bramling
Veteran Member
The longer the 365s last as is, the less chance of them being retrospectively upgraded for such a big project that will a) be expensive b) may not work! They never got air conditioning and STILL don't even have CCTV despite the recent PIS upgrade. Some are getting Wi-Fi but this is running very late too.
The 365s can probably be cascaded elsewhere for others to enjoy them. Ideally getting refurbished to return to their original layout (we can dream!).
I am no fan of the 387s. They seem ill fitted for GN, having 2+2 seating (nice) but having no room (not nice). If GTR could replace the 387s and 365s in one go with more 700s, but create a sub-fleet with a different interior (and GN branding rather than TL) then that might work. But I am not holding out much hope.
One advantage the 365s have is there are spare units, allowing cover for any fleet upgrade programme. I can’t see the 387s going for the now, as things stand there is a need to detach and attach for the Kings Lynn run, and in order to flex lengths accordingly that means 4-car units for the immediate future at least. If they were going to buy more trains, a few extra cars to lengthen the 8-car 700s would be the most worthwhile.