Northern Unit Refurbishments and depot allocations.

[jonesy3001]

I think the 305s had the blue regional railways livery with airport vinyls after the manchester airport line opened and fitted with luggage racks, could be wrong.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I think the 305s had the blue regional railways livery with airport vinyls after the manchester airport line opened and fitted with luggage racks, could be wrong.

That was the 309s I think, though some of the AM5s may have had that livery too. It was an advertising livery rather than indicating that those units were dedicated to Airport shuttles though.

I realise I've contributed to this off-topic discussion, so apologies. To bring us back, does anyone have any new information on the status of the Leyland rust-bucket as yet?

 

[Alan2603]

Re TPE liveries, going back in time to when my wife used to commute daily between Scarborough and York, she thought that 'Metro Train' were the franchise operator as a lot of the trains running between Scarborough and York were in West Yorkshire PTE's livery. She also thought that 'Northern Spirit' was a rival operator (in the spirit of 'competition' on the then newly privatised railways).

When I explained to her that 'Metro Train' was the West Yorkshire PTE 'brand', she quite rightly asked why their trains were running services purely in North Yorkshire (as they were often used on Scarborough to York only services).

I couldn't quite get my head around it either to be honest.

 

[northwichcat]

Re TPE liveries, going back in time to when my wife used to commute daily between Scarborough and York, she thought that 'Metro Train' were the franchise operator as a lot of the trains running between Scarborough and York were in West Yorkshire PTE's livery. She also thought that 'Northern Spirit' was a rival operator (in the spirit of 'competition' on the then newly privatised railways).

When I explained to her that 'Metro Train' was the West Yorkshire PTE 'brand', she quite rightly asked why their trains were running services purely in North Yorkshire (as they were often used on Scarborough to York only services).

I couldn't quite get my head around it either to be honest.

Northern Spirit/ATN used trains in 4 liveries:
- Metro Train
- "transpenninexpress" burgurndy
- Northern Spirit turquoise
- Regional railways

Services which ran West Yorkshire local services were announced as Metro Train services. Yet "transpenninexpress" services were often announced as Arriva Trains Northern services.

I recall following the Merseyrail court case for a breach of a by-laws for a passenger putting their feet on the seats, Northern passengers started noting the Merseyrail* logo on the Merseytravel 142s and question why Northern were using trains belonging to 'that operator that prosecutes people for putting their feet on the seats.'

* It did actually say Merseyrail but referred to the rail division of Merseytravel not the Merseyrail franchise.

 

[Silverlink]

How long before we get to see what the new refurbished 319's look like?

 

[Astradyne]

Has a replacement 150 been sent up for refurbishment yet?

 

[Adam0984]

No 150 seems to be at Kilmarnock at the moment so appears nothing has gone up. 275 still seems to be still on Newton Heath with a few problems

 

[Bertie the bus]

There was a path from Newton Heath – Kilmarnock last Saturday but it was cancelled. Possibly holding off until they know 275 doesn’t have to go back again?

 

[507021]

There was a move booked from Leicester to Allerton for today, but it was cancelled.

Presumably another 319?

 

[59CosG95]

There was a move booked from Leicester to Allerton for today, but it was cancelled.

Presumably another 319?

Would've been barrier wagons for a 319 if it were from LEI.

 

[507021]

Would've been barrier wagons for a 319 if it were from LEI.

Oh right, thanks for the explanation.

 

[tommy_train]

I was at Preston today (1750: 3 march 2017) and 319 367 coupled to '364 came through and waited on the RES platform. It had a Rail Operations Group plate on the front, with the destination board reading "Special".

I presume they were on their way up to Scotland.

I did get a photo, but I can't upload it right now. Might do later, but it is potato quality.

I also seen a 319 in plain white livery and dark Northern blue doors, in storage at Allerton.

 

[Starmill]

I saw two Thameslink liveried 319s at Allerton (presumably the /2s) and two in what looks like the same base colour and blue doors.

