Northern rolling stock changes post electrification

[Hophead]

There are 3 ready for traffic as discussed. However one has to be left spare in case a rescue is needed. So that's only 2 in service per day. However another is due up from Wolverton ready this week.

But an unrefreshed unit could surely rescue a refreshed one? If they have a few hanging around Allerton awaiting the update and for driver training.

 

[thealexweb]

319362 has been out today in its shiny new paint job.

Any photos?

 

[fowler9]

Any photos?

Fraid not, just one from a friend on driver training and it would be rude for me to share that. He took a couple inside Allerton depot as well. There should be one knocking around South Parkway when I finish work tomorrow so I'll try and get one then. The interior looks quite pleasant. Definitely a step up from a 142. Despite my initial moans about getting London cast offs they are a massive step up and are very nice after being refreshed.

 

[hassaanhc]

Fraid not, just one from a friend on driver training and it would be rude for me to share that. He took a couple inside Allerton depot as well. There should be one knocking around South Parkway when I finish work tomorrow so I'll try and get one then. The interior looks quite pleasant. Definitely a step up from a 142. Despite my initial moans about getting London cast offs they are a massive step up and are very nice after being refreshed.

They sound hellfire as well

 

[fowler9]

They sound hellfire as well

My mate finally hit the tonne driving a train between Crewe and Runcorn and was made up. They sound like lots of fun. Just wish West Allerton was getting a stopping service back to Crewe again. Mind you I have heard rumours for the future. Through Northern service to Stoke, did I hear it on here?

Mind you if I fancy a bimble to Crewe it isn't too much hassle to get to Parkway and pick up London Midland there. Even better use my Trio to Lime Street and get one of those stupid cheap Virgin returns.

 

[DJH1971]

Fraid not, just one from a friend on driver training and it would be rude for me to share that. He took a couple inside Allerton depot as well. There should be one knocking around South Parkway when I finish work tomorrow so I'll try and get one then. The interior looks quite pleasant. Definitely a step up from a 142. Despite my initial moans about getting London cast offs they are a massive step up and are very nice after being refreshed.

Anything is a step up from a 142!

 

[northwichcat]

Through Northern service to Stoke, did I hear it on here?

I think that was someone's idea of improving capacity restraints in the Manchester area and not a real proposal.

 

[fowler9]

I think that was someone's idea of improving capacity restraints in the Manchester area and not a real proposal.

Ah right. Cheers for that. I thought it was unlikely. Never mind.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Anything is a step up from a 142!

Indeed. Ha ha. I live that close to the station that if I am not in a hurry and a 142 turns up I go home and get the next train or a bus instead. Not that mad on the 150's either to be honest.

 

[northwichcat]

Anything is a step up from a 142!

Actually no. A Pacer has a higher saloon then most trains so it's a step down to the other trains (which makes other trains better for accessibility.)

 

[fowler9]

Actually no. A Pacer has a higher saloon then most trains so it's a step down to the other trains (which makes other trains better for accessibility.)

Ha ha. Good point!

 

[Class377/5]

Any photos?

See here....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/16253973772/

 

[deltic08]

See here....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/16253973772/

The internal refresh is quite smart but the combination of external colours is uninspiring. I suppose travel experience is more important than watching them go by.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The internal refresh is quite smart but the combination of external colours is uninspiring. I suppose travel experience is more important that watching them go by.

The new franchisee will probably change it all anyway.
That's another reason for the refresh to be "bland".
No doubt the DfT is paying.

 

[Techniquest]

Not bad, looks alright that. And yes fowler9, 319s on AC power are hellfire!

 

[darloscott]

Having had a quick look on RTT and working out diagrams... it would appear that one of the LIV-MIA diagrams ends up at Blackpool North (and starts at Wallgate on the morning!)... I'm assuming this would have to be changed before the 319s go out

 

[Clip]

The internal refresh is quite smart but the combination of external colours is uninspiring. I suppose travel experience is more important that watching them go by.

So not as bad as you and others were thinking then

Be good to view the inside though and see what they have done.

Im up in the NW soon so will have to try and have a bash on one.

 

[fowler9]

So not as bad as you and others were thinking then

Be good to view the inside though and see what they have done.

Im up in the NW soon so will have to try and have a bash on one.

My mates photos o the interior looked quite pleasant.

 

[martynbristow]

Having had a quick look on RTT and working out diagrams... it would appear that one of the LIV-MIA diagrams ends up at Blackpool North (and starts at Wallgate on the morning!)... I'm assuming this would have to be changed before the 319s go out

There are lots of Northern units at LIV in a morning all. It might help them sending the same unit on the same route :P

 

[Bantamzen]

There are 3 ready for traffic as discussed. However one has to be left spare in case a rescue is needed. So that's only 2 in service per day. However another is due up from Wolverton ready this week.

