Does anybody know if the fate of the pretendolino has been decided? Scrap, lease to other TOC? Utilised for extra services once Shrewsbury link is opened up? For me, it should have definitely been used this Christmas just gone as the 10 car voyagers were truly awful from a passengers point of view. The previous time Chiltern diverts were in place, (Easter time 2012) the capacity was greatly increased with the pretendolino as voyagers could run as 15 cars.
I appreciate that it may be unpractical for VT to run, but surely another operator could use a spare 82 + mk3's. Greater Anglia for instance or Chiltern Railways? Instead of it wasting away at Wembley yard.
Thoughts anyone?
A Class 82 would be great! They were awesome!
ANECDOTE ALERT. I was on a school trip to London many years ago; got back to Euston to find a train at the platform adjacent to us, Class 82 on the front, and my father in the driving cab! We got to Crewe in 1hr 62min - and the 82 must have matched us!