I'd heard that wheel flats and lack of wheel sets was an issue, meaning any further use by Northern very limited. Route learning can still be done without toilets. Southport to Hunts Cross is similar to York to Scarborough time wise and drivers take trains without toilets along this route without issues.However with toilets having to be locked out now due to track discharge just like the tfw 143s are. Aren't these now due to running solo for this purpose unfit for use because amenities still have to be provided.
Also who's going to train the trainers as even there traction knowledge could be out off knowledge especially on the east side probably no one has driven one for some time.
Wouldn't it make sense for the York to Scarborough route learner etc be a 150/158 etc unit that they will be driving anyway. And that has toilets amenities.
And some off these 142s with a prm unit could have stayed on the rosehill line maybe or the Chester/kirkby ones. But with reduced diagrams and units??