Scotrail 321s from LM

[317 forever]

322s were given a different class number just because a few trains were built with a different interior for Stansted Express services.

It does seem odd that ScotRail are taking some class 321s, after they shed their class 322s a few years ago. As Northern already have some 321s, maybe the 321s could have gone to Northern and the 322s back to ScotRail?

 

[RobShipway]

It does seem odd that ScotRail are taking some class 321s, after they shed their class 322s a few years ago. As Northern already have some 321s, maybe the 321s could have gone to Northern and the 322s back to ScotRail?

If the Scotrail drivers signed to be able to drive class 322's, could they also drive Class 321's with a refresher course?

 

[northwichcat]

It does seem odd that ScotRail are taking some class 321s, after they shed their class 322s a few years ago. As Northern already have some 321s, maybe the 321s could have gone to Northern and the 322s back to ScotRail?

The 322s were freed up by the introduction of 380s. However, presumably Scotrail now need extra capacity and the 322s are leased by Northern until next year.

322s and 321s are exactly the same train. The different class number was only due to the 322s originally having a special interior for Stansted Express services. However, Scotrail changed the 322 interior to have 3+2 seating like all the 321s.

 

[D365]

The 322s were freed up by the introduction of 380s. However, presumably Scotrail now need extra capacity and the 322s are leased by Northern until next year.

322s and 321s are exactly the same train. The different class number was only due to the 322s originally having a special interior for Stansted Express services. However, Scotrail changed the 322 interior to have 3+2 seating like all the 321s.

Also they are to be leasing seven Mk3 units, there are only five 322s - though I heard they are practically the same as the three-strong 321/9s. Although I don't supposed it's any much more helpful swapping the Leeds fleet for 319s rather than the LM units.

 

[northwichcat]

Although I don't supposed it's any much more helpful swapping the Leeds fleet for 319s rather than the LM units.

The Leeds based EMUs have been fitted with wi-fi as part of a trial that's a condition of the Northern Rail Direct Award, so they'd have to remove the wi-fi from those trains and fit it to 8 x 319s instead for that to happen.

 

[RobShipway]

The 322s were freed up by the introduction of 380s. However, presumably Scotrail now need extra capacity and the 322s are leased by Northern until next year.

322s and 321s are exactly the same train. The different class number was only due to the 322s originally having a special interior for Stansted Express services. However, Scotrail changed the 322 interior to have 3+2 seating like all the 321s.

Thanks, I thought that the class 321's and class 322's where the same.

 

[theblackwatch]

322s and 321s are exactly the same train. The different class number was only due to the 322s originally having a special interior for Stansted Express services. However, Scotrail changed the 322 interior to have 3+2 seating like all the 321s.

There was a proposal a few years ago for the 322s to be reclassified as Class 321/5, but it never actually happened.

 

[zn1]

mechanically and operationally the 321's are interoperable with 314,318,320 & 322, so there will be no problems operating, as for depot maintenance they have experience with the brush equipment on their sister fleets, so no problem.

remember that 319 are GEC equipped, with same motoring as 317,318 and 325, but are able to work with 321 without issue

320-322 are essentially the same fleet, only minor differences that will affect drivers are their max speeds - 320's I think are 90mph now??

Making a 321 a 3 car would require compressor relocation and some wiring & pipe moves & changes, once one is done, should not take too long per unit to do..

be a shame to see the old girls go, they have been the longest serving fleet on the Euston - BNS regional lines...they have plenty of life in them, and as said will easily have a half century or more life in them..

 

[MK Tom]

I'd still really like to know when this is all happening!

I'm assuming the 321 trailers will be scrapped, which is sad. I don't suppose it'd be viable to use them to boost the LM 319s to 5-car.

 

[D365]

I'm assuming the 321 trailers will be scrapped, which is sad. I don't suppose it'd be viable to use them to boost the LM 319s to 5-car.

Sandwich them in those Class 508 driving cars and install D-Train diesel packs :P

 

[swt_passenger]

I'd still really like to know when this is all happening!

The 7 x 321s are part of the Dec 2015 fleet declared in the franchise spec, linked in the first post. So it has to happen this year.

 

[Chris125]

I'm assuming the 321 trailers will be scrapped, which is sad. I don't suppose it'd be viable to use them to boost the LM 319s to 5-car.

London Midlands 321s currently operate 12-car trains, so for that reason alone 5-car units wouldn't be a practical option.

With so many ex-BR units becoming available in the coming years I don't have a problem with scrapping a few trailers - if 321s are easier to shorten than 319s they may even prove a solution to issues elsewhere, such as the apparent need for 3-car EMUs to operate services in multiple via Salford Crescent.

Chris