LM 319 cascade progress

[Silverlinky]

Back on topic, the 319's to LM seems to be a goer.....the 321's are heading to Scotland and LM have not renewed the maintenace contract on them. There was work that needed doing with them, the toilets flushing directly onto the track is the main thing...retention tanks needed to be fitted, something I believe the 319's have. (?)

With regards to the Abbey services, 350's can run on the line but are subject to a speed restriction (5mph) into and out of Platform 11 at Watford due to gauging issues.

As per the above posts the 321's are needed elsewhere and the similarities between 319's and 321's from a training point of view make them the obvious fit.

AFAIK they will be a direct replacement for the 321's, ie they will be employed on the routes the 321's currently work and won't be going on the cross city, up to Walsall or wherever......like for like.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As a regular LM passenger I approve - particularly of the fact that the Thameslink 319s have more airline seating than 321s. There are only 8 desirable seats in a Class 321 in my view (the 4 by First Class and the 4 under the pantograph).

Neil

 

[SprinterMan]

Do we know when LM will get the 319s, I can't find it in the thread.

Adam

 

[Class377/5]

Do we know when LM will get the 319s, I can't find it in the thread.

Adam

Soon.

 

[158722]

A neat little solution would be the 7 319/2s going to LM... too logical I guess.

 

[Bletchleyite]

A neat little solution would be the 7 319/2s going to LM... too logical I guess.

The ones with the 2+2-seated Express interior? Yes please!

Neil

 

[Aictos]

Is there anything official to state the 321s are def going and the 319s are replacing them?

Does this also mean that ALL routes the 321s do south of Rugby will see 319s including Trings and Northamptons?

 

[MK Tom]

Is there anything official to state the 321s are def going and the 319s are replacing them?

Does this also mean that ALL routes the 321s do south of Rugby will see 319s including Trings and Northamptons?

Currently the Trings and St. Albans is pretty much all they do, plus a couple of MKC workings and one Northampton one.

I too would like to see an official source for this rumour before I start jumping up and down in crazed excitement.

 

[samj]

319214-220 would be the easiest operationally, however am sure a couple of them are destined for Northern. They are an absolute state inside and LM would need to invest in a mini refurb to bring it even near 321/350 standards!

 

[plastictaffy]

Afternoon all. Apparently, London Midland's lease on the class 321's (411-417 if anyone wanted to know) expires in September. Obviously, some replacement rolling stock is going to be required. Anyone know definitively what stock is going to be moved to cover?? The rumour is the class 319 - even to the extent of at least one currently being in Wolverton Works for refresh. Anyone got any other ideas??

Also, having asked a couple of drivers, nobody at my place signs them (apart from the couple that transferred from Bedford) however I seem to remember seeing a class 319 in service in platform one at Northampton, somewhere in the distant mists of time. Is this my mind playing tricks with me, or have I actually seen this??

 

[Wolfie]

so the LM 319s will be in the St Albans Abbey line and peaktime Euston to Tring/Birmingham etc ??

I believe the 319s, which presumably will be given the same refresh (and as such will offer a better passenger experience than the tired 321s) as those still on Thameslink and those going to Northern, are intended as a direct replacement for the 321s. I also believe that 321s currently only go as far as Northampton from Euston in the peak so I guess the 319s will do the same. Since 321s currently run the Abbey branch I imagine 319s will appear on that service also.

A question: Do the current LM 321s retain 1st class and will the 319s transferred offer it?

 

[AM9]

I believe the 319s, which presumably will be given the same refresh (and as such will offer a better passenger experience than the tired 321s) as those still on Thameslink and those going to Northern,....
... Since 321s currently run the Abbey branch I imagine 319s will appear on that service also.

I wonder if the LM branding will be a bit more obvious as without it, an Abbey line passenger who actually notices which trains are running may get a little confused.

