Northern Unit Refurbishments and depot allocations.

61653 HTAFC · 15 Jul 2020

NoMorePacers said:
There wouldn't be any platforming issues for 3 car 155/153 combinations on the routes that 155s have operated recently.

There could potentially be merit in having half of the 153s PRM modded and taking the toilets out of the other half and semi-permanently coupling them, but who knows.

Reforming the 153s back into 155s could have some legs, but there's also a fair few 156s and 158s set to be handed back in the next year or so from EMR and TfW. I'd argue they're a better prospect than neo-155s.

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NoMorePacers · 15 Jul 2020

61653 HTAFC said:
Reforming the 153s back into 155s could have some legs, but there's also a fair few 156s and 158s set to be handed back in the next year or so from EMR and TfW. I'd argue they're a better prospect than neo-155s.

That is true. However, doing some calculations, there are 162 150 coaches currently with Northern, and if those are to be replaced (which is probably a realistic prospect by the time other Sprinters become available) then there will be a total of 148 coaches (100 158 coaches, 48 156 coaches) that could transfer to Northern. In that case, the neo-155 idea could kick in to fill the gap (unless Scotland decides to put more wires up and release some more of their Sprinters, which would probably cover the gap more effectively).

Neptune · 15 Jul 2020

I don’t understand this obsession with converting 153’s back to 155’s that every so often rears its ugly head. Yes, PRM the 153’s but do them all, not just some with the intention of coupling modified and none modified together. That would be a logistical nightmare. Semi-permanent coupling would also be a waste of time as it would make them totally inflexible.

Better to look at the many 158’s being released from TfW and EMT. These could help rid us of the awful 155’s.

Neptune · 15 Jul 2020

NoMorePacers said:
That is true. However, doing some calculations, there are 162 150 coaches currently with Northern, and if those are to be replaced (which is probably a realistic prospect by the time other Sprinters become available) then there will be a total of 148 coaches (100 158 coaches, 48 156 coaches) that could transfer to Northern. In that case, the neo-155 idea could kick in to fill the gap (unless Scotland decides to put more wires up and release some more of their Sprinters, which would probably cover the gap more effectively).

Suburban 150’s need to be replaced by something far more suitable than end door super sprinters. The 195’s are ideal for that but with a more suitable suburban interior.

DannyMich2018 · 15 Jul 2020

Surreyman said:
Don't suppose anyone could hazard a guess at how many Northern units are fitted with CET tanks?

Anyone know? Of course be all Class 195s plus all of Class 323, 333, 331, all 158s I'd assume?, most or all 156s? It might only be the few Class 142 and 144s (not in use at min) plus 153 and some unrefurb Class 150s maybe? I read a while ago that EMU-wise all units from Class 317 onwards were built with CET from new but not sure which were the last DMU's built without CET tanks?

superkev · 15 Jul 2020

3973EXL said:
STP 18/07

Realtime Trains - 513E 0910 Bristol Barton Hill W.R.D. to Heaton T&R.S.M.D.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Presumably 158 816 returning from Bristol works to Heaton it's been there since 5th Jun. I wonder if ones going the other way at some point.
K

Neptune · 15 Jul 2020

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned but our internal staff site has stated that an agreement has now been made to replace the flat cloth seat covers to the moquette style covers on the legacy fleet.

15x’s and 170’s to be done by the end of the year. 319’s will not be done due to them going off lease.

No mention of 195’s and 331’s so for now they will retain flat cloth.

Halish Railway · 15 Jul 2020

Neptune said:
I don’t know if it’s been mentioned but our internal staff site has stated that an agreement has now been made to replace the flat cloth seat covers to the moquette style covers on the legacy fleet.

15x’s and 170’s to be done by the end of the year. 319’s will not be done due to them going off lease.

No mention of 195’s and 331’s so for now they will retain flat cloth.

Personally, I think that that’s a shame as I find the flat cloth to be more subtle and refined than the moquette which is a bit too bright. The only seats that suit the moquette are those on the 333s and the Richmond seats - The 170’s seats, as well as the Chapman seats look excellent with the flat cloth in my opinion.

skyhigh · 15 Jul 2020

Halish Railway said:
Personally, I think that that’s a shame as I find the flat cloth to be more subtle and refined than the moquette which is a bit too bright. The only seats that suit the moquette are those on the 333s and the Richmond seats - The 170’s seats, as well as the Chapman seats look excellent with the flat cloth in my opinion.

They might look okay when pristine, but the flat cloth covers get disgusting very quickly- I'd much rather have moquette.

Neptune · 15 Jul 2020

skyhigh said:
They might look okay when pristine, but the flat cloth covers get disgusting very quickly- I'd much rather have moquette.

They looked faded whereas the moquette looks fresh.

43096 · 15 Jul 2020

skyhigh said:
They might look okay when pristine, but the flat cloth covers get disgusting very quickly- I'd much rather have moquette.

And they feel like they are made of very low grade material. If ever there was a false economy, this was it.

skyhigh · 15 Jul 2020

Neptune said:
They looked faded whereas the moquette looks fresh.

Agreed - I worked a 333 this morning followed by a 170 and the moquette looks so much better, in my opinion.

3973EXL · 16 Jul 2020

STP 18/07

Heaton