Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern

[pokemonsuper9]

I can't see a power changeover sign on the Hindley direction.
The one towards Wigan has been taken out of its bag and the platform extension is now open!

 

[TrainzBK]

Still diesel from Ince. Looks like the electrification money was wasted.

That was always the plan, only the section between Bolton and Ince has been electrified, electrification then goes into Wigan NW but not Wallgate. We will see a new service in December that will terminate at Wigan NW and be electric throughout.

 

[Gricer99]

Seems crazy to have to wait until December. If they had tested earlier than they did they could have introduced it with the May timetable.

 

[TrainzBK]

Seems crazy to have to wait until December. If they had tested earlier than they did they could have introduced it with the May timetable.

December is going to be the major timetable change for Northern across the majority of routes so makes more sense to do the reshuffle of services then in my opinion.

 

[507016]

That was always the plan, only the section between Bolton and Ince has been electrified, electrification then goes into Wigan NW but not Wallgate. We will see a new service in December that will terminate at Wigan NW and be electric throughout.

One nightly service does seem to terminate at wigan nw, would that use it tonight?

 

[TrainzBK]

One nightly service does seem to terminate at wigan nw, would that use it tonight?

Yes it will

 

[GhostManDN91]

I've spotted 2 Class 769s so far today leaving/arriving at Bolton to/from Wigan with the pantograph still up. Also all the power changeover signs at Bolton for them have been removed I've noticed.

 

[david l]

Both changeover signs at Ince have been unveiled and about an hour ago witnessed 769434 undertaking changeover to electric on a Southport-Manchester Oxford Road. Platform extensions also unveiled at Ince. 4 769's out today, with 769421 still sat at Springs Branch.

 

[Gricer99]

769434 became the first electric train to carry fare paying passengers into Wigan North Western on the newly electrified line this evening, arriving 2 minutes late just after 21.53.

 

[Killingworth]

769434 became the first electric train to carry fare paying passengers into Wigan North Western on the newly electrified line this evening, arriving 2 minutes late just after 21.53.

Good to hear 769434 has achieved a first. We travelled on it to Southport on 17th May 2021, I believe the first day in public service.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Both changeover signs at Ince have been unveiled and about an hour ago witnessed 769434 undertaking changeover to electric on a Southport-Manchester Oxford Road. Platform extensions also unveiled at Ince. 4 769's out today, with 769421 still sat at Springs Branch.

I wonder if there's any point in 421/452 even operating with Northern if they're just gonna cover with their own units anyway.

 

[nightflyian]

Anyone have any news on 442 which gave up at Burscough a week last Monday ?

 

[Wyrleybart]

I wonder if there's any point in 421/452 even operating with Northern if they're just gonna cover with their own units anyway.

Well theoretically, those two should temporarily stand in for the remained fleet which need to go to Brodies. Is that Nos 3 - 8 ? If 1 and 2 have returned from their major exam. Surely the whole point of Porterbrook digging then out of Long Marston, taking them to Crewe ETD and fitting them with pantographs before running them to Allerton for pre exam before entering service. I assume they didn't run under their own diesel power from Long Marston did they ?

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Well theoretically, those two should temporarily stand in for the remained fleet which need to go to Brodies. Is that Nos 3 - 8 ? If 1 and 2 have returned from their major exam. Surely the whole point of Porterbrook digging then out of Long Marston, taking them to Crewe ETD and fitting them with pantographs before running them to Allerton for pre exam before entering service. I assume they didn't run under their own diesel power from Long Marston did they ?

No, they were dragged. But 421/452 refuse to switch to electric. So, whenever 421 comes back in a few weeks, it'll break again. May as well stay on diesel the whole way.

 

[DannyMich2018]

According to RTT only 424, 434, 448 and 450 are out in service today.

 

[D9006]

Had 450 Westhoughton to Southport and returned with 424. The Diesel engine on 450 sounded lot louder and more powerful(my imagination perhaps) but was certainly a very spirited run on diesel . Coming back with 424 the same, both had a very smooth and quick change of Power supply at ince, interesting when 424 pulled out of ince was a good minute before Diesel engine fully shut off.

