Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern

[507016]

Pretty solid run for 452 today, ran very well, i did notice one of the guard panels in the motor coach on the left hand side facing southport today (Doors: C1 And C2) is faulty and does not unlock the rest of the doors, had to tell the guard that the other staff was unable to get it working properly and he then moved on to another door, another few things: i noticed is how rapid it is, seems like a pretty fast unit even though its been sat in storage for 2 or so years.
Its lights sometimes flicker when switching from electric to diesel.
And finally how clean the seats and general atmosphere of the train was. Overall a pretty solid unit

 

[pokemonsuper9]

There's a red 769 on 2O72 0803 Southport to Manchester Oxford Road, does anyone know which it is?

 

[david l]

There's a red 769 on 2O72 0803 Southport to Manchester Oxford Road, does anyone know which it is?

Would suggest 769452, but its current allocations are not showing on RTT, as was the case on Wed and Thurs but which seem to be retrospectively added the day after. 08.03 Southport-Manchester is formed off 5JO1/2W01, starts the day at Allerton which is where 452 finished last night. 769442 is actually showing as 5JO1 but is also showing on 5J02/2W02.
In any event, the other one, 769421 has been sat on SP for the best part of a month with only one engine working and being used for static training.

6 in service today of the 6 diagrammed, first time of 100% in months, even if a TfW is in that lot. Perhps 769452 - which has worked for 3 days without a failure, is showing the others up!

 

[Paul AC]

769452 definitely out working today, about to work 2W17 1352 Stalybridge to Southport with me on it. Very much in TfW condition with external branding covered up (and no Northern logos). Internal dual language signage still in place, as are the (working) USB power sockets. The only things Northern about it are internal adverts and the PIS.

Also now showing on RTT but in standard blue Northern graphics.

 

[507016]

452 Canned Earlier today due to a problem with traction equipment, were its motors looked at before it left allerton?

 

[50002Superb]

Looks like it was dragged back to Allerton

 

[507016]

Looks like it was dragged back to Allerton

What headcode did it follow? Guessing its in for a fix at allerton now

 

[nightflyian]

452 back out running. Seen 1625 leaving Southport for Staleybridge and now showing on Real Time Trainshttps://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G34479/2025-09-09/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[DannyMich2018]

Six units out today and all still out now, can't see any real late running too, (424, 434, 442, 448, 452 and 458 all out as I type). Hopefully things are getting better with these units?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Six units out today and all still out now, can't see any real late running too, (424, 434, 442, 448, 452 and 458 all out as I type). Hopefully things are getting better with these units?

That tracks with how few short forms there are today. We can only hope it stays like this.

 

[GhostManDN91]

I wonder if them running on electric longer to/from Ince is helping?

 

[Peter749]

I wonder if them running on electric longer to/from Ince is helping?

Most of the power changes I have seen at Ince have worked without a problem -- although one refused to play last week.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Looks like we've got 769450, 769442, 769452, 769424, 769458, and 769434 out today. Another 6/6 (the other two Southport diagrams are booked 15x)
Still some 150/156 short forms, but we know who not to blame.

 

[thealexweb]

Do have Northern access to ten 769s now?
If reliable enough could eight out daily cover all the Westhoughton diagrams?

 

[skyhigh]

Do have Northern access to ten 769s now?

They have 10 on lease, but the additional pair were to cover for a unit being stopped for overhaul - so 9 is the absolute maximum that could be available at any point.

With scheduled maintenance at least one a day will be stopped so you'd need amazing levels of reliability to get 8 in service a day consistently.

 

[Northerngirl]

I've not been keeping track of this too much, what numbers are the tfw pair, and are they repainted

 

[Razorblades]

I've not been keeping track of this too much, what numbers are the tfw pair, and are they repainted

421 and 452 I think, and no, just debranded.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

421 and 452 I think, and no, just debranded.

Correct on both counts. 769421 and 769452.
They both retain their white with red doors.

 

[david l]

769456 coming back from Brodies on 13/9.

 

[td97]

Do have Northern access to ten 769s now?
If reliable enough could eight out daily cover all the Westhoughton diagrams?

The first Southport departure of the day forms from a Headbolt Lane to Blackburn circuit on the previous day, this diagram will always be 15x.

 

[Northerngirl]

421 and 452 I think, and no, just debranded.

Thanks

 

[Purple Train]

I've just seen 769421, surprise surprise, in Springs Branch sidings. Will it be coming out at any point soon?

 

[Foggycorner]

I've just seen 769421, surprise surprise, in Springs Branch sidings. Will it be coming out at any point soon?

Read post 7503

 

[Purple Train]

Read post 7503

Thank you - I completely missed that (remembered the rest of the post as well...). Sorry.

 

[david l]

37884 + 769458 worked 5Q38 Allerton-Kilmarnock today, 769456 having been successfully returned yesterday.

 

[nightflyian]

Not a good start to the week. 434 looks like its been sat at Southport most of the weekend, with 452 failing at Parbold running empty in to Southport from Springs Branch then running back out empty which meant the 0703 Southport - Manchester Ox Rd was cancelled.
Now on the delayed 0725 to Stalybridge which is 2x150 units.

Is this a sign of things to come given the temprature has dipped significantly this morning ? 3C in Southport and suspect more cooler inland

Update: Looks like 448 is starting at Wigan in place of 452, with this unit heading straight for Springs Branch or Allerton ?

 

[david l]

There was a 5Z85 booked today from Springs Branch to Allerton, 769421 & 769452 having both been noted on the Bickershaw line headshunt, both with pans up. Train left SP 20 early, but appeared to sit at Wigan NW for about 90 minutes. Moved off to Wigan S Junc but has now returned to Wigan NW. Train now reported as cancelled at Wigan NW.

Of late availability appears to have improved, however 769452 had a wobbler yesterday whilst ECS from Wigan- Southport whilst 769448 failed at Southport. In general 5 or 6 have been in use each day, only 4 today though.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Still sat at Wigan just now
The leaf fall train got diverted via Wallgate to turn around instead of North Western, which was a suprise.

I think it was 769421 but not too sure, I only had half a second to read the number thanks to this faulty sprinter (4 carriages, but back two locked out!)

 

[EastMidlander]

Just arrived into Platform 1 at Wigan NW onboard 769456 from Victoria, which coupled up to 769421 already there. The pair then departed to Allerton ECS.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Just arrived into Platform 1 at Wigan NW onboard 769456 from Victoria, which coupled up to 769421 already there. The pair then departed to Allerton ECS.

At least it's on its way now, only 3 hours and 47 minutes late.