West Midlands Class 323 - the final countdown

[Dead Sheep]

Slightly off topic, but when they were first introduced were they used on Birmingham - Liverpool services? I remember getting on one at Crewe (1997?) and someone on the train told me it started at Liverpool.

They did indeed. I remember travelling on one from New Street to Runcorn. It felt very strange travelling at their full speed of 90mph over distance. It was probably one of the few services where they received a full leg stretch on express timings.

 

[Liam L]

Wednesday 12th June

323216
323241
323218 & 323240

 

[crosscity]

Wednesday 12th June
323215/323222 Bromsgrove-Lichfield
323216 Redditch-Four Oaks
323221/323??? Bromsgrove-Lichfield
... before teatime chaos on Crosscity Line North

 

[warwickshire]

Wednesday 12 th June 2024
323216 until 1800 pm on Redditch to Four oaks, before withdrawal for repair due to damage to pantograph at Aston. Over head line issues.
323241 Solo all day. On Redditch to Four oaks.
323201 323213 from 1800 pm on Redditch to Four oaks, after working Lichfield to Bromsgrove.
Meanwhile all day Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323240/323218
323215/323222
323221/323203. As always on that pair.

 

[Liam L]

Any ideas if 323242 is out today?

 

[warwickshire]

No it's not however: Both solo Redditch to Four oaks
323241
323216
Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent valleys
323215 323222
323221 323203
323218 323201
323211 323240

 

[childwallblues]

They did indeed. I remember travelling on one from New Street to Runcorn. It felt very strange travelling at their full speed of 90mph over distance. It was probably one of the few services where they received a full leg stretch on express timings.

In those days there was a 323 booked for a Four Oaks to Liverpool service!

 

[warwickshire]

Friday 14th June 2024
Redditch to Four Oaks
323241
323216 till around 16pm, failed around Northfield, hasn't sounded well this week.
323203 after 16 pm.
Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley
323201 323218, again to 16 pm, 323201 also failed at Longbridge,
323218 solo after 16pm
323215 /323222 all day
323240/323211 all day
323203/323221 to 16pm
323221/ 323242 after 16pm.
Meanwhile saw late evening Birmingham New Street out of the blue 37884 take 323204 to Tyseley Wheelathe.
Cahos again at Rush hour but today's turn was Double 323 Failures on Simultaneously Services ex Redditch and Bromsgrove.

 

[Liam L]

Any ideas if either 323213 or 323242 is working today and what diagram?

Thanks in advance

 

[jonesy3001]

Any ideas if either 323213 or 323242 is working today and what diagram?

Thanks in advance

Probably getting prepped for the movement to Wolverton on Monday.

Realtime Trains | 5J70 0854 Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 17/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5J70 0854 departure from Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 17/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[DaventryRabbit]

They did indeed. I remember travelling on one from New Street to Runcorn. It felt very strange travelling at their full speed of 90mph over distance. It was probably one of the few services where they received a full leg stretch on express timings.

I remember pitching up at Liverpool Lime St in, I think, November 1999 (Or maybe 2000?) and found a 323 on what was then the Service to Stansted via Bham. Not surprisingly it got no further than BHM...
If it still runs, the 0050 Crewe - Manchester Airport is a good run for a 323. It's non stop to the Airport

 

[Geeves]

203 - Four Oaks - Redditch
221 + 241 - Four Oaks - Redditch

211 + 240 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove
215 + 222 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove
216 + 218 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove

201 - Soho
204 - Tyseley
213 - Soho

List is getting smaller everyday! So either today or tomorrow might be the last time out and in the WM for 213 and 241

 

[Liam L]

Probably getting prepped for the movement to Wolverton on Monday.

