Class 317 withdrawals.

[bramling]

Really? They've always felt dated in comparison to the Class 365s. Mechanically/structurally, it sounds like the 317s are life expired in any case. Why pay for them to be stored when the entire 321 fleet will be on the market soon.

I’ve always thought the 317s offer a superior travel experience to 321s. The /6 refurbished units in particular, and in my view the quality of that refurbishment surpasses the Renatus 321s. Even the 317/1s in original condition I prefer to 321s - the interior components seem that little bit more robust.

It’s probably all a little academic as the 321s will likely go the same way. Whilst meanwhile the 319s seem to live a charmed life, I know that’s because the DC capability has opened up options, however a 317/6 is much nicer than any 319 from a passenger ambience point of view.

 

[adc82140]

As long as there's more modern EMUs homeless (365s now, 379s, 350/2s in a year or so) the mark 3 based stock will be heading for the scrap man.

 

[bramling]

As long as there's more modern EMUs homeless (365s now, 379s, 350/2s in a year or so) the mark 3 based stock will be heading for the scrap man.

One wouldn’t mind but it’s not as if stuff like the replacement 720s offer a particularly superior travel experience. On the contrary I’d say, and that’s not a great verdict for 35 years of progress. Indeed a 2+2 317/6 is in many ways more suitable for outer suburban work. I wonder what WA users used to these and 379s will make of their new trains?

 

[fgwrich]

Really? They've always felt dated in comparison to the Class 365s. Mechanically/structurally, it sounds like the 317s are life expired in any case. Why pay for them to be stored when the entire 321 fleet will be on the market soon.

I personally wouldn’t say there’s much in them - the 2+2 interior of the 317/6s still looks very smart and a lot more modern in comparison to a 321. Having corridor connections I would also say makes the 317s a little more versatile, though I don’t know how much they are used over on GA.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

One wouldn’t mind but it’s not as if stuff like the replacement 720s offer a particularly superior travel experience. On the contrary I’d say, and that’s not a great verdict for 35 years of progress. Indeed a 2+2 317/6 is in many ways more suitable for outer suburban work. I wonder what WA users used to these and 379s will make of their new trains?

Having been on the 720s yesterday it makes all the difference. The 317s I alighted at Stratford had no working lights in one coach, the seat cushions fell off the seat onto the floor, the PIS wasn’t functional and the lack of tables and plug sockets aren’t great.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Going back through this thread, I have 503/655/656/661/664/666 as having gone off for scrap. Is this all of the ones that have left at the moment or are there more?

 

[class387]

I’ve always thought the 317s offer a superior travel experience to 321s. The /6 refurbished units in particular, and in my view the quality of that refurbishment surpasses the Renatus 321s. Even the 317/1s in original condition I prefer to 321s - the interior components seem that little bit more robust.

It’s probably all a little academic as the 321s will likely go the same way. Whilst meanwhile the 319s seem to live a charmed life, I know that’s because the DC capability has opened up options, however a 317/6 is much nicer than any 319 from a passenger ambience point of view.

They aren't the ones most likely to have a long life, but 319/2s are basically 317/6s with full tables and a 2+1 first class

 

[Astro_Orbiter]

I personally wouldn’t say there’s much in them - the 2+2 interior of the 317/6s still looks very smart and a lot more modern in comparison to a 321. Having corridor connections I would also say makes the 317s a little more versatile, though I don’t know how much they are used over on GA.

The corridor connection hasn't been used for years now sadly

 

[D365]

I personally wouldn’t say there’s much in them - the 2+2 interior of the 317/6s still looks very smart and a lot more modern in comparison to a 321. Having corridor connections I would also say makes the 317s a little more versatile, though I don’t know how much they are used over on GA.

Unfortunately it sounds that the mechanical/structural condition of the /6s is poorer, hence their being scrapped first.

 

[Bikeman78]

Photos of the 317s being scrapped at Eastleigh Works are now starting to emerge online. Doesn’t show the actual scrapping process but still makes for a sad sight! http://www.carlswatson.com/Trains/Galleries 2020/G202011/20201123ArlingtonEastleighWorks/index.html

Sad indeed. I wonder who has the numbers that have been cut out of the unit? 317661 did The Shambles railtour to York with 317672 in May 2012 fresh out of what turned out to be its last overhaul. It also swapped motor cars with 317662 earlier this year although it only ran with the new power car for a few weeks.

 

[VEP3417]

im sure some numbers that where cut off a 442 wessex unit at eastleigh ended up on ebay recently so someone must have the idea of selling memorabilia, shame it isnt interior items or even a cab

 

[Dart34518]

Does anyone know the withdrawal/scrapping plan for the 317s? Are all the 317/6s being removed by 31/12?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Bikeman78]

Does anyone know the withdrawal/scrapping plan for the 317s? Are all the 317/6s being removed by 31/12?
Thanks in advance!

