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Northern 323s refurbishment and cascade
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The seats are the originals just with new cushions and repainted, they certainly arent ironing board seats.
py_megapixel
Established Member
It just seems an awful waste, given all the extra information you could display, other than just text.
Shame about those horrid and completely unnecessary yellow handles which actually reduce the clear door width for alighting/boarding. More worryingly the ends don't appear to have been 'terminated' to reduce the likelihood of passengers' bags or roller suitcases getting caught on those - they would seem a trip hazard from looking at that photo.
Although some passengers on Twitter thought it was a new train so the spruce up clearly works on some.
Corrected - thank you! The colour of the seat backs must have thrown me off...
The ends are not terminated to reduce risk of catching bags/luggage on them.
py_megapixel
Established Member
Having travelled on 323234 for the first time a few days ago, I'm very impressed with the standard of this refurb, especially compared to what they've done with the BREL stock. A few notes:
- They still retain their original door controls, despite them being battered and warn out.
- The seat bases aren't actually plain blue; they do have the light blue dots on them.
- They've fitted a far better PRM toilet than in the other units - it's more spacious and all buttons are clearly labelled with what they do.
- TrainFX wasn't working. (Or rather, it just said "journey" on the screens for a few minutes, then went blank; the very helpful guard told me that they had been switched off by the driver, probably meaning that it was broken in some way).
- Apart from next to the toilet, the original lights are retained, and as far as I can tell they're still florescent tubes.
- Everything has been repainted, inside and out. But the white paint still appears slightly yellow because of the fluorescent lights.
- They still seem to run like the same trains. (Although they have fixed the grinding noise that the doors made!)
Chris125
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Replacement lighting wasn't ready for the first two refurbs according to Tony Miles, they'll get it later.
Managed my first ride on 323234 since its refurb this afternoon. The PIS system was operational and I'm afraid the audio announcements have the same muffled and distorted quality as the WM units, and the LCD displays are amateurish. The PIS system fitted to these units really is embarrassing. Already the moquette has started to fade and a couple of seat bases have come loose.
Also, the seat layout has changed as per the WM refurbished 323s, with more airline 2+2 seats than before, a change I'm not a fan of.
It looks reasonably nice on the whole though and I imagine the new lighting will make a big difference for the better once it is finally fitted. It was still a country mile better than the 319 I had on the outward journey.
Also, the seat layout has changed as per the WM refurbished 323s, with more airline 2+2 seats than before, a change I'm not a fan of.
It looks reasonably nice on the whole though and I imagine the new lighting will make a big difference for the better once it is finally fitted. It was still a country mile better than the 319 I had on the outward journey.
childwallblues
Established Member
It was on the 1400 LIV-WBQ this afternoon.
The new buttons are on order, but aren't available for the first couple of units, 234 will go back eventually for retrofitting.
py_megapixel
Established Member
Do you happen to know what buttons they're getting? EAO Series 56, or something else?
Jamesrob637
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They're nice and nippy, but 6-car will be necessary in Peak hours and busy summer weekends, and with no air-conditioning people will avoid them on hotter days where 331s operate on the same route.
jonesy3001
Established Member
the 323s have hoppers and don't need a air conditioner, unless folk are busy playing with their phones to lazy to open them.
323 Class
Member
Finally I've seen 323234 in the flesh today crossing the viaduct at Dinting on its way from Glossop to Piccadilly.
Got to say it looks smart.
Got to say it looks smart.
agbrs_Jack
Member
The refurbished 323 was on the 08:23 Congleton to Stoke again this morning.
I noticed a lack of any power points and WiFi though. Any reason for this?
I noticed a lack of any power points and WiFi though. Any reason for this?
LOL The Irony
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I believe it's due to getting them PRM compliant is more important. All Northern units will be fitted with WiFi and charging points from next year.
RealTrains07
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I dont think the WMR 323s have charging points either. Probably something else that will appear next year when they are at northern
Robert Mann
Member
Could this be the next refurbished 323 being returned to Allerton Depot tomorrow?
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K05346/2019-11-23/detailed
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K05346/2019-11-23/detailed
Rode on a refurb 323 recently, things I noticed.
The seats seem less comfortable than on non-refurb units. I'm not sure if they used less padding when re-covering them or what. On the plus side it seems they did use moquette rather than the flat cloth used on some of northern's other refurbs. As others have mentioned there was still visible corrosion on the droplight frames and visible wear on the door buttons. The information screens seem to show no intelligence in where they split the message, with station names being split across two screens, still it's probablly better than not having screens at all.
The seats seem less comfortable than on non-refurb units. I'm not sure if they used less padding when re-covering them or what. On the plus side it seems they did use moquette rather than the flat cloth used on some of northern's other refurbs. As others have mentioned there was still visible corrosion on the droplight frames and visible wear on the door buttons. The information screens seem to show no intelligence in where they split the message, with station names being split across two screens, still it's probablly better than not having screens at all.
jonesy3001
Established Member
Should be 238 going back.
I made a point of travelling on 323234 myself last night (Manchester Airport - Picc) and have to say I wasn't overwhelmed. It didn't help that, being a bitterly cold night, the interior temperature wasn't fantastic. On the next train on which I travelled (which was also 323-operated) the temperature was noticeably better.
Hopefully the PIS system gets replaced or fixed to be better, the ones of from Televic and other manufacturers seem to be much better. As air con was fitted on Chiltern 165s and the 323s are staying long term, could the same be done to the 323s and cab air con has already been fitted to atleast the wmt units.
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Xenophon PCDGS
Veteran Member
Which TOC would have to bear the costs, noting the ages of these units?
Probably Porterbrook or TrainFX if a big enough problem is found.
Robert Mann
Member
323238 at Liverpool South Parkway today on 593L Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K05346/2019-11-23/detailed
Only a low resolution preview at the moment. I can post full res images once I've had a chance to do edits.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K05346/2019-11-23/detailed
Only a low resolution preview at the moment. I can post full res images once I've had a chance to do edits.
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