West Midlands Class 323 - the final countdown

[warwickshire]

Tuesday 02 July 2024.
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323204 323215
Redditch to Four Oaks
323240 323222
323216 solo.
323211 only as far as Birmingham New Street, solo on the 0604 Redditch to Four Oaks.
Before being replaced by 730009 on 2R29 1216 Four Oaks to Redditch from Birmingham New Street, when a spare unit was available.

 

[JW4]

Wednesday 3 July
323221 solo Redditch-Four Oaks
323204+3232??

 

[Liam L]

Wednesday 3rd July

Redditch to Four Oaks
323216
323221
323204 & 323215

Bromsgrove to Lichfield TV
323222 & 323240

 

[warwickshire]

Wednesday 3rd July 2024.
323211 solo Redditch to Four Oaks,
323216, back to Soho for maintenance.
323211, came on afternoon onwards.
Unit change during afternoon

 

[wythallpaul]

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

I was on 323211 working the 1243 off New Street to Redditch taking it as far as University.

 

[warwickshire]

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

I was on 323211 working the 1243 off New Street to Redditch taking it as far as University.

Yes, it was it swapped over at Birmingham New street from 323216 around about then,
Because 323216 worked the previous service to Four Oaks, from Redditch

 

[crosscity]

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

I was on 323211 working the 1243 off New Street to Redditch taking it as far as University.

Are you sure you weren't on 323221, the green one?

 

[Ted172]

Are you sure you weren't on 323221, the green one?

323211 was definitely out as well, I was on it on from Selly Oak on 2U36 1331 Redditch to Four Oaks. 323221 was out solo too when I had it on 2U18 0946 from New Street.

 

[Liam L]

Are you sure you weren't on 323221, the green one?

That was on the 13:15 I believe, I saw it at Kings Norton on its way to Redditch

 

[crosscity]

I have produced this ready reckoner for the four 323 diagrams at Kings Norton.
It is a mathematical model based on the times of the first trains in the morning from Redditch and Bromsgrove, so the times are approximate.
The headcodes are also calculated.
I've been using it for the last week and it hasn't failed once.
I thought some of you might find it useful.

Station	Direction	Time	Train
Kings Norton	To Redditch	05:28	Diagram1 5R06
Kings Norton	To Redditch	05:58	Diagram2 2R01
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:26	Diagram1 2U06
Kings Norton	To Redditch	06:28	Diagram3 2R03
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:56	Diagram2 2U08
Kings Norton	From Redditch	07:26	Diagram3 2U10
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	07:38	Diagram4 2O08
Kings Norton	To Redditch	07:58	Diagram1 2R09
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	08:20	Diagram4 2P13
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:28	Diagram2 2R11
Kings Norton	From Redditch	08:56	Diagram1 2U16
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:58	Diagram3 2R13
Kings Norton	From Redditch	09:26	Diagram2 2U18
Kings Norton	From Redditch	09:56	Diagram3 2U20
Kings Norton	To Redditch	10:28	Diagram1 2R19
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	10:38	Diagram4 2O20
Kings Norton	To Redditch	10:58	Diagram2 2R21
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	11:20	Diagram4 2P25
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:26	Diagram1 2U26
Kings Norton	To Redditch	11:28	Diagram3 2R23
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:56	Diagram2 2U28
Kings Norton	From Redditch	12:26	Diagram3 2U30
Kings Norton	To Redditch	12:58	Diagram1 2R29
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:28	Diagram2 2R31
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	13:38	Diagram4 2O32
Kings Norton	From Redditch	13:56	Diagram1 2U36
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:58	Diagram3 2R33
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	14:20	Diagram4 2P37
Kings Norton	From Redditch	14:26	Diagram2 2U38
Kings Norton	From Redditch	14:56	Diagram3 2U40
Kings Norton	To Redditch	15:28	Diagram1 2R39
Kings Norton	To Redditch	15:58	Diagram2 2R41
Kings Norton	From Redditch	16:26	Diagram1 2U46
Kings Norton	To Redditch	16:28	Diagram3 2R43
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	16:38	Diagram4 2O44
Kings Norton	From Redditch	16:56	Diagram2 2U48
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	17:20	Diagram4 2P49
Kings Norton	From Redditch	17:26	Diagram3 2U50
Kings Norton	To Redditch	17:58	Diagram1 2R49
Kings Norton	To Redditch	18:28	Diagram2 2R51
Kings Norton	From Redditch	18:56	Diagram1 2U56
Kings Norton	To Redditch	18:58	Diagram3 2R53
Kings Norton	From Redditch	19:26	Diagram2 2U58
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	19:38	Diagram4 2O56
Kings Norton	From Redditch	19:56	Diagram3 2U60
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	20:20	Diagram4 2P61
Kings Norton	To Redditch	20:28	Diagram1 2R59
Kings Norton	To Redditch	20:58	Diagram2 2R61
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:26	Diagram1 2U66
Kings Norton	To Redditch	21:28	Diagram3 2R63
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:56	Diagram2 2U68
Kings Norton	From Redditch	22:26	Diagram3 2U70
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	22:38	Diagram4 2O68
Kings Norton	To Redditch	22:58	Diagram1 2R69
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	23:20	Diagram4 2P73
Kings Norton	To Redditch	23:28	Diagram2 2R71
Kings Norton	From Redditch	23:56	Diagram1 2G76
Kings Norton	From Redditch	00:26	Diagram2 5G71