I think they have another dispensation to allow the few remaining unmodified units to run next year. However, there are only four 317/6 left and I think the plan is to replace them with the 317/7 so they won't last much longer.

 

[Roger B]

I went on the train from Cambridge to Norwich yesterday, passing through Ely. I was hoping to see the newly reformed 317662 in the (Potters?) storage sidings, but no joy - at least it wasn't one of the ones whose numbers I could see. Does anyone know whether it's visible from the line, please. Many thanks

 

[Jamesrob637]

Any more 317 scrap moves due this year? The alleged final 315 scrap move of the year took place today.

 

[317666]

I went on the train from Cambridge to Norwich yesterday, passing through Ely. I was hoping to see the newly reformed 317662 in the (Potters?) storage sidings, but no joy - at least it wasn't one of the ones whose numbers I could see. Does anyone know whether it's visible from the line, please. Many thanks

Most of the 317/6s (and previously HST trailers) have been parked around the back - they're visible from a public footpath, but you'd struggle to read the numbers without binoculars or something.

 

[Ewan M]

Didn't some of the 317/6s have their pantographs removed prior to going for storage?

 

[Roger B]

Most of the 317/6s (and previously HST trailers) have been parked around the back - they're visible from a public footpath, but you'd struggle to read the numbers without binoculars or something.

Many thanks 317666. I might pay Ely another visit, probably after Christmas, and take a stroll along the path. Assuming there will be no moves to Sims / Booths in the interim!

 

[317666]

317505 (a non-PRM unit) + 670 made their way from Ilford to Ely Papworth today behind 57312.

There were two non-PRM units out on Cambridge diagrams today, 345 and 650.

 

[jameslm85]

I will miss the 317, in particular the 317/6 which remains the comfiest commuter train I've been on. Bit sad seeing the pictures of 661 being scrapped, but as others have said they have done a very good turn. Just a shame with the year 2020 I've not got the final few rides on the 317 this year. The few times I have used the WA I've been on 379s, which are very nice with a few more facilities but not quite the same as the good old 317s.

 

[Class455]

Is 317652 still going?

 

[317666]

Is 317652 still going?

It was in the carriage sidings at Cambridge today with its pan up so I would assume so - first time I'd seen that particular one for a while!

723 was also there, so that's another one to have re-entered service with GA alongside 709/710. Little in the way of 317 (or indeed 379) action up here today though due to OHLE issues.

 

[Ewan M]

More pics of the 317s being scrapped at Eastleigh are now online. Not a nice sight sadly! http://www.carlswatson.com/trains.html

 

[DustyBin]

More pics of the 317s being scrapped at Eastleigh are now online. Not a nice sight sadly! http://www.carlswatson.com/trains.html

There’s something very wrong about seeing 317’s being scrapped whilst a 142 is in the paint shop!

 

[Ewan M]

There’s something very wrong about seeing 317’s being scrapped whilst a 142 is in the paint shop!

Think the 142 is destined for preservation eventually

 

[DustyBin]

Think the 142 is destined for preservation eventually

Yes I presumed it must be. It still seems rather perverse though.

 

[D365]

Yes I presumed it must be. It still seems rather perverse though.

I don’t think so. Pacers are far more suitable for preservation.

The 317s have served their time. If we can save a driving carriage from one of the ex-FCC examples, great. But good luck to anyone wishing to undertake that.

 

[DustyBin]

I don’t think so. Pacers are far more suitable for preservation.

The 317s have served their time. If we can save a driving carriage from one of the ex-FCC examples, great. But good luck to anyone wishing to undertake that.

I realise that but I think you’ve missed my point, which was made slightly tongue in cheek. A 317 is a decent quality 100mph EMU, a 142 is possibly the worst DMU to have ever operated on the network (except maybe the 141s but I was never subjected to one of those).

 

[Bikeman78]

I realise that but I think you’ve missed my point, which was made slightly tongue in cheek. A 317 is a decent quality 100mph EMU, a 142 is possibly the worst DMU to have ever operated on the network (except maybe the 141s but I was never subjected to one of those).

On the plus side, with the 720 rollout being so late, they should be able to have a proper send off next year. For a start they could put a pair of 317/7 on the Stansted Express for a day. However, I think the 317/6 will disappear quietly without any formal farewell. With the service reductions next week, it could be as soon as this weekend.

 

[The_Train]

a 142 is possibly the worst DMU to have ever operated on the network (except maybe the 141s but I was never subjected to one of those).

You seem to have missed off 'in my opinion' from this statement...….