Good/bad points about class 323s

[junglejames]

Could be good for a bit of a loco-hauled drag then, given where he lives!

Yeah i guessed that, but thats not a problem. Id have them hauled by a 47, and then pass it by your house everyday as well. Kill 2 birds with one stone!!!!
Now that sound like fun!

 

[Crossover]

I personally quite like the noise the 323's make - yes its different and a little odd but it does make them stand out. Also (and it may just be me) they always remind me of F1 cars because of the sound they make.

For the journeys they do (and I have done both LM and Northern - the longest of which was when I did the entire length of Stoke-on-Trent to Manchester) they seem well suited and as others have said, you can't really draw a comparison between the 323's having manual internal doors and HST's having powered ones, as they are designed for completely different purposes. A better comparison would be a 323 to a 14x or 15x which also have slam internal doors and serve a similar purpose.

 

[northernrail]

Of Northern Rails fleet the 323 has to be my least used, but when ever i am on one they start becoming one of my faviourte classes of the fleet, i love the noises they make, the usually smooth ride, and the acceleration, but they seem to small for me as 80% of the time they are packed.
Maybe its just because Northern dont double them enough.

 

[tbtc]

Is the front end really the only decent thing they could adorn these forsaken things with?

First of all, I'm surprised that such "everyday" trains could inspire such strong feelings. I'm really not excited either way about them, so amazed do see such a big thread!

They seem fine for what they do, nothing exciting, but with twice the seats of a two car Pacer they are very useful in Lancashire, and I'd be happy with them replacing 142/144/150s on local trains round here (if we ever get electrification...)

However, I am surprised at Ivo's love of the front ends, the slab ends would be my most disliked part of them. Most units are either practical (and have corridor connections) or look pretty with curves (e.g. 333s). The 323s have the worst of both worlds! Sorry Ivo :cry:

 

[Blindtraveler]

waw! When i started this at 25 past 5 today a didnt expect a big thread iether! points to take out of it for me personally, the seating is clearly popular so therefore I'm complaining about nothing, and my love of the traction motors is clearly shared.

 

[Ivo]

I didn't say I love them! There's nothing special about a 323 front end. It's just their best feature; it kind of looks cute.

Put it this way, if I had to choose between a 360 and a 323, I would choose the 360 for everything but the front end. Add the corridor connection (i.e. 350), and even that one-off victory is lost...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And regarding those traction motors, I can see how they seem similar but if an F1 engine started sounding like that (especially given how the sound gets low so quickly) I think a retirement would be imminent!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I'm in the "like" corner here; if I am travelling between Crewe and Manchester I will always make a 323 on a limited stop diagram my first choice - and I try to sit in one of the corner seats right at the back of the carriage ( ie outboard of the bogie mounting ) if I can...

I just like they way they bounce about and actually "feel fast".

 

[route101]

Funny that this topic came up as i had my first ride yesterday on a northern 323 between Manchester Airport and Picc . tbh I didnt give much noticed to these units and thought they looked boring . Was weird to be on a Northern EMU

 

[4SRKT]

I'm going to Crewe for a meeting next week, so I'll try and ride on a 323 on the way back and give my verdict. Have to be at the meeting by 09:30 so I'll need to take a 175 on the 08:30 on the way there.

Will also try to do the south side of the triangle at Manchester Airport, which is required track for me

 

[142094]

Listen out for the 'ping' sound when moving away from a station - always reminds me of the start of The Final Countdown by Europe

 

[4SRKT]

Listen out for the 'ping' sound when moving away from a station - always reminds me of the start of The Final Countdown by Europe

I've been on them when they were new, but TBH can't remember a thing about them. I have to say when I've seen them they look such workaday units that it's hard to believe they can arouse such controversy.

 

[142094]

Although I'd much rather ride a dirty diesel unit, some of the electric trains do have a special charm. However I can certainly say I'd never think of having a whole day bash on them (might change in 20 years time when everything else has gone and only Voyager-esque crap to travel on).

 

[route101]

Although I'd much rather ride a dirty diesel unit, some of the electric trains do have a special charm. However I can certainly say I'd never think of having a whole day bash on them (might change in 20 years time when everything else has gone and only Voyager-esque crap to travel on).

Yeah i prefer DMU bashes over EMUs. Im craving pacers!

