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Network Rail Class 950 to be disposed

fgwrich

fgwrich

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DBS92042 said:
950001's chassis is reported (by a Loram employee) to be very rotten and without significant work wouldn't pass its upcoming exam in September, hence retirement.
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To be fair, given the fairly large amounts of steelwork that has gone in to keep other sprinters going over recent years, such as the GW 150s or Northern 156s as @diligentdave can testify, chassis rot is a rather plausible reason for the retirement of 950001.
 
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Wyrleybart

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DBS92042 said:
950001's chassis is reported (by a Loram employee) to be very rotten and without significant work wouldn't pass its upcoming exam in September, hence retirement.
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Wishing not to sound too pendantic but 950001 doesn't have chassis as such. The BR Mk1s were the last coaches to have a chassis, and from Mk2 onwards, and all multiple units, the bodyshells are integral to the structure.
The 150/2s which GWR have were all sent to Wolverton, and the TfW 150/2s to Crewe, both to have the lower bodysides cut away and new steel welded in. Clearly it was not cost effective to do this so 153s look like they are replacing it.
 
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Towers

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fgwrich said:
To be fair, given the fairly large amounts of steelwork that has gone in to keep other sprinters going over recent years, such as the GW 150s or Northern 156s as @diligentdave can testify, chassis rot is a rather plausible reason for the retirement of 950001.
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But equally could be rectified on heavy overhaul if there was any such desire - which, evidently, there isn’t!
 
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Nym

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DBS92042 said:
950001's chassis is reported (by a Loram employee) to be very rotten and without significant work wouldn't pass its upcoming exam in September, hence retirement.
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So no different to the majority of the 153s “replacing” it with daylight able to be seen through the steelwork?
 
Strathclyder

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Would it be safe to assume that 950001 be visiting the Glasgow area during this Scottish farewell tour? If so, I'd like to get a shot of it if possible.
 
Welshguy1048

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It's still around !

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

18/08/26 - Network Rail Track Recording Unit - 950001 - Chester Middle Yard to Chester Middle Yard
 
FrodshamJnct

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I read elsewhere today that its last working will be early/mid-September. Unsure if that’s correct though.
 
FrodshamJnct

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99009

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Because 950001 usually uses the headcode 2Q08 or 2Z08, the upcoming workings for the next week are possible to track. So, for anyone wanting to see it on its farewell tour, this looks to be the plan up to the middle of next week:

Today - 2Q08 18:43 Chester Middle Yard - Longsight: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00014/2026-08-19/detailed

Tomorrow - 2Q08 20:32 Longsight - Carnforth HS: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00202/2026-08-20/detailed

Friday 21st August 2026 - 2Q08 19:05 Carnforth HS - Longsight: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00262/2026-08-21/detailed

Sunday 23rd August 2026 - 2Z08 09:15 Longsight - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00412/2026-08-23/detailed

Monday 24th August 2026 - 2Q08 07:29 Derby RTC - Ipswich HS: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00479/2026-08-24/detailed

Tuesday 25th August 2026 - 2Q08 08:58 Ipswich HS - Peterborough Shunt Spur: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00557/2026-08-25/detailed
 
XCTurbostar

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CR165022 said:
950001s apparent last service is on 04/09, going from Reading to Derby via the Chilterns. Although it may of course end up running further after that.

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This is correct. It wont work again since LORAM (who operate it) are ceasing their operating contract from Mid-Sept.

It should be noted that a tender has been raised by NR for operating Caroline and 'TRU' - https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2026/W22/871563284#notice-descrip

The 153s are operated by COLAS.
 
99009

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950001 will work the following after working 2Q08 Ipswich HS - Peterborough Shunt Spur today (see post #194 for this schedule):

Tomorrow - 2Q08 08:57 Peterborough Shunt Spur - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00694/2026-08-26/detailed

Thursday - 2Q08 15:03 Derby RTC - Ferme Park: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00823/2026-08-27/detailed

Friday - 2Q08 14:40 Ferme Park - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U00954/2026-08-28/detailed

Tuesday 1st September 2026/Wednesday 2nd September 2026 - 2Q08 20:22 Derby RTC - Reading Triangle Sidings: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01117/2026-09-01/detailed

Friday 4th September 2026/Saturday 5th September 2026 - 2Q08 22:08 Reading Triangle Sidings - Derby RTC: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:U01120/2026-09-04/detailed (NOTE: As per the gen in the posts above, this is the expected final working)
 
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Roger B

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Does anyone have any news on which 153s are to be converted to replace 950001, and related timescales?

Thanks
 
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Roger B

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Yes, there's a couple of mentions on the Network Rail Class 153 thread, but I can't see anything there saying which 153(s) are to be converted as 950001's replacement or related teimescales. Apologies if I've missed something.
 
The Welsh Fish

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Roger B said:
Does anyone have any news on which 153s are to be converted to replace 950001, and related timescales?

Thanks
Click to expand...
153383 which is already out in service as VIU 4, and 153381 which is currently at Long Marston being converted into VIU 5, it should be out by October
 
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Roger B

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The Welsh Fish said:
153383 which is already out in service as VIU 4, and 153381 which is currently at Long Marston being converted into VIU 5, it should be out by October
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Thanks for that - I hadn't realised that VIU4 and VIU5 were the replacements for 950001 (which was my question above).
 
SwindonManor

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Hi all, so I know today is the last day but what is the last route for the 950 (which i'll be honest I didn't know existed, likely as it is a one off unit)?
 
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