THE first pair of Class 170 DMUs have been transferred from ScotRail to Northern.
Set Nos. 170475 and 170478 were sent south from Haymarket to Neville Hill on March 6, still in Saltire livery, but with branding removed. This move was followed by a second pair – Nos. 170476 and 170477 – on March 8.
Northern is taking on 16 of the three-car sets from ScotRail, which are due to be replaced by Class 385 EMUs on the Glasgow to Edinburgh, Glasgow/Edinburgh-Dunblane route, and other Central Belt electrified lines. ScotRail is committed to releasing these units even though the introduction of the 385s has been delayed by a combination of computer software and windscreen issues (see Headline News).
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Northern plans a full refurbishment of the sets, with new seat moquette and power sockets.
Driver training was due to begin as we closed for press, between Holbeck and Nottingham, with Northern planning to introduce them on York-Harrogate-Leeds services from May. This will allow the withdrawal of the five Class 144 ‘Pacers’ from September 15.
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