West Midlands Class 323 - the final countdown

[alex756024]

That would be very surprising as 323220 left the West Midlands on 6th January!

Try 323240 then my bad with the typo, I know the guard signing that one today.

 

[crosscity]

Try 323240 then my bad with the typo, I know the guard signing that one today.

That makes more sense as it's part of 'Diagram 2' which ran 2R21 this morning.

 

[alex756024]

323221 is paired today, so should be 5 323's rostered today in total (1 paired)

 

[crosscity]

My updated report

Unit	Name	Last seen in WM service	Source	Note	Date left WM	To
7 STILL WITH WM (FUTURE UNKNOWN)
323201	Duddeston	Thu 18Jul2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 22Jul2024	Wolverton
323204	Selly Oak	Mon 08Jul2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 22Jul2024	Wolverton
323211	Four Oaks	Mon 22Jul2024	RailUK
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK	Moved to Soho from Wolverton 08Jul2024
323215	Gravelly Hill	Thu 18Jul2024	RailUK
323216	University	Mon 22Jul2024	RailUK
323221	Northfield. In Centro livery	Fri 19Jul2024	RailUK
323222	Redditch	Mon 22Jul2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 22Jul2024	RailUK

Mon 22/07/2024 report
323201 and 323204 taken to Wolverton and returned to Porterbrook today
Seven units have been out in service in the last week
… 214 still to make its debut in passenger service.
Last week: Four M-S 323 diagrams (1 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 3 Redditch-Four Oaks)
… and seven Crosscity 730 diagrams (5 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 2 Redditch-Four Oaks)
Yesterday (Sun): Two 323 diagrams (2 Redditch-Lichfield)
Seven units left with WM at Soho
This week: Three M-S 323 diagrams (1 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 2 Redditch-Four Oaks)
… and eight Crosscity 730 diagrams (5 Bromsgrove-Lichfield, 3 Redditch-Four Oaks)

 

[Liam L]

With apologies if this has been answered in the previous pages:

Does anyone know the fate of the 323 with the special Centro livery? Presumably, it won't get any special treatment and in terms of the transfer is "just another unit" ?

Back to poterbook along with another 6 units still here.

 

[capital12]

Mon 22 July. Was at Kings Norton between 11:00 and 11:30 and saw all three 323 operated trains. They were
11:00 2R21 323240 (my 'Diagram 2' Four Oaks-Redditch)
11:09 2O22 323211 (a new diagram Lichfield-Bromsgrove)
11:26 2U26 323222 (my 'Diagram 1' Redditch-Four Oaks)

I don't know what happened to 323216, as 2O22 was a single unit only when I saw it.

Trains 2P25 and 2R23 (Kings Norton 11:17 and 11:30) in my diagrams 4 & 3 are now both 730's.
I assume these three diagrams represent the new order from this week, and will share my updated ready reckoner later.

It seemed to have found it again as it was 211+216 on 1309 from Lichfield!

 

[crosscity]

Here is my Kings Norton 323 ready reckoner for the three Soho weekday diagrams starting today.
Diagrams 1 and 2 are as before. Diagrams 3 and 4 are now worked by 730's. Diagram5 is the new Bromsgrove diagram.

