My future layout plans call for a rake of Virgin and Intercity mk2 coaches to run with my Virgin Class 47s, while this is primarily aimed for a future exhibition layout (which isn’t planned to cut timber for another 3 or 4 years at best). There is an outside possibility of building some long cassettes and having a play with it on Wheal Imogen however.
The formation is going to be formed as follows:
Mk2d BSO Virgin (Hornby with an improved chassis and roof ribs removed)
Mk2e TSO Virgin (Hornby)
Mk2e TSO Intercity (may instead be a 2f TSO)
Mk2e TSO Virgin
Mk2e TSO Virgin
Mk2f RFB Intercity (ideally Bachmann, although I may convert a Hornby Mk2d First given how many of them I have spare)
Vitrains Class 47 (47817 in Virgin). In addition I have 47853 in XP64 which is too modern, a GWT 47 which stood in for one day and a Fraggonset 47/7)

The work:
The Virgin 47 needs various improvements (new roof grills, and a respray of the lower grey (as when I repainted the cab sides to renumber they are a lot lighter grey than the middle of the body)
The mk2d needs new corridor connections to match the 2e / 2f, plus some refinement to the underframe equipment (I think I have a set of Southern Pride castings somewhere). It also needs reglazing. Given the Hornby and Bachmann coaches have interior lights, adding lighting would be a benefit. This coach is also missing door open warning lights (fortunately I have some Hurst examples in a stock box somewhere)
The Virgin mk2es need the fictional solebar removing, along with interiors painting and door open lights fitting. In addition the intercity ones will also need interior lighting.
The RFB is the more tricky one, and will depend on budget, price of the Bachmann example and time.

Last night I started work on the 3 Hornby Mk2e that I have sourced so far,
Following the method shown on James Makin’s workbench topic my plan was to carefully carve off approximately 1mm from the length of the underframe. With two new knives (a swan Morton 11 and a curved blade) along with needle files I set to work. The area above the bogies was easy (although I did have to unsolder the lighting wires to remove the bogie). The rest took more time, but half an hour or so later I had finished the first side. The close up photo below should show something of a before / after, certainly a worthwhile modification. Now I just need to repeat on the remaining coaches.