Realtime Trains | 5J70 0854 Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 17/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5J70 0854 departure from Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 17/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

242 is out in traffic, saw it earlier on 15:01 ex Redditch with 221

 

[warwickshire]

Observations today
Redditch to Four oaks
323242 323221
323203 solo
323241 solo.
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323216 323218
323215 332322
323211 323240
Note 323213 last run was with 323201 on Wednesday 12th June 2024, originally on am Bromsgrove to Lichfield it got swapped over onto a pm Redditch to Four oaks, ending at Soho, rather than Birmingham New Street. Highly likely, taking with a pinch of salt At the moment Wednesday 12th June 2024, was 323213 last day in service. Could well need a bit of hanback work doing to it.

 

[wythallpaul]

Saw 323221+323242 arrive at Four Oaks on the 15:01 ex Redditch 12 mins late at 16:22. (Delayed due to a Trespass incident).
As soon as the driver walked from end to end it departed on the 16:16 to Redditch 9 mins late at 16:25 and running non-stop to New Street where it arrived on time.
Also had a ride on 323211+323240 & 323215+323222.

 

[Geeves]

Today's situation

203 + 241 - Lichfield TV - Redditch
216 + 218 - Lichfield TV - Redditch

204 - 5Q65 1615 Tyseley - Soho

 

[Liam L]

Today's situation

203 + 241 - Lichfield TV - Redditch
216 + 218 - Lichfield TV - Redditch

204 - 5Q65 1615 Tyseley - Soho

The service is a mess due to train crew issues so I'm not surprised there only 2 out

 

[warwickshire]

Sunday 16th June 2024,
323241, 323203, both was solo until the pm shortages kicked in. On Redditch to Lichfield.
323216 323218 was originally together also on Redditch to Lichfield.
However 5Q65 1615 Tyseley Lmd saw 37884 with 323204 back to Soho at Birmingham New Street.
Making 323241 Sunday 16th June 2024
Making 323213 Wednesday 12th June 2024. THEIR Final days with Wmr in public service.
Also to start of with both Sunday 17th June 2024, both the Bromsgrove diagrams x2 complete 730s, it's proable, no more 730s to Bromsgrove on a Sunday.
Meanwhile 323240 323211, remain at Four Oaks, due to Shortages Sunday 17th June 2024, displaced pair of 323s, possibly on Redditch to Four Oaks instead.
However wait and see what Monday 17th June 2024, brings,,

 

[Razorblades]

Happened to be watching the comings and goings for a while around 10.0 this morning and for an hour from 6.0 tonight just north of Wylde Green. The two pairs of 323s have put in a full day's work by the look of them.

 

[warwickshire]

Happened to be watching the comings and goings for a while around 10.0 this morning and for an hour from 6.0 tonight just north of Wylde Green. The two pairs of 323s have put in a full day's work by the look of them.

323241 323203, was solo very early on. VERY BRIEFLY, Due to driver issues they did attach around 10ish to 11ish at Birmingham New street, 323241 only did first Redditch to Birmingham New street Only and 323203 did a trip around 0930ish Lichfield to Birmingham New Street. Only to be both Combined together around 1030ish, cancellations galore, cross city today also was a new entity. Plenty of 730s around and stabled Birmingham New Street. Not the same today.

 

[mansonlo49]

may i please ask is that any discussion on the remaining 323 which aren't moving to northern? thanks

 

[CharlieSpotted]

may i please ask is that any discussion on the remaining 323 which aren't moving to northern? thanks

Discussed further up:

What is going to happen to the remaining 323s that will not go north?

Returned to poterbook for storage

 

[mansonlo49]

thank you

Discussed further up:

 

[DBS92042]

Probably getting prepped for the movement to Wolverton on Monday.

Realtime Trains | 5J70 0854 Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 17/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5J70 0854 departure from Soho L.M.D. to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 17/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Both 213 + 242 on this to Wolverton today

 

[Geeves]

Todays update

201 + 203 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove
216 + 218 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove

211 + 240 - Four Oaks - Redditch
215 - Four Oaks - Redditch
222 - Four Oaks - Redditch

204 - Soho
241 - Soho

 

[warwickshire]

Monday 17th June 2024:
1. 323203/323201
2. 323216/323218
Bromsgrove to Lichfield.
Redditch to Four Oaks
323215
323222
323240/323211.

