London NorthWestern Railway Class 350/2 withdrawal

[DBS92042]

Updated list on 16/12/25:

Stored Wembley Yard (off lease):
240/241

Stored Long Marston (off lease):
231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238/239/242/243/244/246/247/248/249/251/252/253/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266/267

Stored Northampton Kings Heath Depot (off lease):
245

Active (or yet to be confirmed as off lease):
250 in service 16/12/25 (noted externally debranded 11/12)
254 in service 16/12/25 (noted externally debranded 16/12)

 

[Liam L]

Updated list on 16/12/25:

Stored Wembley Yard (off lease):
240/241

Stored Long Marston (off lease):
231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238/239/242/243/244/246/247/248/249/251/252/253/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266/267

Stored Northampton Kings Heath Depot (off lease):
245

Active (or yet to be confirmed as off lease):
250 in service 16/12/25 (noted externally debranded 16/12)
254 in service 16/12/25

350254 is also debranded. https://x.com/DownOnTheStour/status/2000914179042238790/photo/1

 

[ED73]

250 was debranded when I saw it on 11/12

 

[D.K.TAYLOR]

350254 is also debranded. https://x.com/DownOnTheStour/status/2000914179042238790/photo/1

Had it today on the 16-04 New St Liverpool also passing Wembley 37407 dropping on to a pair of 350s

 

[Silverlinky]

This will be the last week of operation for those two...the end is imminent. Friday or Saturday should be their last runs.

Off-lease units will still return for repairs as Siemens hold the maintenance contract on behalf of the ROSCO for these units..... 245 came back for work.

 

[jonnymk]

The fast 7:29 service from MK to London is usually 350/4s, sometimes with a 350/2 paired to the 350/4s.


Today however this service was using the newer 730 trains which previously I have only seen on the slow service until now. With more 730s on the line the final 350/2 retirement seems imminent.

 

[rogercov]

passing Wembley 37407 dropping on to a pair of 350s

5Q07 16/12/25 to Long Marston, reported elsewhere as 37407 + 350231 + 350251

 

[Liam L]

5Q07 16/12/25 to Long Marston, reported elsewhere as 37407 + 350231 + 350251

Thats correct, saw them through Northfield

 

[Merle Haggard]

There's still trains between Euston & Birmingham that are 8, strengthened to 12 between Northampton and Euston. Does anyone know if these will become 10, (presumably throughout)?

 

[Russel]

I certainly won't be sorry to see these go at the end of the week, but, they've served the WCML well over the years.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

There's still trains between Euston & Birmingham that are 8, strengthened to 12 between Northampton and Euston. Does anyone know if these will become 10, (presumably throughout)?

As far as I know, the Birmingham services are not planned to become 730/2s at all (they aren't on its carriage map).
They will remain as 350s

 

[Merle Haggard]

As far as I know, the Birmingham services are not planned to become 730/2s at all (they aren't on its carriage map).
They will remain as 350s

There's currently 6 (SX) Birmingham - Euston via Northampton or v.v. formed of 2x730/2 together with a few Rugby or Northampton to Euston & v.v short workings.
They've even replaced the maps with ones that show Northampton exists!!!

 

[Silverlinky]

The end?

Both 250 and 254 are due to end up at Kings Heath Depot tonight end of service. That could be it for them as they are anticipated to leave WMT before the Hanslope blockade.

 

[mansonlo49]

The end?

Both 250 and 254 are due to end up at Kings Heath Depot tonight end of service. That could be it for them as they are anticipated to leave WMT before the Hanslope blockade.

whats Hanslope blockade thanks

 

[milooo]

whats Hanslope blockade thanks

Link to network rail article for hanslope block over xmas:
https://www.networkrailmediacentre....e-on-britains-biggest-christmas-jigsaw-puzzle

Media centre​

Monday 1 Dec 2025

Railway engineers take on Britain’s biggest Christmas jigsaw puzzle​

Region & Route: North West & Central
Passengers have been urged to plan their journeys over the Christmas period as railway engineers take on a project dubbed Britain’s biggest Christmas jigsaw.
Hanslope Junction – located 56 miles north of London Euston and seven miles from Milton Keynes – is a vital section of railway. The junction carries more than 3,300 passenger and freight services a week but is set to be transformed by a £26m improvement programme.
Beginning on Christmas Eve, Network Rail teams will be taking on Britain’s biggest Christmas jigsaw puzzle, replacing 130 track pieces across the junction. Work also includes strengthening the foundations below the track, as well as overhauling points, switches and crossings.
In the last five years, faults on this crucial railway junction have caused more than 11,000 minutes of delays – equivalent to more than a week's worth of disruption – so this upgrade will improve reliability and reduce disruption for passengers.

 

[mansonlo49]

https://www.networkrailmediacentre....e-on-britains-biggest-christmas-jigsaw-puzzle

Link to network rail article for hanslope block over xmas

Thanks, so is a major renewal work

 

[DBS92042]

The end?

Both 250 and 254 are due to end up at Kings Heath Depot tonight end of service. That could be it for them as they are anticipated to leave WMT before the Hanslope blockade.

Also seen reported elsewhere that today is the last day for 250 & 254

 

[Merle Haggard]

The end?

