(18 Feb 2016, 1:04 am)Bus_User wrote First I heard about the 144's being returned to the leasing company? Have you got a souce for this? As for the 153's, I have heard they might be leaving Northern in the near future but the main idea is for them to be converted back to 155's as the leasing company got no plans to make 153's DDA compliant.
I'll be surprised if 144's are leaving Northern in 2017, there be no new trains until 2018 at least and they are already short on spare stock so I just can't see that happening, be uproar if that is the case.
On the subject of pacers, I must be the only one to like them although I accept they are not up to standard for your everyday passenger. Will kinda miss them when they go.
Yes I have got a source from the " Northern Franchise Awarded to Arriva " Thread in RailUK Forums They discuss what Arriva have confirmed will happen in the Franchise.
GWR 150s, 5 Scotrail 156s and a dozen Scotrail 170s are transferring to Arriva Rail North in 2017, This will in turn release the 144s and 153s to the Lessor.
New stock is indeed being delivered from late 2018 which will replace Sprinters in the North West and Yorkshire which makes them Available to use in the North East, Replacing the 142s all over Northern.
That idea was brought up by Lesaing Company " Porterbrook " which owns the 153s but that idea was rejected by Arriva and as such the 153s are returning to the lessor in 2017