According to RTT there are moves in either direction on Tuesday. One down to Wolverton at 10:18

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97179/2015/01/13/advanced

And a move up at 15:03

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97180/2015/01/13/advanced

 

[AM9]

My mates photos o the interior looked quite pleasant.

Personally, I think that they look better than any of their previous liveries. It seems that reducing the yellow to the area below the windows works quite well with the dark blue background. I agree that the purple is a bit of a clash with the blue but so it was with the pink in FCC 's last scheme, and the shapes on the northern design are a bit like LM 's.
Of course they will look a bit less attractive in the summer when encrusted with dead flies over the yellow ends.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Personally, I think that they look better than any of their previous liveries. It seems that reducing the yellow to the area below the windows works quite well with the dark blue background. I agree that the purple is a bit of a clash with the blue but so it was with the pink in FCC 's last scheme, and the shapes on the northern design are a bit like LM 's.
Of course they will look a bit less attractive in the summer when encrusted with dead flies over the yellow ends.

I do like that most TOCs (with the exceptions of First and Stagecoach) seem to be opting for more reserved designs. It has a certain classiness to it.

 

[Olaf]

There are some photos of the exterior and interior of the vehicles here:
http://www.northernrail.org/northern/electric-trains

 

[childwallblues]

There are 3 ready for traffic as discussed. However one has to be left spare in case a rescue is needed. So that's only 2 in service per day. However another is due up from Wolverton ready this week.

319362 and 319364 are already at Allerton having been re-furbished, and 319365 is due tomorrow. 319363 is currently at Wolverton with 319361 due to go to works tomorrow.
319363 could well be back from works before electrified services start which would mean that all three diagrams could be 319s.

 

[northwichcat]

Having had a quick look on RTT and working out diagrams... it would appear that one of the LIV-MIA diagrams ends up at Blackpool North (and starts at Wallgate on the morning!)... I'm assuming this would have to be changed before the 319s go out

The diagrams were to be rewritten anyway.

The original plan for last December was to switch 2 diagrams on Manchester Airport to Liverpool services to 319s, to introduce a new early morning ECS working from Allerton to Chester consisting of 2 x 156s eliminating the need for 5H33 (Longsight to Chester). Then that would have left a 142 for strengthening a Hazel Grove-Preston diagram and a 150 for the Todmorden extension.

No idea what will happen now. Although, I'm doubtful of the Mid-Cheshire line now getting 2 x released 156s with TPE getting 6x156s.

 

[158722]

319362 and 319364 are already at Allerton having been re-furbished, and 319365 is due tomorrow. 319363 is currently at Wolverton with 319361 due to go to works tomorrow.
319363 could well be back from works before electrified services start which would mean that all three diagrams could be 319s.

Given the rate of progress with the 319s at Wolverton, I think we can be fairly confident of having at least 5 units refreshed by May - 319361-365. Seem to be taking around 6-8 weeks, so even if 361 goes in this week then it should be back in March.

Another 4 319s were due off lease with TSGN in December and another 5 this month, presumably these are being kept in traffic, possibly awaiting a Wolverton slot, as opposed to having them stopped - assuming these are part of the destined for Northern.

 

[Class377/5]

Given the rate of progress with the 319s at Wolverton, I think we can be fairly confident of having at least 5 units refreshed by May - 319361-365. Seem to be taking around 6-8 weeks, so even if 361 goes in this week then it should be back in March.

Another 4 319s were due off lease with TSGN in December and another 5 this month, presumably these are being kept in traffic, possibly awaiting a Wolverton slot, as opposed to having them stopped - assuming these are part of the destined for Northern.

Kept in service due to 387s only starting to replace the 319s proper during January.

More 319s will be moving shortly.

 

[samj]

Considering Northern will need more than 5 units for the timetable change in May, can we expect to see units running around the North in service with FCC and SN colours?

 

[theshillito]

Considering Northern will need more than 5 units for the timetable change in May, can we expect to see units running around the North in service with FCC and SN colours?

I think we're more likely to see a mix of electric and diesel units.

 

[Whistler40145]

Did Northern deem 158s unsuitable for FTPE or that they can't logistically move them from their current duties?

 

[northwichcat]

Did Northern deem 158s unsuitable for FTPE or that they can't logistically move them from their current duties?

Northern didn't want to sublease any units to TPE so I imagine Northern were hoping all their DMUs were deemed unsuitable for TPE but DfT didn't come to that conclusion.