DB Schenker livery released

[michael blunck]

Last week I also heard the story that DB is thinking about buying Eurostar, so they also have aces to the French international passenger market. [...]

According to http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article30 ... eigen.html, the idea is to get access to the British high-speed network. Especially since the idea to get their own ICE´s through the chunnel seems to be dead, because of too high costs to meet security regulations.

regards
Michael

[JamieLei]

They're thinking of relaxing the regulations I belive. At present, trains are required to split in half and detach, although that regulation might be dropped meaning the ICEs are permitted.

[broodje]

Last week I also heard the story that DB is thinking about buying Eurostar, so they also have aces to the French international passenger market. [...]

According to http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article30 ... eigen.html, the idea is to get access to the British high-speed network. Especially since the idea to get their own ICE´s through the chunnel seems to be dead, because of too high costs to meet security regulations.

Ah, a dutch mailing list explained it to gain access to the french market, as DB already has some ground on the UK market. The DB did unfold the old story for a direct connection between London and Amsterdam again though (Air-france-KLM wants to start the same service) . I guess we should first try to get a single passenger train across the High speed line between Antwerp and Amsterdam... it has only been nearly 2 years since the track laying finished. If Eurostar then ditches the requirement for completely fenced of platforms it might actually be a good idea. It would then be seriously quicker to go by train to London as by airplane.

[Kevo00]

It's only really Great Western that they messed up. They did a great job of ScotRail and an goodish job of FCC.

Plus if it's only the international market, you'd need A LOT of capital to invest in 187mph trains which only the state backed operators such as SCNF/DB etc could afford.

I quite like First TransPennine, though have a feeling it is possibly a joint venture with someone.

As for capital for high speed trains, obvious funding sources could include a bond issue for the lifetime of the trains (the market may soon like boring long-term investments) or leasing the trains from the manufacturer, which could perhaps include a traincare deal too.

Obviously the flow of passengers would have to be a very good one but theres no reason why a well marketed HSL between major cities couldn't work, and private companies would be more likely to set the prices at a market friendly level than their state counterparts.

As for Eurostar's sealed platforms, its a combination of needed to security check all the bags going through the tunnel, and the UK's refusal to join the Schengen agreement.

[Dave]

It's only really Great Western that they messed up. They did a great job of ScotRail and an goodish job of FCC.

Plus if it's only the international market, you'd need A LOT of capital to invest in 187mph trains which only the state backed operators such as SCNF/DB etc could afford.

I quite like First TransPennine, though have a feeling it is possibly a joint venture with someone.

It's not - it's a full First Group venture.

[Kevo00]

It's only really Great Western that they messed up. They did a great job of ScotRail and an goodish job of FCC.

Plus if it's only the international market, you'd need A LOT of capital to invest in 187mph trains which only the state backed operators such as SCNF/DB etc could afford.

I quite like First TransPennine, though have a feeling it is possibly a joint venture with someone.

It's not - it's a full First Group venture.

Not so:

First TransPennine Express [1] is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It is a joint operation between First Group (55%) and Keolis (45%). It operates regular services in the north including services linking the west and east coasts of England across the Pennines. The franchise will run for eight years with an optional extension of five years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_TransPennine_Express

Their own website would seem to support this, although without the percentages. http://tpexpress.co.uk/about-ftpe/first ... /index.htm.

Keolis, incidentally are partly backed by those well known advocates of railway free enterprise, SNCF.

[andel]

It's not taking them long... http://adriantibblecollection.fotopic.n ... 41402.html shows 66152 in DBS livery already.

[JamieLei]

Keolis, incidentally are partly backed by those well known advocates of railway free enterprise, SNCF.

Ah the French. It's OK for them to make money out of other countries through Keolios, and EDF Energy and so forth, but when it comes to Brits making money on their soil, the protection goes right up

Suggest removing the CAP and they'll refuse to talk to you ever again!