Class 321 storage/scrapping

[3973EXL]

Realtime Trains | 5Q04 0932 Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Millerhill S.S. | 16/02/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q04 0932 departure from Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Millerhill S.S. on 16/02/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

37800 321402

 

[tricky18jan]

Going to Millerhill ?? Seems random

 

[45076]

Going to Millerhill ?? Seems random

It may possibly be for spares for the 320's

 

[morgainelive]

I've noticed some of the previous 10 or 8 car morning off peak service from Clacton or Ipswich are now 5 cars and packed by Colchester for half term- bad move getting rid of the 321s this week if there's not enough to double up in such a busy off peak week

 

[greaterangrier]

In my opinion the unit diagramming is exceptionally poor - not to say that it is an easy job, but the 2010 Olympic timetable matched demand to service exceptionally well, in comparison to now when it seems everything is only centred around the peaks. There have been 3 timetable changes to fix this, and with the extraordinary similarities in May 2023, things look to be staying the same for a good while.

 

[Peter0124]

Wait why do the 320s need spares? Spare what? Is 321402 gonna be converted into a 3 car like the others or?

I'm pretty sure they have atleast five 320/4s off lease sitting in Yoker for weeks at a time. So I don't understand why another 321 unit has come up to Scotland.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

Realtime Trains | 5Q04 0932 Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Millerhill S.S. | 16/02/2023

Real-time train running information for 5Q04 0932 departure from Gascoigne Wood Sidings to Millerhill S.S. on 16/02/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

37800 321402

 

[43096]

Wait why do the 320s need spares? Spare what? Is 321402 gonna be converted into a 3 car like the others or?

You’ve never heard of trains (or indeed cars, planes, pretty much anything mechanical) needing spare parts?

I'm pretty sure they have atleast five 320/4s off lease sitting in Yoker for weeks at a time. So I don't understand why another 321 unit has come up to Scotland.

They’re not off lease.

 

[St. Paddy]

Wait why do the 320s need spares? Spare what? Is 321402 gonna be converted into a 3 car like the others or?

I'm pretty sure they have atleast five 320/4s off lease sitting in Yoker for weeks at a time. So I don't understand why another 321 unit has come up to Scotland.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

According to posts further up the thread, the 5 at Yoker are regularly rotated and therefore not off lease.

 

[Class15]

So sad to see these trains going after so many great years. Hopefully the Vivarail battery trial thing happens

 

[Peter Mugridge]

So sad to see these trains going after so many great years. Hopefully the Vivarail battery trial thing happens

I don't think the administrators have found a home for that project yet, I'm afraid.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I don't think the administrators have found a home for that project yet, I'm afraid.

GWR have announced they've bought the unit and employed 9 vivarail staff to help with the project along with the fast charge equipment.

Was discussed elsewhere on the forum but can't remember where.

 

[45076]

Wait why do the 320s need spares? Spare what? Is 321402 gonna be converted into a 3 car like the others or?

I'm pretty sure they have atleast five 320/4s off lease sitting in Yoker for weeks at a time. So I don't understand why another 321 unit has come up to Scotland.


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2023 ==

It's on WNXX this morning 402 is going to be used as a source of spares for the 320 fleet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

GWR have announced they've bought the unit and employed 9 vivarail staff to help with the project along with the fast charge equipment.

Was discussed elsewhere on the forum but can't remember where.

Does that cover the 321 project, though?

As I understood it, they bought the rights rather than the actual project ( other than the bit relating to 230 001 on the Greenford branch ), which presumably means someone else can carry on with the 321 conversion but must pay a fee to GWR for doing so.

...or have GWR actually taken on the 321 project itself as well?

 

[Tony2]

I’ve just been informed 321402 is at Millerhill for a Network Rail exercise to show the aftermath of a level crossing incident. Some cars will be laid on their side and the unit will be removed for scrap afterwards.

This will take place soon, so should be verifiable by next week.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Does that cover the 321 project, though?

As I understood it, they bought the rights rather than the actual project ( other than the bit relating to 230 001 on the Greenford branch ), which presumably means someone else can carry on with the 321 conversion but must pay a fee to GWR for doing so.

...or have GWR actually taken on the 321 project itself as well?

No don't think so. I thought you were referring to the GWR thing on its own so apologies for the confusion.

 

[Poyntz]

So sad to see these trains going after so many great years. Hopefully the Vivarail battery trial thing happens

Maybe this link will clarify things

GWR buys Vivarail battery train assets to secure Greenford trial

UK: Great Western Railway has agreed contracts to buy Vivarail’s battery train related assets, saying this will secure the future of planned trials of the technology in London. The deal announced on February 16 includes intellectual property, rolling stock and equipment relating to the...

www.railwaygazette.com

 

[Class15]

Maybe this link will clarify things

GWR buys Vivarail battery train assets to secure Greenford trial

UK: Great Western Railway has agreed contracts to buy Vivarail’s battery train related assets, saying this will secure the future of planned trials of the technology in London. The deal announced on February 16 includes intellectual property, rolling stock and equipment relating to the...

www.railwaygazette.com

Don’t have a subscription sadly.

