Class 326 and Class 768 for Rail Operations Group 'Orion'

[dmncf]

Orion's 768001 is currently at London Euston platform 1.

 

[DBS92042]

Orion's 768001 is currently at London Euston platform 1.

For a showcase event, if I'm not mistaken. Supposedly meant to go on to DIRFT later this evening for another showcase event there.

 

[Roger B]

So the 769/5s are now 768/0s and 319s are to become 326/0s. What's happening with 769601 (ex 319373) - is that one of the 319s that are now becoming 326s - is that going to be 326001? Many thx

Sorry for the drip-feed .... but where are the Orion units going to be allocated / maintained / stabled? Many thx

 

[The_Train]

My records for the ROG/Orion stock are as follows:

319009 under conversion to 768002
319010 now converted to 768001
319373 has been used as a demonstrator - my last record shows it at Birch Coppice to showcase it's capability back in January but assume it has moved on since then (maybe to Long Marston?!?). No indication that this will become a 768 so assume this will become 326***.

Anyone got any ideas of any other 319 units that are in the hands of ROG?

 

[Bob Price]

I suppose it depends how much credence you give Richard Clinnick’s reporting. Is he generally on the ball?

He is one of the countries leading rail journalists. Yes he is very on the ball.

 

[507021]

To be fair, the Orion units were 319s and 769s until recently. I wouldn't be surprised to see the 321 demonstrator similarly renumbered before it goes into service for the reasons you note

I doubt the 321 demonstrator will go down the same route for the sake of one unit, particularly as there's a lot of faff involved. If more are ordered (up to twenty units could be converted to carry freight, IIRC), then I'd imagine they could end up being renumbered as well.

So the 769/5s are now 768/0s and 319s are to become 326/0s. What's happening with 769601 (ex 319373) - is that one of the 319s that are now becoming 326s - is that going to be 326001? Many thx

Sorry for the drip-feed .... but where are the Orion units going to be allocated / maintained / stabled? Many thx

319373, which was due to become 319601, will now be 326001.

My records for the ROG/Orion stock are as follows:

319009 under conversion to 768002
319010 now converted to 768001
319373 has been used as a demonstrator - my last record shows it at Birch Coppice to showcase it's capability back in January but assume it has moved on since then (maybe to Long Marston?!?). No indication that this will become a 768 so assume this will become 326***.

Anyone got any ideas of any other 319 units that are in the hands of ROG?

Another unit destined for Orion is 319441, but whether it'll be a 326 or 768, I don't know I'm afraid.

EDIT: 319377 and 380 are also for Orion.

 

[fgwrich]

He is one of the countries leading rail journalists. Yes he is very on the ball.

Leading he may be, on the ball less so. He is (or was when at Rail) often posting incorrect information in a rush to be the first to announce. I can think of a number of occasions over the last year, particularly on the HST front.

Anyway, this is diverting the thread somewhat. With Eversholt pitching it's 321 conversion and ROG with the 768s, it's going to be an interesting few years ahead.

 

[43096]

He is one of the countries leading rail journalists. Yes he is very on the ball.

He's not. He really isn't. So much dubious (and indeed plain wrong) information over a long period of time from him.

Units currently destined for Orion are 319009/010/011/373/377/380/441. My guess (and it is that) would be that the 319/0 and 319/4 series would be the ones to get the diesel engines.

 

[The_Train]

I doubt the 321 demonstrator will go down the same route for the sake of one unit, particularly as there's a lot of faff involved. If more are ordered (up to twenty units could be converted to carry freight, IIRC), then I'd imagine they could end up being renumbered as well.



319373, which was due to become 319601, will now be 326001.



Another unit destined for Orion is 319441, but whether it'll be a 326 or 768, I don't know I'm afraid.

EDIT: 319377 and 380 are also for Orion.

Thanks for that, will just have to wait and see what happens when they get their hands on more units

 

[Roger B]

I doubt the 321 demonstrator will go down the same route for the sake of one unit, particularly as there's a lot of faff involved. If more are ordered (up to twenty units could be converted to carry freight, IIRC), then I'd imagine they could end up being renumbered as well.



319373, which was due to become 319601, will now be 326001.



Another unit destined for Orion is 319441, but whether it'll be a 326 or 768, I don't know I'm afraid.

EDIT: 319377 and 380 are also for Orion.

Thanks for the confirmation 507021. Any ideas where 3260001 & 768001/2 allocated, maintained, stabled, please? Many thanks

 

[pdeaves]

For a showcase event, if I'm not mistaken. Supposedly meant to go on to DIRFT later this evening for another showcase event there.

Read about it here: https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/passenger-trains-converted-to-deliver-parcels-to-city-centres/

 

[507021]

Thanks for the confirmation 507021. Any ideas where 3260001 & 768001/2 allocated, maintained, stabled, please? Many thanks

I'm not sure I'm afraid.

 

[Roger B]

I'm not sure I'm afraid.

Thanks 507021. This info should become clear as time progresses

 

[Ciderking]

768001 out on test today between Eastleigh and Basingstoke.

Eastleigh 768001

Orion High Speed Logistics bi-mode 768001 (ex-319010) on a test run. No pickup shoes on these, I see. 09.52 Eastleigh Arlington to Basingstoke .

www.flickr.com

 

[Wyrleybart]

Units currently destined for Orion are 319009/010/011/373/377/380/441. My guess (and it is that) would be that the 319/0 and 319/4 series would be the ones to get the diesel engines.

