Class 321 storage/scrapping

[Class360/1]

I don’t suppose the group is public, and if so, what’s the name?

It’sa shame about 901. In my opinion it has the best traction motors of the northern bins.

Anyways, for the last 2 days 321307 has been parked up in the siding next to P5 at Colchester north.

 

[Jturner98]

I don’t suppose the group is public, and if so, what’s the name?

It’sa shame about 901. In my opinion it has the best traction motors of the northern bins.

Anyways, for the last 2 days 321307 has been parked up in the siding next to P5 at Colchester north.

It’s the class 320,321,322 appreciation group

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Good to see the final stage of the replacement beginning at long last. Now that the 317s are on standby duties only, and very close to full withdrawal, it shouldn't be long before these sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb units follow on. Having said that, I won't pretend I don't rather like the Northern units, but I like consistency within a TOC's fleet.

 

[Class360/1]

It’s the class 320,321,322 appreciation group

Thank you!

 

[gc1982]

According to a group on Facebook 322481 and 321901 have now both been withdrawn. They are expected to go for scrap in a week or so.

Maybe I am being a bit pedantic, but shouldn't this chat be called 'Class 321/322 withdrawal updates' ?

 

[Islineclear3_1]

According to a group on Facebook 322481 and 321901 have now both been withdrawn. They are expected to go for scrap in a week or so.

Any official source yet?

 

[DustyBin]

Good to see the final stage of the replacement beginning at long last. Now that the 317s are on standby duties only, and very close to full withdrawal, it shouldn't be long before these sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb units follow on. Having said that, I won't pretend I don't rather like the Northern units, but I like consistency within a TOC's fleet.

If by “consistency” you mean homogeneous fleets I can’t think of anything worse…… Give me variety any day!

 

[physics34]

If by “consistency” you mean homogeneous fleets I can’t think of anything worse…… Give me variety any day!

Agree. We are gonna go through a very dull period for the next decade or so....

 

[class321]

If by “consistency” you mean homogeneous fleets I can’t think of anything worse…… Give me variety any day!

Ahlie, variety is sooo much better than homogenous fleets. With homogenous fleet its hard to tell, with the underground, which is the district, h&c , circle or metropolitan line since they all use same stock

 

[Wivenswold]

I tend to agree with @Class 321, from an enthusiasts point of view, give me variety.
Wearing my TOC hat, no, I want everything the same, under the same contract with the same warranty and just the one supplier for spare parts.

Railway Observer has 321326 as stopped at Ilford, does anyone know if it's just waiting on parts or is now a parts donor for the remaining fleet? I was on 321902 this morning, it was wedged between two Renatus units, I saw one other ex-Northern out, also wedged between two Renatus units. I wonder whether this is deliberate or just a coincidence.

 

[Class360/1]

321307 is still in storage at Colchester, in the siding by platform 5

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Railway Observer has 321326 as stopped at Ilford, does anyone know if it's just waiting on parts or is now a parts donor for the remaining fleet? I was on 321902 this morning, it was wedged between two Renatus units, I saw one other ex-Northern out, also wedged between two Renatus units. I wonder whether this is deliberate or just a coincidence.

I thought it had a transformer change recently...?

 

[rich78]

Travelled back on one of the Renatus units tonight. It's a shame the whole fleet wasn't upgraded. Yes I know they had their issues when they first went into service but they seem much more reliable now. I guess Greater Anglia has a franchise agreement to replace the entire fleet but hopefully we will get a few more months out of them before they disappear for ever.

 

[Avidfan]

Travelled back on one of the Renatus units tonight. It's a shame the whole fleet wasn't upgraded. Yes I know they had their issues when they first went into service but they seem much more reliable now. I guess Greater Anglia has a franchise agreement to replace the entire fleet but hopefully we will get a few more months out of them before they disappear for ever.

