Did the DfT confirm the 170s from LO to WMR?
This isn’t a one way transfer like the 5 170s going from SR to EMR
This is a swap! What you said about transfer being confirmed isn’t relevant cause it isn’t the same as a swap in units? Has their ever been a direct swap of units between operators before? Let alone confirmed in any way
We should wait until more is actually confirmed from EMR.
Most talk about the XC and WMR 170 units going to EMR in this thread is still all speculation technically cause nothing is confirmed by EMR yet
Didn’t specifically say the DFT confirm the transfer of Class 172/0s to WMR but was widely reported and confirmed as part of the WMR franchise agreement. Was referring to the Class 170/3s which was confirmed by the DFT.
The majority of EMR’s rail fleet are going to be transfers which need to be sourced from somewhere; ScotRail as far as I’m are aware don’t have any more plans to withdraw more Class 170/4s other than 170416-170420 which are leased from Eversholt instead of Porterbrook.
Yes, there have been swaps in units before between operators... You only have to look at Central Trains and the entire National Express rail portfolio during the 2000s to know swaps were part and parcel, which had to be confirmed by the Strategic Rail Authority.
EMR have already confirmed that they are standardising their regional fleet around “modern, air conditioned units” which rules out the long-term viability of Class 153s and Class 156s within the franchise, and the Class 158s are not getting any younger and their air-conditioning is not the most reliable either. It is safe to assume Class 170s will make the bulk of the regional fleet considering the MD made specific mention to them, where the majority are coming from is anyone’s guess at this point!
I don’t see it likely XC will let go of their Class 170s just yet, WMR are most likely considering they have no confirmed homes once they are withdrawn in favour of Class 196s.