Network Rail Class 950 to be disposed

[Class15]

I don't know for sure but I presume it could have been.

The 950 is quite rare in London, this is the only time I've ever seen it about down here , most test trains here are 153's so due to the rarity of it ending up in London I presume it may have been the last London outing.

It came to London in March - see:

Assuming the trips are roughly 6 monthly, it probably has at least 1 left but I’m not sure.

Here is a picture of it this evening on its Ferme Park to Derby run, for anyone interested.

Image shows the 950 passing Gospel Oak, with a Class 378 in the background.

 

[Earle Grey]

It's running on a Z headcode to Slateford today, strange to see it use 2Z08 , Doesn't it normally use 2Q08 ?

Correct, it is like some of the earlier units/trains run from the RTC which used a single headcode to identify the type of train. Occasionally it would be planned to run as 2Z08 - a full transit between two locations when no recording was being undertaken; although I did note it running as a 5Z08 once, but when I was involved with it a full transit would be rare, there was little down time for the unit. I also had it out running as a 2X08 when circumstances dictated.

 

[JR36512]

Quite a strange scenario, as it has almost been a year since this post and it is still being used! For example, Thu 11, Fri 12, Sat 13 it is doing the vast majority of the GEML!

It is running under 2Q08 headcode.

 

[sad1e]

Quite a strange scenario, as it has almost been a year since this post and it is still being used! For example, Thu 11, Fri 12, Sat 13 it is doing the vast majority of the GEML!

It is running under 2Q08 headcode.

At this rate i highly doubt it will end up disposed of by the end of the year , my bet is summer next year.

 

[XCTurbostar]

950001 is apparently currently undergoing an engine change so theres life in the old girl yet!

 

[Nym]

950001 is apparently currently undergoing an engine change so theres life in the old girl yet!

An engine change on a sprinter is no big deal to be honest.

Work is afoot on the replacement though.

 

[Roger B]

An engine change on a sprinter is no big deal to be honest.

Work is afoot on the replacement though.

Ooooh. Tell us more ......

 

[chiltern trev]

950001 is apparently currently undergoing an engine change so theres life in the old girl yet!

Re the engine change:
*. brand new engine?
*. or refurbished engine?
*. or good engine out of another unit that was being scrapped?

 

[dan4291]

It's been parked at Ferme Park today. Looked clean but can't see it getting an engine change there! Looks like it's working this today: -

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 1813 Ferme Park Recp. to Ferme Park Recp. | 09/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 1813 departure from Ferme Park Recp. to Ferme Park Recp. on 09/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Nym]

Re the engine change:
*. brand new engine?
*. or refurbished engine?
*. or good engine out of another unit that was being scrapped?

Most likely a refurbished one that's come from Wabtec Barton (Formally LH Group).

 

[RedPostJunc]

Most likely a refurbished one that's come from Wabtec Barton (Formally LH Group).

I saw 950001 at Reading Triangle Sidings last Saturday (07/02/2026)
Real Times Trains has 2Q08 2128 Reading Triangle Sidings to Reading Triangle Sidings via Aylesbury and Greenford for 06/02/2026
(I believe 2Q08 is its allocated head code)

 

[jamieP]

Todays working

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0857 Peterborough Shunt Spur to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 13/02/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0857 departure from Peterborough Shunt Spur to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 13/02/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Roger B]

Still going strong in 2026 (see post #1)!

 

[50002Superb]

It passed me unexpectedly on Friday through Long Eaton and sounded great

 

[Jacob Porrett]

When is 950001 meant to stop running (lite it was suppose to) because I saw it pass through Oakengates this morning on 2Q08 from Derby to Swansea.

 

[fgwrich]

When is 950001 meant to stop running (lite it was suppose to) because I saw it pass through Oakengates this morning on 2Q08 from Derby to Swansea.

When they have a suitable replacement for it? Simple as that really. There was no definite date for it to have previously come out of service, although it, and some of the other yellow fleet, do remain on borrowed time.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

When they have a suitable replacement for it? Simple as that really. There was no definite date for it to have previously come out of service, although it, and some of the other yellow fleet, do remain on borrowed time.

I've been told September this year now they have got the 153s up and running.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I've been told September this year now they have got the 153s up and running.

There is work for the TRU well into next year. It should be noted that the 153s (VIUs) and 950 (TRU) are not intended to compete. The TRU is part of the IM fleet whereas the VIUs are region specific.

Not all the 153s are operational.. yet.

 

[D365]

Not all the 153s are operational.. yet.

And if the Network Rail IM (infrastructure monitoring) team is sensible, they / Porterbrook will set one of the 153s aside as a dedicated ETCS first in class unit.

But that’s obviously off-topic; I can’t imagine that any of the Class 150s (or 950001) will ever be fitted with ETCS.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

There is work for the TRU well into next year. It should be noted that the 153s (VIUs) and 950 (TRU) are not intended to compete. The TRU is part of the IM fleet whereas the VIUs are region specific.

Not all the 153s are operational.. yet.

Time will tell then I suppose. It's working 2Q08 tomorrow from Shrewsbury to Derby via a trip around the West Midlands.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

It's working 2Q08 tomorrow from Shrewsbury to Derby via a trip around the West Midlands.

Just to note for the readers not aware, 950001 is 2Q08 and 2Q08 is 950001.

I think there is the occasional 2Q08 that is not 950001, and 950001 sometimes runs under other codes when it's not monitoring, but they are near one and the same.


I am not sure how they expect 950001 to develop time travel, and depart Shrewsbury before it arrives tomorrow.
Given the same 09:36 to Derby path is also in on 03/06/2026, I think it may be present tomorrow in error.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I think there is the occasional 2Q08 that is not 950001, and 950001 sometimes runs under other codes when it's not monitoring, but they are near one and the same.

