(08/03/2016 16:44)SL64 JDZ Wrote: [ -> ]It's been reported on Richard Clinnick's (RAIL assistant editor) Twitter page that the following units will be joining the Northern fleet when released from their current operators:
23x Class 150/1 (GWR and London Midland)
5x Class 156 (Abellio ScotRail)
8x Class 158/0 (Abellio ScotRail)
16x Class 170/4 (Abellio ScotRail)
12x Class 319 (TSGN)
The Class 153s, 321/9s and 322s will be leaving the fleet as well as the Class 142s, 144s and 323s
I understand also that the 323s should be going to London Midland, or a successor micro franchise for the West Midlands local services.
(12/03/2016 22:17)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I understand also that the 323s should be going to London Midland, or a successor micro franchise for the West Midlands local services.
That is correct. It makes sense to standardise the Class 323s in one area and as they're being replaced by brand new CAF Civity units it's a positive move in my opinion
EDIT: Also to add there are 20 Class 150/1s moving to Northern and not 23 as previously stated. Apologies for any confusion caused
(12/03/2016 22:23)SL64 JDZ Wrote: [ -> ]That is correct. It makes sense to standardise the Class 323s in one area and as they're being replaced by brand new CAF Civity units it's a positive move in my opinion
Porterbrook (who own the 323s) want them all to be with one operator. This was originally proposed by the last Labour government but never came about. However, the question is can LM justify having all the 323s and all the 350s? The 350/3s and 350/4s had not been ordered when it was originally proposed LM would get all the 323s, while the LM franchise consultation questions whether the 350s are good enough to be operating Liverpool-Birmingham and Crewe-Euston meaning LM could finish up getting something like what TPE get for Manchester Airport/Liverpool-Scotland alongside their other EMUs.
Porterbrook might have shot themselves in the foot as they were hoping the Northern franchise would take on re-engineered 319s as 323 replacement, so with Arriva signing a deal with Eversholt for new CAF EMUs it could leave Porterbrook with 319s and 323s which aren't needed elsewhere. While Porterbrook ordered 20 additional 387s for no specific operator as they thought there would be an EMU shortage!
(12/03/2016 21:32)wirralbus Wrote: [ -> ]Arent they TPE looking at bi-mode trains i think as they are looking to the future with the vast majority of there network being electrified with only small parts not being electrified .
TPE are getting 12 x 5 car electric trains and 32 x 5 car trains which can run off the wires. It's been suggested TPE will get Hitachi AT300 bi-modes as part of an add-on order to the GWR order
but the add-on is for a maximum of 30 x 5 car trains and Hull Trains are believed to be getting bi-modes as part of an add-on. A TPE job description which has been circulated suggests three classes of new trains from two manufacturers. Insiders seem to be guessing at AT300 bi-mode for Newcastle services, a different Hitachi product for Scarborough/Middlesbrough and a CAF product for Scottish services via Preston (with an alternative from Alstom being examined as well.) The TPE job description also indicates class 68s will be used - the suggestion is 2 x 4 car mk3 sets hauled by 68s on Scottish services on Newcastle services as replacement for the departing 170s until the new trains arrive.
The 16 x 170s are to go on Leeds-Southport and Leeds-York via Harrogate services. The new 12 x 4 car electric Civities will be going on to routes which currently get 323s, while 3 car variants will be used in single and double formations on Manchester Airport to Blackpool/Windermere services.
The new DMUs are to be designated Class 195 whilst the new EMUs are to be designated Class 331
Posted on another forum is that 150204 has been fitted with a disabled toilet and PIS.
Cheers for that link. They look quite stylish and that's an understated but rather smart livery.
(01/04/2016 17:34)childwallblues Wrote: [ -> ]Posted on another forum is that 150204 has been fitted with a disabled toilet and PIS.
Not the first, 150220 has been running around since January.
SD.