle service to run between Liverpool Lime Street and York, apart from a small number of evening services which will continue to Newcastle in order to support maintenance and stabling arrangements.
On May 11 GWR was reported to have 87 of its 93 Class 800 and 802 sets stopped with cracking issues and only two units available for passenger service, while LNER had 31 Class 80x sets available to cover 48 diagrams: no Class 800/1 bi-mode nine-car sets, four Class 800/2 bi-mode five-car sets, seven class 801/1 electric five-car sets and 20 class 801/2 nine-car units from a total fleet of 65 sets.
Cracks
Industry insiders confirm that the majority of the cracks have been found around the jacking points, which are used in depots when trains need to be lifted for maintenance, but some have also been discovered where the yaw dampers are connected. It is reported that the longest crack so far discovered is 285 mm. While the lifting points are not used as part of normal operation there is considered to be a small risk that parts could become dislodged.
The operators have emphasised that the cracks are not structural and that passenger safety has not been compromised. Investigations into the cause are continuing, with a view to developing a repair strategy.
Discussions are underway as to whether trains with cracks within agreed tolerances could be allowed to return to service. Rail Business UK understands that cracks have been found in no more than one of the four welds holding the components in place, which is considered to be acceptable as long as frequent checks are undertaken.
An internal update issued at 13.00 on May 11 explained to operators that ‘the risk assessment that will define the conditions on which sets can be used in passenger traffic has been completed and is currently being verified. Once this has been completed the ORR will appraise it so that a final determination can be reached on the amount of services that will be released. Once this amount is known a train plan will be produced. There will be a requirement for continued testing of the stock in traffic which will be daily in depot. GWR are currently also looking at alternative solutions for additional stock that can be used on the network. There is currently no plan for ultimate rectification of the faults though it is expected to be extensive, lasting over a number of months.’
The pan-industry Rail Delivery Group emphasised that ‘Hitachi, the rail regulator and train operators will not put trains back into service until they are all confident it is safe to do so. Hitachi will continue to inspect all trains on a daily basis.’
Overcrowding
With fewer trains operating, some overcrowding issues are being reported, which poses an additional challenge given the requirements for social distancing.
On May 10 CrossCountry’s 09.31 Penzance – Newcastle service, formed of a single five-car Class 221 DEMU, had 270 passengers on board when it reached Exeter. The 07.48 from Glasgow, also formed of a single five-car set, was reported full and standing when it arrived at Plymouth at 17.44.
The use of a CrossCountry HST set between Bristol and Swindon is described as fortuitous, with one source noting that on May 11 the 10.30 Bristol – Swindon service was well loaded to a level which would be ‘uncomfortable on a Voyager’.
