Mixed trains return to the ECML?

Telegrammed by our Independent Expert
Looks like hard-up NXEC is bringing back mixed trains.

Senior Conductor on a packed HST from Newcastle this afternoon:

Will people with bulky luggage please tell the guard who will lock it away in the brake van...

Presumably with the pigs, chickens and smokey anthracite stove?

UPDATE: This from Shiny Shoes...

Just curious why a 'senior conductor' was working a NXEC HST (or any of their trains for that matter) as such grade does not exist on NX.

Admirably and sensibly NX use the correct term guard.

The term senior conductor was part of the 'train crew' concept of the 80's that sought to bring some promotional steps to the role... (cont p94).

In any event, as far as the public were concerned the term senior conductor was all a bit silly, there being no 'junior conductor' on any train worked by a SC.