Northern Unit Refurbishments and depot allocations.

[JordR]

Welcome to the Doncaster train! The next station is Outwood.

Don't think anything more needs to be said. I commuted Crossflatts to Leeds for three years and will miss it.

 

[diligentdave]

Any idea about when this work is expected to start?

Will the new PIS be Train fx, or will it be a completley different system?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Mar 2025 ==


sadly . I hope i can get one to Doncaster before the old announcements go

Works already started. 333006 is the first unit, currently at Skipton. Works been ongoing about 4 weeks despite what it says in the press release.
Should be TrainFX AFAIK.

 

[Harvey B]

Works already started. 333006 is the first unit, currently at Skipton.

Thanks @diligentdave for the update

Works been ongoing about 4 weeks despite what it says in the press release.

If 006 is taking 4 weeks to complete then hopefully it means that each subsequent unit will take around 2 weeks to complete.

The longer it takes to complete the whole fleet, the more chance there'll be of getting a 'Legacy 333' to Doncaster.

Should be TrainFX AFAIK.

I've never been a big fan of Tfx. It might be an upgrade in the system that the 333s have got, but Audio-wise, it's a very massive downgrade In My Opinion.

Even on a unit with a really high quality PA system (Such as the 333s or the 170s), the announcements will always sounding terrible & really low quality. I've never understood why this is the case

 

[reecestrains]

I've never been a big fan of Tfx. It might be an upgrade in the system that the 333s have got, but Audio-wise, it's a very massive downgrade In My Opinion.

Even on a unit with a really high quality PA system (Such as the 333s or the 170s), the announcements will always sounding terrible & really low quality. I've never understood why this is the case

Installing TrainFX on the 170's was certainly a downgrade. Even though the original Bombardier system doesn't have current features that meet todays standards, I do feel that an update of the current system would have been a better approach.

EMR and CrossCountry are installing the new system and screens from Bombardier on their units and it certainly isn't as bad as TrainFX.
My opinion of course.

In terms of the 333's, the system is certainly limited, out of date and in dire need of an update.

 

[HarryL]

Bit of a shame to lose the classic voices on the 333s, will be odd to get on one that sounds different. Much needed update though it's surprising that the current system has lasted for so long when it's been unsuitable for a long time.

Are they going to put the new screens above the vestibules like the current dot matrix ones or will they hang them from the ceiling like other units?

 

[skyhigh]

What's "energy metering" in this context?

Simply a meter that records the traction energy used.

 

[Harvey B]

Works already started. 333006 is the first unit, currently at Skipton. Works been ongoing about 4 weeks despite what it says in the press release.
Should be TrainFX AFAIK.

Is there any word on when 333006 should be complete, and back in service?

 

[Blindtraveler]

I am really going to miss being welcomed aboard the Skipton train

 

[D6130]

I am really going to miss being welcomed aboard the Skipton train

....but I bet you won't miss being told that "This train terminates here" when it's still standing at Cononley!

 

[reecestrains]

Is there any word on when 333006 should be complete, and back in service?

Just passed by Broughton Road this afternoon and the original PIS is still on 006 at the moment saying Leeds.

 

[InkyScrolls]

It is indeed TrainFX that is being installed, and each unit is expected to take five weeks.

 

[Harvey B]

It is indeed TrainFX that is being installed, and each unit is expected to take five weeks.

5 Weeks for each unit? So, quite abit over the initial 3-day timeframe that was mentioned in the various PR releases then?

Northern Trains partners with DB ESG for Class 333 fleet upgrades

Northern Trains has contracted DB ESG for the supply and installation of a new passenger information system and energy metering upgrades

www.railway-technology.com

The upgrades to the passenger information system and energy metering are part of Northern Trains’ ongoing efforts to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency.

The installation, managed by DB ESG’s Projects Services Team, will take place at Northern Trains’ Skipton Sidings Facility. Each unit is to be upgraded within a three-day timeframe.

Whoever decided to say "a 3 day Timeline" probably wasn't thinking straight & (probably someone in the PR department)

 

[skyhigh]

It is indeed TrainFX that is being installed, and each unit is expected to take five weeks.

The first unit is expected to take 5 weeks. The rest are not.

 

[Halish Railway]

As much as people have talked about the 333s getting TrainFX, will the current works remedy the issues with the manual PA system? I’m on 333008 at the moment and the guard’s announcement is for all intents and purposes inaudible.

 

[skyhigh]

As much as people have talked about the 333s getting TrainFX, will the current works remedy the issues with the manual PA system? I’m on 333008 at the moment and the guard’s announcement is for all intents and purposes inaudible.

Well it's replacing almost all of the components, so yes.

 

[sbrignall72]

One for diligentdave if possible, Do we have any expected dates for when the following are released from Wolverton.
150004
150109
150115
156463
156475
Also any updates on 150218 and 150275.
MTIA

 

[reecestrains]

Well it's replacing almost all of the components, so yes.

A replacement of the whole system is due as it outdated and very limited of what it can do.

 

[Harvey B]

A replacement of the whole system is due as it outdated and very limited of what it can do.

I can't think of any other automated PIS systems that are as basic as what's on the 333s

 

[Adam0984]

I can't think of any other automated PIS systems that are as basic as what's on the 333s

But if you think these units are approaching 30 years old and still have the original PIS system, at the time digital PIS and auto announcements were in their infancy and it was advanced at the time, on their last big refurb TfX wasn't on any of northerns fleet so the old system lived on, and now its time to move on

 

[47434]

I am really going to miss being welcomed aboard the Skipton train

I am really not going to miss that voice and actually rejoice when it isn't working. Be nice to hear more of the regional accents.

 

[InkyScrolls]

I am really not going to miss that voice and actually rejoice when it isn't working. Be nice to hear more of the regional accents.

Why? He's got a clear voice with very concise statements. What's not to like?

 

[47434]

Why? He's got a clear voice with very concise statements. What's not to like?

I guess it is just 20 years of the same is hard work when you haven't the faintest interest in the intermediate calls. Can't disagree that voice is clear and concise but feels somehow outdated and a bit BBC

 

[diligentdave]

One for diligentdave if possible, Do we have any expected dates for when the following are released from Wolverton.
150004
150109
150115
156463
156475
Also any updates on 150218 and 150275.
MTIA

156475 will be leaving on Monday (due to East Coast blockade) and 156451 will return on Tuesday.

The others I haven't had updates about yet (just had some time off so catching up).

 

[InkyScrolls]

I guess it is just 20 years of the same is hard work when you haven't the faintest interest in the intermediate calls. Can't disagree that voice is clear and concise but feels somehow outdated and a bit BBC

Outdated how? It's just a voice...

 

[sbrignall72]

156475 will be leaving on Monday (due to East Coast blockade) and 156451 will return on Tuesday.

The others I haven't had updates about yet (just had some time off so catching up).

Thank you diligentdave

 

[skyhigh]

Keep an eye out for 331004... When it's released back into service, it'll be sporting a special livery to celebrate Bradford being City of Culture.

 

[Harvey B]

Keep an eye out for 331004... When it's released back into service, it'll be sporting a special livery to celebrate Bradford being City of Culture.

Any idea of when it'll be in service?

 

[diligentdave]

Any idea of when it'll be in service?

Thursday.

 

[sbrignall72]

Has 158910 gone to Crewe for refurbishment or just a general repair.

 

[Hipster123]

This is what 331004 named “The Bradfordian” looks like if anyone’s interested

331004 “The Bradfordian”