 

[Geeves]

No, they were dragged. But 421/452 refuse to switch to electric. So, whenever 421 comes back in a few weeks, it'll break again. May as well stay on diesel the whole way.

I think it's the other way around. It will run on electric fine as it came to Victoria on electric but it's switching to diesel that's the issue and I don't think they want to risk it at Ince, seeing as it's going relatively well surprisingly!

 

[Leyland Bus]

Caught an extremely fresh looking 769434 on the 0632 out of Manchester Victoria just now, the interior appears to have been deep cleaned aswell. It's an awful lot quieter than the others i've been on recently, no whining or anything...

 

[TrainLifeGB]

Caught an extremely fresh looking 769434 on the 0632 out of Manchester Victoria just now, the interior appears to have been deep cleaned aswell. It's an awful lot quieter than the others i've been on recently, no whining or anything...

A shame charging sockets and tables were not added. The only perk of the TfW 769s when they actually decide to work. But at least it's been improved.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

A shame charging sockets and tables were not added. The only perk of the TfW 769s when they actually decide to work. But at least it's been improved.

The Welsh ones had tables and plug sockets?
Does 769421 still have those now?

 

[Leyland Bus]

A shame charging sockets and tables were not added. The only perk of the TfW 769s when they actually decide to work. But at least it's been improved.

Yeah, I know what you mean... perhaps if reliability is improved, they might get an interior upgrade?

Have to say the ride was absolutely brilliant compared to the others, it was really smooth and quiet, a big upgrade...

 

[RichardAsh1981]

Just come through Leicester (on the way towards Cambridge) and there was a 769 in GWR livery sat in a siding. Looked like a drag as next in the siding were two Arlington Fleet Services vans (barriers)? Then a lot of locos but I couldn't see what was coupled and not as it went something like 37, 2x20, 47, 60! The last was clearly dumped a long time.

 

[Nym]

Just come through Leicester (on the way towards Cambridge) and there was a 769 in GWR livery sat in a siding. Looked like a drag as next in the siding were two Arlington Fleet Services vans (barriers)? Then a lot of locos but I couldn't see what was coupled and not as it went something like 37, 2x20, 47, 60! The last was clearly dumped a long time.

Proberbly one of the 769/5 units

 

[Wyrleybart]

Just come through Leicester (on the way towards Cambridge) and there was a 769 in GWR livery sat in a siding. Looked like a drag as next in the siding were two Arlington Fleet Services vans (barriers)? Then a lot of locos but I couldn't see what was coupled and not as it went something like 37, 2x20, 47, 60! The last was clearly dumped a long time.

I think GBRf and Freightliner have been trialling the 769/5s but maybe these are the GBRf ones which have been running between Leicester and Peterborough

 

[Nym]

I think GBRf and Freightliner have been trialling the 769/5s but maybe these are the GBRf ones which have been running between Leicester and Peterborough

There are only two 769/5s.

From what I remember, 769/6s were going to be a thing for another FoC.

 

[Wyrleybart]

There are only two 769/5s.

From what I remember, 769/6s were going to be a thing for another FoC.

Thanks for the correction "Nym". I was trying to keep up with movements to Donny and movements to Scotland. Were two of the green ones painted / vinyled blue earlier in the year ?

 

[LowLevel]

77333 from 769922 was destroyed last night in an arson attack at the Reid Freight sidings at Stoke Cockshute.

 

[Defiance149]

77333 from 769922 was destroyed last night in an arson attack at the Reid Freight sidings at Stoke Cockshute.

 

[fgwrich]

77333 from 769922 was destroyed last night in an arson attack at the Reid Freight sidings at Stoke Cockshute.

Another one or the fire at the start of July?

Cancel, just seen it’s another one.

 

[TrainLifeGB]

View attachment 185375

Presumably now going to be the first 769 going to Newport?