Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson
Its cheaper to operate an ICR, 3, 6 or 9 coaches all good for 100mph, no need for a guard and the fuel consumption per mile is less.
ICR reliability is running at about twice Mk3+201.
While the refurbishment looks cheaper, the projected cost to overhaul the Mk3 push pull fleet came to over 25million!
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The cost crossover between multiple units and locomotive hauled trains is generally accepted as around 5 or 6 vehicles. A rolling stock options report for Metrolinx in Ontario, Canada states "The break‐even point varies by service profile (distances between stops, maximum speed, profile) and by unit costs (mostly locomotive – rebuilt, new diesel, or new dual‐mode). This point is typically four to five units for single‐level DMUs and five to six units for double‐deck DMUs."
As regards Mk3 formations there were indeed restrictions on train speed for short formations - can't remember the number but it certainly wasn't as high as you suggest - closer to five vehicles if I recall correctly.