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

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david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Fri 14/8
4 started the day 424/31/50/56. 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (128) covering off SP.
However as above 431 failed at Southport after working 2W03 07.09 Man Vic-Southport, was routed into Platform 6, which is the usual demic platform at Southport. Is currently showing as re-starting the diagram on 2O77 13.04 Southport-Man Ox Rd.....
 
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Jamesrob637

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Joined
12 Aug 2016
Messages
6,055
Fri 14/8
4 started the day 424/31/50/56. 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (128) covering off SP.
However as above 431 failed at Southport after working 2W03 07.09 Man Vic-Southport, was routed into Platform 6, which is the usual demic platform at Southport. Is currently showing as re-starting the diagram on 2)77 13.04 Southport-Man Ox Rd.....

Which it did, and kept more or less to time.
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Sat 15/8
Services resume to Stalybridge so (allegedly) back to 6 x 769 diagrams.
5 started the day 424/31/42/56/58. 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (271) covering off SP. 431 started off SP not NH, 458 going to SP tonight not AN.
However 424 managed to get as far as Farnworth on 2W44 07.25 Southport-Stalybridge before failing, cue several delays behind it. Replaced by 156415 after a couple of cancellations.... then 431 also failed on 2W48 09.24 Southport-Stalybridge at Man. Vic, cancelled to Stalybridge and return 2W13 to Southport cancelled as far as Wigan Wallgate. 150150 purloined from a Blackburn-Headbolt Lane to re-start 2W13 at Wigan.
So 5 started, 2 now down, 3 to go (and resultant short-forms on 3 diagrams)...
Later - couple of services booked for 156415 cancelled (lack of train crew)

Of the others 434 went to AN on 11/8, 450 to SP 14/8, 448 at Brodies since 4/7.
 
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ic31420

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2017
Messages
392
Location
United Kingdom
I assume the plan is “GBR will fix it.” Without any real detail behind it because the fluff never leads to commitment anyway.

Thats dire. It must be soul destroying for the crews and controls.

Even if a new fleet or further electrician was ordered it would be what... The best part of half a decade away
 

bolt057068

Member
Joined
31 Dec 2025
Messages
10
Location
Greater Manchester
The only thing I can think of is to resurrect the Class 350 Battery Flex (no idea if this would be feasible or even work).

It must be a nightmare if you have to rely on this service for work, and it could be pushing commuters back into their cars.
 

Geeves

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6 Jan 2009
Messages
2,615
Location
Rochdale
The plan seemingly is to narrow the 769s (again) to a singular route some point next year. Oxford Rd to Southport and the other Southport train will be made up from something else not using 769s.
 

Nym

Established Member
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2 Mar 2007
Messages
9,778
Location
Somewhere, not in London
The only thing I can think of is to resurrect the Class 350 Battery Flex (no idea if this would be feasible or even work).

It must be a nightmare if you have to rely on this service for work, and it could be pushing commuters back into their cars.
350 Battery Flex won't happen.
The 350s are being leased to Northern without re-tractioning.

Also, due to the long long long list of reasons I've posted before but can't be bothered finding, usually someone else quote me for me.
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Mon 17/8
5 started the day 424/34/42/56/58. Some swapping early doors but the 6th diagram is being covered by a 2 car 156 DMU (415) starting from AN, but going onto the diagram that should start at NH, whilst 769424 which did in fact start at NH has gone onto the second AN diagram.
Of the others 431 failed at Farnworth 15/8 and is at ??, 450 last noted at SP 14/8, 448 at Brodies since 4/7.
 

Bikeman78

Established Member
Joined
26 Apr 2018
Messages
6,169
What's the long term plan for these and the services operated by these.
Surely this daily disaster can't continue?
Maybe I will start watching the class 155s. Seven units for five diagrams I believe. Would be an interesting comparison.
 

Gricer99

Member
Joined
21 Jun 2020
Messages
327
Location
Hindley
Looks like 434 couldn't get it's pan up at Ince on 2W68 1930 Southport to Stalybridge as it was observed running 10 minutes late on diesel approaching Hindley and was 18 minutes late leaving Bolton.
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Looks like 434 couldn't get it's pan up at Ince on 2W68 1930 Southport to Stalybridge as it was observed running 10 minutes late on diesel approaching Hindley and was 18 minutes late leaving Bolton.
Cancelled at Man Vic and return from Stalybridge to Man Vic cancelled. Presume gone to NH.
 

1D53

Established Member
Joined
2 Apr 2006
Messages
2,884
Maybe I will start watching the class 155s. Seven units for five diagrams I believe. Would be an interesting comparison.
155s are either all working or all broken, no inbetween.

They couldnt work to Southport as a 769 infill though, not cleared through Wallgate.
 

