There are now additional 170s operating on the South Route.
There are 2 daytime diagrams Monday to Thursday which operate separately. I.e. 2 x 170s running around on their own. The night trains are virtually exclusively 170s now.
There are no 170s on the South Route on a Friday.
On Saturdays there is 1 diagram for 2 units - i.e. a 4 car 170 running around all day. It starts at Manchester Airport at 0515.
As someone who works on them, the 170 First Class, although smaller, is far comfier, quieter and warmer than a 185. The seats especially on ours are very comfy.
Class 185 First Class is quite good for a DMU, however, it can often be very cold in there as the only heating in the 185 First Class compartment comes from the floor radiators. These radiators only work if both the 51 & 53 (First Class DMCL and MSL) engines are on. If either of these engines is out for whatever reason, there is no heating in First Class and as result will often resemble a mobile ice box.
If travelling at a weekend it is often cheaper to buy a Standard Class ticket and upgrade by buying weekend first for £6.