LM 319 cascade progress

[Class377/5]

Nothing useful as such to add, but I have also received the rumour of 10 319s to LM. I can't yet figure out why they want 10, they don't have that many 321s (6 of them I think) so I'm in doubts of LM getting that many, unless more services or more doubling up is going to happen?

Considering it was previously suggested September would see 319s on LM, it's looking unlikely to happen then now it's July!

Why it looking unlikely? Units aren't getting a refurbishment. Plan was 2x 319 go to LM initially them others follow.

 

[capital12]

From UKMEMU - apparently 319429 is due out of Wolverton tomorrow for LM. Will be going to Bedford to have shoes removed then to Northampton.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Doubt that they'd be happy to give up newer units with superior performance characteristics and all that. Though stranger things have happened...

Maybe they've taken the opportunity to get a few more to be able run them as 12s in the peak? I'm assuming there is nothing to stop 319s running as 12 despite not doing so on Thameslink?!

 

[AM9]

From UKMEMU - apparently 319429 is due out of Wolverton tomorrow for LM. Will be going to Bedford to have shoes removed then to Northampton.

How bizarre, A train is released at Wolverton WCML, sent to Bedford MML just to have shoes removed (qty. 8?), then delivered to Northampton.
How were these transfers made? Marston Vale assisted, or via WLL, CLJ, Loughborough Junction then via the TL core? The return journey would have to be assisted as it wouldn't then have any shoes on!
Why couldn't two men in a van drive from Bedford to Wolverton, remove the shoes/fuses etc. in the workshop, then take the bits back to Bedford having certified by whatever means that the train is functional and safe? Is there more to this task that I have described?

 

[Class377/5]

How bizarre, A train is released at Wolverton WCML, sent to Bedford MML just to have shoes removed (qty. 8?), then delivered to Northampton.
How were these transfers made? Marston Vale assisted, or via WLL, CLJ, Loughborough Junction then via the TL core? The return journey would have to be assisted as it wouldn't then have any shoes on!
Why couldn't two men in a van drive from Bedford to Wolverton, remove the shoes/fuses etc. in the workshop, then take the bits back to Bedford having certified by whatever means that the train is functional and safe? Is there more to this task that I have described?

That's the modern railway for you. Going to Hornsey makes more sense.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Is there a technical reason why the shoes have to be removed (eg fouling stuff)? If there isn't why don't they just leave them on them?

 

[westcoaster]

Is there a technical reason why the shoes have to be removed (eg fouling stuff)? If there isn't why don't they just leave them on them?

The units would come into contact with third rail from Euston out to primrose hill, so better to remove it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

How bizarre, A train is released at Wolverton WCML, sent to Bedford MML just to have shoes removed (qty. 8?), then delivered to Northampton.
How were these transfers made? Marston Vale assisted, or via WLL, CLJ, Loughborough Junction then via the TL core? The return journey would have to be assisted as it wouldn't then have any shoes on!
Why couldn't two men in a van drive from Bedford to Wolverton, remove the shoes/fuses etc. in the workshop, then take the bits back to Bedford having certified by whatever means that the train is functional and safe? Is there more to this task that I have described?

More than likely tagged on the back of another 319 of to wolverton, uncoupled there and then onto northampton.

 

[childwallblues]

The latest rumours are indeed correct that 4x319's will soon arrive with LM, these will be from different sub classes, namely 1 319/0, 2 319/2 and 1 319/4
The /0 is without first class and would be the primary unit to be used on the abbey, two of the other three would be joined to form a permanent 8 car set for use on the mainline with the other as a maintanence spare.

The four units could be just an initial allocation with further units a distinct possibility. the electrification of the chase line could see 350's on the cross city and 323's displaced to the chase. In the interim the shortfall in units for the WC could be covered by less units stabled off peak, further down the line there are stabling issues anyway with the disappearance of Camden CS due to the proposed HS2 work starting in 2017.

Bottom line is the 319's are almost certainly coming and plans are being formulated for training issues.

350's are not suitable for the Abbey due to route clearance issues at the Watford end of the line, however the 319's have similar issues to be addressed before operation into Euston. All may become clearer in the coming weeks.

Would it not have been more sensible for Thameslink to have retained the 319/0 short term and give LM units with first class accommodation? As the NW electrification will require at least 40 units when completed in 2017 they could have sent all of the 319/0 up here.
I don't suppose though that the railway does sensible.

 

[D365]

The units would come into contact with third rail from Euston out to primrose hill, so better to remove it.

The 350/1s retained their third-rail shoes for a few years after manufacture, I think they've been removed or at least isolated now but certainly while they were on loan to Southern.

