Class 323 issues - the Reprise!

[Crossover]

The 323s are excellent; never had any problem with them yet and they are quick and comfortable but the interiors aren't suited to intercity trips.

But that's the point, they don't do Intercity trips really. I doubt many point to point journeys on them are much more than an hour or so

 

[Ivo]

Ivo clearly dislikes the 323s. Sadly, nothing we say can change his mind there. One day he may end up getting on one and having a brilliant journey on one and completely change his views. The exact opposite has happened to me before now...

I won't deny this is a possibility. I was exactly the same with Pacers - until I went to Pembroke on one.

Given the lines they run on though 323s have a lesser chance of success.

 

[northwichcat]

But that's the point, they don't do Intercity trips really. I doubt many point to point journeys on them are much more than an hour or so

They appeared on Liverpool to Birmingham services when CT were running them before they got the 350s.
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Think it's Macclesfield to Congleton where they really get going though. Did Macc to Stoke in August last year on a 323 and I was amazed how fast they could go. Need to do that run again sometime, or at least Stoke to Kidsgrove next time I do a WMDR. Nice to be able to scoop Northern units on a WMDR...

They have very fast acceleration and a 90mph top speed, which makes them ideal for trains which stop at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme. When a Pacer calls at Heaton Chapel and Levenshulme it really struggles to pick up speed again.

 

[anthony263]

I won't deny this is a possibility. I was exactly the same with Pacers - until I went to Pembroke on one.

Given the lines they run on though 323s have a lesser chance of success.

I sadly had to travel to Pembroke Dock on a class 142 pacer which wasa very horrible experience.

I dont really mind the class 323's although I have only done 1 short trip on 1

 

[CC 72100]

I'm also a fan of the 323s haveing used them on the Cross City line. They seem fairly nippy in terms of getting up to speed, do their job well and although the interior is by no means flashy I have always found it in a good condition, as it seems quite low maintenance... I'd much rather have a 323 than a grotty, tired 150/1!

 

[WestCoast]

WestCoast all class 153's and class 155's have tables and FGW/ATW examples of class 150/2's do as well!

Whoops about the 153/155s, but I was referring to the Northern fleet, where the 150s don't have tables.
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I sadly had to travel to Pembroke Dock on a class 142 pacer which wasa very horrible experience.

I can imagine. They might be a novelty for some, but I would much prefer a 323 over the usual 142 on my commute.

 

[RobShipway]

Whoops about the 153/155s, but I was referring to the Northern fleet, where the 150s don't have tables.
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I can imagine. They might be a novelty for some, but I would much prefer a 323 over the usual 142 on my commute.

Yes, 323 does have a better ride than a bone shaker class 142. The few times I have been on a class 142 train I have had to check that my arms and legs were still in the same places that they where when I got on the train, before getting off it.

 

[WestCoast]

Yes, 323 does have a better ride than a bone shaker class 142. The few times I have been on a class 142 train I have had to check that my arms and legs were still in the same places that they where when I got on the train, before getting off it.

My local line is 142 infested! Anyway, I don't want to restart the Pacer wars...

 

[Batman]

The 323's have worked wonders on the cross city. They're nifty, practical and still have 15 years of service left in them. The sound they make when they start up is unique and their acceleration is ideal for the stop-start nature of the lines they opperate. The only bad point I can think of is the last of through corridor connections, but appart from that, they do their job well.

 

[YorkshireBear]

I went on a 323 from stockport to manchester picadilly non stop one evening a few years back and it went on the fasts and i must say it certainly felt like we hit a top speed. (i have no idea what the speed limit is along there so make of this information what you will)

 

[northwichcat]

I went on a 323 from stockport to manchester picadilly non stop one evening a few years back and it went on the fasts and i must say it certainly felt like we hit a top speed. (i have no idea what the speed limit is along there so make of this information what you will)

When XC had a Voyager service departing at xx:24 and Northern had a 142/150 service departing at xx:24 to Chester non-stop to Stockport, the Chester had to take the fast line due to turning off after Stockport and usually departed Piccadilly 30 seconds quicker than the Voyager. If neither got held by a red signal the Voyager had departed platform 1 at Stockport, before the Pacer/150 arrived at platform 2 at Stockport.

 

[Geezertronic]

Yes, 323 does have a better ride than a bone shaker class 142. The few times I have been on a class 142 train I have had to check that my arms and legs were still in the same places that they where when I got on the train, before getting off it.

You oughta try the DLR in London then :-x

 

[Temple Meads]

I had my first ride on a Class 323 yesterday, and I'm sorry Scott, but I really like them, the ride is comfortable, they're quiet, and above all they are AC electric, and I'm a sucker for that!

