A few interesting parallels from across the pond...
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/high-speed/single-view/view/sncf-plans-tgv-efficiency-drive-to-compete-with-air-and-bus.html
Plan 'sounds' admirable. However, increased utilization of fewer trainsets mean that those trainsets will require increased maintenance and will get worn out faster than at their present use rate.
I can understand wanting to put 35 YO equipment out of service and to the scrappers and not wanting to buy replacement equipment, That being said I believe they are overlooking the increased costs in maintianing equipment to a increased utilization level.
I do find it curious that fleet utilization is currently only figured at 8 hours a day, which by USA standards is pitiful.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
SNCF and its predecessors didn't a whole lot of use out of their steam locomotives, either. Many were permanently assigned to the same engine crew and had permanent runs.
There are timetable and maintenance location restrictions. There is a night break and for Germany just four ICE maintenance locations the trains have to wind up at the end of the day.
The daily mileage for an ICE train is up to 1150 miles, for TGV 1500 miles, and Acela Express 920 miles.
All these trains operate on relatively short routes.
A long distance train from Kiel (GE) to Napoli takes about 21 hours on a distance of 1410 miles. Amtrak's California Zephyr runs about 1220 miles in 24 hours west of Chicago.Regards, Volker
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.