Gricer99

Member
Joined
21 Jun 2020
Messages
327
Location
Hindley
Just a thought, though veering slightly off topic. Could a 195 be used on the Southport route via Atherton to improve reliability when there is a new timetable?
 

pokemonsuper9

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20 Dec 2022
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4,584
Location
Greater Manchester
Just a thought, though veering slightly off topic. Could a 195 be used on the Southport route via Atherton to improve reliability when there is a new timetable?
Don't think so, at least not with some modifications to the line - I think the last time they tried to take a 195 to Southport it got stuck there for a week, not sure what arrangements were done to get it back.
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Tues 18/8
5 started the day 424/34/42/50/58, 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (414) covering off AN.
However 442 (again, but this time on-board safety systems -presume doors) only made it from SP to Wigan W this morning and then failed on 2W40 06.05 Wigan-Stalybridge at Bolton, return 2W05 07.52 Stalybridge-Southport cancelled throughout and 2O74 10.03 Southport-Man Ox Rd cancelled as far as Wigan W where 769456 (presume off SP) started to cover.
442 ran ECS from Bolton to SP and has now gone to AN as 5Z85 accompanied by 431.
Mid-afternoon several cancellations between Wigan and Southport and vice versa due to 'a problem with the track'...disruption until 16.30
 
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1D53

Established Member
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2 Apr 2006
Messages
2,884
155345 looks like it has only worked three days this year! 347 also stopped at the moment but the other five seem consistent.
345 came back from works recently with a few niggly faults.
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Wed 19/8
5 started the day 424/31/42/50/58. 1 x 2car 150 DMU (218) covering off NH, as no 769 went to NH last night- 424 went to SP instead.
No evidence of any failures around Man Vic last night though.
Of the others 434 & 456 went to AN 18/8 as booked, 448 at Brodies since 4/7.
442 (again, see yesterday, on board safety systems again -doors ??) was failed at Wigan W on 2O72 Southport-Man Ox Road, train cancelled and return 14.27 2W18 Man Ox Rd-Southport cancelled as far as Wigan W. 156426 purloined from ?? and covered rest of diagram.
 
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Soft Hands

Member
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27 Dec 2020
Messages
95
Location
Bolton
Wed 19/8
5 started the day 424/31/42/50/58. 1 x 2car 150 DMU (218) covering off NH, as no 769 went to NH last night- 424 went to SP instead.
No evidence of any failures around Man Vic last night though.
Of the others 434 & 456 went to AN 18/8 as booked, 448 at Brodies since 4/7.
I think the failure was 156414...on a 769 diagram!
 

david l

Member
Joined
27 Dec 2016
Messages
447
Location
Wigan
Thurs 20/8
5 start the day 424/34/42/56/58. 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (417) covering off AN.
442 back in action (again so far) 3 days of door failures in last week...

Bad news- Another disruptive day- for the second time this week cancellations between Wigan & Southport (both directions) because of 'safety checks on the track'.
Good news - all 769's still running.

Fri 21/8
Same 5 start the day 424/34/42/56/58. Same 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (417) covering, but this time off SP.
424 failed on 2W16 13.27 Man Ox Rd-Southport, looks like didn't like changing over from electric to diesel at Ince, and got no further than Wigan Wallgate. Train cancelled to Southport, and return 2W60 15.24 Southport-Stalybridge started from Wigan W, utilising 150218 pinched from a 4 car Headbolt Lane-Blackburn and remained on diagram for rest of day.424 retired to SP on 5W16.

Sat 22/8
5 started the day but not for long. 424/34/42/50/56. 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (417) covering off AN.
However 424 (see 21/8) worked 5F71 SP-Southport, then 2071 07.03 Southport-Man Ox Road but removed at Wigan W (traction equipment again). Rest of 2O71 cancelled, 424 sent to SP in disgrace (again) and return 2W06 08.27 Man Ox Rd- Southport cancelled as far as Wigan W, with 150218 procured from SP taking the diagram up.
Of the others 431 went to AN on 17/8, 458 went to AN 21/8, 448 still at Brodies since 4/7.

Mon 24/8
4 start the day 434/42/50/58. 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (218) covering off SP, 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (406) covering off NH.
Of the others 431 at AN since 18/8, 456 at AN since 22/8, 424 failed Wigan W and to SP 22/8, 448 Brodies.
458 appears to have run into trouble after working 2W24 17.27 Ox Rd-Southport as return 2W68 19.30 to Stalybridge terminated at Wigan W., train then cancelled with return 21.20 Stalybridge-Man Vic also cancelled, unit should have gone to NH but presume has retired to SP.

Tues 25/8
4 started the day 434/42/50/56. 1 x 4 car 150/56 DMU (215/413) covering off AN and 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (104) covering off NH.

Wed 26/8
5 start the day 434/42/50/56/58. 1 x 2 car 156 DMU (406) covering off AN, but swapped for 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (201) early in day.

Thurs 27/8
5 started the day 424/34/50/56/58. 1 x 4 car 150/156 DMU (215/413) covering off SP.

Fri 28/8
5 started the day 424/34/50/56/58. 1 x 4 car 156 DMU (412/459) covering off AN.
Of the others 431 went to AN 17/8, 442 went to AN 26/8, 448 at Brodies since 4/7.
Some alterations this evening with train crew (conductor) problems,(21.27 & 22.27 off Man Ox Road cancelled) but 424 & 458 have gone together as 5Y65 22.02 Wigan NW-AN with 5Y63 21.03 Wigan NW-AN cancelled.

Sat 29/8
5 started the day 434/42/50/56/58. 1 x 2 car 150 DMU (129) covering from NH.
 
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