Northern Unit Refurbishments and depot allocations.

[Geeves]

What have they been doing with it for the last two years?

These kind of things always take a long time to organise. There's lots of planned works coming for the 195s so maybe a blessing for the maintenance teams to have a spare unit to practice on? I mean I assume it's at Newton Heath?

 

[sbrignall72]

These kind of things always take a long time to organise. There's lots of planned works coming for the 195s so maybe a blessing for the maintenance teams to have a spare unit to practice on? I mean I assume it's at Newton Heath?

I believe it is sitting at Kilmarnock

 

[Russel]

These kind of things always take a long time to organise. There's lots of planned works coming for the 195s so maybe a blessing for the maintenance teams to have a spare unit to practice on? I mean I assume it's at Newton Heath?

What works are coming for the 195s?

 

[Class777]

156491 is on Liverpool to Manchester Oxford Road today, 08:22 from LIV. Where is the unit based as it has a interior that resembles the Newcastle units…

 

[diligentdave]

156491 is on Liverpool to Manchester Oxford Road today, 08:22 from LIV. Where is the unit based as it has a interior that resembles the Newcastle units…

There are 3 Angel Class 156's now allocated to Newton Heath.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2026 ==

I believe it is sitting at Kilmarnock

The unit was moved by road to Wolverton for storage after the derailment. After many months of storage, Gemini Rail Services (Wolverton) declined to quote for the work to repair. The repair of this unit then went out to tender, where Brodies were awarded the work.
There are spares issues around what's required to repair the unit, there are no repair procedures for the repairs that need to take place, so all these are being written from scratch and have to be verified by CAF. That's what takes the time.

As to when the work can commence, again, it's driven by spares access for spares which don't exist.

 

[M60lad]

Is there a reason why 195001 is out of use at Newton Heath at the moment? For the past couple of weeks its been stabled/parked alongside the CAF shed facing St Mary's Road

How many 195s are actually out of use at the moment for various reasons?

 

[sbrignall72]

Looks like there is a unit swap from Wolverton to Newton Heath tomorrw. 5N32 Wolverton to Newton Heath. 5H71 Newton Heath to Wolverton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jan 2026 ==

Looks like there is also a 5H70 Heaton to Wolverton tomorrow as well.

 

[Soft Hands]

There are 3 Angel Class 156's now allocated to Newton Heath.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jan 2026 ==


The unit was moved by road to Wolverton for storage after the derailment. After many months of storage, Gemini Rail Services (Wolverton) declined to quote for the work to repair. The repair of this unit then went out to tender, where Brodies were awarded the work.
There are spares issues around what's required to repair the unit, there are no repair procedures for the repairs that need to take place, so all these are being written from scratch and have to be verified by CAF. That's what takes the time.

As to when the work can commence, again, it's driven by spares access for spares which don't exist.

I think there are now four, ex Heaton allocation, Angel 156's now working off NH (444, 475, 485 & 491) plus three, ex recent Heaton allocation, Porterbrook 156's (420, 421 and 460) also back at NH whilst the Whitehaven tunnel repairs continue.

 

[diligentdave]

Looks like there is a unit swap from Wolverton to Newton Heath tomorrw. 5N32 Wolverton to Newton Heath. 5H71 Newton Heath to Wolverton.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jan 2026 ==

Looks like there is also a 5H70 Heaton to Wolverton tomorrow as well.

150107 out 150120 in and 156484 returning for some retro action.

 

[sbrignall72]

One for diligent dave, with the length of time it is taking to overhaul 150275, will some 150/2's be stored if they run out of hours. Before they cab take their place in the overhaul. Possibly a similar question for the 155s.

 

[diligentdave]

One for diligent dave, with the length of time it is taking to overhaul 150275, will some 150/2's be stored if they run out of hours. Before they cab take their place in the overhaul. Possibly a similar question for the 155s.

Basically, no. They get life extensions implemented on them. 150275's new updated output date is now the 27th Feb (possibly).

 

[sbrignall72]

Basically, no. They get life extensions implemented on them. 150275's new updated output date is now the 27th Feb (possibly).

I noticed the working for 150107 didnt run on Saturday

 

[david l]

Couple for diligentdave, if you can please!

You mentioned some time ago that of the 8 Northern 769's for c6 at Brodies, 'some' were having c4 as well (769434 was one). Can you advise how many and which ones, please?
The lease date for the 769's was extended to 2027, is this still the case?

 

[diligentdave]

Couple for diligentdave, if you can please!

You mentioned some time ago that of the 8 Northern 769's for c6 at Brodies, 'some' were having c4 as well (769434 was one). Can you advise how many and which ones, please?
The lease date for the 769's was extended to 2027, is this still the case?

434 & 456 are the only 2 that have had C4 whilst undergoing C6.

Not sure on the lease date, I would guess that it's tied in with the new franchise/DOHL takeover and new train build, which would put it at 2030/31 at least.

 

[david l]

434 & 456 are the only 2 that have had C4 whilst undergoing C6.

Not sure on the lease date, I would guess that it's tied in with the new franchise/DOHL takeover and new train build, which would put it at 2030/31 at least.

Many thanks for your continued 'snippets'.

