I know it would probaly be a backward step but with all the Mk3's which were displaced by the Virgin Pendolinos and are currently stored in sidings her and there, hows about FGW▸ hiring in a few sets of 5 of these coaches and 67's from EWS▸ (now EWS have sorted out their paperwork) and operating the Pompey - Cardiffs as top and tailed services. This would release some 158's to be deployed elsewhere which would render the requirement for the 142's a non-starter.
Great idea but there is a problem. Suddenly the rail industry has finally woken up to the fact that MK3 coaching stock is rather good after all and so everyone wants them again, either for conversion into MK3
HST▸ coaches in the case of Grand Central and Arriva
XC▸ or to be hauled by Class 90s in the case of East Coast. This says alot about the standard of modern rolling stock that after a number of years stored at MOD sidings MK3s have suddenly come back in demand. In my opinion they are without doubt the best rolling stock going either as HSTs or loco hauled.
I bet the rail companies wished that the ROSCOS hadn't sold the MK3s that now belong to charter train companies as they could be very useful. I remember a few years back one of the ROSCOS flexing their muscles by actually breaking one up under the guise of use it or lose it.
I think refurbed MK2s could still have a future for this line, they worked well enough on the Bristol-Weymouth line when they actually ran.
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