Rolling Stock
GNER inherited a fleet of High Speed Trains and InterCity 225 sets made up of Class 91s hauling Mark 4 carriages and Class 82 Driving Van Trailers.
Class 89 Co-Co prototype electric locomotive 89001 Avocet was purchased by GNER and returned to service in March 1997, being used on Leeds services until it failed in 2001.
From May 2000 until December 2005, GNER leased Class 373 Regional Eurostars from Eurostar. These were used on services to York and later Leeds but were restricted to 110 mph because of problems with the overhead wire and pantograph interface.
GNER bought twelve Mark 3 sleeping cars, planning to convert them to passenger carriages to lengthen High Speed Trains. This programme was cancelled when GNER was able to lease some Mark 3s that were being released by Virgin CrossCountry when it withdrew its High Speed Trains.
The InterCity 225s were refurbished by Bombardier Transportation in 2003–2006 and named Mallards in honour of the LNER steam locomotive. They boasted re-designed interiors and new features such as Wi-Fi and electric sockets at every seat pair.
A commitment for the new franchise was to upgrade the High Speed Trains to the same standards as the InterCity 225s. The Class 43 power cars were overhauled at Brush Traction including repowering with MTU 16V4000R41 engines.
To operate an increase service to Leeds, GNER leased two former Midland Mainline High Speed Trains from May 2007.
EWS provided strategically placed rescue locomotives, originally Class 47s and later Class 67s. EWS also provided Class 90s to cover for Class 91s; one was repainted in GNER livery but not dedicated to the franchise.
The High Speed Trains were allocated to Craigentinny Depot and the InterCity 225s to Bounds Green Depot. Neville Hill Depot and Heaton Depot carried out lighter maintenance and servicing.
Read more about this topic: Great North Eastern Railway
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