Largely 'Intercity 80' seats
Seen here when with Greater Anglia
Seen at Ingatestone, the first fully refurbished Mk3 set.
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I'm pleased that I'm not the only one to notice that, and to pick them up on that. I still feel it's rather misleading when they keep claiming that they have "Extensively Refurbished" these Mk3s, despite them only applying some IC Antimacassars over the Greater Anglia seats. Yes, Arlington has modified some of them (fitting IC80s into the former Buffet vehicles) but that's about it. Even the Staycation and Blue Pullman Mk3s still retain bits of FGW / GWR, including the safety information notices (the Staycation set retaining most of it's former GWR interior).
Those IC80s were ok, not the best but not the worst either. Though the recliners were far more temperamental than those fitted to their IC70 cousins. I'm not a fan of them, but nor was I a fan of the IC70s either.
As for the cancellation of this years Staycation, it wont have helped them that most of the rake is due a G Exam either. They may have had them repainted last year, but they still require their overhauls.
90 something was mooted elsewhere BUT the BLS "IC spokesperson" never confirmed or denied that so it was passengers on the train stating that. 2x mk3 FO and an RFM plus DVT would fit that amount of people in, but you'd probably take an extra FO and leave the buffet spare. I guess there is no worry about extra wear and tear or diesel use as its only money, especially operating the diesels in a pair.
I could make suggestions on a few fronts, but it's not my trainset and I doubt they need or want advice. I think the 3 or so missing electric tours WCML to Euston missed plenty of tricks so were inevitable to be the least popular if anything went.
Their latest promotional video was filmed on the "Clansman" and it shows some interior shots of some nice and empty Mk3s. Whether or not this is just because they had a nice and empty Mk3 or two to chose from I don't know, but it's not the first time I've heard these "Intercity" tours running mostly empty. As for the catering offering, I've seen better on Preserved Railways. In all honestly, despite some boasting and glossy promotional material, I cant see this operation lasting into next year.