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Class 315 Withdrawals

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20atthemagnet

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prod_pep said:
Interestingly, according to Ashley Butlin's British Multiple Units: Volume 3, 315841 was in fact the last 315 (and thus last PEP-derived EMU) to be built. Units 315801-831 were completed from May to November 1980, then 315842-861 were built, taking construction to April 1981. The final units to be built were 315832-841, with 841 the last to be completed in July 1981. I believe this discrepancy is due to the two traction motor types and their availability at the time of construction: 315801-841 originally had Brush motors and 315842-861 GEC motors.
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The GEC motored 315s were miles better in their day really gave a nice bit of zip when driving (ex WAGN) and were maintained beautifully by Hornsey. Preferred the longer power handles and knee cut out too. The Brush units (ex GE Ilford based) were a bit vague and weren't looked after as well. Soon as NX came they all went to Ilford and mushed into one another and they became pretty indistinguishable (not in a good way) You could find GEC motors on a low number and Brush motors on a higher. Just depended on whatever Ilford felt like chucking on... TfL Rail ended up with all the original WA units and WA (LO) ended up with the GEs (much to the delight of the ex GE Ilford drivers and dismay of the ex WA drivers) :lol:
 
O L Leigh

O L Leigh

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Just to add to the above.

Although the Cl315s became a single fleet under Ilford this did not occur immediately and segregation continued for a time. My recollection is that this was because the GE fleet included the three FGE refurbs that were, at that time at least, non-standard. It was only once the full fleet refurb was underway and all WA drivers had received the conversion training that the Cl315s were treated as a single fleet.

I always preferred driving the GEC units to the Brush ones as they had a number of traits that I liked far better. Contrary to popular belief, the unrefurbised former FGE units were in a far worse state than their unrefurbished WA siblings. The former FGE units had gaps in the bodywork along the seams and the interiors were rank.

On the preservation question, I'm not sure that I subscribe to the view that we must keep one of everything and don't expect to see any Cl315s saved (at least, no complete units). As has been described, they would be of extremely limited use in operational form and the costs would likely be unsustainable. If 313001 is going to be saved for the national collection the need to have other PEP survivors seems limited. That said, a Cl315 interior might be worth saving, especially if 313001 is going to be restored to original condition.
 
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20atthemagnet

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O L Leigh said:
I always preferred driving the GEC units to the Brush ones as they had a number of traits that I liked far better. Contrary to popular belief, the unrefurbised former FGE units were in a far worse state than their unrefurbished WA siblings. The former FGE units had gaps in the bodywork along the seams and the interiors were rank.
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My sentiments entirely :lol:
 
221101 Voyager

221101 Voyager

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prod_pep said:
Nicely captured. It's sad to see any 315 go but 315824 is special to me as the last of the 217 PEP-derived EMUs I needed to ride. An excellent unit too.
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Thanks for your feedback! Much appreciated!

I'm enjoying capturing them in the unusual location that is the WCML though! But it is a shame that I see them on their last runs before being scrapped. :( But being amongst the last to see them under their own power is a privilege though.
 
WesternLancer

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I'm sure I'm overlooking something obvious, but why do these units go from London area depots to Northants, then back to Ilford before going to S Wales to be scrapped?

I mean why do they not just end their regular service in east london area, then get sent direct to scrap yard?
 
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DustyBin

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WesternLancer said:
I'm sure I'm overlooking something obvious, but why do these units go from London area depots to Northants, then back to Ilford before going to S Wales to be scrapped?

I mean why do they not just end their regular service in east london area, then get sent direct to scrap yard?
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Good question! I’ve always assumed they go into warm storage in case they are needed again due to another unit suffering a serious failure/accident, and that there isn’t space to keep them at Ilford. I may well be wrong though, somebody on here will know I’m sure.
 
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superjohn

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I believe it is to eke out the remaining mileage available across the whole fleet, rather than paying for exams on stock with a limited life left. If the units still in service run out of miles before requiring an exam the stored units can be brought back into use. Once the operator is confident that they definitely have enough new trains to cover the duties the stored units can go for scrap.
 
