In addition to the chaos caused to the rail services by the ongoing rail strikes, the Guildford Train services are also missing planned new and improved trains.
The GWR diesel sets were due to be replaced by Class 769, which were planned to provide slightly more capacity four cars per set rather than 3, air conditioning. Class 769, as they were Bi mode (Diesel and Electric) could use the electrification for substantial portions of their journeys on the North Downs Lines.
The whole programme to introduce Class 769’s to GWR has now been cancelled due it appears to cost reductions and a whole range of technical issues, which have lasted over 2 years.
It is assumed that this means we will be stuck with 1 fast and 1 slow train for the foreseeable future on the line and that the new extra platform at Redhill will not be used to full capacity. The North Downs line thus continues as a 'orphan line' in the Southeast, despite having local traffic flows and also a strategic connection to London Gatwick airport..
The old trains on this line are due to be replaced by modern stock Class 701 which is very similar to the trains used on the Elizabeth line, one major difference, for passengers, is that Toilets are provided. This program is now running 3 years late, SWR appear to have accepted 24 of the trains; despite the stock needing software updates and other work, before training of the staff can start. Carry on waiting for a new train!
SWR have started on a plan to replace Class 450’s (The Blue Trains) with Class 458’s, currently used on the Reading line, which are being refurbished and reconfigured to handle the fast services on the Portsmouth line. This a change to the plans to use the old Class 442’s originally used on the Bournemouth. Services, which have now been sent for scrap. The first units of this program should appear in the next 2-3 months.
Although commuting to London is still down on the volumes before Covid, leisure traffic and Ad Hoc business travel seems to have recovered well. Guildford depends on an efficient, ferequent, and pleasant service on its rail network. Services have been reduced post Covid, we hope that services can be restored or improved, as reduced services can be the start of a downwards spiral with people forced onto other modes of transport.
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