Northern Trains Ltd

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd

(11/01/2025 20:02)Y458 KNF Wrote:  It appears that more 331s should have been ordered is it still possible that Northern could order more 195 & 331s?

As there's been a change of government that may affect future rolling stock plans. Prior to the election there was a proposal for the next Northern franchise to order a large number of new trains to replace the ex-BR stock and to allow a cascade of the newer trains (including the 195s and 331s) to other operators.

Although, as there's off-lease DMUs and EMUs available I would guess any short term issues are going to be resolved by cascades. Unfortunately the EMUs which WMT had surplus to requirements are 323s and 350/2s - both with 3+2 seating.

[Y458 KNF]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd

(12/01/2025 12:41)knutstransport Wrote:  As there's been a change of government that may affect future rolling stock plans. Prior to the election there was a proposal for the next Northern franchise to order a large number of new trains to replace the ex-BR stock and to allow a cascade of the newer trains (including the 195s and 331s) to other operators.

Although, as there's off-lease DMUs and EMUs available I would guess any short term issues are going to be resolved by cascades. Unfortunately the EMUs which WMT had surplus to requirements are 323s and 350/2s - both with 3+2 seating.

The 323s that are going into storage I can see eventually going to Northern as well. if the much needed additional stopper between LIV-NLW (possibly Golborne if that gets built) gets brought back then they could be put on them.

[507022]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
As Northern is govt owned, I agree that they will probably insist that Northern do not order new trains.
There is a ridiculous amount of units stored with years of life left in them, including 8 323s from WMT.
As for the 350/2s, it would be cheaper to reconfigure the layout than buy new trains ( they would most likely be refurbed anyway)

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
More details on new rolling stock for Northern:

Shortlisted manufacturers: Alstom, CAF, Hitachi, Siemens and Stadler
Mix of Electric Multiple Units (EMU) and Battery-Electric Multiple Units (BEMU) and /or Multi-mode Multiple Units (MMU)

Phase 1:
130 units to replace the 150s, 155s and 156s, with first sets expected to enter service in 2030

Phase 2:
Includes replacement of remaining diesel trains and 'older trains' presumably the likes of the 323s and 333s.

Phase 3:
Sounds like it's undecided with the total number quoted being 'up to 450 units'. Possibly option for the 331s to be released for a consistent fleet, and another option for them to remain?

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/about-us/newtrains

[Metroline1511]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
The Stalybridge to Stockport return shuttle was cancelled yesterday. I had hoped to ride it. Thankfully it was announced in good time on the National Rail website and I was able to settle for other plans instead.

Happy news concerned my decision for a Cheshire trip on February 8th. I was pleased to see some £2 singles from Stockport to Macclesfield. I checked the through fares from my nearest station Heaton Chapel. As the fare was just 10p more expensive I agreed to book from there instead of walking to Stockport.

[childwallblues]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
A new Hengenscheldt tandem wheel lathe has been commissioned at Allerton Depot. The depot now has twice the capacity of the old lathe.

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
Major engineering works to occur at Stockport over the Easter weekend, and throughout August. It'll mean no trains serving Stockport. Avanti, XC and TfW services will be diverted via Styal, while Northern services will either be terminated short or a replacement bus. For example, Buxton to Hazel Grove hourly train, Chester to Altrincham 2 hourly train and Stoke to Manchester hourly replacement bus service.

[childwallblues]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
Passed through Stockport yesterday. I noted that there are five signal boxes in about a one mile stretch.

[DVG526]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
The Stockport closures are for bridge/tunnel replacement work at Greek Street roundabout which passes over the line just south of the station

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern Trains Ltd
I saw a 4 car working on the 08:10 Chester to Manchester on Monday. I thought that was unusual, so checked it out.

05:56 Chester to Manchester was cancelled due to crew shortages
06:30 Chester to Stockport was cancelled due to crew shortages

The units due to work those services ran ECS from Chester to Piccadilly at 06:30, and then did the return working as a 4 car set.

It also seemed the booked 4 car set from Chester to Manchester at 06:48 was delayed by 53 minutes. The later 07:14 Chester to Stockport departed first. Unsurprisingly a 2 car 150 got delayed, trying to carry passengers who would normally be spread across 9* carriages.

* For some bizarre reason Northern insist on keeping the rear carriage locked out of use on 4 car sets on the Mid Cheshire line. It used to be that only happened between Chester and Greenbank due to short platforms at Mouldsworth.