And yet when EastCoast was back in public hands, the trains were much nicer to travel on than in the National Express era – although GNER was an excellent operator as a customer.

They’re exactly the same trains. As indeed they were under BR. 😕

They were refurbished under GNER, but were otherwise identical…

They’re exactly the same trains. As indeed they were under BR.

They were refurbished under GNER, but were otherwise identical……apart from the rubbish strewn about that never seemed to get cleaned up under National Express.

…apart from the rubbish strewn about that never seemed to get cleaned up under National Express.

…and they still flush shit directly onto the tracks on our line

They’re exactly the same trains. As indeed they were under BR.

They were refurbished under GNER, but were otherwise identical…

..but the (Senior) management were different and the experience was better.

to answer the OP’s question: is it some sort of compensation for people who live in Lichfield?
(I was brought up there and the best thing about the place is the train lines out)