New Class 331 trains on Leeds-Bradford Airedale line and Northern Connect delays

t52192 · 3 Sep 2019

Just seen an article below stating that the new Class 331 trains will be running on the Airedale line. Does anyone know a bit more about this? We already have the wonderful Siemens Class 333 on this line, but occasionally there are the awful Class 321 with the tick-tock noise and eerie silence when they stop. Are the new Class 331s going to replace the 321s?

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co...thern-introduce-new-electric-trains-bradford/
https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/skipton-and-blackpool-to-welcome-new-northern-emus

Further, it was announced that the Northern Connect services via Bradford to Liverpool/Manc Airport due in Dec 19 have been put back till Summer 2020. Is it just the Chester service that will be running along this line using the new trains in 2019?

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...-delays-to-key-destination-services-1-9970707
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/northern-connect

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Adam0984 · 3 Sep 2019

The 331s are due to start running on Monday replacing 2 of the 3 321/2 diagrams.

In October the Leeds to Chester/Man Vic and York to Blackpool will go over to 195 operation 10 on the Chester/Man Vic and 8 on the Blackpool. Then December 10 195s go on the Leeds to Notts/Lincoln

Flying Claret · 3 Sep 2019

195s on Blackpool -York? Will look forward to that. The 158s have been a staple for as long as I can remember on this route...

oscarthecat92 · 3 Sep 2019

When will the 331's be operating as 6 coaches? It must be one of the most heavily used commuter rail operations outside of London and is desperately in need of extra coaches

Kite159 · 3 Sep 2019

Can someone pass me the popcorn for the probable complaints about more folk having to stand where they previously used to get a seat due to the reduction of seating of a 331 compared to a 321/2 [Yes I know some passengers would prefer to stand rather than take up the middle seat] :lol:

js1000 · 3 Sep 2019

t52192 said:
Further, it was announced that the Northern Connect services via Bradford to Liverpool/Manc Airport due in Dec 19 have been put back till Summer 2020. Is it just the Chester service that will be running along this line using the new trains in 2019?

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/ne...-delays-to-key-destination-services-1-9970707
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/northern-connect

They can talk about 'delays' all they like but the Bradford to Manchester Airport will not be happening as long as platforms 15/16 don't exist at Manchester Piccadilly. Usage through Castlefield and on the Styal Line to/from the Airport is pretty much at the limit.

Agent_Squash · 3 Sep 2019

oscarthecat92 said:
When will the 331's be operating as 6 coaches? It must be one of the most heavily used commuter rail operations outside of London and is desperately in need of extra coaches

After platform extension work, 4 car 331s will be swapped with 3 car 331s on the other side of the Pennines for 6 car. 2020-21 probably.

Gems · 6 Sep 2019

Get ready for a lot of potential cancellations. Not enough trained crew, trains brought into service three months too early. This is going to be a disaster from the off.

SeanG · 6 Sep 2019

Flying Claret said:
195s on Blackpool -York? Will look forward to that.

I travelled Preston - Leeds the other week on a 3 coach 158 and found it completely adequate. I think this is one route where the 195s won't actually be an upgrade as its virtually always a 158. However on other routes they are clearly better than a 150/156 etc

Andyh82 · 6 Sep 2019

SeanG said:
I travelled Preston - Leeds the other week on a 3 coach 158 and found it completely adequate. I think this is one route where the 195s won't actually be an upgrade as its virtually always a 158. However on other routes they are clearly better than a 150/156 etc

The 195s will mostly be on routes that are heavilly 158

The 158s although quite decent, don’t have any mod-cons, and it’s also debateable if they have air con.

ASharpe · 6 Sep 2019

Kite159 said:
Can someone pass me the popcorn for the probable complaints about more folk having to stand where they previously used to get a seat due to the reduction of seating of a 331 compared to a 321/2 [Yes I know some passengers would prefer to stand rather than take up the middle seat]

With Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall forge only getting busier we really need propper high density stock with standing room and grab rails.

I want to be excited by new stock on my commute, but I really don't expect to be impressed.

Does anyone know if it is acceptable to sit on a table before I try on Monday?

Flying Claret · 8 Sep 2019

SeanG said:
I travelled Preston - Leeds the other week on a 3 coach 158 and found it completely adequate. I think this is one route where the 195s won't actually be an upgrade as its virtually always a 158. However on other routes they are clearly better than a 150/156 etc

195's wont be an upgrade on 158's? Is that right? Ive not been on one yet. Although I do think the (refurbished) 158's are still pretty decent. Will there be an inceease/ decrease in capacity or are they pretty similar? As the 2 car 158 services aren't generally big enough these days...

route101 · 8 Sep 2019

Flying Claret said:
195's wont be an upgrade on 158's? Is that right? Ive not been on one yet. Although I do think the (refurbished) 158's are still pretty decent. Will there be an inceease/ decrease in capacity or are they pretty similar? As the 2 car 158 services aren't generally big enough these days...

Where are the 158s going when displaced by 195s?

xotGD · 8 Sep 2019

asharpe said:
With Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall forge only getting busier we really need propper high density stock with standing room and grab rails.

I want to be excited by new stock on my commute, but I really don't expect to be impressed.

Does anyone know if it is acceptable to sit on a table before I try on Monday?

By all means have high density stock for Leeds - Bradford shuttles. However, the genteel folk of Airedale and Wharfedale deserve 2+2 seating and tables, just like they have on the Harrogate line.

61653 HTAFC · 8 Sep 2019

oscarthecat92 said:
When will the 331's be operating as 6 coaches? It must be one of the most heavily used commuter rail operations outside of London and is desperately in need of extra coaches

Not until the remodelling of the low-numbered platforms at Leeds City, including new platform 0. I think I've seen 2022 mentioned somewhere.

47434 · 16 Sep 2019

I travelled on a 331 over the weekend to Skipton. Generally impressed and seating far nicer for the longer journey than the 321’s. That said, how the peak commuter trains will cope is beyond me as they have significantly less seats

Bantamzen · 16 Sep 2019

47434 said:
I travelled on a 331 over the weekend to Skipton. Generally impressed and seating far nicer for the longer journey than the 321’s. That said, how the peak commuter trains will cope is beyond me as they have significantly less seats

I've mentioned this on the main thread, but the 331s have only 25 less seats than at least the 321s. And as of yet they are yet to appear on at least two of the peak morning 321/322 diagrams that I see & use. But I would imagine that they will cope perfectly well, just with a few more standees.

New Class 331 trains on Leeds-Bradford Airedale line and Northern Connect delays

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