 

[northwichcat]

Internally the 323s are very similar to the 465s - for those who've been on one and not the other. The original seating was the same on 323s and 465s and they make almost identical noises on moving off, despite one being AC and the other being DC.

 

[387star]

Although I'd much rather ride a dirty diesel unit, some of the electric trains do have a special charm. However I can certainly say I'd never think of having a whole day bash on them (might change in 20 years time when everything else has gone and only Voyager-esque crap to travel on).

Sometimes seems nothing improves. Look at the old council houses well built and with lots of garden. The more people there are in this country the less attractive living becomes

 

[4SRKT]

Yeah i prefer DMU bashes over EMUs. Im craving pacers!

You need to join 142094 and me in spearheading Pacer appreciation on this forum. At first it seemed we were flogging a dead horse, but at last it seems to be paying off and the message getting is getting through that these quirky trains are worth a second look.

 

[Blindtraveler]

can I join that? Love a good paser run though sadly my current usage is a trip to blackpool once or twice a year and the occasional sheffield - medowhall run. The joys of living in edinburgh

 

[junglejames]

You need to join 142094 and me in spearheading Pacer appreciation on this forum. At first it seemed we were flogging a dead horse, but at last it seems to be paying off and the message getting is getting through that these quirky trains are worth a second look.

Pacers are fantastic little trains. So quaint, and so much fun to travel on. The lack of legroom is annoying on a busy train, but get on a quiet train, and they are wicked fun.
Actually, the day long Pacer ride sounds quite appealing. I may just do it one day. Sometime when im next back up North. Do you fancy sending some of them down to Kent?!!!

 

[Ivo]

Can always put them on HS1, and see what the French make of them blocking their 186mph 373s!

 

[142094]

Do you fancy sending some of them down to Kent?!!!

No, no, no, too far away from me. Difficult enough as it it is trying to get down to Cornwall or Cardiff to get the rest in...

 

[junglejames]

No, no, no, too far away from me. Difficult enough as it it is trying to get down to Cornwall or Cardiff to get the rest in...

Spoil sport! I could just imagine one of them really opening up, full chatt along HS1.

 

[4SRKT]

Yet another thread successfully hijacked by the Pacer Boys!

 

[Ivo]

I'm not going to complain; I've been fighting a heavily one-sided fight that I was always bound to lose. In this one instance...

Pacers for the win!

 

[Blindtraveler]

if a mods around, lets rename this
good/bad points about class 323s compared to pasers!

 

[4SRKT]

Bah! Meeting got moved from Crewe to Warrington at the last minute, so no verdicts on 323s I'm afraid. I also still need the south curve at Manchester Airport, my only bit of required track in the North of England

 

[BrummyBoy]

Back to Class 323's, i cant see any problems with the accelaration, nor the noise they produce when leaving a platform (which i do quite like). I find them extremley spacious (unlike the 170's) and think they do look good in LM livery (haven't sampled Northens). I even find the seats quite comfertable.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Just reading this through theres a crackin idea for a forum meet here - pacers v 323s, a morning spent bashing pacers and doin 323s in the afternoon! Then we'll see who's capable and incapable of handeling there 323s/pacers.. Would work too if you had it in manchester.

 

[Ivo]

Would ONLY work if you had it in Manchester

I'd be up for it. I'd like to think I'd have at least a couple on my side (i.e. "The Pacer Boys"), although I'd be more anti-323 than pro-Pacer.

 

[duffman82]

I quite like LM Livery on the 323 and for there stopping duties on the walsall - wolves via birmingham trips there well suited but as many people state, there nothing special tbf!

 

[323235]

The only thing that annoys me about 323s is the seat cushions which don't seem to last long before they become horrid to sit on. Luckily Northern have been fitting newer Barbie seat cushions here and there which makes things a bit more bareable and London Midland seem to be fitting much firmer seat cushions which hopefully will have a longer life.

I do wonder what has happening with the twice stalled C6 overhaul planned for the Northern units as they are becoming a bit of a mess with roof panels held on by duck tape,lino which has gone a mess and some panels which use a (BR1 Key?) literally held on just by the lock.

I have to say that the cleanliness of the toilets on the Northern units is much better than they used to be but the door mechanisms are in a very bad state all round and really do need renewing as a matter of dire urgency.