ValleyLines142
Established Member
Manchester - Blackpool/Barrow/Windermere were all 175 operated under FNW and Manchester - Newcastle/Middlesbrough/Sunderland/etc were all 158 under TPE/ATN (as was). The 'TPE' franchise was specified to incorporate all these routes, so yes the 185s were ordered for the Blackpool services.
I agree, and I think a key route like Blackpool should have some 'modern'-ish stock.