According to posts in the East Midlands thread the ex Scotrail 170s now formed in to 171s are going to East Midlands in September and the remainder of the 171s are being converted to 3 car units. This will benefit the Marshlink as they will then get 3 car units.
However it only leaves 8 or so spare carriages to provide either longer trains or additional services on the Uckfield line - but in an additional rumour the 171s will only go as far as East Croydon, so maybe the same number of units isn’t required. However changing at East Croydon in peak hours will be a nightmare.
On the positive side the report from the RSSB on electrification infill is eagerly awaited. That could lead to Uckfield being electrified with 3rd rail. However if that happens what stock would run down to Uckfield? Southern are losing one electric fleet this coming weekend. Will they have enough electric stock to serve Uckfield?
However it only leaves 8 or so spare carriages to provide either longer trains or additional services on the Uckfield line - but in an additional rumour the 171s will only go as far as East Croydon, so maybe the same number of units isn’t required. However changing at East Croydon in peak hours will be a nightmare.
On the positive side the report from the RSSB on electrification infill is eagerly awaited. That could lead to Uckfield being electrified with 3rd rail. However if that happens what stock would run down to Uckfield? Southern are losing one electric fleet this coming weekend. Will they have enough electric stock to serve Uckfield?