Wasted Rolling Stock?

[Richard Trevithick]

Good morning,

Whilst in body form today, I overheard a conversation regarding rolling stock that SET have access to but don't use. I'm unsure of how true it is, but the story goes that the Class 508 units are still on-lease for another 12-18 months, yet SET are refusing to use them. Instead, they are being run around as empties and being used to perform shunts! If there is any truth to this, it's both scandalous and shocking that desperately needed rolling stock that we, the passenger, are paying for is being withheld from us!

Can anyone shed any light onto this matter?

RT

[Ryan Webb]

Surely they are being kept on lease should the failure rate of the 466s increase dramatically and they would be needed to cover for the single workings such as the Sheerness, Medway Valley and Bromley North lines to name but a few.
I do know there is one unit sitting in one of the outer roads at Gillingham Depot, next time I'm in the area, I'll note the number, it's definately got the new livery, I managed to see the lilac doors on it yesterday whilst passing.
If this isn't the case, then why aren't the units either in service or in Liverpool where they belong?

[O.V.S.Bulleid]

Dear Ryan

Some 508s are still on lease to GoVex. Information suggests: -

508201 - Off lease
508202 - Off lease
508203 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508204 - Off lease
508205 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508206 - Off lease
508207 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508208 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508209 - Off lease
508210 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508211 - going for C3/C4 exams and refurbishment for GoVex
508212 - Off lease

If the anticipated happens then the refurbished units may reappear in the autumn on a branch line near you...

Yours sincerely
O.V.S.Bulleid

[Ryan Webb]

Richard,

Thank you for the information regarding the 508s, I must admit, it would be good to see them back, they are much roomier than the 466s, although twice as unreliable! Let's hope their exams and a GoVex refurbishment will spruce them up and make them more reliable, one can hope anyway!

Thanks,
Ryan

[busman]

Hi all

This was posted on the Southen electric web site.

508s Move Into Store at Stewarts Lane

www.southernelectric.org.uk/tocnews/sen508b.html

"The withdrawn Class 508 fleet is to be stored at Stewarts Lane, with two units moved from Gillingham on the 18th March and a further two due on the 19th, scheduled to run: Gillingham Depot 09+36, Victoria 10+54-10+59, Stewarts Lane 11+10. The first two units moved were 203 and 207, arriving and departing Victoria almost ten minutes early, which nearly caught out the photographer who had been significantly delayed getting to Victoria! Above, on 18th March, 508203 is seen leading 508207 out of Victoria towards Stewarts Lane. Both units externally looked very smart. It is anticipated that the final two units will be moved on 25th March and once all six serviceable units are based at Stewarts Lane, on rotation one will be sent back to Gillingham for maintenance."

[trainplanner]

Thankyou all for your posts, existing a new postees.

I suspect the reason the fleet has been stored, as has been alluded to is the appalling reliabilty of the fleet, which costs SET a lot of money each time a unit "sits down" in traffic.

On the basis that the units were old and unreliable, south eastern have probably decided to park the fleet at stewarts lane (and you can see them on a coast bound service into or out of victoria if you look quickly enough), as they could cover the diagrams from the existing 466 fleet. This reduces costs, (the variable track access componant, the electric current costs and the maintence costs too) which south eastern seem to desperately need to do at the moment.

Will they return, possibly as short term cover for failed 466's but i cannot see a long term future for them being decidedly non standard. Shoudl they go to liverpool, probably. Will they, answers on a postcard please!

Regards

TP