Grand Central Railway who will commence operating a passenger service between Sunderland and london Kings Cross on 20 May 2007 will be taking over six buffer fitted powercars, Nos. 43065, 43067, 43068, 43080, 43084 and 43123. All will be fully overhauled and painted in Grand Central livery. The stock to be used will be a mix of former HST and loco-hauled Mk3 vehicles. All will be modified to the HST standard. The coaches are:-
FO to be modified to TF - Ex loco hauled - 11023, 11038 and 11045
TRSB - Ex HST - 40424, 40426 and 40433
TSO to be modified to TS - Ex loco hauled - 12033, 12044, 12088, 12112, 12121, 12136, 12149, 12152 and 12155
TGS - Ex HST - 44065, 44088 and 44089

In addition a small number of vehicles have been purchased which will be upgraded for passenger service as and when needed.

Restoration of the powercars to main line condition will take place at DML Devonport, where Nos. 43065 and 43084 have already arrived.