Won't start going until 2023

 

[JonathanH]

Won't start going until 2023

With 317s nearly gone and there only being eight Northern units to remove from traffic, what continued need is there for all 30 Renatus 321s from about the end of August that means they won't start going until 2023? I can quite see the final withdrawal just into 2023.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

With 317s nearly gone and there only being eight Northern units to remove from traffic, what continued need is there for all 30 Renatus 321s from about the end of August that means they won't start going until 2023? I can quite see the final withdrawal just into 2023.

I can see it even before that. There's barely any legacy fleet workings nowadays.

 

[43102EMR]

With 317s nearly gone and there only being eight Northern units to remove from traffic, what continued need is there for all 30 Renatus 321s from about the end of August that means they won't start going until 2023? I can quite see the final withdrawal just into 2023.

They’ll be gone by the end of the year at the very latest - more than half the fleet is in service now and increasing, so GA are on track to replacing the entire legacy fleet relatively soon.

 

[JonathanH]

Some suggestion that there may be an ongoing role for the Renatus 321s with Vivarail batteries.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/0...develop-battery-powered-class-321-trains.html

Vivarail signs deal to develop battery powered Class 321 trains
by ALAN HOLDEN 14th July 2022 in Rolling Stock

The Class 321 Renatus Fleet of electric trains could become a Battery Electric Multiple Unit (BEMU) thanks to a new deal between Eversholt Rail and Vivarail.

The 30 strong fleet is thanks to a £65m investment in AC traction, air con and interior upgrade.

These trains are currently in operation with Greater Anglia until the introduction of their new trains are complete.

Vivarail, who already has a reputation for its high quality battery powered trains here in the UK and America, will work with Eversholt Rail to develop a design to integrate battery power that will provide 20 to 30 miles of self-propulsion.

Allowing the 321s to operate on non-electrified or partly electrified lines allows for the opportunity to increase options for passengers.

Both Vivarail and Eversholt Rail has discussed the options with various operators and the Department for Transport. The case development will continue in 2022 and further investment in the fleet will be confirmed in due course.

Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail said, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Vivarail on this exciting project to develop our C321 fleet which will support the UK’s decarbonisation targets. We have a proud history of innovation and investing in our fleets to meet changing requirements, exploring the viability of integrating battery technology to the Renatus fleet is the natural next step. Battery trains offer an ideal solution for routes with partly and un-electrified lines, enabling the replacement of diesel trains and bringing the air quality and decarbonisation benefits.”

Steve McBride, MD of Vivarail, said: “Vivarail are delighted to be collaborating with Eversholt Rail Group on this exciting project. Working towards installing our latest generation battery technology into existing Class 321 Renatus units enables these trains to operate beyond the overhead wires, reducing reliance on diesel trains and reducing carbon emissions. Great British Railways is set to deliver the most ambitious changes in our railways seen in a generation. I am proud to say that Vivarail are ready for the challenge and look forward to contributing to the industry’s commitments for decarbonisation.”

I wonder if they will work better than the 230 and 769 conversions. At least it is being developed as a proof of concept than assumed it will just work.

Can't immediately locate the Vivarail / Eversholt press release, but also mentioned by Modern Railways
https://www.modernrailways.com/article/eversholt-and-vivarail-develop-321-battery-unit

Train leasing company Eversholt Rail and Vivarail are to develop the Class 321 ‘Renatus’ EMU fleet with battery power and range extension.

The 30-strong fleet received AC traction motors, air-conditioning and an upgraded interior, with the programme completed in 2019. They are currently in service with Greater Anglia but are due to be replaced by Alstom Class 720 EMUs.

Eversholt and Vivarail believe the class has the right characteristics, fleet size and availability for conversion to a Battery Electric Multiple Unit.

The aim is to develop a design which can operate on battery power for up to 30 miles, which would enable the trains to operate on non-electrified or partly electrified routes to aid decarbonisation of the rail network. They say a number of opportunities have been identified to deploy such trains.

