Designing trains with a lifespan of just 20 years, in order to reduce their capital cost, has been rejected by a panel of rolling stock experts.
With the average lifespan of a train currently 30-35 years, and estimated at costing an average of £1.2 million per vehicle, the suggestion was made by a member of the audience during a panel debate at the Rolling Stock Procurement Forum in London on November 27.
Shorter lifespans were also thought to reduce the risk of obsolescence and the need for expensive refurbishments that are required to keep pace with changing legislation, technology and passenger expectations.
With more than 7,000 new vehicles expected to enter service between now and 2021, manufacturers have had to face several difficult design challenges by anticipating future demands - including the future arrival of in-cab signalling and shifting government policy on further electrification of the network.
“New vehicles can be re-engineered, but it’s getting harder and harder,” said Richard Davies, director of Rail Strategy and Economics.
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Stuart1959 - 04/12/2018 10:15
The cost of a rail vehicle cannot be reduced significantly by specifying a shorter life at the tender stage, but by considering obsolescence risk during the design phase, the risk of obsolescence can be mitigated, so that rolling stock can achieve its planned life without excessive cost. IIOM (International Institute of Obsolescence Management) conference in London in June 2019 will address the issues of achieving asset life without excessive cost.
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P. Martin - 17/12/2018 10:23
The main factor that limits the lifespan of any new train is not down to the mechanical aspects, and more attributed to the intrinsic sensitivity of the electronic control systems and the ability to repair them 2 years down the line - let alone 20! With so many differing manufacturers, coupling arrangements and base systems, the original BR philosophies of standardization of new vehicles to fit the railway has been lost in favour of making the railway fit the trains, costs millions to do it and has limited their availability and ability to go anywhere other than the local area governed by leasing companies and franchisees. Trains should be plug and play - not throw money at them to make them work after delivery. Not a good investment.
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