I highly doubt entry into service will be 2030 based on the way northerns has worded it. Iam going so guess as long as training and testing goes well then 2031 will probably see them into passenger service?
Where does it say on Northerns annoucements that 769 are going in phase 1? They have only specified 150, 155 and 156s so far?
I think that the 769s are approaching the last chance saloon. They could be gone long before new stock appears. If there is not a radical improvement in reliability once sets have been through the planned C6 overhaul at Kilmarnock, Northern will be considering the limited alternatives open to them with acquiring the use of some of the TfW Class 158s, once available, being the most obvious solution.
The 769s are 8 units just as old as the 156s also part of the "oldest units" being replaced in Phase 1.
As has been mentioned earlier, I would guess that 158s would be cascaded off the Hull-Halifax and Leeds-Wigan via dewsbury routes.
Assuming that the phase 1 units enter service in 2032, then it's quite possible that the phase 2 units won't be introduced before 2034/35 (and it could be as late as 2037) so I'm guessing that the 333s will likely be safe for another 10-12 years at the very least (at which point they'll be around 35 years old)
One or two on a Saturday evening end up in Barrow and come out again as 4 the next morning . on Sunday afternoon they get sent up and down as 4 on some services but with the rear unit locked out. However due to a rugby game last year I noticed the train was busy and gangway open.
They spent lots of money on the maintenance facilties at Barrow to enable 6 car to be fuelled and inspected and sent back out. The platforms were also extended at some stations to enable 6 car operation.
And you know what, chances are it may end up being later than 2031. Look at EMR’s 810 introduction - admittedly a completely different train; but goes to show that constant problems and delays make what was “there’s no way it’ll take that long” to not just a possibility, but a distinct reality.
I suspect we’ll need some diesels for a while yet. Modernising the electric fleets is easy enough, new-build diesels a bit harder.
Driving them? You need to be a passenger in them!!
Class 333 only work in Yorkshire
Yeah it is but i guess thats just how it is but it will mean by the end of it northern will have more new trains to work alongside the 195s and 331s
I have been, most days, for the past twenty years!
They aren't, no. 333s are only used on the North West Triangle and, soon, also on the Leeds-Doncaster line.
I thought the 2024 stock for LU would eventually replace Central line units too.
Harrogate isn't wired for a start....
That was the original intention but the funds are insufficient at present.
yes, but training and maintenance is quite different.
That’s not a great sign, especially considering they’re not the oldest units around, are maintained by Siemens and that they’re going to transfer to another depot in the forthcoming years.
A fairly extensive overhaul is in the pipeline. I wouldn't be surprised if the 333s last at least another decade.
What sort of Overhaul are you meaning?
The 185s are heavy and fuel-thirsty, hence expensive to operate. It may be possible to make more use of "eco-mode" on routes a bit less demanding than Trans-Pennine, but that won't do anything for the weight.
