Northern Rail

[wirralbus]

RE: Northern Rail
Going back to the Halton Curve service .

Why is this service only a summer service , isnt the route technically closed to passengers by not having a full year round parliamentary service .

[SNL 824]

RE: Northern Rail
No it's not closed - just runs weekly in the summer with a "bigger gap" in service in winter!

[wirralbus]

RE: Northern Rail
Bigger Gap - lol.

Shouldnt a parliamentary service operate at least once , once a week .

[T42 PVM (Moderator)]

RE: Northern Rail
Not sure on full story but there was some problems on the St Helens Central Line this morning, some Trains never ran and one finished at St Helens Central instead of running to Liverpool Lime Street like its meant to, Mate of mine was on Rail Replacement standby for the planned rail replacement and was almost sent out but instead Taxis was arranged for the Passengers

[St Helens Rider]

RE: Northern Rail
Apparently due to break down at Thatto Heath. If a Liverpool bound service terminated at St Helens Central, it was probably on that side.

[jtd508110]

RE: Northern Rail
319383 couldn't take power. Had to be assisted from the rear. Also 319364 failed at NLW with a wiper fault on the 08:02 MCV - LIV resulting in the 09:20 LIV - MCV being cancelled.

[wirralbus]

RE: Northern Rail
People say its teething troubles with the class 319's , its happening now with regularity these days .

The bidders for the new franchise must be thinking what are we letting ourselves in for with these units .

What sort of mechanical work is done to these units before coming north ?

[jtd508110]

RE: Northern Rail
There is several theories as to why these units keep on failing

1) Before entering service up north, they were fitted with new "traction cards" which is a computer that controls the application of power to the motors

2) Poor driving techniques from Northern Drivers due to unfamiliarity and poor management of the training. There has been many different people all stating the "correct" way to notch up power. Notching straight from 0 - 4 damages the motors and can cause flashover.

3) Maintenance staff unfamiliarity with the units

This list is not exhaustive as there is many other theories and some of these are more credible than others but all will probably be contributory factors.

[childwallblues]

RE: Northern Rail
319380 has moved to Stockport CS taking the place of 319379 which is now at Wolverton Works. It is presumably there for static training of Northern staff. This could well be Piccadilly crews as the 323 diagram between Piccadilly and Manchester Airport is due to go over to 319 operation from December.

[jtd508110]

RE: Northern Rail
I am not aware of any Piccadilly guards who sign the 319's so this will either require more training or lime st/vic/wigan guards to work this diagram.