But I thought this only applied to the 230s?

 

[Poyntz]

Don’t have a subscription sadly.

But I thought this only applied to the 230s?

Sorry , didn't think of that
The point is that they've bought the IP for fast battery charge tech, the 230s and 7 VR staff. If they can make it work maybe tthey'll license the tech to others. I very much doubt the 321 scheme will fly. Who would want to lease a 35 year old unit AC only even with a battery?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2023 ==

So sad to see these trains going after so many great years. Hopefully the Vivarail battery trial thing happens

Having suffered many miles commuting on them with howling draughts hoppers slamming shut and doors slamming around, I cannot understand why anyone would mourn their demise.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2023 ==

Don’t have a subscription sadly.

But I thought this only applied to the 230s?

Just a further thought; FGW may well want to fit 387s with the tech so they can reach Bedwyn & Oxford before launching it to others .

 

[JonathanH]

Just a further thought; FGW may well want to fit 387s with the tech so they can reach Bedwyn & Oxford before launching it to others .

Needs to be proved first. In one way, hacking it into a 321 might save messing up a more useful 387. In another, as you say, it might take so long to prove that the Renatus 321s may as well go for scrap straight away. (Is the class 600 project well and truly dead now?)

 

[Poyntz]

Needs to be proved first. In one way, hacking it into a 321 might save messing up a more useful 387. In another, as you say, it might take so long to prove that the Renatus 321s may as well go for scrap straight away. (Is the class 600 project well and truly dead now?)

I guess the strategy would be to prove concept on 230s. Who knows how long It'll take ? Maybe the 321 idea was kite flying by VR?

 

[Railperf]

A pair of Renatus units passing through Stratford - seemingly on 1N13 this morning

 

[03_179]

309 + 314

 

[Tony2]

I’ve just been informed 321402 is at Millerhill for a Network Rail exercise to show the aftermath of a level crossing incident. Some cars will be laid on their side and the unit will be removed for scrap afterwards.

This will take place soon, so should be verifiable by next week.

There has been a lot of activity around 321402 at Millerhill over the last few days.

37800 returned on Friday specifically to shunt it into position, over to the virtual quarry, next to a level crossing.

On Saturday a huge James Jack branded twin boom crane appeared and lots of Ainscough vans and orange jacketed staff.

Yesterday a large white marquee was constructed next to the unit, I was informed last week this is to house the invited dignitaries for the event.

Today leading driving car 77944 was connected to the crane by a harness at around 1145. It was then raised into the air and disconnected from the rest of the unit in the process. Using pulleys it was manoeuvred into a 45 degree angle and carefully lowered onto the ground, then laid completely on its side by approximately 1235.

 

[warwickshire]

309 + 314

Returned back to Clacton csd on 5N94 1100 ilford E.M.U.D to Clacton csd as a 12 car ecs rare you get them these days.
With 321327 321309 321314 on rear.
However when sighted at Colchester 321327 on the front noted had drained toilet tanks. The others 321s was full. Ie toilets. Ie 309 314.
Has 321327 just gone into cold Storage at Clacton with 321313 321316 321323.
Does anyone know? Ready for decommissioning. Note quite often the 1100 5N94 ilford E.M.U.D to Clacton csd is known as the grim reaper recently for units going into decommissioning like 321316 last Monday 13th February 2023. However also note. This morning a 10 car 720 VSTP move left Clacton 0830 to Ilford E.M.U.D with faulty 720s. and the 0520 Clacton to London Liverpool Street also failed. At Ingatestone.. seperate issue with faulty 720s around meaning 321 substitute on the 0647 Clacton to London Liverpool Street. However 321327 might be now be at Clacton for decommissioning.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Just a further thought; FGW may well want to fit 387s with the tech so they can reach Bedwyn & Oxford before launching it to others .

I imagine Oxford will be wired from Didcot after the station has been rebuilt and resignalled.
It ought to have at least some of the steelwork erected during the engineers possessions for the rebuilding. The OLE gang should then be working their way towards Bletchley, but obviously won't.

 

[D6975]

Met this while en route to Gascoigne Wood to phot 37418 a short while ago. (78300 11/2/23)

 

[Poyntz]

I imagine Oxford will be wired from Didcot after the station has been rebuilt and resignalled.
It ought to have at least some of the steelwork erected during the engineers possessions for the rebuilding. The OLE gang should then be working their way towards Bletchley, but obviously won't.

I thought DfT had vetoed any more spend on wires, glad to be wrong!

 

[3973EXL]

Realtime Trains | 5H72 1148 Clacton C.S.D. to Db Cargo Fan A And B Sdgs | 24/02/2023

Real-time train running information for 5H72 1148 departure from Clacton C.S.D. to Db Cargo Fan A And B Sdgs on 24/02/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5H72 dep 12E

 

[Poyntz]

Met this while en route to Gascoigne Wood to phot 37418 a short while ago. (78300 11/2/23)

View attachment 129466

Maybe these are from the two units they've tried twice to move to Booths?

 

[tricky18jan]

Dam 431 is the last stored one I need to see!! Oh well!!!

If it does end up at Booths I might still have a chance to see it in a few weeks.