West Midlands Class 323 - the final countdown

[Liam L]

323201 being dragged to Tyseley this evening by Rail adventure class 43s. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:37444/2024-01-18/detailed

https://x.com/HunsletTheBear/status/1748020620703465792?s=20

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The new cab external PIS they have fitted is so ugly and jittery compared to the one before. I know they now have Train FX so would need to have replaced it, but Northern ones have Train FX and don't have that ugly bloated font that scrolls ridiculously, ridiculously slowly. It looks very cheap.

 

[Liam L]

The new cab external PIS they have fitted is so ugly and jittery compared to the one before. I know they now have Train FX so would need to have replaced it, but Northern ones have Train FX and don't have that ugly bloated font that scrolls ridiculously, ridiculously slowly. It looks very cheap.

It's is very crap to be honest, But does the job so I won't complain too much. If 208 is anything to go by, This won't be changed either when the sets go North.

 

[Russel]

Do WMT have a surplus of 323s to allow for units to be cascaded to Northern before the replacement fleet enters service, or are they just short forming services?

 

[AlastairFraser]

Do WMT have a surplus of 323s to allow for units to be cascaded to Northern before the replacement fleet enters service, or are they just short forming services?

I believe some Class 730s (their replacement) are finally in service, hence the transfers beginning, and more are due to enter soon (2 weeks time).

 

[DannyMich2018]

Do WMT have a surplus of 323s to allow for units to be cascaded to Northern before the replacement fleet enters service, or are they just short forming services?

No 323s have been replaced yet by 730s as the 730s have to date only replaced the 319s out of Euston so yes short forming and maybe tightening up diagrams.

 

[Mordac]

They're shortforming, some 3 cars at rush hour.

 

[Liam L]

I believe some Class 730s (their replacement) are finally in service, hence the transfers beginning, and more are due to enter soon (2 weeks time).

The 323s are last to replaced by the looks of it, Walsall to Wolverhampton is next to release 350s. The transfers have been happening to allow more 730s to come onto Soho I think.

 

[AlastairFraser]

The 323s are last to replaced by the looks of it, Walsall to Wolverhampton is next to release 350s. The transfers have been happening to allow more 730s to come onto Soho I think

Makes sense.
Would it be possible to use 350s to backfill on the CrossCity Line, in case of serious overcrowding?

 

[The_Train]

323201 being dragged to Tyseley this evening by Rail adventure class 43s. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:37444/2024-01-18/detailed

https://x.com/HunsletTheBear/status/1748020620703465792?s=20

HST power cars and a 323 is the combination we have all needed in our lives

What is 201 off to Tyseley for?

 

[Liam L]

What is 201 off to Tyseley for?

Going off past 323 moves there, I would presume tyre turning

 

[The_Train]

Going off past 323 moves there, I would presume tyre turning

Thanking you

 

[sufian123]

Makes sense.
Would it be possible to use 350s to backfill on the CrossCity Line, in case of serious overcrowding?

350s are not cleared for cross city line.

 

[diligentdave]

HST power cars and a 323 is the combination we have all needed in our lives

What is 201 off to Tyseley for?

They're only using the RailAdventure power cars until the resident 08 comes back from Nemesis following overhaul. It will be Mainline certified so that it can then do these Tyseley trips itself.

 

[AlastairFraser]

350s are not cleared for cross city line.

Thanks for informing me.
Is there a good reason, or is it just procedural failure to get them cleared?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Thanks for informing me.
Is there a good reason, or is it just procedural failure to get them cleared?

They were never planned for that route, and so time was never given to do it.

 

[Bald Rick]

Thanks for informing me.
Is there a good reason, or is it just procedural failure to get them cleared?

Thee good reason is that no one has needed to.

 

[AlastairFraser]

They were never planned for that route, and so time was never given to do it.

Thee good reason is that no one has needed to.

So a case of time and funding priority, rather than actual incompatibility.
Fair enough

 

[crosscity]

They're only using the RailAdventure power cars until the resident 08 comes back from Nemesis following overhaul. It will be Mainline certified so that it can then do these Tyseley trips itself.

I look forward to an 08 hauling a 323 at New St. The 08 will need to be back soon, though, as WMT might run out of 323's needing wheel-turning!

 

[ronshirt]

I used to use the cross-city line to get to school in the sixties. I remember the DMUs used to have a separate first class area next to the cab with curtains and very comfy seats. Occasionally there would be units with Western or Scottish numbers. There was a coal fire in the waiting room and two station staff. Towards the end of my school days Brian Little could be seen on the opposite platform on his way to Villa Park. Happy days.

 

[The_Train]

I look forward to an 08 hauling a 323 at New St. The 08 will need to be back soon, though, as WMT might run out of 323's needing wheel-turning!

I would imagine that such a move would take place in the quiet of the very early morning

 

[Liam L]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K65508/2024-01-21/detailed 323201 being dragged back to Soho this afternoon by RailAdventure

 

[JW4]

323204 working as a 3-car today.
323210 Shenstone is working as a front set of a pair.
323202 Butlers Lane and 323209 Birmingham New Street working as a pair.
323207 and 323217 working as a pair.

 

[Geeves]

323208 and 323212 are both apparently in Preston sidings today. Not sure when 212 sneaked up north! 212 is definitely there, 208 is on there according to Gemini so might be wrong.

 

[Liam L]

323208 and 323212 are both apparently in Preston sidings today. Not sure when 212 sneaked up north! 212 is definitely there, 208 is on there according to Gemini so might be wrong.

212 and 220 went North a few weeks ago. 208 and 212 are being used as static trainers for the time being.

 

[Geeves]

Thanks Liam, I assumed something to do with training, also I had it in my head 212 was getting painted up before it came up but seems not to be the case.

 

[Liam L]

Thanks Liam, I assumed something to do with training, also I had it in my head 212 was getting painted up before it came up but seems not to be the case.

It was at Wolverton for hand back repairs I believe as no space on Soho

 

[crosscity]

This weeks update

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston		RailUK		Soho Sun 21Jan2024
323202	Butlers Lane	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323206	Barnt Green	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323207	Bournville	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Tue 09Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323216	University	Tue 09Jan2024	RailUK
323217	Chester Road	Mon 22Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery)	Mon 22Jan2024	Ray
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Thu 18Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
As at	Mon 22Jan2024

- Three units have left the WM for good - 208, 212 and 220 are now in the NorthWest
- 201 has still not been seen in passenger service - however during the week it went to Tyseley for wheel-turning and returned to Soho yesterday evening.
- All remaining WM units have been out in January, except for 214 which is presumably still at Wolverton

 

[507020]

212 and 220 went North a few weeks ago. 208 and 212 are being used as static trainers for the time being.

As far as I knew only 208 had ever been to Allerton and having run in service with Northern already, why is it on static display at Preston of all places (where 323s don’t run) and where is 323220?

 

[Geeves]

323201 is out today currently on 2R49 1716 from Four Oaks to Redditch

Those 323s are up there in Preston are for drivers presumably starting training at Blackpool N and Wigan, seems to be good midway spot for everyone. 323 will be the goto unit for any electric service at every depot (that had electric traction) in the NW eventually like the 319s were.