61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
I agree the first version of "Raspberry Ripple" livery looks much better, it's a good thing the 158s never got the revised version as it would have looked terrible on anything with their profile and finish!You’re right and actually the original looked even better with the narrow yellow stripe.
How were the WYPTE units bought? Some on here say that WYPTE bought the units, which is kind of difficult to believe... how would they be able to afford them? And if that is the case, how are they now owned by the rolling stick companies?
I'm not sure how the PTE-owned units were funded, presumably some sort of Department of Transport grant or maybe even European Union funding:- I know some of the reopened stations (Streethouse and Featherstone for example) were EU-funded but I'll not open that can of worms!
At privatisation the only rolling stock owned by the PTE were the 7 class 155s and the 10 class 144 centre cars. These vehicles had been managed by Porterbrook on behalf of the PTE for some time, and the DfT forced their sale to Porterbrook- I think in return for not having quite as severe a funding cut as would otherwise have happened.