"Jack Taylor" wrote in message
...
b9273m wrote:
The Kent 508's are rumoured to be wanted back by
Merseytravel.................anyone know any more?

Merseytravel are reported to be short of 508s but they have no claim on
the
ones that they previously discarded. If they want them back then they are
going to have to enter into some delicate negotiation with both the ROSCO
and South Eastern Trains. It's possible that some of them may become
surplus
to requirements at SET and that they may make their way back north but
nothing is confirmed. SET have a lease on them and if they say they cannot
release them then Merseytravel can do nothing about it.

SET don't seem to have any spare stock, and Govia are committed to
effectively the current timetable until December 2009. It is just possible
that as experience with Electrostars builds up their availability will also
increase enough to allow the 508s to be released, but I would think this
unlikely. In December 2009 the Hitachis are due and CTRL-DS should open. The
franchise specification would seem to require less stock than now, though
the local feeling is that Govia will breach PIXC (passengers in excess of
capacity) requirements if they don't run more peak trains than in the SRA
franchise specification. So itsw possible that Merseytravel will be able to
have the 508s back then.

Peter