Having seen the trailer car taking shape, I can assure you there won't be much longer to wait. Maybe that will make the score 1-1...
And who has said anything about TOCs taking them on necessarily being linked to new franchises?
Doing precisely nothing to address the issue of serving the Arena station. Wasps are unlikely to see current arrangements as a long-term answer and Coventry City don't have the money to follow suit. So your answer is...?
Wasps certainly don't see it as a long term solution. It's a trial in conjunction with LM, nothing more. Coventry City don't want to know.
The issue of matchday services to the Ricoh won't really be able to be truly solved until phase two is completed, where the crossing will be in place so
trains can 'run round' at the arena.
The other issue would be who is to operate it long term. As I've said before, 153's are the only diesels Cov drivers sign, and only link 1 at that.
No other LM depot signs the route.
There aren't any plans in place to change anything on that either. There are some in place to 'enhance' the normal service, however the original date mentioned will probably be missed.
It's no secret that originally the plans were to replace the dogbox with 'cascaded' 170/172's once the Chase was wired. Whether that happens is anyone's guess.
Therefore, I believe that by the time phase 2 is completed we will have surplus diesel units due to electrification of the chase line. With any luck we'll get 170/2's to replace the 153's for strengthening elsewhere. Here's hoping.
I'm talking long term though, I doubt phase 2 will be finished anytime within the next few years.
It's strange how no-one mentions the 3 150's we have. Send the 230's on the marston vale where their acceleration would be more beneficial and give us the 153 and 150 that would be released!
Personally I and quite a few others don't want 230's. There, I've said it.
All opinions are my own.