It will only ever run as 2Q08 or 2Z08 regardless of its duty.

The other VIUs also have a system of headcodes but thats outside the scope of this thread.

 

[Roger B]

It will only ever run as 2Q08 or 2Z08 regardless of its duty.

The other VIUs also have a system of headcodes but thats outside the scope of this thread.

Very interesting XCTurbostar.

I've been trying to track-down 153384 in its NR guise for a few years now. Are you able to advise what headcode(s) 153384 usually runs on please, and whether these are exclusively used by 153384 or shared with other units.

That would be a tremendous help - many thanks

 

[XCTurbostar]

Very interesting XCTurbostar.

I've been trying to track-down 153384 in its NR guise for a few years now. Are you able to advise what headcode(s) 153384 usually runs on please, and whether these are exclusively used by 153384 or shared with other units.

That would be a tremendous help - many thanks

153384 is the second (Track Condition Monitoring Unit) TCMU2
It usually runs either with its partner (TCMU1) 153379 or on its own as a headcode ending in 4. E.g. 2QX4. the TCMUs aren’t as reliable to see as the VIUs though and are regularly swapped for others and maintenance. The VIUs are region specific so it’s much easier to spot. 153385 is currently the Southern VIU, for example.

Back on topic, I believe the 2 car TCMU will replace the TRU eventually since it is much more equipped and more modern for the same task - as for when, I guess it depends how much work it has!

 

[Roger B]

153384 is the second (Track Condition Monitoring Unit) TCMU2
It usually runs either with its partner (TCMU1) 153379 or on its own as a headcode ending in 4. E.g. 2QX4. the TCMUs aren’t as reliable to see as the VIUs though and are regularly swapped for others and maintenance. The VIUs are region specific so it’s much easier to spot. 153385 is currently the Southern VIU, for example.

Back on topic, I believe the 2 car TCMU will replace the TRU eventually since it is much more equipped and more modern for the same task - as for when, I guess it depends how much work it has!

Thanks again Turbostar - really helpful info.

 

[XCTurbostar]

TRU - June
3rd June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0936 Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 03/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0936 departure from Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 03/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

9th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Z08 0740 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Exeter Riverside N.Y. | 09/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Z08 0740 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Exeter Riverside N.Y. on 09/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

10th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0207 Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Reading Triangle Sidings | 10/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0207 departure from Exeter Riverside N.Y. to Reading Triangle Sidings on 10/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

11th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 2211 Reading Triangle Sidings to Reading Triangle Sidings | 11/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 2211 departure from Reading Triangle Sidings to Reading Triangle Sidings on 11/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

13th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Z08 0957 Reading Triangle Sidings to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 13/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Z08 0957 departure from Reading Triangle Sidings to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 13/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

15th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0901 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Doncaster West Yard | 15/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0901 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Doncaster West Yard on 15/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

16th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0931 Doncaster West Yard to Middlesbrough Sidings | 16/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0931 departure from Doncaster West Yard to Middlesbrough Sidings on 16/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

17th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0846 Middlesbrough Sidings to Middlesbrough Sidings | 17/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0846 departure from Middlesbrough Sidings to Middlesbrough Sidings on 17/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

18th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0346 Middlesbrough Sidings to Newcastle | 18/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0346 departure from Middlesbrough Sidings to Newcastle on 18/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

19th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0421 Newcastle to Doncaster C.H.S. | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0421 departure from Newcastle to Doncaster C.H.S. on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

20th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 1744 Doncaster C.H.S. to Newcastle | 20/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 1744 departure from Doncaster C.H.S. to Newcastle on 20/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

24th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 0734 Doncaster C.H.S. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 24/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 0734 departure from Doncaster C.H.S. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 24/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

26th June 2026

Realtime Trains | 2Q08 2355 Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 26/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Q08 2355 departure from Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 26/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Intercity_225]

Here we go then people, get photos of it while you can...

East Coast Mainline | On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week | Facebook

On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week. She will be making an appearance in Yorkshire from the 27th of July for the week before she heads south before being decommissioned at...

www.facebook.com

On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week. She will be making an appearance in Yorkshire from the 27th of July for the week before she heads south before being decommissioned at the end of September. Sad times !

A comment on the post says the following:

Ben Mcsporran
Are we definitely sure it’s being decommissioned as I have heard this story before…

Daniel Sandow
Ben Mcsporran supposed to be September it gets shut down for good. Thats why at least 1 153 at long marston is being prepped to join network rail fleet with the others

Gary Lane
Ben Mcsporran I'm one of the drivers and yes. She is going.

 

[Towers]

Here we go then people, get photos of it while you can...

East Coast Mainline | On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week | Facebook

On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week. She will be making an appearance in Yorkshire from the 27th of July for the week before she heads south before being decommissioned at...

www.facebook.com

A comment on the post says the following:

If it doesn’t end up being saved somewhere, somehow, it’ll be a travesty!

 

[DBS92042]

Here we go then people, get photos of it while you can...

East Coast Mainline | On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week | Facebook

On her way to her farewell tour of Scotland today for the week. She will be making an appearance in Yorkshire from the 27th of July for the week before she heads south before being decommissioned at...

www.facebook.com

A comment on the post says the following:

950001's chassis is reported (by a Loram employee) to be very rotten and without significant work wouldn't pass its upcoming exam in September, hence retirement.

 

[Towers]

950001's chassis is reported (by a Loram employee) to be very rotten and without significant work wouldn't pass its upcoming exam in September, hence retirement.

Wonder if they’ll strip her for spares to keep Northern’s /1s going, in that case…