Ex WM 323s at Northern

[Liam L]

Who said it was over yet for 323s on the cross city?

A pair of 323s (expected to be 201 & 204) are due through between new street and Bromsgrove on Tuesday heading for storage at Long Marston.

Realtime Trains | 5Q94 1003 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston | 05/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q94 1003 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston on 05/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Potteries 323]

323220 now repainted into Northern livery is out on Manchester-Stoke line today.

 

[class442]

Who said it was over yet for 323s on the cross city?

A pair of 323s (expected to be 201 & 204) are due through between new street and Bromsgrove on Tuesday heading for storage at Long Marston.

Realtime Trains | 5Q94 1003 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston | 05/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q94 1003 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston on 05/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Saw this working from a passing train at Wolverton, pretty sure that one of the units was 240.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

37800 taking 323201/240 from Wolverton to Long Marston 5Q94

 

[Liam L]

Saw this working from a passing train at Wolverton, pretty sure that one of the units was 240.

It was, seen at Northfield formed of 201 & 240

 

[warwickshire]

Saw this working from a passing train at Wolverton, pretty sure that one of the units was 240.

Confirmation 37800 with 323201 leading Bromsgrove end, with 323240 training Birmingham New Street, Whilst 5Q94 1003 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston passed through Tile Hill around 8 late,
After double checking the footage on my mobile afterwards, most certainly have 323201 323240 on video footage

However 323240 was unbranded though, when it ran to Wolverton around a month ago own power it was branded.

Whilst 323201, still has green London Midland labeling on it as well under the windows just next to 323201 drivers cab,
Next to the locomotive
Wonder what 323s might go to Long Marston next?
Should be going to Northern but that's another state of affairs.

 

[GRONK08]

Confirmation 37800 with 323201 leading Bromsgrove end, with 323240 training Birmingham New Street, Whilst 5Q94 1003 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston passed through Tile Hill around 8 late,
After double checking the footage on my mobile afterwards, most certainly have 323201 323240 on video footage

However 323240 was unbranded though, when it ran to Wolverton around a month ago own power it was branded.

Whilst 323201, still has green London Midland labeling on it as well under the windows just next to 323201 drivers cab,
Next to the locomotive
Wonder what 323s might go to Long Marston next?
Should be going to Northern but that's another state of affairs.

Is there any likelihood that Northern will take on some or all of the remaining 323s or is that wishful thinking on my part?

 

[Liam L]

Is there any likelihood that Northern will take on some or all of the remaining 323s or is that wishful thinking on my part?

No plans for them to go north, Long term storage ahead.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Some pictures of my Northern liveried 323 with clearly visible WMR interior at Eccles back on Monday evening, if anyone’s interested in seeing how bizarre it looks.




I will resize these images once I have my laptop so that they’re not so grossly large.

 

[Potteries 323]

323213 now in Northern livery.Returned from Wolverton yesterday joining 323205 and 323220.Another one went from Allerton to Wolverton in its place.

 

[cactustwirly]

Some pictures of my Northern liveried 323 with clearly visible WMR interior at Eccles back on Monday evening, if anyone’s interested in seeing how bizarre it looks.

View attachment 168665
View attachment 168664

I will resize these images once I have my laptop so that they’re not so grossly large.

Probably because the WMR 323s were still in their LM livery with vinyls over the top and were due for a repaint anyway, most likely paid for by the Leasing company.

They were recently refurbished by WMR so there wasn't the budget to do the interior

 

[Liam L]

323213 now in Northern livery.Returned from Wolverton yesterday joining 323205 and 323220.Another one went from Allerton to Wolverton in its place.

217 took it's place

 

[323 Class]

323220 at Hadfield today Sunday 10 th November in its new clothes.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

Class 323s seem to have experienced extremely good maintenance over the years, when I last took a Northern Class 323 last month, it seemed in such good condition, the acceleration was great, they looked presentable. A far cry from the neglected Networkers south.

Are Class 323s the only traction currently working the Hadfield/Glossop diagrams?
Are Class 323s the only traction currently working Crew/Stoke diagrams?
Will more Class 323s work Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street diagrams once all the WMR examples are cascaded?
Will they operate any other routes in the Manchester area?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2024 ==

Just to confirm, how many examples of the WMR fleet are going for Storage? How many of the 26 WMR examples will be transferred North?

 

[323 Class]

Class 323s seem to have experienced extremely good maintenance over the years, when I last took a Northern Class 323 last month, it seemed in such good condition, the acceleration was great, they looked presentable. A far cry from the neglected Networkers south.

Are Class 323s the only traction currently working the Hadfield/Glossop diagrams?
Are Class 323s the only traction currently working Crew/Stoke diagrams?
Will more Class 323s work Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street diagrams once all the WMR examples are cascaded?
Will they operate any other routes in the Manchester area?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2024 ==

Just to confirm, how many examples of the WMR fleet are going for Storage? How many of the 26 WMR examples will be transferred North?

