were subsequently axed as part of Grand Central's recovery plan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After losing the West Coast Partnership franchise, Virgin Rail Group had proposed using InterCity 225s on an open access service from London Euston to Liverpool. In September 2020, Eversholt Rail Group and London North Eastern Railway extended their lease of seven IC225 sets, including ten Class 91 locomotives, to summer 2023, with an option to extend to summer 2024. It will be overhauled at the Wabtec Doncaster plant. At the end of service on 15 January 2021, the remaining serviceable InterCity 225 sets went into storage temporarily as part of the East Coast Upgrade. Originally, the plan was to return the sets to service for 7 June 2021 but instead the first set re-entered service on 11 May 2021 due to a number of Azuma sets having to be taken out of service. Capacity and formation The formation of the InterCity 225 sets is below: Class 91 Electric Locomotive (North End) Coach B - Standard Class - 76 Seats - WC Coach C - Standard Class - 76 Seats - WC Coach D - Standard Class - 76 Seats - WC Coach E - Standard Class - 76 Seats - WC Coach F - Standard Class - 72 Seats - Accessible Toilet Coach H - Standard Class/Kitchen - 30 Seats - WC Coach K - First Class - 43 Seats - WC + 2 Crew Areas Coach L - First Class - 40 Seats - Accessible Toilet Coach M - First Class - 46 Seats - WC Driving Van Trailer (London End) The total numbers of seats are 406 Standard and 129 First, giving the train an overall capacity of 535 seats. Scale models One of the first models of the IC225 in the UK was by Hornby Railways, after previously releasing an OO Gauge BR Class 91 locomotive in 1988. In 1990 Hornby Railways launched its first OO Gauge models of BR MK4 rolling coach stock, consisting of a BR Mk4 Driving Van Trailer (DVT), three BR MK4 coaches, a Tourist Open Coach (TSO), a First Open Coach (FO), and a Catering Service Car (RFM). Hornby Railways launched its first full model version containing a BR Class 91 locomotive, a BR MK4 Driving Van Trailer (DVT), and two MK4 Tourist Open Coaches as a complete train set in 1991. Gallery Exterior Interior References Further