Northern Class 323 & 350 Cascade Updates

[Class 466]

Hi all,

Thought I’d start a new thread, seen as the last one was moved to speculative with the endless “what if we electrified to X” and other discussions. I want this to be a place to discuss upcoming cascades of the 323s and 350s to/from Northern as well as updates on the units in/out of traffic.

Long term out of use Northern 323s:

323218,323229,323242

Medium term out of use:

323217 (last in use 16/05 - Back in use 22/08)


Class 350 whereabouts:

350231-267 - Stored Long Marston

Visited Northampton EMD for recommissioning work:
350233 - (24/08-28/08)
350257 - (20/07-24/07)

Feel free to update as and when there are changes.

 

[43096]

Hi all,

Thought I’d start a new thread, seen as the last one was moved to speculative with the endless “what if we electrified to X” and other discussions. I want this to be a place to discuss upcoming cascades of the 323s and 350s to/from Northern as well as updates on the units in/out of traffic.

Long term out of use Northern 323s:

323218,323229,323242

Medium term out of use:

323217 (last in use 16/05)


Class 350 whereabouts:

350231-251,350253-267 - Stored Long Marston
350252 - Northampton EMD for preparatory work (Arrived 20/07 on 5Q22)

Feel free to update as and when there are changes.

It's 350257 that has moved (back) to Northampton for recommissioning work, not 350252. There's photos on Flickr of it.

 

[Class 466]

Path in for 350257's return to Long Marston tomorrow - 5Q35 0914 Northampton Emd to Long Marston Gbrf

 

[darylyates17]

What is the plan for Liverpool-Wigan North Western/Blackpool North & Liverpool-Manchester Victoria/Airport diagrams once the 323s are replaced will any 350s run on them or will they be all 331s?

 

[Mollman]

What is the plan for Liverpool-Wigan North Western/Blackpool North & Liverpool-Manchester Victoria/Airport diagrams once the 323s are replaced will any 350s run on them or will they be all 331s?

We don't know yet, hence why the main thread is in the Speculation section and this bit is for the factual movements etc.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-323s-on-northern.304462/page-10#post-7864241

 

[737egnh]

What is the plan for Liverpool-Wigan North Western/Blackpool North & Liverpool-Manchester Victoria/Airport diagrams once the 323s are replaced will any 350s run on them or will they be all 331s?

The current plan is for depots that currently sign 323’s will be signing 350’s, with Piccadilly being first in the pecking order. (Everything subject to change of course)

 

[BGTravels]

Hi all,

Thought I’d start a new thread, seen as the last one was moved to speculative with the endless “what if we electrified to X” and other discussions. I want this to be a place to discuss upcoming cascades of the 323s and 350s to/from Northern as well as updates on the units in/out of traffic.

Long term out of use Northern 323s:

323218,323229,323242

Medium term out of use:

323217 (last in use 16/05)


Class 350 whereabouts:

350231-256,350258-267 - Stored Long Marston
350257 - Northampton EMD for preparatory work (Arrived 20/07 on 5Q22)

Feel free to update as and when there are changes.

Do u know how long 323229/242 will be off need them for railmiles last 2

 

[Geeves]

What is the plan for Liverpool-Wigan North Western/Blackpool North & Liverpool-Manchester Victoria/Airport diagrams once the 323s are replaced will any 350s run on them or will they be all 331s?

When it came to signing 323s Northern had the advantage last time that Liverpool already signed as well as Piccadilly so this time after Piccadilly it will likely be Liverpool next followed by Wigan and Blackpool with probably Victoria and Buxton at the end. Might be wrong though!

 

[Liverpool 507]

Are the 350s expected to replace 4 car 331s on Alderley Edge services?

 

[sjm77]

When it came to signing 323s Northern had the advantage last time that Liverpool already signed as well as Piccadilly so this time after Piccadilly it will likely be Liverpool next followed by Wigan and Blackpool with probably Victoria and Buxton at the end. Might be wrong though!

Buxton?
Regardless the 350s are fine trains for what they do. They gave a much smoother ride alon the upper WCML than the CAF replacement.

 

[sportzbar]

Buxton?
Regardless the 350s are fine trains for what they do. They gave a much smoother ride alon the upper WCML than the CAF replacement.

Yes. Buxton drivers sign the Piccadilly - Blackpool route and 323/331 traction...

 

[Mamorin]

Are the 350s expected to replace 4 car 331s on Alderley Edge services?

350/2s are only going to replace the 323s, so based on that 4 car 331s might remain on Alderley Edge services.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

350/2s are only going to replace the 323s, so based on that 4 car 331s might remain on Alderley Edge services.

Depends if the 350 arrival causes an internal shuffle.

 

[CHAPS2034]

350/2s are only going to replace the 323s, so based on that 4 car 331s might remain on Alderley Edge services.