Both 250 and 254 are due to end up at Kings Heath Depot tonight end of service. That could be it for them as they are anticipated to leave WMT before the Hanslope blockade.

Northampton - Long Marston doesn't go South via Hanslope so presumably they're going to Wembley for storage.

 

[Silverlinky]

More the fact that with no trains between Northampton and Milton Keynes from late 24th December until early 5th January, the service is much reduced and less units will be required to operate what is left running, so the lease can be given up on these units with no impact on unit availability.

 

[Merle Haggard]

More the fact that with no trains between Northampton and Milton Keynes from late 24th December until early 5th January, the service is much reduced and less units will be required to operate what is left running, so the lease can be given up on these units with no impact on unit availability.

But doesn't that rely on repacement 730/2s being available from 5thb Jan? Will there be a shortfall of 730/2s, or will they all be in service after the blockade is over?

 

[mansonlo49]

there's another drag path towards Long Marston on monday, thinking could it be 250 and 254, or 245 recently came up from Wembley

Realtime Trains | 5Q38 1138 Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf | 22/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q38 1138 departure from Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf on 22/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Bigvernicus]

Today both units 250 & 254 have not left Nothamptom EMD, so looks like their service days have ended for the time being, looks like there is a Drag to Derby Litchurch lane and a Return from Derby Litchurch Lane today for either a 350/3 or 350/4 to go and return for modification work.

 

[Roger B]

Today both units 250 & 254 have not left Nothamptom EMD, so looks like their service days have ended for the time being, looks like there is a Drag to Derby Litchurch lane and a Return from Derby Litchurch Lane today for either a 350/3 or 350/4 to go and return for modification work.

Apologies if its already been discussed up-thread, but what mods are these? Many thx

 

[Silverlinky]

Today both units 250 & 254 have not left Nothamptom EMD, so looks like their service days have ended for the time being, looks like there is a Drag to Derby Litchurch lane and a Return from Derby Litchurch Lane today for either a 350/3 or 350/4 to go and return for modification work.

Yes, that was it, the curtain comes down on their 17 year stint with London Midland and London NorthWestern/West Midlands Trains.

350250 worked 2N67 2209 Euston to Northampton (with 350101) and 350254 had the honour of being the last, working 2Y80 2250 New Street to Northampton (with 350104)


As for the 350/3's and 350/4's, anti-corrosion checks and repairs where necessary as well as modifications to the VCB equipment.

 

[mansonlo49]

Updated list on 16/12/25:

Stored Wembley Yard (off lease):
240/241

Stored Long Marston (off lease):
231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238/239/242/243/244/246/247/248/249/251/252/253/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266/267

Stored Northampton Kings Heath Depot (off lease):
245

Active (or yet to be confirmed as off lease):
250 in service 16/12/25 (noted externally debranded 11/12)
254 in service 16/12/25 (noted externally debranded 16/12)

tomorrow drag would be either three left at Northampton depot towards long marston, which marks almost the end of the London Midland branded 350/2's

 

[matt]

350245 is being taken to Long Marston today behind 37407 as seen here

Into Storage by Matt Spencer, on Flickr

 

[DBS92042]

Updated list on 22/12/25:

Stored Northampton Kings Heath Depot (off lease, awaiting movement to Long Marston):
250/254

Stored Wembley Yard (off lease, awaiting movement to Long Marston):
240/241

Stored Long Marston (off lease):
231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238/239/242/243/244/245/246/247/248/249/251/252/253/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266/267

 

[Silverlinky]

There is a light loco move from Long Marston to Northampton EMD tomorrow evening with a view to taking 250/254 away before Christmas.

Realtime Trains | 0Y08 1445 Long Marston Gbrf to Northampton Emd | 23/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Y08 1445 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Northampton Emd on 23/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And now the stock movement move is in for the morning of the 24th

Realtime Trains | 5Q08 0531 Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf | 24/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q08 0531 departure from Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf on 24/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[DBS92042]

There is a light loco move from Long Marston to Northampton EMD tomorrow evening with a view to taking 250/254 away before Christmas.

Realtime Trains | 0Y08 1445 Long Marston Gbrf to Northampton Emd | 23/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 0Y08 1445 departure from Long Marston Gbrf to Northampton Emd on 23/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

And now the stock movement move is in for the morning of the 24th

Realtime Trains | 5Q08 0531 Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf | 24/12/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q08 0531 departure from Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf on 24/12/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

350240/241 also going tomorrow morning on 5Q07 0920 Wembley Yard to Long Marston. So by the end of 24th every 350/2 should be at Long Marston...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Dec 2025 ==

Updated list on 23/12/25:

Stored Northampton Kings Heath Depot (off lease, awaiting movement to Long Marston):
250/254

Stored Long Marston (off lease):
231/232/233/234/235/236/237/238/239/240/241/242/243/244/245/246/247/248/249/251/252/253/255/256/257/258/259/260/261/262/263/264/265/266/267

 

[crosscity]

350240/241 also going tomorrow morning on 5Q07 0920 Wembley Yard to Long Marston. So by the end of 24th every 350/2 should be at Long Marston...

Here is 5Q07 at Northfield.

23Dec2025. Northfield (Wychall bridge). ECS 350241 350240 37407 (Ex D6605). [P1230968] by Ray Honke, on Flickr