The latest internal update indicated that TPE were planning on accepting the first Mk.5 set towards the end of February or early March. If that is achieved, and crew training follows, then the plan is for two 68 diagrams to be introduced from the timetable change in May on the Liverpool-Scarborough circuit. More diagrams will be introduced over the summer (including to Middlesbrough) as more sets are accepted and more crew complete their training.
So only 5 months late on the original plan.
I hope CAF has enough cash in the bank to fund all the production, testing and acceptance delays.
They now have 5 part-built fleets in the UK (sleepers, Mk5, 195, 331, 397), some of which have been here for up to a year, and none have been accepted.
There must be in excess of 100 vehicles involved.
I guess it all depends on what the payment terms are.