323242 final day with Wmr was Saturday 15th June 2024.
323213 Final day Wmr was Wednesday 12th June 2024.
List is getting smaller week by week.

 

[Liam L]

Todays update

201 + 203 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove
216 + 218 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove

211 + 240 - Four Oaks - Redditch
215 - Four Oaks - Redditch
222 - Four Oaks - Redditch

204 - Soho
241 - Soho

I see 211 + 240 didn't get swapped from four oaks yesterday, I thought double 323s was a sight of the past on the redditch branch

 

[warwickshire]

I see 211 + 240 didn't get swapped from four oaks yesterday, I thought double 323s was a sight of the past on the redditch branch

Probably not until finally finished.
However I do believe.
Two 323 diagrams Bromsgrove Pair 323
One 323 Redditch pair 323
This Week at least

 

[crosscity]

My updated report

Unit (N)=for Northern	Name	Last seen in WM service	Source	Note	Date left WM	To
STILL WITH WM
323201	Duddeston	Fri 14Jun2024	RailUK
323203 (N)	Aston	Sun 16Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 16	Mon 24Jun2024
323204	Selly Oak	Tue 11Jun2024	RailUK
323211	Four Oaks	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK	At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK
323216	University	Sun 16Jun2024	RailUK
323218 (N)	Lichfield City	Sun 16Jun2024	RailUK
323221	Northfield. In Centro livery	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK
323222	Redditch	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK
323241 (N)	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service	Sun 16Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 15	Mon 24Jun2024
TRANSFERRED TO NORTHERN
323202 (N)	Butlers Lane	Fri 12Apr2024	RailUK	Transfer No 4	Mon 15Apr2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 19Apr2024
323205 (N)	Blake Street	Sat 18May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 7	Mon 20May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 23May2024
323206 (N)	Barnt Green	Sat 11May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 5	Mon 13May2024	Allerton
323207 (N)	Bournville	Fri 24May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 9	Tue 28May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 31May2024
323208 (N)	Five Ways	Transferred		Transfer No 1	Sat 28Oct2023	Allerton
323209 (N)	Birmingham New Street	Thu 09May2024	Crosscity	Transfer No 6	Mon 13May2024	Allerton
323210 (N)	Shenstone	Sat 18May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 8	Mon 20May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 23May2024
323212 (N)	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Transfer No 2	Thu 04Jan2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 10Jan2024
323213 (N)	Sutton Coldfield	Wed 12Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 13	Mon 17Jun2024	Wolverton
323217 (N)	Chester Road	Thu 06Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 11	Mon 10Jun2024	Wolverton then Allerton 13Jun2024
323219 (N)	Kings Norton	Sun 09Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 12	Mon 10Jun2024	Wolverton then Allerton 13Jun2024
323220 (N)	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Transfer No 3	Sat 06Jan2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 10Jan2024
323242 (N)	Alvechurch	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 14	Mon 17Jun2024	Wolverton
323243 (N)	Longbridge	Sun 26May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 10	Tue 28May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 31May2024

Mon 17/06/2024 report
Only actual sightings in public service included
214 still under repair at Wolverton
The eleven remaining WM units have been out in service in the last week
14 units have now left Soho for good (12 in the North, 2 on their way)
This week: Five 323 diagrams (2 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 3 Redditch-Four Oaks)
This week: Six 730 diagrams on Crosscity (4 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 2 Redditch-Four Oaks)
Have assumed all units are now denamed.

 

[Liam L]

Anyone got a list of 323 digrams this week?

So far I've got
10:09 LTV - BMV etc
09:31 RDC - FOK etc
14:46 FOK - RDC etc
15:16: FOK - RDC etc

Thanks in advance