 

[warwickshire]

Thursday 04th July 2024
Observations
Redditch to Four Oaks
323240 323222 pair
323221 solo
323211 solo
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323218 323216

 

[Razorblades]

Thursday 04th July 2024
Observations
Redditch to Four Oaks
323240 323222 pair
323221 solo
323211 solo
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323218 323216

I took 323222 and its partner from SUT to BHM at lunchtime, for what's possibly my last trip on the type in the West Midlands. Having not been on one for a couple of years after using them daily for about 15 years in the early 2000s.

 

[crosscity]

I see there are two STP schedules on Monday 08th July:
5J70 08:54 Soho LMD-Wolverton
5J65 12:04 Wolverton-Soho LMD
I wonder if these are for the exchange of 323218 (to Northern) with 323214.

 

[Liam L]

I see there are two STP schedules on Monday 08th July:
5J70 08:54 Soho LMD-Wolverton
5J65 12:04 Wolverton-Soho LMD
I wonder if these are for the exchange of 323218 (to Northern) with 323214.

Id imagine since 214 hasn't ran for well over a year, id imagine they sending a set down as a precaution to assist it back.

 

[crosscity]

Id imagine since 214 hasn't ran for well over a year, id imagine they sending a set down as a precaution to assist it back.

Hadn't thought of that.

 

[Johnhayworth21]

Friday 5th July 2024

323240 & 323222
323216 & 323218
323211 solo
323221 solo

730007 & 730046
730014 & 730041
730017 & 730018

 

[Liam L]

Saturday 6th July

323111
323221
323204 & 323215

 

[warwickshire]

Observations Saturday 06th July 2024,
Redditch to Four Oaks
323211
323221
323240 323222
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323215 323204

 

[warwickshire]

Duties and observations for Friday 07th July 2024 was
Redditch to Four Oaks
323221 solo
323211 solo
323216 323218.
Bromsgrove to Lichfield
323240 323222

 

[BRcrosslane]

Saturday 6th July

323111
323221
323204 & 323215

323111 , are they being renumbered ?

 

[Corn]

For anyone looking for these today, I spotted a lone 323 on 2P04 earlier as I passed by on 1V48.

Edit: Also just seen 323221 on 2P06

 

[Liam L]

323111 , are they being renumbered ?

Still 211, just me not looking at what keys I was pressing

 

[warwickshire]

Observations Sunday 07th June is
Redditch to Lichfield
323211 solo
323221 solo.
Only these two are in passenger service.
Ref post my post above #739 refers to Friday 05th July 2024 .
Regards
Warwickshire

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2024 ==

Observations Sunday 07th June is
Redditch to Lichfield
323211 solo
323221 solo.
Only these two are in passenger service.
Ref post my post above #739 refers to Friday 05th July 2024 .
Regards
Warwickshire

Further ecs observations Sunday 07th July 2024 at Gravelly Hill was
Four Oaks to Soho was 323204 323215
Soho to Four Oaks was 323216 323222.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2024 ==

Observations Sunday 07th June is
Redditch to Lichfield
323211 solo
323221 solo.
Only these two are in passenger service.
Ref post my post above #739 refers to Friday 05th July 2024 .
Regards
Warwickshire

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jul 2024 ==


Further ecs observations Sunday 07th July 2024 at Gravelly Hill was
Four Oaks to Soho was 323204 323215
Soho to Four Oaks was 323216 323222.

Whilst on Redditch to Lichfield Trent Valley on Sunday 07th July 2024
323221
323211
Still remained solo throughout.

 

[crosscity]

I see there are two STP schedules on Monday 08th July:
5J70 08:54 Soho LMD-Wolverton
5J65 12:04 Wolverton-Soho LMD
I wonder if these are for the exchange of 323218 (to Northern) with 323214.

Id imagine since 214 hasn't ran for well over a year, id imagine they sending a set down as a precaution to assist it back.

Hadn't thought of that.

According to Railcam 5J70 consists of 323218 and 323240 so perhaps a bit of both, with 240 coming back with 214.

 

[Geeves]

As cross city says 240 took 218 down and it brought 214 back for its twilight career running extravaganza!

Might as well add the others

201 - Soho
204 + 215 - Bromsgrove - Lichfield TV (till 1021, 204 now at Soho)
211 - Redditch - Four Oaks
216 + 222 - Redditch - Four Oaks
221 - Redditch - Four Oaks

 

[warwickshire]

Confirmed Observations Monday 08th July 2024.
Redditch to Four Oaks
323211 solo
323221 solo.
323222 323216 pair
Due to a shortage of 323 units, the usual exchange and swapping of 323 units for the above which occurs Sunday to Monday around Midnight, didn't happen.

