[steam for ever]

DFT alone? Well it is strange then that this area of the UK has not recieved anything new or even second hand. I am saying that Northern has not even applied for permission for any new trains. Arriva and First both had awful trains, but since those days both companies have (are still) going through some amazing transformations.

I doubt that Northern's franchise could be extended to 2013 if a safety inspector made a random visit to Newton Heath! If he doesn't notice anything then there is some corruption afoot.