A strange interpretation of relative weights
Informed Sources
Apropos my recent comments on Class 800 track access charges, here is a relevant note from a recent Parliamentary Written Answer:
‘The difference between the average maintenance cost per mile of track applied by Network Rail to franchisees operating electric trains and bi-mode trains for the control period in question indicated that track maintenance costs were expected to be approximately 11-12% higher than electric trains of the same design.
‘Whilst heavier than the electric Inter-city Express Programme trains the bi-modes are still lighter than the High Speed Trains they are replacing which means less track wear and damage with lower operating costs – a benefit to the taxpayer’.
So, in the world of the Department for Transport, a 2+8 IC125 at 408 tonnes is heavier than a nine-car Class 800 at 431 tonnes and even heavier than the two five-car Class 800s in multiple that are replacing the IC125s on a like-for-like basis and weigh 494 tonnes.