Station	Direction	Time	Train
Kings Norton	To Redditch	05:30	Diagram1 5R06 from New St
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	05:47	Diagram5 2P03 from New St only
Kings Norton	To Redditch	06:00	Diagram2 2R01 from New St
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:26	Diagram1 2U06
Kings Norton	From Redditch	06:56	Diagram2 2U08
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:00	Diagram1 2R09
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	08:08	Diagram5 2O10
Kings Norton	To Redditch	08:30	Diagram2 2R11
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	08:47	Diagram5 2P15
Kings Norton	From Redditch	08:56	Diagram1 2U16
Kings Norton	From Redditch	09:26	Diagram2 2U18
Kings Norton	To Redditch	10:30	Diagram1 2R19
Kings Norton	To Redditch	11:00	Diagram2 2R21
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	11:08	Diagram5 2O22
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:26	Diagram1 2U26
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	11:47	Diagram5 2P27
Kings Norton	From Redditch	11:56	Diagram2 2U28
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:00	Diagram1 2R29
Kings Norton	To Redditch	13:30	Diagram2 2R31
Kings Norton	From Redditch	13:56	Diagram1 2U36
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	14:08	Diagram5 2O34
Kings Norton	From Redditch	14:26	Diagram2 2U38
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	14:47	Diagram5 2P39
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	From Redditch	16:56	Diagram2 2U48
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	17:08	Diagram5 2O46
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	17:47	Diagram5 2P51
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	From Redditch	19:26	Diagram2 2U58
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	20:08	Diagram5 2O58
Kings Norton	To Redditch	20:30	Diagram1 2R59
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	20:47	Diagram5 2P63
Kings Norton	To Redditch	21:00	Diagram2 2R61
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:26	Diagram1 2U66
Kings Norton	From Redditch	21:56	Diagram2 2U68
Kings Norton	To Redditch	23:00	Diagram1 2R69
Kings Norton	To Bromsgrove	23:08	Diagram5 2O70
Kings Norton	To Redditch	23:30	Diagram2 2R71
Kings Norton	From Bromsgrove	23:47	Diagram5 2G75 to New St
Kings Norton	From Redditch	23:56	Diagram1 2G76 to New St
Kings Norton	From Redditch	00:26	Diagram2 5G71 to New St

 

[Wyrleybart]

Is there planned to be a final run before they are stood down doe anyone know ?
The changeover has happened surprisingly quickly

 

[crosscity]

323211 and 323216 are working the 730 Lichfield TV-Bromsgrove diagram which includes 2P15, 2O22, 2P27, 2O34, 2P39, etc.

I don't know what happened to 323216, as 2O22 was a single unit only when I saw it.

It seemed to have found it again as it was 211+216 on 1309 from Lichfield!

I could have sworn all three 323's I saw were single, but I didn't actually count the coaches as they passed me, and just recorded the unit number from the last one. The evidence is clearly stacked up against me!

 

[rwblake]

Is it possible for WMR to run the remaining 323s as doubles and why don't they do this?

 

[Liam L]

Is it possible for WMR to run the remaining 323s as doubles and why don't they do this?

Id imagine they would want too, but I don't think with maintenance etc there isn't enough units to do so.

 

[alex756024]

222 on 2U18 to Four Oaks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2024 ==

240 on 2u26

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216 & 211 coupled together on 2O22, now on 2P27 Broms-Lichfield TV

 

[crosscity]

222 on 2U18 to Four Oaks

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240 on 2u26

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216 & 211 coupled together on 2O22, now on 2P27 Broms-Lichfield TV

Glad to see they all appear on my 'Ready Reckoner'
Looks as though the green one is taking a rest.

 

[alex756024]

Glad to see they all appear on my 'Ready Reckoner'
Looks as though the green one is taking a rest.

Indeed. I'm sure I've missed one whilst making a coffee. Will keep my eyes peeled, considering my office overlooks the railway. *Slaps wrist*

 

[crosscity]

Indeed. I'm sure I've missed one whilst making a coffee. Will keep my eyes peeled, considering my office overlooks the railway. *Slaps wrist*

I think there are only three diagrams now, so if you've missed something you'd have seen it already anyway. It would be interesting if there was a fourth diagram. Of course, there's always the possibility of a unit swap for a particular diagram.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Is there a thread for Northern 323s and their respective diagrams now that more have moved up?

 

[crosscity]

Is there a thread for Northern 323s and their respective diagrams now that more have moved up?

There are plenty of threads about Northern 323's and their diagrams, but not a specific one for the WM transfers, which I understand from this thread have a bit of a following as they're still in the WM Gold livery.

I suggest you create a thread for them. It costs nothing and you might be surprised by the interest shown. If you do I'll copy the details of the transfers.

I'm a bit partisan as I live on the Birmingham Crosscity line and have done since before it was electrified, so won't be following the details of what's happening to them in your area.

