VS93 is numbered 1293-1593-1193 now too, so some speculation that they could be extended to 5 car sets.
The 1500 number series is because that is a new car type with the buffet module.
To increase capacity up from 150 to 240 one just inserts a standard commuter powered centre card as a 4 car set.
When VLP and DOT finally wake up that a mix of 3 and 4 car VL sets is the way to go in gives max flexibility in tailoring train sizes to loadings, lowers opex costs then this is what could be done :
Commuter type VL sets: Mix of 3 and 4 car sets one can run consists 0f 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 0r 9 cars.
Inter City type VL sets as mix of 3 and 2 car sets one can run 2, 3 or 5 car sets.
Plus for Warrnambool, Swan Hill and Bairnsdale one can run beyond Geelong. Bendigo and Traralgon respectively a 3 or 5 car IC sets, and within the commuter zone attached a 3 or 4 car Commuter set unreseserved.
For years many have been telling VLP and DOT a mix of set sizes is the way to go in future.
Now the brain trsusts tell us all the maintenance facilities are set up for 3 cars !!!!
Derh what have we been telling you for years.
Still not too late extend 1 road at CMD for 4 cars, plus at dynon plus at Ballarat East. PLUS new DMU maintenance facilities at Waurn Ponds and Ballarat East build all roads for 4 cars .
Not rocket science. 3 car VL Commuter set 222 4 cars 312
