EastMidlander
Member
I guess 421 wasn't trusted to make the journey to Allerton solo!
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Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern
- Thread starter northwichcat
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pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Probably not after breaking down and blocking the line (what is this, the third time now?)
It tried, went from SP to Wigan North Western (reverse) then left but only got to Wigan South Junc before having to return to Wigan NW and sat awaiting help which came from 769456. Interesting though, as both 769421 and 769452 were seen sat pan(s) up earlier at SP on the Bickesrshaw headshunt so perhaps 769452 wasn't trusted either!
FrontSideBus
On Moderation
- Joined
- 11 Feb 2025
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- 451
How long can this go on?
Seems there is no timetable change planned for december so into next year at least.
Availability 'seems' to be getting better of late, with regularly 5 or 6 units starting the day, as opposed to anything between 0-3 which had previously been the case.
6 have started the day today, but neither 769421 nor 769452!
TrainLifeGB
On Moderation
Well, they did say they'd try and improve reliability when the line at Bolton was electrified. Took a while, but they're getting there! Surprised.
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Looks like 769456 has broken down at Ince, it's been there 10 minutes now and is blocking other trains
Looks like they got it moving 17 mins late and it has now terminated at Wigan.
Looks like they got it moving 17 mins late and it has now terminated at Wigan.
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TrainLifeGB
On Moderation
Last edited by a moderator:
The_Train
Established Member
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- 5,247
Until Monday of this week, there hadn't been a post in here for over a week which suggests there were no issues for people to whinge about for that duration. Whilst the reliability of 769s hasn't been great, trains of all ages and types break down on the network, causing havoc, every single day. I read on twitter this morning that the line between Stafford-Crewe via Stoke is blocked by a broken down train (which I presume is a 350) and if I look further I will probably find 2 or 3 issues around the country owing to broken down trains of some sort
Some here do seem to delight in posting about certain trains' failures.
amahy
Member
While this is true, some trains do break down more than others, and 769s are one of the worst train types in terms of reliability in the country. As I have said elsewhere, Northern have been suffering with the "more trains than usual needing repairs at the same time" disruption reason for years, yet nothing gets done about it.
I looked at Alsager and normally there are two diagrams working the Crewe - Stafford shuttle and one of them did not run
Realtime Trains | 2K80 0550 Crewe to Stafford | 24/09/2025
Real-time train running information for 2K80 0550 departure from Crewe to Stafford on 24/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
The rest of that diagram is also uncovered.
That is the Management speak for "this train is not running because of a Door Fault/Engine fault or other problem affecting that unit on the day".
In the old days the reason for the train not running would be given.
GhostManDN91
Member
I did notice yesterday there were more Class 150/156s covering 769 diagrams. I was surprised when I got the 20:32 train home from Bolton to Wigan NW and it was a 2 car Class 150/1 instead of a 769. Nice change of traction though.
Killingworth
Established Member
But it got going at 10.22 after 17 minutes delay and has continued a fairly punctual day since arriving at Southport; https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:W50794/2025-09-24/detailed#allox_id=0
What caused the failure? Was it a specific 769 related issue or something that could have happened to any train?
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Given it happened at Ince, it's very likely a power changover issue, but I don't know for certain.
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
769452 is out today, just left Wigan for Southport.
Jamesrob637
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 6,083
A few cancellations on Southport trains tonight I see.
childwallblues
Established Member
I saw four in service in a 40 minute period at Wigan Wallgate today - 424 431 434 and 446
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
Likely, 431 broke down at Hindley at ~17:10
Tony2
Member
- Joined
- 7 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 583
I’ve seen 769448 today but not 769446?
Currently on 769434 on 2O74. It looks in ex works condition externally!
The windows are all open from Southport for some nice thrash in the driving car until it switched over to electric.
childwallblues
Established Member
My apologies. It was 448 not 446.
452 was out on the early Victoria to Southport service. Started 8 mins late and reached Southport 16 mins late. The next working back to Ostore Road got as far as Wigan 6 mins late and was cancelled due to a problem with the traction equipment.
Availability of late has been much better with regularly 5 or even 6 starting the day. However towards the end of this week has tailed off again with only 3 starting the day today. Of the ex-TfW units 769421 has only appeared for 2 days in July (failing both days), then a month or so sat at SP for 'training' and now back at AN. 769452 started off well (but in August) but has had at least 3 'retired hurt' episodes since. As the contract for these 2 with Porterbrook was understood to be over £400k for 1) May-November and 2) June-January I would hope that the finance people at Northern are asking for some redress or re-negotiation!
nightflyian
Member
Its Monday morning and 434 which ran empty from Springs Branch has just been declared unserviceable for the 0703 Southport - Oxford Rd Service. So the 0725 which was 2x156's was split in 2 with the front half being used for the 0703.
nightflyian
Member
Just passing through Parbold Southport bound and looks like 421 1303 to Oxford Rd has given up and being rescued by 456 which looks like it had passengers on with 156 sat also at Burscough.