Those are estimated dates so each hand back could be before or after said datesThe hand back dates of the Class 156s are no later than what is shown here
Those are estimated dates so each hand back could be before or after said datesThe hand back dates of the Class 156s are no later than what is shown here
Why are some listed as Northern and some Porterbrook? Is that who's getting them on handover? If so, why not send them all directly to Northern?View attachment 127820The hand back dates of the Class 156s are no later than what is shown here (ignore that the dates are written the wrong way round, someone hasn't changed the spreadsheet settings from American English to English UK)
• NTL stands for Northern.
• PBK for Porterbrook.
Apparently the dates are not set in stone and are subject to change, so I'll try to update accordingly.
Just to keep the mods happy, I have permission to post this.
Because the five listed as Poterbrook were never going to Northern, I'm not sure why.Why are some listed as Northern and some Porterbrook? Is that who's getting them on handover? If so, why not send them all directly to Northern?
They may not need them or have enough depot space for them.Because the five listed as Poterbrook were never going to Northern, I'm not sure why.
Because there's no contract in place for the final five to go to Northern, so they go back to the owner. I'd doubt DfT would fund them now as a fleet addition for Northern.Why are some listed as Northern and some Porterbrook? Is that who's getting them on handover? If so, why not send them all directly to Northern?
Another post above mentioned that there was an option for Northern take another 4 units, so they might transfer at a later date, but I think it's unlikely.Because there's no contract in place for the final five to go to Northern, so they go back to the owner. I'd doubt DfT would fund them now as a fleet addition for Northern.
Correct 156403 to Crewe on TuesdayBecause the five listed as Poterbrook were never going to Northern, I'm not sure why.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
There is a path in place for presumably 156403 to head to ATC Crewe for repaint before going to Northern
Realtime Trains | 5M42 1006 Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. | 31/01/2023
Real-time train running information for 5M42 1006 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. on 31/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.www.realtimetrains.co.uk
I wonder if we will see those five possibly head to Northern in exchange for an equivalent number of 158s to go to GWR to allow HST withdrawal. I suppose 5 x 156 would allow 5 x 158 = 2 x "Castle" and a maintenance spare.Because there's no contract in place for the final five to go to Northern, so they go back to the owner. I'd doubt DfT would fund them now as a fleet addition for Northern.
Either way, such suggestions are very speculative and pie-in-the-sky when nothing is confirmed.I wonder if we will see those five possibly head to Northern in exchange for an equivalent number of 158s to go to GWR to allow HST withdrawal. I suppose 5 x 156 would allow 5 x 158 = 2 x "Castle" and a maintenance spare.
That would depend on whether Northern have four diagrams to switch traction, and whether Northern have similar spec 158s as GWR have.
Perhaps 150/2s instead of 158s maybe ?
28th November 2022Sorry I must have missed a previous posting.
When did 156419 transfer to Northern? I saw it at Chester on Tuesday on a Manchester service.
Back in November she was stripped down at Wolverton, see post 305 on page 13 of this thread (sorry I don't know how to link to it!) Don't think we've heard anything since.Does anyone know there 156909/409 is? I've lost track....
Back in November she was stripped down at Wolverton, see post 305 on page 13 of this thread (sorry I don't know how to link to it!) Don't think we've heard anything since.

Nope. It's not going to Northern. 411 has been quoted as a replacement unit.It is one of the units transferring to Northern, as has been stated several times before.
A truly ridiculous amount of new metal you guys are putting in. I wouldn't be surprised given the state of them if some of the ex EMT units had been swapped in, they're apparently in far better condition.View attachment 127921
Current state of 156409.
Nope. It's not going to Northern. 411 has been quoted as a replacement unit.
THANKSBack in November she was stripped down at Wolverton, see post 305 on page 13 of this thread (sorry I don't know how to link to it!) Don't think we've heard anything since.
that's going to be virtually a new unit when they've finishedView attachment 127921
Current state of 156409.
Nope. It's not going to Northern. 411 has been quoted as a replacement unit.
