185s aren't ideal for Northern, though - too heavy and thirsty.
It seems like people want to shove 185s everywhere. What's so special about them that people want them everywhere?
185’s are seen by some as ideal suburban units due to their door layout and rapid acceleration. However their heavy weight and thirst for fuel (slightly negated by the eco-mode) are massive barriers to use elsewhere from what they operate now.
There would be some areas of Northern they could work but only in areas where they are either cleared or can be cleared.
Calder Valley services are a definite possibility and which they are already used over during diversions. So with a refurbishment to replace the first class area with standard class seating that could be:-
9 units for the 1Dxx, 1Exx and 1Jxx Leeds - Man Vic/Chester circuit
5 units for the 2Ixx/2Rxx Leeds - Wigan circuit
4 units for the 2Kxx Hull - Halifax circuit
6 units for the 1Bxx York - Blackpool circuits if they are suitable
Then factoring in maybe 1 spare and 2 for maintenance that’s 27 units releasing several 195’s for suburban work and some 158’s (Leeds - Wigan is going over to all 3/4 car 158’s from December).
Not much under the wire work there and plenty of hill climbing. The Hull section they are already cleared for and would be much better than the 158’s on the stopping section between Selby & Leeds.
Elsewhere on the Northern network you’re probably talking the Hope Valley stoppers (say 6 units to allow for doubling up) and possibly CLC stoppers (6 units) and finally Windermere/Barrow maybe for now just to free up 195’s to replace 150’s. The latter really need a bi-mode solution.
That will probably account for all 51 including spares/maintenance.
They are still excellent solid units and far more suitable for inter regional work with a bit of stopper work thrown in than the flimsy end door 175’s that constantly get banded about for Northern.