Can I ask why "43096" ?
I have tried to figure out why the /4s have been preferred for the conversion to 769s, and it seems the interiors are more favourable. Strange that half the TfW fleet are former 319/0s If the units for Orion are having their interiors stripped out then it wouldn't really matter. Conversely, if Porterbrook actually are eventually successful with the 769 programme, and customers want more, then stored 319/4s would presumably be ore useful than /0s and /3s. Unless of course the storage fees are such that the /0s and /3s are on borrowed time when 730s displace LNR 319s and WMR 323s to Northern to replace the remaining 319s.

Is there actually a more realistic reason than the interiors of 319/4s ?

AIUI there are planned to be ten class 769 and nine class 326, so an additional twelve sets in additional to those you have listed. Presume there are still a number of stored unmodified units at Long Marston

 

[43096]

Can I ask why "43096" ?
I have tried to figure out why the /4s have been preferred for the conversion to 769s, and it seems the interiors are more favourable. Strange that half the TfW fleet are former 319/0s If the units for Orion are having their interiors stripped out then it wouldn't really matter. Conversely, if Porterbrook actually are eventually successful with the 769 programme, and customers want more, then stored 319/4s would presumably be ore useful than /0s and /3s. Unless of course the storage fees are such that the /0s and /3s are on borrowed time when 730s displace LNR 319s and WMR 323s to Northern to replace the remaining 319s.

Is there actually a more realistic reason than the interiors of 319/4s ?

Don’t forget that there were two distinct builds of 319: 001-060 (now 001-013/214-220/421-460) and 161-186 (now 361-386). My suspicion - and it is only that - is that there may be slight technical differences between the two builds and it is easier to convert units from the same build.

 

[_toommm_]

768001 out on test today between Eastleigh and Basingstoke.

Eastleigh 768001

Orion High Speed Logistics bi-mode 768001 (ex-319010) on a test run. No pickup shoes on these, I see. 09.52 Eastleigh Arlington to Basingstoke .

www.flickr.com

Failed at Winchester on its second run, according to the comments.

 

[Deepgreen]

For comparison, this is what's said about vehicle numbers:


But this is all that's said about set numbers:


Personally I'd say that the way they've done it for 768001 is unacceptable, but it's not like it's my problem!

I agree, and they've fallen into the trap of calling a 'typeface' a "font" - 'typeface' is the style, 'font' is the size of that style. In any case, it's tediously difficult to read and someone has wasted time trying to make it different for no good reason.

 

[3973EXL]

ROG 26/07

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1603 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Winchester Baltic Siding 37884
Realtime Trains - 5Q92 2115 Winchester Baltic Siding to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) 37884 768001
Realtime Trains - 0M17 2245 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Wembley H.S. 37884

 

[Spartacus]

57312 & 768001, 5Q72.

Realtime Trains - 506J 1557 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Wembley H.S.

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Suspect these may be moves for Tuesday too.

Realtime Trains - 531J 0623 Wembley H.S. to Hams Hall Reception Line

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains - 558J 1423 Hams Hall Reception Line to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg)

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Recessio]

Christ, the 319s have had some shocking paint schemes in their time, but this has to take the biscuit

 

[3973EXL]

57312 & 768001, 5Q72.

Realtime Trains - 506J 1557 Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) to Wembley H.S.

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Suspect these may be moves for Tuesday too.

Realtime Trains - 531J 0623 Wembley H.S. to Hams Hall Reception Line

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains - 558J 1423 Hams Hall Reception Line to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg)

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

VSTPs gone in

Realtime Trains - 5Q56 1412 Hams Hall Reception Line to Castle Donington Emdc
Realtime Trains - 5Q87 1423 Hams Hall Reception Line to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg)

 

[warwickshire]

I doubt the 321 demonstrator will go down the same route for the sake of one unit, particularly as there's a lot of faff involved. If more are ordered (up to twenty units could be converted to carry freight, IIRC), then I'd imagine they could end up being renumbered as well.



319373, which was due to become 319601, will now be 326001.



Another unit destined for Orion is 319441, but whether it'll be a 326 or 768, I don't know I'm afraid.

EDIT: 319377 and 380 are also for Orion.

319441 got moved today Tuesday 10th August 2021 Complete still in lnwr livery on 536L 1446 crewe south yard to castle donnington rail operations group Depot.
With 57312 for haulage around 5 early at Winston.
So 319441 is now with rail operators group changed ownership from off lease crewe ex London north Western.

 

[DBS92042]

Not sure if this is already known but 319009 is now physically numbered as 768002 and it's conversion looks to be nearly complete (if not already done). Seen today at Loughborough Brush alongside GWR's 769927.

 

[typetwos]

37884 taking 319373 out on a ride on 5Q72 06:56 CREWE SYD to WILLESDEN PR 13/09/21

 

[Peter749]

593X 1215 Willesden Prdc to Crewe South Yard ran today 08 Oct - seen at Stafford with 768001 + 319373​

​

 

[pdeaves]

593X 1215 Willesden Prdc to Crewe South Yard ran today 08 Oct - seen at Stafford with 768001 + 319373​

​

Of marginal interest, the unit numbers use different fonts (no, not claiming it's the most important thing on the railway, just an observation).

 

[3973EXL]

STP 28/10
5Q56
Realtime Trains - FRGT 0911 Loughborough Brush to Castle Donington Emdc

 

[DBS92042]

STP 28/10

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0911 Loughborough Brush to Castle Donington Emdc

Will be 768002 (ex 319009), if it runs/is an Orion unit and not a GWR or TfW unit

 

[3973EXL]

5Q56 57312 dep 5 early.

57312 then works 0H72 to Wembley.