Class 155 at Morecambe 19/11/17

Andrew 144019 · 19 Nov 2017

Hello

I was wondering if anyone could help me out?

Today I saw 155 344 at Morecambe. This is the first ever time I have seen a 155 in the area and I was once told that Skipton crews don't sign 155's. The unit worked 08:40 Leeds to Morecambe but then the 10:57 Morecambe to Lancaster was cancelled as was the 11:39 Lancaster to Morecambe and the 12:22 Morecambe to Leeds - due to an issue with the train crew. The unit went back to Leeds ECS at 13:08.

I suppose my main questions are:

Do Skipton crews sign 155's?

I thought 155's weren't allowed over to the north west but they must be?

Why was the service cancelled when there was a driver and guard? The train arrived into Leeds on time if it would have been in service. So what was the issue?

Many thanks,
Andrew

RailUK Forums

yorksrob · 19 Nov 2017

I vaguely recall catching one over that route in the late 1990's.

153's go over that route regularly, although not often in passenger service.

55018ballymoss · 19 Nov 2017

It is a good point that 153s go over that route, usually regularly attached to either a pacer or sprinter to provide additional capacity, however, I suspect that there are differences between a 153 and a 155 and train crew need to sign 155s as well as 153s.
How it came to be that a 155 was assigned to that service initially would be an interesting investigation as I do not recall ever seeing a 155 pass Hellifield whilst I was the signaller there (4 years based there)

43094 · 19 Nov 2017

Incredibly rare.

Can't remember one over there before (in the last 20 years, anyway)

Geeves · 19 Nov 2017

The shuttles are covered quite alot by Wigan guards and an Wigan/Barrow driver (Not 100%) on the drivers but neither sign 155s. I would imagine the first part of the job was probably covered by a Leeds crew who go back home pass. Quite a mess really! I am wondering who they brought over to get it back!

You are right that 153s and 155 are counted separately on the traction signed due to various underframe and cab details.

robbeech · 19 Nov 2017

Are they cleared for a route separately too aswell and crew having to sign a particular route in them?

Bevan Price · 19 Nov 2017

Andrew 144019 said:
Hello

I was wondering if anyone could help me out?

Today I saw 155 344 at Morecambe. This is the first ever time I have seen a 155 in the area and I was once told that Skipton crews don't sign 155's. The unit worked 08:40 Leeds to Morecambe but then the 10:57 Morecambe to Lancaster was cancelled as was the 11:39 Lancaster to Morecambe and the 12:22 Morecambe to Leeds - due to an issue with the train crew. The unit went back to Leeds ECS at 13:08.

I suppose my main questions are:

Do Skipton crews sign 155's?

I thought 155's weren't allowed over to the north west but they must be?

Many thanks,
Andrew

Never seen one at Lancaster or Morecambe, but they atill occasionally reach the North West on the York - Preston / Blackpool services.

61653 HTAFC · 20 Nov 2017

robbeech said:
Are they cleared for a route separately too aswell and crew having to sign a particular route in them?

They're cleared for routes separately, yes. One example is Portsmouth Harbour which was a regular haunt for Provincial 155s but the same vehicles as 153s are barred. I think the issue is the crew steps fitted at the small cab end.

dk1 · 20 Nov 2017

61653 HTAFC said:
They're cleared for routes separately, yes. One example is Portsmouth Harbour which was a regular haunt for Provincial 155s but the same vehicles as 153s are barred. I think the issue is the crew steps fitted at the small cab end.

Correct. The said steps have to be removed before these units travel down the GEML to Ilford depot due to clearance issues at platforms such as Harold Wood.

pdq · 20 Nov 2017

From a driver's perspective (the rules as well as practically) is there any difference in driving a 155 to a pair of 153s both coupled at the 2nd cab end?

61653 HTAFC · 20 Nov 2017

pdq said:
From a driver's perspective (the rules as well as practically) is there any difference in driving a 155 to a pair of 153s both coupled at the 2nd cab end?

I'm not a driver, but a driver I know for Northern (and other contributors on here) have said that there are some differences: a significant one being the location of safety equipment in the event of something going wrong.

HLE · 20 Nov 2017

dk1 said:
Correct. The said steps have to be removed before these units travel down the GEML to Ilford depot due to clearance issues at platforms such as Harold Wood.

I bet that’s one boring drive down the GEML.

Over 100 miles ecs on a dogbox. Bottom link job?

noddingdonkey · 20 Nov 2017

I recall reading the story of a driver who thought he was taking over 2x153 when he relieved his colleague. Unfortunately it was a 155, which he didn't sign. A meeting without tea and biscuits ensued.

northernchris · 20 Nov 2017

Could this be being used for crew training purposes if there is to be a 155 diagram post December timetable change?

randyrippley · 20 Nov 2017

In days past the red painted Yorkshire ones were an occasional sight in lieu of a 3-coach 144.

dk1 · 20 Nov 2017

HLE said:
I bet that’s one boring drive down the GEML.

Over 100 miles ecs on a dogbox. Bottom link job?

Definatley not bottom link. They wouldn't stray over the Wensum & the second lot don't go through the tunnel. We are talking high end.

Class 155 at Morecambe 19/11/17

Andrew 144019

New Member

RailUK Forums

yorksrob

Veteran Member

55018ballymoss

Member

43094

Member

Geeves

Established Member

robbeech

Established Member

Bevan Price

Established Member

61653 HTAFC

Veteran Member

dk1

Veteran Member

pdq

Member

61653 HTAFC

Veteran Member

HLE

Established Member

noddingdonkey

Member

northernchris

Established Member

randyrippley

Established Member

dk1

Veteran Member