Hello, I hope this is something that has already been thought about by the DTG team, but I think that if we were to have the class 375 and class 465 as an extra AI service layer on the BML out of London Victoria, it would really liven the scene that necessary bit more on arrival and departure from the London terminus, as an entirely Southern and Gatwick Express station would not be the most interesting of things. Also, GWR run services on two sections of this route: services out of Brighton towards the west, and a service that goes between Gatwick Airport and Redhill. Of course, the service out of Brighton would be another AI service, but the service between Gatwick and Redhill could be driveable, which would add the commuter diversity to the route that is not possible with just electrostars. Also of course, these GWR services would colour the route more, and it would be good to see GWR stock on another route, as it has just been stuck on GWE for the past 4 years. Thank you for reading, and please do like this suggestion if you think these few services would add a lot to the route.
i’m not too sure as off current, but i know the 166s ran there a few year backs, and i think they still might alternate with the 166s
166s have been withdrawn from the North Downs line. 166s now just operate in the further west around Westbury - up to Cardiff, down to Portsmouth etc. They also run services to Basingstoke. 165s are the only turbos supposed to be running the North Downs Line at the moment while GWR sorts out its accumulating stock and the 165/1s continue reliably anyway.
Excellent idea indeed and speaking of Class 166 on BML you can possibly do Reading Depot runs to Reading Station then onwards to Gatwick Airport if DTG decided to link BML Gatwick Redhill section to GWML London Paddington Station to reading. The more realistic option they have is link the two via North Downs line which is a suggestion in this forum
True, but they could still do ECS and stabling moves to and from Lovers Walk depot and moves to and from ECW just to add some flavour