Had my first experience of the class 331 this evening on the 17:22 Leeds to Doncaster. First impressions seemed a vast improvement on the class 32x, much brighter, quieter and felt much quicker to accelerate. Unfortunately due to the issues in the ECML the service was packed. There was also an issue with the train sharply braking at outwood which caused people to fall into each other. At least I now know the brakes are good! Also the automated announcements weren’t fully being read and kept being cut off part way through. Overall I look forward to a quieter and more comfortable experience soon!
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Northern Class 331: Construction/Introduction Updates
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I remember when 101s turned up vice 323s to Stoke and Alderley Edge. They had no problem keeping time. I've only had a few runs on Northern 319s; they always seem very slow. On the Brighton mainline they used to get hammered.
The constant stopping and starting doesn't help, especially on Crewe to Liverpool via Airport stoppers. The Airport to Piccadilly section was particularly painful IMO.
jonesy3001
Established Member
How many 331s have northern got now, in service or for training/mileage accumulation?
Bantamzen
Established Member
Another 331 arriving right now through Leeds between two 47s. Couldn't quite see the unit number as I'm on the 15:26 to Skipton.
Edit: Looks like its ultimately heading for Doncaster as this working:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22348/2019/07/16/advanced
Edit: Looks like its ultimately heading for Doncaster as this working:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O22348/2019/07/16/advanced
jonesy3001
Established Member
331101 is the unit, leaving 112 the last one to go to doncaster
superkev
Established Member
I had 331 101 as already in Doncaster. May be wrong.
I think 106 and 110, and 108 are the only 331/1s to carry passengers.
The ones at Doncaster being for training.
K
I think 106 and 110, and 108 are the only 331/1s to carry passengers.
The ones at Doncaster being for training.
K
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childwallblues
Established Member
Couldn't quite see it either, but 47813 was the loco leading from Leeds to West Yard.
How many 4 car 331s are on the Leeds side now?
331 105 on a northbound non service run on Monday this week through Wakefield W.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C03308/2019/07/15/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C03308/2019/07/15/advanced
superkev
Established Member
I suspect Northern are giving a 331 a run over Aire/ Wharfedale lines Fri night.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N03743/2019/07/18/advanced
K
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N03743/2019/07/18/advanced
K
That seems to be Thursday night. And didn't seem to happen.
superkev
Established Member
Yes got my days mixed up (senile decay) Didn't run for some reason.
I'm sure Northern are keen to get all the 7 Leeds side 331s in service so they can get the 321s and 4322s off lease.
K
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Bantamzen
Established Member
Its booked to run again tonight, so might be a regular booking for when they can roster crews for the training.
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N03743/2019/07/19/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/N03743/2019/07/19/advanced
superkev
Established Member
I think it may be a proving run round the triangle to check clearances.
Something I didn't realise is units are delivered without steps fitted presumably until clearences are verified. Steps are fitted when they enter passenger service these I believe currently being 331 106, 108, 110.
I don't think any 331s are at skipton yet to enable crew training.
K
northernchris
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Ah, so that's why only 3 have seen passenger service then!
superkev
Established Member
Bit late but it ran. Presumably checking clearances and door openings etc.
K
Most likely that
New arrival of 331 004 at Edge Hill. 103 and 104 are still on this side as well and haven’t been transferred over yet. Still has no step boards and a lot of the decals and such missing from the graffiti attack I mentioned previously. Must have been attacked enroute to the UK I would guess and not at Edge Hill.
superkev
Established Member
Re 331/1 4 cars
I have 331 101,2,5,6,7,8,10 at NL with 106,8,10 in service the rest on training. Also I have at Edge hill 331 103, 4, 9, and Wales assembled 111.
No Idea where the last one 331 112 is.
Am I correct?
K
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Do you mean East? I think Northern are in a rock and a hard place at the moment. They also need more EMU capacity west side to allow some (or all) of the 323s to receive PRM upgrades. The best time to do this would have been over the summer months with less passengers so the impact of potential short-forming would not be as pronounced.
superkev
Established Member
Yes meant 4 cars in east side.
K
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Given that the 321/322s are PRM-ready, I'm surprised that 331s haven't also been introduced on the West side to cover for 323s being PRM-ed.
superkev
Established Member
I'm not sure the 321/2s are fully PRM compliant.
They have not been too reliable recently with some dmu substitutions so may be on minimum maintenance.
K
Rick1984
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For those who've been on both, are there any differences inside between a 331 and 195?
Bantamzen
Established Member
Internally I'd say very little, if any from a passenger perspective.
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