Northern to get more 158s

[Donny Dave]

Angel Trains and Northern Rail, in cooperation with the DfT, have today entered into a long term leasing agreement for 30 Class 158 DMUs. These trains supplement the six Class 158s, which were leased to Northern Rail by Angel Trains in 2006.



This multi-operator cascade takes in units which had come off lease from at least four other train operators and will facilitate some of the extra capacity required by Northern Rail, a Serco-NedRailways joint venture. The trains will be used to support growth on the Northern Rail franchise. Six of the units have been acquired in partnership with Merseytravel enabling strengthening of City Line services. In addition to supporting franchise growth a number of Class 142 Pacer units will be cascaded into storage.



Heidi Mottram, Managing Director, Northern Rail, said:



“This is a fantastic result for our passengers. It will strengthen our services and bring a range of benefits including a step change in ride quality and train environment.



“I am delighted at the outcome of this deal, which validates the customer-focused and partnership driven approach that Serco-NedRailways have brought to the Northern Rail franchise.



“Since taking over the franchise in 2004, we have been committed to working in partnership with all our stakeholders to seek new ways of improving the network and providing additional capacity where it is most needed. Passenger journeys are now up to over 75 million annually, which is a 19 per cent increase since the start of the franchise. This latest initiative will help ease crowding on some of our busiest services.”



Haydn Abbott, Managing Director, Angel Trains added:



“This cascade has achieved a real answer to capacity issues and helps address the 19% passenger growth experienced since Northern Rail’s franchise began in 2004. We are delighted to be able to improve the quality and reliability of train rolling stock, offering greater benefits to passengers”.



Delivery of the 30 Class 158 DMUs will begin immediately with Northern Rail introducing them as soon as possible.

http://www.angeltrains.co.uk/press/release.aspx?Id=641

Best news I've heard in ages. What makes even better, is that some pacers are going....

 

[Darandio]

About time too, although I will never believe it until i see it. Do you think they can have it sorted before tomorrow please.

 

[Guinness]

I take it these will be the ones stored at Eastleigh and some that come of lease from TPX?

Good news about Pacers however.

 

[g4mby]

I take it these will be the ones stored at Eastleigh and some that come of lease from TPX?

No, the TPX units are Porterbrook owned, the deal that has been done is with Angel!

All the TPX units are destined for FGW, CT or SWT. However, I've seen figures quoted by FGW's MD that suggest as soon as FGW get their maintenance sorted out they will have 10, possibly 11 Angel-owned units to give back. Along with the units at Eastleigh, this will make up the bulk of the acquired units.

Of course if anyone has a better theory or some offical information then I'll gladly be corrected.

 

[Max]

This could be the start of the end for the pacer in northern England then. I'm guessing these units will be in a pretty shabby state when they arrive, I hope Northern's 158 refurbishment programme will cover these units. Are they all ex-FGW ones?

 

[Darandio]

This could be the start of the end for the pacer in northern England then. I'm guessing these units will be in a pretty shabby state when they arrive, I hope Northern's 158 refurbishment programme will cover these units. Are they all ex-FGW ones?

A shabby state will be better than the pacers we have to put up with now.

 

[devon_metro]

Ex fGW 158s aren't too bad state!

 

[Darandio]

I am just looking forward to the ride. If anybody rides the Middlesbrough to Redcar route regularly they will probably know of a set of points just west of the British Steel station. The 142 feels like it is about to jump the rails yet the 156 hardly moves. My past experience of the 158's means you wouldn't feel it.

 

[5872]

Ex fGW 158s aren't too bad state!

What replaced them?

 

[Guinness]

What replaced them?

Virtually nothing. The FGW timetable was suppose to cover for a lot less units but that went out of the window given the recent overcrowding...

 

[Demps]

So is the cumbrian coast going to get some 158's (love em) shame about my beloved pacers though.

 

[1D53]

158842 is out an about.

 

[1VWC]

Another 4 went up yesterday.

 

[Darandio]

Any more news on this guys? Any of these 142's up here going yet?

 

[Jordy]

*Performs a dance*

 

[S Lowes]

158842 is out an about.

So is 158843

http://nerailpics.fotopic.net/p39569535.html

 

[1VWC]

So is 158843

And 158848