After months of speculation, TransPennine Express has confirmed that its troubled ‘Nova 3’ diesel-powered trains will be withdrawn at the December timetable change.
The 13 CAF Mk 5a trains, powered by Vossloh/Stadler Class 68s sub-leased from Direct Rail Services, were built in 2017-18 and have never entered full squadron service.
None of the five-car sets has been accepted by TPE, and they will be returned to owner Beacon Rail Leasing having had comparatively little use over the past five years.
And none of the parties involved has confirmed where, when or even if the £110 million fleet will be redeployed. RAIL contacted Beacon Rail Leasing for comment but had not received a reply as this issue went to press.
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