Speculation over possible reuse of Class 350 units with Northern

Speculation is mounting that Class 350/2s undergoing gauging trials in Manchester have been mooted for a possible move to Northern.

The 37 Porterbrook units, which will soon become available once London Northwestern Railway starts to put Class 730/2s into traffic, could replace Northern’s 34 Class 323s.

There is further speculation that the remaining ex-Avanti West Coast Class 221s that so far do not have a new home could be moving with the rest of the fleet to CrossCountry.

The ‘221s’ had been mooted for the new Stirling to Euston open access operation, despite them being a diesel train running the entire journey under the wires.

There is now talk that these trains could be worked by pairs of Class 350/2s reconfigured into an inter-city specification, although it is unlikely there would be the ability to change the doors from the 2/3 commuter set-up.