 

[Ant158]

Spotted 150225 on Headbolt Lane to Blackburn service today at 1pm

 

[sbrignall72]

I see there is a 5N31 Wolverton to Newton Heath and 5H70 return on Saturday do we know units involved. MTIA

 

[railwork]

A small update on the 6 HT 156s currently based at NH, 2 should return imminently to support the opening of the final 2 stations on the Northumberland Line. The other 4 will begin returning when available over the next few weeks before the Whitehaven tunnel reopening in spring (where 3 156 diagrams will return to HT). 156488 is ready to head for C6 and will be the next HT unit to take the trip to Wolverton. 156480 is planned in for May (but this is likely to change as dates keep slipping due to arising work), where I believe it will return in standard Northern blue and white.

 

[david l]

A small update on the 6 HT 156s currently based at NH, 2 should return imminently to support the opening of the final 2 stations on the Northumberland Line. The other 4 will begin returning when available over the next few weeks before the Whitehaven tunnel reopening in spring (where 3 156 diagrams will return to HT). 156488 is ready to head for C6 and will be the next HT unit to take the trip to Wolverton. 156480 is planned in for May (but this is likely to change as dates keep slipping due to arising work), where I believe it will return in standard Northern blue and white.

Thanks. Would it not seem sensible to retain the 4 156's at NH until the Whitehaven tunnel actually re-opens?
The west side is already badly short of stock with the continual daily cover for the 769's and shortforms all over the place.

 

[Soft Hands]

A small update on the 6 HT 156s currently based at NH, 2 should return imminently to support the opening of the final 2 stations on the Northumberland Line. The other 4 will begin returning when available over the next few weeks before the Whitehaven tunnel reopening in spring (where 3 156 diagrams will return to HT). 156488 is ready to head for C6 and will be the next HT unit to take the trip to Wolverton. 156480 is planned in for May (but this is likely to change as dates keep slipping due to arising work), where I believe it will return in standard Northern blue and white.

I think we've still got seven HT 156's working off NH? 420, 421, 444, 460, 475, 485 & 491. 421 and 485 have been here since the tunnel closed. 420 and 491 both came to NH straight off C6's at Wolverton. 444, 460 and 475 were recent "loans" when the attempt to cover some "Corkickle" work with 195's fell apart due to poor 195 availability. Has one of the above mentioned units been permanently transferred to (or back to) NH? Thanks for the gen!

 

[Geeves]

420 failed a couple of times and currently is on the naughty step with a serious oil leak so cross that one currently off the "helping" list. It does however look very shiny!

 

[JModulo]

A small update on the 6 HT 156s currently based at NH, 2 should return imminently to support the opening of the final 2 stations on the Northumberland Line. The other 4 will begin returning when available over the next few weeks before the Whitehaven tunnel reopening in spring (where 3 156 diagrams will return to HT). 156488 is ready to head for C6 and will be the next HT unit to take the trip to Wolverton. 156480 is planned in for May (but this is likely to change as dates keep slipping due to arising work), where I believe it will return in standard Northern blue and white.

You mean spring 2028...

 

[railwork]

Thanks. Would it not seem sensible to retain the 4 156's at NH until the Whitehaven tunnel actually re-opens?
The west side is already badly short of stock with the continual daily cover for the 769's and shortforms all over the place.

I'm led to believe the current shortfall issues are more of an issue with the 195s, their wheel sets are wearing quicker than anticipated and supply can't keep up, but that is meant to be improving hence NH should be able to transfer the loanees back.

I think we've still got seven HT 156's working off NH? 420, 421, 444, 460, 475, 485 & 491. 421 and 485 have been here since the tunnel closed. 420 and 491 both came to NH straight off C6's at Wolverton. 444, 460 and 475 were recent "loans" when the attempt to cover some "Corkickle" work with 195's fell apart due to poor 195 availability. Has one of the above mentioned units been permanently transferred to (or back to) NH? Thanks for the gen!

156460 spent very little time in the North East (end of June 25 to the end of November 25) so its possible that was never a permanent transfer hence only 6 have been mentioned. 156420 also had a similar story in that it only spent a few months in the North East before being sent away for corrosion repairs and then C6. The 5 long term HT units (421,444,475,485 & 491) should be 5 of the 6 coming back, then I imagine it'll be a toss up between the last 2 depending on which one is available when the move is available.

You mean spring 2028...

I suppose we will have to see, however, Network Rail seem pretty confident so fingers crossed.

 

[JModulo]

I suppose we will have to see, however, Network Rail seem pretty confident so fingers crossed.

I can categorically assure you that it isn't opening for then. Work hasn't even started.

 

[sbrignall72]

I see there is a 5N31 Wolverton to Newton Heath and 5H70 return on Saturday do we know units involved. MTIA

Both cancelled again

 

[Liam L]

Any news on the EX WMR 323 refurbs? It's gone very quiet on that front

 

[sbrignall72]

One for diligentdave. Are there any updated dates please for when 150275, 156452 and 156472 are due back. MTIA

 

[Soft Hands]

You mean spring 2028...

'Too early' for completion date on tunnel work, says Network Rail

NETWORK Rail says it is 'too early' for them 'to provide a date for completion' for the work being done on Bransty Tunnel.

www.whitehavennews.co.uk

 

[JModulo]

'Too early' for completion date on tunnel work, says Network Rail

NETWORK Rail says it is 'too early' for them 'to provide a date for completion' for the work being done on Bransty Tunnel.

www.whitehavennews.co.uk

It was meant as a tongue in cheek comment giving the original post I was replying to suggested it would be open this spring.

 

[tel]

Hi all, i've got only 3 Class 158s allocated to NH, 794, 795 and 797. Is that correct as i still need all 3 for haulage? Thanks
Tel