323s are still operating some Alderley services. 323208 and 331102 were in charge yesterday. These diagrams seem to be self contained all day - and therefore are often first to go in times of disruption.

No doubt with the arrival of the 350s there will be some shuffling around of units on diagrams.

 

[Thomas6187]

323s are still operating some Alderley services. 323208 and 331102 were in charge yesterday.

Its 323s on Saturdays. During the week its booked as 331/1

 

[CHAPS2034]

Its 323s on Saturdays. During the week its booked as 331/1

Might be what's booked. But last week, from RTT, there was a 323 on one of the Alderley diagrams on Monday, Thursday and Friday.

 

[Mollman]

Can we leave discussion about routes etc to speculation thread until something is officially announced that clearly states how they are going to operate. This thread is meant to be for the recording of transfer, refurbishment and introduction into service.

 

[Mamorin]

Anybody know if this has anything to do with the 350/2s at Long Marston?

I know its not going to Northampton and I know its runs as required, but there is a lot of it in the system to make sure it has pathing space.

So whatever this move is it's important, and due to that I can't 100% rule out it has something to do with the 350/2s, even though I'm like 90% sure it has nothing to do with the 350/2s.

It is marked as empty coaching stock, in case that helps.

There is also a return working.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C13839/2026-08-05/detailed

 

[Liam L]

Anybody know if this has anything to do with the 350/2s at Long Marston?

I know its not going to Northampton and I know its runs as required, but there is a lot of it in the system to make sure it has pathing space.

So whatever this move is it's important, and due to that I can't 100% rule out it has something to do with the 350/2s, even though I'm like 90% sure it has nothing to do with the 350/2s.

It is marked as empty coaching stock, in case that helps.

There is also a return working.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C13839/2026-08-05/detailed

Not 350/2 related.

 

[Mamorin]

Thanks for answering my question.

 

[BGTravels]

Anyone know how long 323229/242 are off for

 

[MrBeanie]

With regards to the non running 323218/323229/323242 I thought these all needed the same parts for repair. Does anyone know whether these are going to be brought back into service, and if not where are they currently stored.

 

[Class 466]

In theory activity with the 350s should increase once the lease actually starts on 17 August as per the published agreement. Class 350 Lease - Find a Tender

 

[diligentdave]

With regards to the non running 323218/323229/323242 I thought these all needed the same parts for repair. Does anyone know whether these are going to be brought back into service, and if not where are they currently stored.

All 3 need a transformers. There aren't many around therefore they have to wait in turns for a failed one to get repaired or overhauled and returned. Earliest release is 218 end of August, then 242 early Sept followed by 229..

In theory activity with the 350s should increase once the lease actually starts on 17 August as per the published agreement. Class 350 Lease - Find a Tender

That doesn't mean that 350's will start turning up at Allerton. All the 350's have to go through a package of works at Long Marston first, so earliest expected delivery is 2027.

 

[Class 466]

That doesn't mean that 350's will start turning up at Allerton. All the 350's have to go through a package of works at Long Marston first, so earliest expected delivery is 2027.

Well aware of this. Activity didn't mean arrival in the North!

 

[MrBeanie]

All 3 need a transformers. There aren't many around therefore they have to wait in turns for a failed one to get repaired or overhauled and returned. Earliest release is 218 end of August, then 242 early Sept followed by 229..


That doesn't mean that 350's will start turning up at Allerton. All the 350's have to go through a package of works at Long Marston first, so earliest expected delivery is 2027.

Thanks for the update

 

[D9006]

Yes. Buxton drivers sign the Piccadilly - Blackpool route and 323/331 traction...

Wow, that’s very interesting for Buxton drivers, you think they be tied to doing to/fro Buxton all day every day

 

[M60lad]

What works are they having done at Long Marston before they enter service?

 

[ic31420]

All 3 need a transformers. There aren't many around therefore they have to wait in turns for a failed one to get repaired or overhauled and returned. Earliest release is 218 end of August, then 242 early Sept followed by 229..

Were many spare transformers built or is it a case some have been written off?

How does it work with Newer fleets like they 350s? Will northern get a spares bundle with the fleet or does the ROSCO hold the major spares?

Do the ROSCOs tend to buy a few spare cabs, bogies, traction motors, transformers, engines etc? Along with a bucket of electronics cards, door mechanisms and so on? or is it left to the manufacturers of these to provide legacy support?

 

[BGTravels]

All 3 need a transformers. There aren't many around therefore they have to wait in turns for a failed one to get repaired or overhauled and returned. Earliest release is 218 end of August, then 242 early Sept followed by 229..


That doesn't mean that 350's will start turning up at Allerton. All the 350's have to go through a package of works at Long Marston first, so earliest expected delivery is 2027.

Can they not use the stored 323 to repair these 3 need 242/229