 

[northwichcat]

Porterbrook (the owners of the 319s) said that the shoes are going to be removed on units which are transfer to operators who will only use them on OHEs and won't be retained for the off-chance of them being used on 3rd rail routes again.

 

[cjmillsnun]

The 350/1s retained their third-rail shoes for a few years after manufacture, I think they've been removed or at least isolated now but certainly while they were on loan to Southern.

350/1s were fitted with retractable shoes.

 

[westcoaster]

Incase I missed a post here is 319429 at bedford after retuning from wolverton.
https://twitter.com/13milepost/status/617292321051295744
Grey doors and most likely vinyls to be added or DFT base livery with just the operators name.

 

[physics34]

Incase I missed a post here is 319429 at bedford after retuning from wolverton.
https://twitter.com/13milepost/status/617292321051295744
Grey doors and most likely vinyls to be added or DFT base livery with just the operators name.

amazingly another 319 livery variation!!! These poor things have had it tough

 

[MK Tom]

So will that be coming to LM in September or sooner?

 

[Class377/5]

amazingly another 319 livery variation!!! These poor things have had it tough

And yet they keep going

 

[XCTurbostar]

I presume 319429 is still working with Thameslink? Image on Twitter was at Bedford I think?

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Class377/5]

I presume 319429 is still working with Thameslink? Image on Twitter was at Bedford I think?

They are being returned to Thameslink in image as Thameslink had nothing to do the moves between Bedford and Wolverton. First two units are being used for driver and fitter familiarity.

Currently the 2x 319s aren't techincally released for a few weeks when the 387 diagrams change again.

 

[John1975]

And yet they keep going

When we had the snow a few years back and the network ground to a halt, no matter what traction I sent out into the icy wasteland of deepest, darkest Kent, Networkers or 375's - only the 319's made it back unassisted.

 

[westcoaster]

319429 was seen pulling into bedford just after 1500 no idea of the working but was ECS.

 

[Silverlinky]

319429 and 319003 were waiting to go into Wolverton this morning. Disappeared down the hole at about 0900.
429 will move to Bletchley later this week.....the first 321 gets returned today, 413 I believe being readied for movement this afternoon.

 

[MK Tom]

319429 and 319003 were waiting to go into Wolverton this morning. Disappeared down the hole at about 0900.
429 will move to Bletchley later this week.....the first 321 gets returned today, 413 I believe being readied for movement this afternoon.

Thank you!!! This is the kind of info I come here for!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Goodbye Dusty Bin...they'll be missed, though not that much now I've found out in this thread that one of the chosen units is a 319/2 which I think has Brighton Express 2+2 seating, which is nicer than the 350/1s!

 

[D365]

Goodbye Dusty Bin...they'll be missed, though not that much now I've found out in this thread that one of the chosen units is a 319/2 which I think has Brighton Express 2+2 seating, which is nicer than the 350/1s!

Going by earlier postings it looks like at least two units will be of the /2 subclass

 

[DarloRich]

one of the LM 321's went off to Wabtec at Doncaster yesterday

 

[Bletchleyite]

one of the LM 321's went off to Wabtec at Doncaster yesterday

Finally going to lose the NSE moquette?

 

[158722]

one of the LM 321's went off to Wabtec at Doncaster yesterday

321411 dragged by 47815.

 

[Tetchytyke]

one of the LM 321's went off to Wabtec at Doncaster yesterday

That explains why the 1654 Tring (a 321) was short-formed to four carriages then. Was on the platform five minutes before departure and couldn't physically fit on the train.

London Midland really are run by imbeciles.

 

[causton]

That explains why the 1654 Tring (a 321) was short-formed to four carriages then. Was on the platform five minutes before departure and couldn't physically fit on the train.

London Midland really are run by imbeciles.

So that was the "Disruptive passengers" excuse that we were told was the reason for the delay!

 

[richa2002]

I am surprised a 321 moved away before the 319 to replace it was in service.

 

[causton]

I am surprised a 321 moved away before the 319 to replace it was in service.

There was a 321 parked at Watford at the end of last week with a TPWS/AWS fault that messed up the Abbey line for an evening and early morning last week, I think that was probably more the reason for the short form. They probably thought they could send 411 away if they had the other unit in use... but it couldn't be shifted for a couple of days and is probably still broken!

 

[AM9]

That explains why the 1654 Tring (a 321) was short-formed to four carriages then. Was on the platform five minutes before departure and couldn't physically fit on the train.

London Midland really are run by imbeciles.

As an aside, can 319s and 321s work in multiple with each other?