Class 156 at Cricklewood

[Voyager 2093]

I dont know what it is but everytime i drive on the North Circurlar Road past Brent Cross i always see a pair of class 156s at the depot and some HSTs aswell does anyone know what this might be

 

[87015]

I dont know what it is but everytime i drive on the North Circurlar Road past Brent Cross i always see a pair of class 156s at the depot and some HSTs aswell does anyone know what this might be

Sure its a 156?!? A little lost I think if so !
Heard/read/got told somewhere that SWT are lending 158s to (former) MML for the launch of new East Mids Franchise. Fun for all passengers, but obviously all about the paint!!

 

[paulo]

Nope he is right FCC have started to utilise 156s, I am guessing these were transferred from their services to stevenage etc from Moorgate. As for the HSTs these are Midland Mainline which run that section of the line from St Pancras to Sheffield/Derby/Nottingham etc. The area you are referring to is the Cricklewood carriage sidings and is used by both MML and FCC.

 

[Turbostar]

If that's the case then, who's/what units are they??? Looking at ABRail, my pocket book, & my own knowledge, 156's are operated by the following: ONE, First Scotrail, Northern, Central Trains. Out of all of those, as obvious, the only Firstgroup one is Scotrail, & I can't see SR sending a couple of units down just like that. Can anyone shed any light on this, if at all they are 156's???

Mart

 

[ChrisCooper]

I can't see FCC using 156s for various reasons. They are 75mph units so would be no good on fast services, yet lack the acceleration of an EMU for slow services. They don't have anything like the capacity for that sort of route other than off peak (unless run in multiple) but then there will be plenty of EMUs free off peak anyway, they have single end doors which make them bad for commuter working, and they couldn't work to Moorgate (either route) since they are out of gauge and are diesels.

 

[paulo]

Sorry my mistake, my poor knowledge of stock identity has prevailed here, FCC operate class 317s not 156s. sorry folks!

 

[ChrisCooper]

Actually, I wonder if this is what it might be, 317s and 156s being mixed up, since from the front they do look similar. FCC Thameslink I think are getting or have already got some 317s for Moorgate services once again, to free up 319s for strengthening cross London services.

 

[class 313]

No 156's are in Cricklewood. It is indeed 8 car 317s. Like Chris said, they are used on Bedford - Moorgate's so 319s can do other runs.

 

[Coxster]

Actually, I wonder if this is what it might be, 317s and 156s being mixed up, since from the front they do look similar. FCC Thameslink I think are getting or have already got some 317s for Moorgate services once again, to free up 319s for strengthening cross London services.

Pluggy time!

 

[paulo]

I have come home a few times on a 317 but only ever from Moorgate, personally I prefer them to FFCs 319s which are pretty grotty inside.

 

[ChrisCooper]

It's funny with those 317s that they started life on the MML, and always seem to gravitate back there. This must be at least the 4th time that they have been used on the MML since they were displaced by the 319s. I must try and get on one this time, since I've never managed anything more than a Moorgate to KXT run once a few years ago. Of cource, when TL2000 extends the platform at Farringdon and closes the Moorgate branch, the 317s will be off the MML for good (if they are still around by then, afterall they are close to 30 years old now).