 

[northwichcat]

You oughta try the DLR in London then :-x

I imagine the DLR ride quality is fairly consistent between different lines. From my experience Pacers seem to work better on the Harrogate Line, Halifax-Bradford section of the Caldervale line and the Huddersfield-Wakefield line than they do on the lines out of Manchester, Liverpool and Chester.

 

[WestCoast]

I imagine the DLR ride quality is fairly consistent between different lines.

It is and you can't really compare a segregated light rail system like the DLR to the NR heavy rail network. It's quite hard to describe the DLR's ride, but it's no worse that the Metrolink was before the tracks were relaid.

 

[northwichcat]

It's quite hard to describe the DLR's ride, but it's no worse that the Metrolink was before the tracks were relaid.

Metrolink's ride quality has got worse since they've introduced the M5000s.

 

[RobShipway]

You oughta try the DLR in London then :-x

I have been on the DLR many times and it less of a bone shaker than a class 142. The best solution I find with travelling on the DLR is to make sure I am sitting down, close my eyes and just believe that I am suffering a nightmare.....

 

[SS4]

Should have joined me in doing the entire length of the Cross City yesterday (changing at FOK)

 

[WestCoast]

I have been on the DLR many times and it less of a bone shaker than a class 142. The best solution I find with travelling on the DLR is to make sure I am sitting down, close my eyes and just believe that I am suffering a nightmare.....

I am a DLR fan, I sit at the front and secretly pretend I am driving :roll:

It's "Guard" Only Operation (or GOO) as well...

 

[Ivo]

I had my first ride on a Class 323 yesterday, and I'm sorry Scott, but I really like them, the ride is comfortable, they're quiet, and above all they are AC electric, and I'm a sucker for that!

You grew up in the South-West. I grew up in Southend. Bit of a difference there Tim; one has no OHLE and the other is only OHLE

Metrolink's ride quality has got worse since they've introduced the M5000s.

I didn't even get an M5000 on Saturday, in spite of making four separate journeys hock:

Should have joined me in doing the entire length of the Cross City yesterday (changing at FOK)

No thank you It's not as though I need any of the Cross City for Coverage purposes!

 

[WestCoast]

I didn't even get an M5000 on Saturday, in spite of making four separate journeys hock:

Victoria - St Werburgh's Road is the only guaranteed M5000 route.

 

[martin2345uk]

Not quite 100% guarantee as they've used a T68a on a couple of occasions. You'd have to be very unlucky to get one though!

 

[Batman]

Any updates on when the Oldham loop is due to re-open?

 

[Robinson]

Not quite 100% guarantee as they've used a T68a on a couple of occasions. You'd have to be very unlucky to get one though!

A T-68a is still better than a T-68!

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I Prefer the T68's better ride quality and the seats are like seats not back breakers like on the new stock i stand on the new units even if there are seats

 

[Peter Sarf]

Where is this going folks ?.

 

[Ivo]

Where is this going folks ?.

Not anywhere 323s operate obviously. Even though they are the usual traction on three routes out of Manchester (Crewe via the Airport, Alderle Edge and Glossop/Hadfield) and these trams are found in Manchester...

Curse you guys for ruining my rant thread

 

[RobShipway]

Not anywhere 323s operate obviously. Even though they are the usual traction on three routes out of Manchester (Crewe via the Airport, Alderle Edge and Glossop/Hadfield) and these trams are found in Manchester...

Curse you guys for ruining my rant thread

Sorry Ivo, but as Beattie in the old Bt adverts used to say 'It's good to talk!'

 

[Robinson]

Not anywhere 323s operate obviously. Even though they are the usual traction on three routes out of Manchester (Crewe via the Airport, Alderle Edge and Glossop/Hadfield) and these trams are found in Manchester...

Curse you guys for ruining my rant thread

Don't forget Crewe via Stockport and Stoke!

 

[WCML]

The 323s arent bad, and the seating arrangement is certainly better than the 150s. I was on one for a while yesterday in the rush hour, and theyre OK.
I returned on one which had new interior lights and it made it look so much better, than the old, now turned yellow light clusters. I hope theyre replacing the lights on all of the LM stock.

The 323s would be perfect if they had information screens and automated announcements like the 350s do. With the amount of stops that they make, its difficult to tell where you are when its dark, and very few guards make station stop announcements.

EDIT: Would people prefer the 323s or the 350/2s on the Cross City line and would the 350/2s be able to perform at the same level?