I fear that too, But cannot deny that the FLIRT are some serious units, Stadlers are one clever company, I would like to see them with GWR too, If all thier proposed Bristol Metro happened, these unit will be perfect on those service as well as Cornwall branches.I personally would like to see them on GWR, Southeastern and Northern but I fear the orders will go to Derby, Goole or Newton Aycliffe to try and keep them open.
I think these illustrations are by TrainRealm (YouTube) / JamJarz5 (Reddit). To answer the question though, I'd say Northern (as someone else suggested a while back), but I do acknowledge what @Class15 said.Which TOC do you think would work well with the FLIRTS?
They would be perfect for those routes. Being Bi-mode they can take advantage of the electrified sections of the Eastcoastway/Marshlink and Uckfield lines, and then diesel usage will just be for the unelectrified sections of these routes. It allows for the Uckfield service to run electric into London past Hurst Green, and allows for faster acceleration on the East Coastway section.I would also add that these would work well with Southern's uneletricfied routes too
Funny how I'm reading about 171s being converted to 170s in the future on the same day and site as I was reading in another thread about 168s being converted to 170s in the future (albeit a lot later)They would be perfect for those routes. Being Bi-mode they can take advantage of the electrified sections of the Eastcoastway/Marshlink and Uckfield lines, and then diesel usage will just be for the unelectrified sections of these routes. It allows for the Uckfield service to run electric into London past Hurst Green, and allows for faster acceleration on the East Coastway section.
The released turbostars from Southern could definitely find usage elsewhere on the national network.