(19 Feb 2016, 12:00 am)South Tyne Lad wrote 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
Ok cheers for that, I was not doubting you btw, It was just the first I heard about the 144's being returned/withdrawn so soon.
Any truth in the fact as soon as the franchises changes, some 185's will be on loan to Arriva for the Barrow services as I assume they are getting immediately transferred to Arriva in April?
Certainly going to be an interesting few years coming up.