A HIRED-in 2+5 HST set entered service with Hull Trains on February 15, when ex-GWR power cars Nos. 43010 and 43190 worked the 1A92/08.23 Hull to King’s Cross and 1H03/11.48 return. The move follows a long period of problems with the HT Class 180 ‘Adelante’ fleet, which has led to multiple cancellations and bad press for the operator.
A set with power cars Nos. 43165/190 arrived at Hull for training to begin on January 29, and crew training began the day after. This included trips over the GN/GE Joint line from Doncaster to Peterborough via Lincoln on February 2.
The set returned to Bristol St Philip’s Marsh on several occasions during February, including some power car swaps. Nos. 43165/190 ran to Bristol on February 5, but returned the day after. The next trip saw No. 43165 replaced by No. 43010, which arrived in Hull on February 14, and Nos. 43010/190 made Hull-Bristol round trips on February 19/21 and 26/28.
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