Rail (UK)

No plans to use Class 90s, says CrossCount­ry

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CrossCount­ry is looking at fleets that are either off-lease or due to come off-lease as a way of boosting capacity, but says suggestion­s that Class 90s hauling Mk 4s between Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly are wide of the mark.

Spokesman Richard Gibson told RAIL: “At this time, there’s no plan to add more trains beyond what was agreed in the Deed of Amendment in February. However, we always keep an eye on what fleets are available to lease. I guess much will depend on how quickly demand returns after the pandemic.”

As part of the Direct Award for XC ( RAIL 917), the operator is gaining six Class 170 centre-cars and two High Speed Train Class 43 power cars. It will also make more use of pairs of Voyagers.

The ‘90s’ would have been provided by DB Cargo UK, while Mk 4s would likely have been those refurbishe­d for Grand Central for its now-cancelled London Euston-Blackpool North trains. These are currently in warm storage at Wembley awaiting developmen­ts.

Both GC and XC are owned by Arriva, which is part of the DB family.

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