Just a thought: the Newcastle-Sunderland line isn't electrified, is it?

If not, and assuming Virgin EC decide to definitely start services serving Sunderland, chances are they'll use HSTs on them, as the IC225 sets require electrification, don't they?

If they do use HSTs, I'll certainly be using those services every now and then!

I reckon Class 43s will look epic in the new Coca-Cola livery.