221101 Voyager

221101 Voyager

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DustyBin said:
Great video! When you see them glide past at speed like that they really don’t look ready for scrapping.
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Thanks! No they still look and sound pretty good.:) If I could buy a unit and preserve one myself I certainly would alongside an 86. That’s my preservation dream to own both all to myself, but there’s no chance of that happening!:frown:


WesternLancer said:
I'm sure I'm overlooking something obvious, but why do these units go from London area depots to Northants, then back to Ilford before going to S Wales to be scrapped?

I mean why do they not just end their regular service in east london area, then get sent direct to scrap yard?
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Thats a good question, the answer on the post below seems a very likely and logical arrangement.


DustyBin said:
Good question! I’ve always assumed they go into warm storage in case they are needed again due to another unit suffering a serious failure/accident, and that there isn’t space to keep them at Ilford. I may well be wrong though, somebody on here will know I’m sure.
Click to expand...
I think you’re right and I think that’s a logical idea.
 
WesternLancer

WesternLancer

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DustyBin said:
Good question! I’ve always assumed they go into warm storage in case they are needed again due to another unit suffering a serious failure/accident, and that there isn’t space to keep them at Ilford. I may well be wrong though, somebody on here will know I’m sure.
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Thanks for this.

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superjohn said:
I believe it is to eke out the remaining mileage available across the whole fleet, rather than paying for exams on stock with a limited life left. If the units still in service run out of miles before requiring an exam the stored units can be brought back into use. Once the operator is confident that they definitely have enough new trains to cover the duties the stored units can go for scrap.
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Thanks - makes sense!
 
DBS92042

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315815 & 315801 heading back to Ilford today on the 5Q80 Northampton to Ilford
 
Ewan M

Ewan M

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The Ilford to Sims Newport path should be on RTT soon. Will be a shame to see the leader of the pack go for scrap!
 
Ewan M

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43096

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DBS92042 said:
Looks like some 315s are going to Northampton tomorrow instead of going for scrap. A ROG loco looks like it goes to Ilford in the morning to collect them.

Realtime Trains - 540Q 1059 Ilford E.M.U.D. to Db Cargo Fan A And B Sdgs

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
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Are you sure that's for 315s, as it's the same headcode as the 360 moves from Ilford to Northampton?
 
Siemens Staines

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Ewan M said:
No room at Newport perhaps?
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Or a consequence of the bridge replacement at Patchway? This has effectively closed the Severn Tunnel for around two weeks (25/10 - 06/11) with the limited number of services to Newport running via Chepstow
 
DBS92042

DBS92042

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43096 said:
Are you sure that's for 315s, as it's the same headcode as the 360 moves from Ilford to Northampton?
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It's a ROG move not GBRF so I don't think it'll be a 360 move. And its to Northampton TC Up Sidings rather than Northampton EMD

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DBS92042 said:
It's a ROG move not GBRF so I don't think it'll be a 360 move. And its to Northampton TC Up Sidings rather than Northampton EMD
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Now only going as far as Wembley Yard rather than Northampton
 
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Ewan M

Ewan M

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37884 took 315801 + 315815 up to Wembley a short time ago

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

For anyone wondering about the status of the two 315 at Booths, I have been told on Twitter that 315808 is still intact but 315822 is now in the process of being dismantled
 
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221101 Voyager

221101 Voyager

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221101 Voyager said:
315802 + 315807 are at Northampton and should be on this today -

Realtime Trains - 5Q20 1107 Northampton Tc Up Sidings to Ilford E.M.U.D.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk www.realtimetrains.co.uk
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Here is my photos and video of 315802 & 315807 on 5Q20 to Ilford yesterday.
The video has a 3 tone horn in it and some motor thrash, hope you guys enjoy the content!:) ;)

Search: 5Q20 1107 Northampton Tc Up Sidings to Ilford E.M.U.D. | Flickr

www.flickr.com www.flickr.com
 
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