krus_aragon
Established Member
Some on here are saying another 10 years+ at least for the 150s. I honestly think their days will be numbered soon. I think Northern have called it correctly, once the Pacers are gone, the 150s are going to stick out like a sore thumb in comparison to the 158s, 170s and 195s and the questions are going to start being asked when are they next.
Assuming Northern's passenger numbers pick up on the introduction of new trains and a reduction in the subsidy as a result (just like TPE's when they got new rolling stock in mid-2000s) I expect the 150s to be replaced by cascaded or new stock as part of the a new franchise agreement in 2025. Potentially TPE to complete inter-city overhaul with new units and the Class 185 fleet to be cascaded to Northern.
I'd agree with that sort of timescale. For context, TfW's 36 150s are intended to be withdrawn by the end of 2023.