Platform lengths at 'principal/popular' stations on the High Wycombe line have undergone 2 extensions, first to 8 cars (10 years ago?) and then some/all of these to 9 cars (in readiness for the Oxford service).
Re electrification. If electrifying out to High Wycombe then extend to Princes Risborough providing electric traction up the bank from Prices Risborough to High Wycombe. Then push on via the single line to Aylesbury for the depot. And also Aylesbury to Amersham. If the Aylesbury/Amersham line was done first then cascade in enough dual voltage stock for the Amersham line so us to use the LT electrification. Maybe cascade in more dual voltage stock to cover the High Wycombe line and thus you would then have the nearer routes running a different stock to the longer Oxford/Banbury/Birmingham services for awhile.
And not forgetting electrifying the lines from South Ruislip through Greenford etc, to infill.
Note - cascading in stock provides a short term solution whilst a longer term whole route electrification is carried out - then provide a whole new fleet.
If electrifying at the Birmingham end, then that would be a Snow Hills line electrification to Stratford and Leamington so would may use the same West Midland stock for any local services out to Leamington (franchise swap/sub-contract?).
Also, could the 165s undergo a further refurbishment exercise to extend their life by another 10-12 years (beyond the original design life) to cover how long it would take to electrify given electrification is not funded or scheduled?