There are some 331s rumoured to do a few services aswell

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are Class 323s the only traction currently working the Hadfield/Glossop diagrams?
Are Class 323s the only traction currently working Crew/Stoke diagrams?
Will more Class 323s work Manchester Airport to Liverpool Lime Street diagrams once all the WMR examples are cascaded?
Will they operate any other routes in the Manchester area?
Just to confirm, how many examples of the WMR fleet are going for Storage? How many of the 26 WMR examples will be transferred North?

Dear god, it’s like Prime Minister’s Questions. I’ve replied in order of questions.

Hadfield currently exclusively 323, will be shared with 331s on a 2:1 ratio (331s the majority) from December.

Crewe and Stoke are majority 323 but do get 331s too.

323s will continue to share Manchester to Liverpool via Eccles services with 331s. And they have all already been cascaded for quite some time. WMR now operate none, and they are either with Northern, or stored.

323s will also work Manchester to Blackpool services in pairs, if I remember correctly all services apart from one or two 4-331 diagrams.

9 are in storage.

26-9, so 17 have come North.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

Dear god, it’s like Prime Minister’s Questions. I’ve replied in order of questions.

Hadfield currently exclusively 323, will be shared with 331s on a 2:1 ratio (331s the majority) from December.

Crewe and Stoke are majority 323 but do get 331s too.

323s will continue to share Manchester to Liverpool via Eccles services with 331s. And they have all already been cascaded for quite some time. WMR now operate none, and they are either with Northern, or stored.

323s will also work Manchester to Blackpool services in pairs, if I remember correctly all services apart from one or two 4-331 diagrams.

9 are in storage.

26-9, so 17 have come North.

Splendid! I reckon that most customers will immediately favour the Class 331, with its superior 2/2 seating arrangement and more pleasant interior, than the 3/2 and rather utilitarian interior of the 323s. Though it is good to see that the majority of the fleet have a bright future with Northern

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Splendid! I reckon that most customers will immediately favour the Class 331, with its superior 2/2 seating arrangement and more pleasant interior, than the 3/2 and rather utilitarian interior of the 323s. Though it is good to see that the majority of the fleet have a bright future with Northern

I definitely do.

 

[Russel]

Have the 323's window frames always been painted the same colour as the body?

 

[childwallblues]

I definitely do.

As far as I am aware all Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be 331/1 from the December timetable.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

As far as I am aware all Liverpool Lime Street to Blackpool North and Manchester Airport will be 331/1 from the December timetable.

Doesn’t do much for me in Salford, but thank you

 

[Liam L]

Just to confirm, how many examples of the WMR fleet are going for Storage? How many of the 26 WMR examples will be transferred North?

WMR don't operate them anymore

9 into storage (201,204,211,214-216,221-22,240)
With 17 are now with Northern (202-03,205-210,212-13,217-220,241-243)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Nov 2024 ==

Have the 323's window frames always been painted the same colour as the body?

Just on the ex WMR ones.

 

[crosscity]

Just to confirm, how many examples of the WMR fleet are going for Storage?

WMR don't operate them anymore
9 into storage (201,204,211,214-216,221-22,240)

201 and 240 were moved to Long Marston last week; the other seven are at Wolverton.

 

[childwallblues]

Doesn’t do much for me in Salford, but thank you

You can always use Eccles Station.

 

[Liam L]

Another 323 dragged booked for tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q94 1006 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston | 13/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q94 1006 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston on 13/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[warwickshire]

Another 323 dragged booked for tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q94 1006 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston | 13/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q94 1006 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston on 13/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Witnessed through Tile Hill, with 37800 taking 323216 leading 323222 trailing,
323216 323222 join 323201 323240 at Long Marston

 

[crosscity]

Another 323 dragged booked for tomorrow

Realtime Trains | 5Q94 1006 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston | 13/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q94 1006 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Long Marston on 13/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

... and here they are. 323216 and 323222 on their old stomping ground, but on the unelectrified P2 line at Kings Norton.

13Nov2024 at 11:45. Kings Norton. 323216 323222 37800 (Ex D6843). [P1210280] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[RailKnight786]

Hey Guys just an update for you 323220 has now been painted in Northern Livery with rest to follow but still currently has WMR interior so looks pretty cool as a crossover transition with 323219 next as well as 323213 and 323205 already completed. Still see the other units they're still in WMR Debranded Livery.
Update: Just seen already been posted good to know will keep everyone updated on further units. As took some time to find new forum.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Splendid! I reckon that most customers will immediately favour the Class 331, with its superior 2/2 seating arrangement and more pleasant interior, than the 3/2 and rather utilitarian interior of the 323s. Though it is good to see that the majority of the fleet have a bright future with Northern

Not if you end up being over the bogies...

 

[TheGrew]

As someone who has used both the 323 and 331 I prefer the latter but more specifically prefer a seat so don't really mind what shows up. I imagine the remaining 9 units in storage will get canabalised over time for spares which should keep the operational fleet reliable.