Yes the strengthening and renumbering of 170518-523 with ex WMT centre cars was complete by May so XC has 22 3 car units and just 6 2 car (170 111-117). 170107 was struggling at Hinckley earlier. The rear car had shut down and crew couldn't restart it so it was on 2 engines.
170107 ?
Yes, on the 10.52 Birmingham to Leicester service earlier. On two engines leaving Hinckley.
Ah that's why. I had a 170/6 the other day as it was numbered, which must have had the centre car from WMT attatched. Maybe that was why I tried to walk into the middle coach but the door buttons to let me in weren't working, but when the trolley came through they managed to come into the end coach and back without needing it, though I didn't see what they did. Maybe a guard's key?
There were 3 car /6s before, the centre car transfer just meant some /5s were renumbered to /6s additionally. So it may have been an original /6. The main way of telling is by the seating layout where the exLM centre cars have more luggage racks. As for the door buttons, they are very temperamental. They can usually be pulled open though
Must be having false memory syndrome, I could have sworn CDF got 2tph in the before time.
That must have been what got me confused, I I must have thought they were al through services!