 

[Class377/5]

I believe the 319s, which presumably will be given the same refresh (and as such will offer a better passenger experience than the tired 321s) as those still on Thameslink and those going to Northern, are intended as a direct replacement for the 321s. I also believe that 321s currently only go as far as Northampton from Euston in the peak so I guess the 319s will do the same. Since 321s currently run the Abbey branch I imagine 319s will appear on that service also.

A question: Do the current LM 321s retain 1st class and will the 319s transferred offer it?

In answer to your question, current plan is LM get 319/4s only, so will come with first class.

 

[Aictos]

In answer to your question, current plan is LM get 319/4s only, so will come with first class.

Any idea which ones to make up the 7 to replace the 7 321s?

 

[Wolfie]

In answer to your question, current plan is LM get 319/4s only, so will come with first class.

Thanks - makes sense!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks - makes sense!

Indeed. Appears to be 2+1 first class, which if a 321 diagram is ever useful to me is probably worth paying for. More 2+2 in Standard than 321s I'm told as well.

Shame it's not the Brighton Express units

Neil

 

[MK Tom]

There have been whole threads on this in the past - we're getting a bit off the 319 subject here. I keep seeing new posts and coming in expecting 319 news!

 

[Techniquest]

Ah that's nothing news, I recall much earlier in this thread (or at least I think it was this one!) getting mighty frustrated with off-topicness. It'll happen I'm afraid, fingers crossed we manage to lose the 350 discussion in this one soon!

Rather looking forward to experiencing a 319 on a Great Escape one day!

 

[phil281]

There are 7 319/2's so it would make sense for these to replace the 7 321s. They already have 1st class (which is needed on LM) and have 2x2 seating + tables so could be used on the longer Birmingham runs etc if required.

 

[MK Tom]

That was suggested earlier in the thread, and it does make sense, but it seems from other people's posts on here that it'll be 319/4s.

Even with the 110mph issue now in play LM still don't seem to be too concerned about the right kind of stock on long-distance services. I had a 350/2 on a Crewe service on Wednesday while /1s are often on the MK stopper.

 

[MK Tom]

Ah, that's helpful, thanks.

With the 319s, direct substitution of the 321 diagrams seems the most likely thing. I just wish those diagrams would expand back to what they were before the December change as it's now pretty impossible to ride one from MK at a reasonable time of day.

 

[childwallblues]

That was suggested earlier in the thread, and it does make sense, but it seems from other people's posts on here that it'll be 319/4s.

Even with the 110mph issue now in play LM still don't seem to be too concerned about the right kind of stock on long-distance services. I had a 350/2 on a Crewe service on Wednesday while /1s are often on the MK stopper.

On 20th January I travelled on two of the diagrams on the Walsall to Wolverhampton stopper which were 350119 and 350261.

 

[DarloRich]

So - back on topic:

when do these units arrive?

 

[Class377/5]

So - back on topic:

when do these units arrive?

First units soon.

 

[Techniquest]

So - back on topic:

when do these units arrive?

I'm also interested in this, especially since next week will probably be my last chance to have a 321 on the WCML. Of course, getting 319s is still most welcome in my eyes!

 

[Aictos]

First units soon.

Soon, so as they're coming soon any idea which 319/4s as so far only 3 got mentioned and as there's 7 in total, I be interested to hear which 7 they will be

That said, when they do arrive on the WCML where will they be based depot wise?

 

[Class377/5]

Soon, so as they're coming soon any idea which 319/4s as so far only 3 got mentioned and as there's 7 in total, I be interested to hear which 7 they will be

That said, when they do arrive on the WCML where will they be based depot wise?

Can't remember the two I was told. The rest may be later, much later. As for Depot, well there's is only one depot on LM WCML EMU fleet uses.....

 

[MK Tom]

So we may have a mixed 321/319 fleet for a while?

 

[MK Tom]

Any news on this? The suspense is killing me!

 

[Techniquest]

Same, I've had my farewell to 321s with LM on Monday (see my trip report thread!) and absolutely loved the run. Still, looking forward to the prospect of 319s on my next Great Escape!