The use by Grand Union Trains of InterCity 225 sets on the Great Western main line (GWML) has been ruled out, after many of the vehicles were scrapped while GUT sought approval for its proposed open access service.
GUT had hoped to operate Mk 4 coaches and Class 91s, displaced from the East Coast main line, between London Paddington and Cardiff. Its initial application was rejected but it submitted a revised proposal to operate IC225s from May 2023, followed by introduction of new bi-mode trains in May 2025, enabling the service to extend to Carmarthen via the Swansea District line.
In June, GUT wrote to organisations which had responded to the consultation on its proposals: ‘It has become increasingly clear that suitable “off-lease” rolling stock would be difficult to obtain in the timescales envisaged. The loss of significant time during the pandemic has seen much of the IC225 fleet we had hoped to acquire go from storage for breaking, and while a number of vehicles are still operational there is little prospect of them becoming available within the time we had identified.’
It said it had made signifi…
