I have in the past suggested the 22x's could be used on the WofE services run by SWT, however they would need to:
- Run as 10 coach sets (so as to be broadly the same as a 9 coach 159 train, 586 vs 588) running one service every 2 hours between London and Exeter
- Run as 7 coach sets the other hourly service between Exeter and Salisbury/Yeovil with a change to an EMU to get to London
- Run all remaining services as 5 or 10 coach EMU's (class 444's or similar) so as to provide some increase in peak hour service seating numbers*
- Possibly extend (some or all) the Basingstoke Stoppers to Salisbury/Yeovil to enable some services to skip some of the more minor stations.
* a class 444 with the buffet removed would have the current 299 standard plus 35 first class seats, plus two or maybe three rows of 4 seats (2+2) in the space of the buffet, giving a total of 307 to 311 standard seats and 35 first class seats (total of 342 to 346 seats), this compares with the current 274 standard seats, 36/37 first class seats and 29/30 tip-up (total of 339 to 341).
By doing so it could enable electrification to occur after the 158's/159's become life expired. whilst not impacting on capacity too much on the few services which would still be run by diesel powered stock through to London.
Post Crossrail 2 there would then be scope for a third EMU service to increase capacity further, with further increases once Exeter can be reached by EMU.
However, that would all depend on timelines on electrification and lifespans of the 22x's and whether they can find use elsewhere.