 

[Geeves]

The ones at Preston were going back to Allerton Via Crewe using the Rail operations group as no one that signs the routes and traction was available. They will bring some more back the other way as those 319s are all nearly or there abouts over their miles limit. 319s dont need a barrier a wagon to couple to a loco by the way.

https://mark5812.smugmug.com/Trains-2017/March-2017/i-rNWXrhk

 

[tommy_train]

The ones at Preston were going back to Allerton Via Crewe using the Rail operations group as no one that signs the routes and traction was available. They will bring some more back the other way as those 319s are all nearly or there abouts over their miles limit. 319s dont need a barrier a wagon to couple to a loco by the way.

https://mark5812.smugmug.com/Trains-2017/March-2017/i-rNWXrhk

The units I saw at PRE were going the wrong way for Liverpool, they had come FROM the Liverpool direction (Euxton, Leyland, etc...).

 

[1D53]

The units I saw at PRE were going the wrong way for Liverpool, they had come FROM the Liverpool direction (Euxton, Leyland, etc...).

Two others came back from Allerton to Preston. With Lime Street closed thus is the only way to get Electrics in and out.

 

[johntea]

I'm on one of the refurbished 158s now and have to say I'm not a fan of the seats! They're almost too firm! I prefer the ones that you just sink in to, maybe it's because they're new so need bedding in a bit?

Leg room also seems less than before but not sure on that one, seats in front seem slightly more tilted back than previously

No WiFi by the looks and the destination screens are a bit pointless, I got on at Harrogate and they all just say 'York' which is the terminating station! Surely should be able to announce upcoming stops?

 

[Mollman]

No WiFi by the looks and the destination screens are a bit pointless, I got on at Harrogate and they all just say 'York' which is the terminating station! Surely should be able to announce upcoming stops?

They don't seem to have got around to activating the PIS yet. I was on one of the refurbs this morning (both past each other at Bradford Interchange) and all three toilets were out of use for a while!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Did the spec for these include CET bogs and 2020 work? I know about the (non functioning) PIS.

 

[59CosG95]

Did the spec for these include CET bogs and 2020 work? I know about the (non functioning) PIS.

If it isn't functioning, that really is taking the PIS.

 

[Blindtraveler]

And if the bogs wernt fettled they will still be dumping PIS (and other things) onto the track!

 

[mikemcniven]

There any news regarding 150275 yet as I still haven't seen it back in service,

 

[Adam0984]

There any news regarding 150275 yet as I still haven't seen it back in service,

Still on Newton Heath as of 0600 this morning. It's trip to Southport made it ill

 

[sk688]

Just a small thing , but does anyone else feel like the new northern logo bears a little resemblance to that of new balance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[507021]

Just a small thing , but does anyone else feel like the new northern logo bears a little resemblance to that of new balance


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not sure myself, the font is a little similar but that's probably about it.

 

[superkev]

Seems to have gone very quiet. I'm still a bit confused as to who's doing what.
Brodies Kilmarnock 158's
Wabtech Kilmarnock ?
Wabtech Doncaster ?
Other?
K

 

[mikemcniven]

Still no news on the Class 155 is there

 

[yorksrob]

I travelled on a Northern 158 today, and they have refurbished one carriage with WiFi and USB ports. Fortunately they've also kept the traditional comfortable seats.

I suggest that this would be an excellent approach for Northern to take for the remainder of it's 158 fleet (although the ones with the hard 155 type seating could do with having their seats replaced as well).

 

[skyhigh]

I travelled on a Northern 158 today, and they have refurbished one carriage with WiFi and USB ports. Fortunately they've also kept the traditional comfortable seats.

I suggest that this would be an excellent approach for Northern to take for the remainder of it's 158 fleet (although the ones with the hard 155 type seating could do with having their seats replaced as well).

Other members may correct me, but I believe that was carried out as a trial under the previous franchise and therefore probably won't be rolled out across the fleet.

 

[yorksrob]

Other members may correct me, but I believe that was carried out as a trial under the previous franchise and therefore probably won't be rolled out across the fleet.

If that's the case, it seems a shame. I'd rather they changed things that needed changing rather than things that work well.

I must admit, I've not come across the unit before, but I was quite impressed. If they'd done something about the hand dryers as well, I'd have been extatic !