The last of the 17 units to be transferred (323218) arrived at Allerton on Wed 11th July. The remaining nine units in the West Midlands are not destined to go North. In fact two have already been taken to Wolverton so they're off Soho's books, but are not heading your way.

 

[wythallpaul]

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Went past Soho on the Up line around 16-10 this afternoon. Four single 323's were visible as we approached, dotted around the complex. Passing Pendo on the Down line meant that the only positive ID (for obvious reasons) was 323221.

 

[crosscity]

Tuesday 23rd July 2024

Went past Soho on the Up line around 16-10 this afternoon. Four single 323's were visible as we approached, dotted around the complex. Passing Pendo on the Down line meant that the only positive ID (for obvious reasons) was 323221.

That's interesting as I thought there were only seven units left, and four were out on the three Crosscity diagrams.

 

[warwickshire]

Observations Monday 22nd July 2024 and Tuesday 23rd July 2024
Four Oaks to Redditch
323222 solo
323240 solo
Bromsgrove to Lichfield ,
323216 323211.
As far as I am aware only 323221 323215 323214 are stabled and remains with West Midlands Railways.
However 3 diagrams.
Catch them while you can, these are now nearly finished..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jul 2024 ==

So As of Tuesday 23rd July 24, after two days of the reduced down to 3 diagrams: 323 status is:
Stabled Soho 323214 323215 323221, 3 units.

Whilst in Service have been. 323211 323216 323222 323240. 4 units.

Total 7 units.

Regards Warwickshire.

 

[alex756024]

6 car 323 on 2O10 at Longbridge to Bromsgrove. Can't see the pairing as still in bed. Will catch on their return North.

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323222 - 2U16

(Missed the double set north as was making coffee)

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240 on 2U18 - Four Oaks

 

[Geeves]

The list is getting smaller it seems every time I am in! Just to add to Alex's morning coffee observations

201 - Off lease Wolverton
204 - Off lease Wolverton

211 + 216 - Lichfield TV - Bromsgrove

222 - Four Oaks - Redditch
240 - Four Oaks - Redditch


214 - Soho
215 - Soho
221 - Soho

 

[meld3]

6 car 323 on 2O10 at Longbridge to Bromsgrove. Can't see the pairing as still in bed. Will catch on their return North.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Jul 2024 ==

323222 - 2U16

(Missed the double set north as was making coffee)

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240 on 2U18 - Four Oaks

2o10 should be 730011 and 730032 (diags so711 & so712) according to Part Time Spotters posting this morning ??

 

[Geeves]

Meld 730011 + 017 are on SO712 and 031 + 032 are on 711

211 + 216 are on SO363/364

 

[87015]

2o10 should be 730011 and 730032 (diags so711 & so712) according to Part Time Spotters posting this morning ??

Its 323s, as diagrammed. 211/216.

 

[jonesy3001]

Apparently according to a post in the 323 group on Facebook the remaining 9 323s are going to northern.
This is the post and replies, I can see.

 

[Liam L]

Apparently according to a post in the 323 group on Facebook the remaining 9 323s are going to northern.
This is the post and replies, I can see.

It seems more like it's been discussed about by the relevant parties not actually confirmed by anyone that it was happening.

 

[Jamesrob637]

It seems more like it's been discussed about by the relevant parties not actually confirmed by anyone that it was happening.

There probably won't be much use for them unless a) more routes utilise 6-car operation or b) more lines get electrified.

6-car 323s from Manchester to Huddersfield on the stopper once the line has been electrified, anyone?!

 

[jonesy3001]

There probably won't be much use for them unless a) more routes utilise 6-car operation or b) more lines get electrified.

6-car 323s from Manchester to Huddersfield on the stopper once the line has been electrified, anyone?!

Think the by the time that happens on the Huddersfield line, the new units may be using the wires and the 323s will be going to the scrapyard.

 

[diligentdave]

Apparently according to a post in the 323 group on Facebook the remaining 9 323s are going to northern.
This is the post and replies, I can see.

There are no plans by Northern to take the remaining 9.