Network Rail Class 950 to be disposed

[fgwrich]

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.

To be fair, given the fairly large amounts of steelwork that has gone in to keep other sprinters going over recent years, such as the GW 150s or Northern 156s as @diligentdave can testify, chassis rot is a rather plausible reason for the retirement of 950001.

 

[Wyrleybart]

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.

Wishing not to sound too pendantic but 950001 doesn't have chassis as such. The BR Mk1s were the last coaches to have a chassis, and from Mk2 onwards, and all multiple units, the bodyshells are integral to the structure.
The 150/2s which GWR have were all sent to Wolverton, and the TfW 150/2s to Crewe, both to have the lower bodysides cut away and new steel welded in. Clearly it was not cost effective to do this so 153s look like they are replacing it.

 

[Towers]

To be fair, given the fairly large amounts of steelwork that has gone in to keep other sprinters going over recent years, such as the GW 150s or Northern 156s as @diligentdave can testify, chassis rot is a rather plausible reason for the retirement of 950001.

But equally could be rectified on heavy overhaul if there was any such desire - which, evidently, there isn’t!

 

[Nym]

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.

So no different to the majority of the 153s “replacing” it with daylight able to be seen through the steelwork?

 

[Strathclyder]

Would it be safe to assume that 950001 be visiting the Glasgow area during this Scottish farewell tour? If so, I'd like to get a shot of it if possible.

 

[Freightmaster]

Would it be safe to assume that 950001 be visiting the Glasgow area during this Scottish farewell tour? If so, I'd like to get a shot of it if possible.

Here you go:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U87322/2026-07-08/detailed

(visits Stranraer on Thursday)

 

[Strathclyder]

Here you go:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U87322/2026-07-08/detailed

(visits Stranraer on Thursday)

Cheers for that. Not sure whether to get it under the Queen St roof as the driver changes ends or somewhere on the Barnhill branch. Decisions decisions...

 

[JJ Henry]

anyone know the what service it’s doing after going to Bristol

 

[Ashley Hill]

Here’s a photo of 950001 enjoying the sun in Penzance this afternoon.

 

[Welshguy1048]

It's still around !

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

18/08/26 - Network Rail Track Recording Unit - 950001 - Chester Middle Yard to Chester Middle Yard

 

[FrodshamJnct]

I read elsewhere today that its last working will be early/mid-September. Unsure if that’s correct though.

 

[XCTurbostar]

The 4th of September is the last date of use with: 2208 Reading Triangle Sidings to Derby R.T.C. (via Aylesbury, Princes Risborough & Oxford)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed

Following on from this, it will be replaced later in the year by a purpose built 153 as explained by Programme Manager Mark Chestney back in 2024.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

The 4th of September is the last date of use with: 2208 Reading Triangle Sidings to Derby R.T.C. (via Aylesbury, Princes Risborough & Oxford)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed

Following on from this, it will be replaced later in the year by a purpose built 153 as explained by Programme Manager Mark Chestney back in 2024.

Thanks @XCTurbostar

 

[99009]

Because 950001 usually uses the headcode 2Q08 or 2Z08, the upcoming workings for the next week are possible to track. So, for anyone wanting to see it on its farewell tour, this looks to be the plan up to the middle of next week:

Today - 2Q08 18:43 Chester Middle Yard - Longsight: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00014/2026-08-19/detailed

Tomorrow - 2Q08 20:32 Longsight - Carnforth HS: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00202/2026-08-20/detailed

Friday 21st August 2026 - 2Q08 19:05 Carnforth HS - Longsight: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00262/2026-08-21/detailed

Sunday 23rd August 2026 - 2Z08 09:15 Longsight - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00412/2026-08-23/detailed

Monday 24th August 2026 - 2Q08 07:29 Derby RTC - Ipswich HS: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00479/2026-08-24/detailed

Tuesday 25th August 2026 - 2Q08 08:58 Ipswich HS - Peterborough Shunt Spur: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00557/2026-08-25/detailed

 

[CR165022]

950001s apparent last service is on 04/09, going from Reading to Derby via the Chilterns. Although it may of course end up running further after that.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed

 

[XCTurbostar]

950001s apparent last service is on 04/09, going from Reading to Derby via the Chilterns. Although it may of course end up running further after that.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed

This is correct. It wont work again since LORAM (who operate it) are ceasing their operating contract from Mid-Sept.

It should be noted that a tender has been raised by NR for operating Caroline and 'TRU' - https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W22/871563284#notice-descrip

The 153s are operated by COLAS.

 

[99009]

950001 will work the following after working 2Q08 Ipswich HS - Peterborough Shunt Spur today (see post #194 for this schedule):

Tomorrow - 2Q08 08:57 Peterborough Shunt Spur - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00694/2026-08-26/detailed

Thursday - 2Q08 15:03 Derby RTC - Ferme Park: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00823/2026-08-27/detailed

Friday - 2Q08 14:40 Ferme Park - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00954/2026-08-28/detailed

Tuesday 1st September 2026/Wednesday 2nd September 2026 - 2Q08 20:22 Derby RTC - Reading Triangle Sidings: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01117/2026-09-01/detailed

Friday 4th September 2026/Saturday 5th September 2026 - 2Q08 22:08 Reading Triangle Sidings - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed (NOTE: As per the gen in the posts above, this is the expected final working)