...Until they refit the tired old ex NXEA / GA interior back into it that is! (Unless Northern is having it refurbished at the same time - the others weren't)THANKS
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
that's going to be virtually a new unit when they've finished
Many thanks for the information.28th November 2022
I was wondering that, according to the dates above 156411 is still going back to Porterbrook not NorthernI could be reading into DiligentDaves post totally wrong but if the 156409 is not coming to Northern does that mean the refurb is stopped? Just trying to think who else wants 156s?
Body shells for scrap?
Thanks for clearing that up. I expect plans are quite fluid at the moment, but if both and not just one of 907/407 and 917/417 have been given up one, Northern will need another unit as well as 411 (presumably ethier 408 or 410) to fulfil the order of 15 units.I think you're conflating two issues.
156409 is having a protracted rebuild and going to Northern (this one was a proper dinosaur, it somehow even escaped LED light tubes in the cab@ and saloons).
One of (or both of) 156407/417 is bring given up on due to it's condition having been stored by EMR and 156411 may head to Northern instead having originally been pencilled in for store.
I haven't a clue. I've just been reading the posts, same as you. I assume it's also rotten.Thanks for clearing that up. I expect plans are quite fluid at the moment, but if both and not just one of 907/407 and 917/417 have been given up one, Northern will need another unit as well as 411 (presumably ethier 408 or 410) to fulfil the order of 15 units.
Also, do you know what's up with 416? It seems to have been at Wolverton a while as well.
416 is being held up by 409's rather long corrosion works not completing on time. Once 409's finished and put back on it's bogies it will go for rebuild, then 416 corrosion work can commence. Just as an insight, this is a view of the underframe of one vehicle of 416 once the interior flooring has been removed.Thanks for clearing that up. I expect plans are quite fluid at the moment, but if both and not just one of 907/407 and 917/417 have been given up one, Northern will need another unit as well as 411 (presumably ethier 408 or 410) to fulfil the order of 15 units.
Also, do you know what's up with 416? It seems to have been at Wolverton a while as well.

I've MoT'd worse...hehehe416 is being held up by 409's rather long corrosion works not completing on time. Once 409's finished and put back on it's bogies it will go for rebuild, then 416 corrosion work can commence. Just as an insight, this is a view of the underframe of one vehicle of 416 once the interior flooring has been removed.
View attachment 128012
Just to clarify, 417 will be coming to Northern once it's been through Wolverton. So no requirement for an additional unit there.
So it's only 907 that will have 411 as the replacement. Not surprised given that 907 has rust holes in it.Just to clarify, 417 will be coming to Northern once it's been through Wolverton. So no requirement for an additional unit there.
Geez Louise. What is it with the East Midlands franchise and stock in appalling condition?! 360, 180, ex-LNER HST, 15x.416 is being held up by 409's rather long corrosion works not completing on time. Once 409's finished and put back on it's bogies it will go for rebuild, then 416 corrosion work can commence. Just as an insight, this is a view of the underframe of one vehicle of 416 once the interior flooring has been removed.
View attachment 128012
Just to clarify, 417 will be coming to Northern once it's been through Wolverton. So no requirement for an additional unit there.
Anything to do with the salty sea air at Skegness? Seriously though, I would have thought that the ex-Anglia units would have been more prone to corrosion, having spent much of their lives beside or near salt water....plus the fact that they are the oldest members of the class.Geez Louise. What is it with the East Midlands franchise and stock in appalling condition?! 360, 180, ex-LNER HST, 15x.
Anything to do with the salty sea air at Skegness? Seriously though, I would have thought that the ex-Anglia units would have been more prone to corrosion, having spent much of their lives beside or near salt water....plus the fact that they are the oldest members of the class.
Geez Louise. What is it with the East Midlands franchise and stock in appalling condition?! 360, 180, ex-LNER HST, 15x.
Yep, I completely get that the 156/9s are the ones of most concern here (and I think that, on hindsight, the disruption that the ex-LNER HST saga caused far outweighed the minimal gain in terms of accessibility) - I was getting at the fact that the East Midlands has had, excuse the pun, rotten luck with its cascaded stock situation, 156s included by virtue of the /9s and when EMT got the 15x stock from CT.The native units are in pretty good condition having had extensive overhauls. These are ex Anglia units that were already meant to have moved on. The native HSTs were amongst the best for bodywork in the country, they only went over the accessibility issues.