Uter
Well-known member
Since the ancient class 313 fleet was scrapped recently, and not completely replaced by Electrostar units from Southeastern, I get the impression that Southern are a few units short of being able to run the sort of service they'd like. And not just on matchdays, but every day.
Best we can really hope for is some compatible rolling stock comes off lease in the next couple of years and is cascaded to Southern.
Probably wishful thinking, but Southeastern are currently tendering for a new fleet of trains to replace their Networker fleet. If large enough (difficult to find specifics on this; 350-570 carriages is the only estimate I could find), this could potentially release a few Electrostars to be cascaded somewhere; ideally for us, Southern.
In the era of higher interest rates and increased financial support for operators, I suspect there is no political appetite for a new fleet order for Southern in the next few years. Just keep your fingers crossed and hope that passenger numbers keep increasing until the point they pretty much have to secure additional trains.
Best we can really hope for is some compatible rolling stock comes off lease in the next couple of years and is cascaded to Southern.
Probably wishful thinking, but Southeastern are currently tendering for a new fleet of trains to replace their Networker fleet. If large enough (difficult to find specifics on this; 350-570 carriages is the only estimate I could find), this could potentially release a few Electrostars to be cascaded somewhere; ideally for us, Southern.
In the era of higher interest rates and increased financial support for operators, I suspect there is no political appetite for a new fleet order for Southern in the next few years. Just keep your fingers crossed and hope that passenger numbers keep increasing until the point they pretty much have to secure additional trains.
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