Robin9 wrote:

'Recliner[_3_ Wrote:
;169914']Robin9 wrote:-

I travelled on Goblin yesterday. For a Saturday, the trains were
surprisingly full and standing. Reverting to a half-hourly service
does not seem to have depressed patronage.
-

Hello, old friend:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/140710651@N05/47582770322

Those 172s will be more appropriate in their new home than on
Goblin where their full potential was never released. They have a
pretty high top speed and can accelerate quickly, but the Goblin
run does not provide an opportunity for either. I'd enjoy a journey
from Leamington Spa to Coventry on a 172.

Yes, they were specified from the beginning for regional, rather than urban
metro, services, hence the transverse seats. They were always intended as
an interim solution, pending electrification. If all had gone to plan,
they'd have been replaced a couple of years ago by 4-car EMUs.