Technical and safety case development will continue throughout 2022 alongside a market engagement exercise to assess the viability of potential routes. This latter will decide whether investments in the trains will be made.

 

[DustyBin]

Some suggestion that there may be an ongoing role for the Renatus 321s with Vivarail batteries.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/0...develop-battery-powered-class-321-trains.html



I wonder if they will work better than the 230 and 769 conversions. At least it is being developed as a proof of concept than assumed it will just work.

Can't immediately locate the Vivarail / Eversholt press release, but also mentioned by Modern Railways
https://www.modernrailways.com/article/eversholt-and-vivarail-develop-321-battery-unit

They need to find something to do with them in my opinion so this sounds interesting. The question (which is probably worthy of it’s own thread) is where could they be utilised?

 

[JonathanH]

The question (which is probably worthy of it’s own thread) is where could they be utilised?

Yes, one for a speculative thread, but it notes that they will take the concept to market once developed so guess it is up to the relevant train operating companies to work with the DfT to identify suitable routes.

 

[Razorblades]

Speaking with the Porterbrook representative at Rail Live (yes, I know that their competing product is a Hydrogen fuelled Cl.319), they expressed a view that rural lines in Scotland was the first group of routes that they were hoping to discuss with a view to a fleet of 'green' conversions. Perhaps the equivalent analysis could be applied to Eversholt's Renatus once batterified.

 

[sheepy1991]

They’ll be gone by the end of the year at the very latest - more than half the fleet is in service now and increasing, so GA are on track to replacing the entire legacy fleet relatively soon.

The current cascade plan is for 6 Renatus units to still be in use come April next year, thats without any further slips or changes.

 

[Class360/1]

Thanks for the gen

The current cascade plan is for 6 Renatus units to still be in use come April next year, thats without any further slips or changes.

 

[Roger B]

Some suggestion that there may be an ongoing role for the Renatus 321s with Vivarail batteries.

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/0...develop-battery-powered-class-321-trains.html



I wonder if they will work better than the 230 and 769 conversions. At least it is being developed as a proof of concept than assumed it will just work.

Can't immediately locate the Vivarail / Eversholt press release, but also mentioned by Modern Railways
https://www.modernrailways.com/article/eversholt-and-vivarail-develop-321-battery-unit

Just a small quibble with the statement "Vivarail, who already has a reputation for its high quality battery powered trains here in the UK and America" ..... Remove the words "high quality" and the statement's indisputably true - although perhaps Vivarail's reputation is unenviable!

 

[Avidfan]

The current cascade plan is for 6 Renatus units to still be in use come April next year, thats without any further slips or changes.

Like I said, won't go until 2023. Believe me I know.....

 

[rich78]

So does that mean the new fleet won't fully be in place before April 2023 or more likely they have realised that they still need the Renatus units to make up a shortfall due to demand?

 

[Bikeman78]

So does that mean the new fleet won't fully be in place before April 2023 or more likely they have realised that they still need the Renatus units to make up a shortfall due to demand?

There are 36 class 321s still going, 321901 and 322481 have gone in the bin as I understand it. Two class 720s replace three class 321s. So they need 24 more 720s. Even at the rate of one per week, that takes us to the end of the year. In reality they haven't arrived at a rate of one per week. Plus the branches need to be single units so they'll need slightly more 720s.

 

[Avidfan]

There are 36 class 321s still going, 321901 and 322481 have gone in the bin as I understand it. Two class 720s replace three class 321s. So they need 24 more 720s. Even at the rate of one per week, that takes us to the end of the year. In reality they haven't arrived at a rate of one per week. Plus the branches need to be single units so they'll need slightly more 720s.

Ex-northerns will be gone soon

 

[Bikeman78]

Ex-northerns will be gone soon

Yes I totally understand that. Only requires four more class 720s to wipe them out.

 

[Avidfan]

Yes I totally understand that. Only requires four more class 720s to wipe them out.

All will go for spares removal then scrap