Not one to venture into the whole spotter nostalgist side to the forum, but I have a soft spot for CS' Mk2s. A truly unique experience on the railway that only a handful will remember the good old days on.
It's alright, a few have been purchased for further mainline use.
(yes I know there's a preserved wreck at Crewe, but that's not the same as keeping them in service)
"Preserved wreck" seems to do the efforts of those involved with it at Crewe Heritage Centre a disservice: It's repainted every four years, and many of the auxiliary system are functional. The tilt system is operational on one of the driving cars.
Would have made sense to have re-engined the BP fleet with the same Venturas as used in the class 29, extended them all to 8-car using converted mkI stock, replaced the Pullman interiors with standard 2+2 open and then used them on an intensive service like Paddington-Reading
I'd assume it'd be easier to split one of the two six car Midland Pullman sets to provide vehicles to strengthen the other, which would also leave a couple of spare power cars and kitchen vehicles to aid availability.
The proposal to preserve around ten vehicles for railtour work that was mooted at the time of their withdrawal sounds more plausible, and it's a pity it didn't go ahead, as I agree with many others on this thread that a Blue Pullman set is one of the greatest omissions of railway preservation.
The LNER's Silver Jubilee stock complete with A4 no.2509.
That "Silver Link" in particular managed to slip through the net does seem one of the more surprising preservation losses. "Bittern" masquerading as that loco during the early nineties was a welcome but hollow consolation prize by comparison.
There must only be limited interest in such a thing, as it'd be comparatively easy to do with the existing stock of available 08s if anyone was sufficiently inclined.
