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Genius. East Midland Trains has recently introduced a whole new fleet of class 222 diesel trains.
Guess they could replace the last few 125's with electric trains. But it would have been better done before the new trains were bought.

Sure, they could convert them (as mentioned in the article) to that seems like a waste.
Maybe they could offload the diesels to another line and buy new trains.

Most of the train companies lease the trains these days so there might be a clause - anyway it will take many years before they have finished doing it

Will a little more thought it might work.
East midland Trains could joinsome of the end carriages (from the class 222) together and use them to replace the two carriage Sprinters that they have on more rural routes (they inherited from Central Trains). The extra carriages could lengthen the remaining Class 222's to replace their 125's. Then they could by a few new electric trains. That would leave them with (effectively) just two classes of train to maintain while getting the benifits of electrifcation.

I guess it's a juggling act.
They can't offload them to the East Coast main line as although newer than the Intercity 125's, they're not suitable for long journeys due to cabin noise.

there will be plenty of aged 125's and London to Bristol and to Swansea are being electrified so the 25 or so the FGW run will be available..........

A quick flick round Wikipedia show that most 125's were reengined just a few years ago. I guess in theory they could go for quite a while yet.
That would suit me as they're comfortable and quiet.

With any luck Cross Country will buy some of the 125s, as the Super Voyagers just aren't big enough for the Manchester - Bournemouth or Exeter - Newcastle runs unless doubled up.

Doubt it. If anything they'll just order more carriages and extend the Voyagers.

I'm not sure you can add extra carriages to voyagers. unless you add another set on...

Virgin extended most of their pendolino trains the other year, and the voyagers cabins can control longer trains when they're joined together, so I can't see why not.

They may have to be reclasssd? Like the 159s essentially being modified 158s.

TBH they'll probably just start pairing sets.

Meanwhile, I watched a documentary last night about the French running a train at 350MPH. How come we let them run our electricity supply and leave the numpties we've got in charge of the trains?

AFAIK, they run much more like BR. The problem we have here is needing three or more companies involved in most changes, plus higher H&S standards (thus more costs)

Because we don't have the money or land to build lots of straight, dedicated, high speed track.

...and the signalling required. To go faster than 125mph you need in-cab signalling, which the majority of trains just don't have.