(18 Jan 2026, 9:54 pm)peter wrote The Durham Coast is already 2 tph - the limited stop service was increased to hourly in December and additionally calls at Stockton (only Billingham, Seaton Carew, Horden and Seaham that are still 1 tph). 

And what do you propose to run on the very busy Harrogate line services if you rob the 170's from there? There's a national shortage of old diesel rolling stock - the only real options are more clapped out old 150's from Wales (which if due an overhaul I doubt would be financially viable to take on) or their 158's which were meant to come off lease but this now might not happen until 2029.

This problem with a lack of capacity on Northern is not limited to the North East, but until they start getting their new trains in 2030+ I can't see anything changing substantially.