Bromsgrove to Lichfield until 1023
323204 323215
From 1323 onwards 323215
Advised by Wmr staff, once again 323204 low on power

323218 took 323240 to Wolverton depot,
Also Advised by Wmr staff 323218 is Northern bound to Allerton on Thursday 11th July 2024 move TBA

323240 took 323214 to Soho, still branded and named Wylde Green, however wmr staff Advised me, 323214 still needs work doing to it at Soho, and at least a test run in due course, so it will not be in passenger service right away, TBA on that one.

 

[Liam L]

323240 took 323214 to Soho, still branded and named Wylde Green, however wmr staff Advised me, 323214 still needs work doing to it at Soho, and at least a test run in due course, so it will not be in passenger service right away, TBA on that one.

I heard some months ago that needs a compressor change or something before being returned to service, be nice to see it about once it's ready though

 

[crosscity]

The same four diagrams are being worked this week. I've tweaked my ready reckoner of Crosscity timings so they are more accurate.
Today diagram1 - 323211, diagram2 - 323221 (green), diagram 3 - 323222+323216 and diagram 4 - 323215 are at Kings Norton at:

Station	Direction	Time	Train
Kings Norton	To Redditch	05:30	Diagram1 5R06
Kings Norton	To Redditch	06:00	Diagram2 2R01
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:26	Diagram1 2U06
Kings Norton	To Redditch	06:30	Diagram3 2R03
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:56	Diagram2 2U08
Kings Norton	From Redditch	07:26	Diagram3 2U10
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	07:40	Diagram4 2O08
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:00	Diagram1 2R09
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	08:17	Diagram4 2P13
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:30	Diagram2 2R11
Kings Norton	From Redditch	08:56	Diagram1 2U16
Kings Norton	To Redditch	09:00	Diagram3 2R13
Kings Norton	From Redditch	09:26	Diagram2 2U18
Kings Norton	From Redditch	09:56	Diagram3 2U20
Kings Norton	To Redditch	10:30	Diagram1 2R19
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	10:40	Diagram4 2O20
Kings Norton	To Redditch	11:00	Diagram2 2R21
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	11:17	Diagram4 2P25
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:26	Diagram1 2U26
Kings Norton	To Redditch	11:30	Diagram3 2R23
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:56	Diagram2 2U28
Kings Norton	From Redditch	12:26	Diagram3 2U30
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:00	Diagram1 2R29
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:30	Diagram2 2R31
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	13:40	Diagram4 2O32
Kings Norton	From Redditch	13:56	Diagram1 2U36
Kings Norton	To Redditch	14:00	Diagram3 2R33
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	14:17	Diagram4 2P37
Kings Norton	From Redditch	14:26	Diagram2 2U38
Kings Norton	From Redditch	14:56	Diagram3 2U40
Kings Norton	To Redditch	15:30	Diagram1 2R39
Kings Norton	To Redditch	16:00	Diagram2 2R41
Kings Norton	From Redditch	16:26	Diagram1 2U46
Kings Norton	To Redditch	16:30	Diagram3 2R43
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	16:40	Diagram4 2O44
Kings Norton	From Redditch	16:56	Diagram2 2U48
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	17:17	Diagram4 2P49
Kings Norton	From Redditch	17:26	Diagram3 2U50
Kings Norton	To Redditch	18:00	Diagram1 2R49
Kings Norton	To Redditch	18:30	Diagram2 2R51
Kings Norton	From Redditch	18:56	Diagram1 2U56
Kings Norton	To Redditch	19:00	Diagram3 2R53
Kings Norton	From Redditch	19:26	Diagram2 2U58
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	19:40	Diagram4 2O56
Kings Norton	From Redditch	19:56	Diagram3 2U60
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	20:17	Diagram4 2P61
Kings Norton	To Redditch	20:30	Diagram1 2R59
Kings Norton	To Redditch	21:00	Diagram2 2R61
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:26	Diagram1 2U66
Kings Norton	To Redditch	21:30	Diagram3 2R63
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:56	Diagram2 2U68
Kings Norton	From Redditch	22:26	Diagram3 2U70
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	22:40	Diagram4 2O68
Kings Norton	To Redditch	23:00	Diagram1 2R69
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	23:17	Diagram4 2P73
Kings Norton	To Redditch	23:30	Diagram2 2R71
Kings Norton	From Redditch	23:56	Diagram1 2G76
Kings Norton	From Redditch	00:26	Diagram2 5G71

 

[warwickshire]

I heard some months ago that needs a compressor change or something before being returned to service, be nice to see it about once it's ready though

Yes, exactly I was told work on the compressor for sure, traction convertor checks, plus some inside work as well, possibly new seating due to state of train inside in few places due to lengthy of time at Wolverton. Wouldn't like to say, for sure to be sure, it's possible it could also get a diesel assisted drag, like the couple or so recent 323 moves down to Tyseley Wheel lathe. But that is only myself thinking. Yes wait and see in next couple or so weeks brings us with 323214.

 

[TheTallOne]

I was confused the other day, travelling on a 323 and on searching for a Wi-Fi network found one called Northern VIP Wi-Fi - guess ready for it to be transferred!