Your ideas for West Coast Future Stock in 20 years time?

[The Ham]

On the one hand we have the suggestion of converting 222s to "all electric" (removing the diesel), on the other we have the suggestion that there will be too many fast electric trains (so no need for any more).

Bi-mode 222s would suit the Paddington - Cornwall services (which will never be fully electrified) or XC.

Or even, if the link between Oakhampton and Plymouth is restored, a new route Waterloo to Plymouth. Which would remove the need for trains to "reverse" Exeter to Plymouth from Paddington using the new route.

Although that is proberbly quiet some time away as it would also require the building of Crossrail 2 and OHLE of the SWML from Basingstoke to Waterloo.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Are those hourly services or just occasional ones?
Even so Preston is not actually that far north so there would still be a 10 or more set surplus.

All bar the Preston stopper (Tamworth caller) are hourly. Provided the stopper was made hourly there'd be not much surplus. At least with MML electrification there might be scope to get rid of the excess.