Porterbrook Cl.769 'Flex' trains from 319s, initially for Northern

[Bikeman78]

What could they replace them with realistically?

Nothing. But they would save the cost of constantly repairing the 769s, not to mention the leasing cost. And now they are paying even more to hire extra units to cover the overhauls.

 

[amahy]

Nothing. But they would save the cost of constantly repairing the 769s, not to mention the leasing cost. And now they are paying even more to hire extra units to cover the overhauls.

It's a shame that more diesel units weren't ordered with the 195 order. 5 years since the OLR took over Northern, diesel routes are still plagued with short formations. I'm surprised there is absolutely nothing that Northern can do short term.

In the short term, nothing! That was noted in the tender.

The only stock avaliable any time soon that meet those requirements are either
1) The TfW 150s (currently going for scrap when they are due expensive repairs/exams)
2) The TfW 158s once the 197s start on the Cambrian line (which won't be avaliable for at least a year or so)

Long term Northern's new units will replace them (either with the 8*4 car battery units, or with the large bi-mode fleet)

Surely the TfW 150s aren't that cost prohibitive that they could be brought in for Northern to at least have a small chance of running full length trains?

 

[Bikeman78]

It's a shame that more diesel units weren't ordered with the 195 order. 5 years since the OLR took over Northern, diesel routes are still plagued with short formations. I'm surprised there is absolutely nothing that Northern can do short term.

Surely the TfW 150s aren't that cost prohibitive that they could be brought in for Northern to at least have a small chance of running full length trains?

What is even more bizarre is that Northern's own class 150s, along with GWR 150s, are still being overhauled. So it can be done. I find it hard to believe that the Welsh units, which have come from across the country are all somehow in a worse state. It doesn't add up.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What is even more bizarre is that Northern's own class 150s, along with GWR 150s, are still being overhauled. So it can be done. I find it hard to believe that the Welsh units, which have come from across the country are all somehow in a worse state. It doesn't add up.

Do the Welsh 150s spend a lot more time close to the coast ( Cardiff / Swansea / Tenby area ) with exposure to salt spray or would they be about equal to the GWR ones in that respect ( thinking of Dawlish / Exmouth / Looe here! )

 

[Earle Grey]

What is even more bizarre is that Northern's own class 150s, along with GWR 150s, are still being overhauled. So it can be done. I find it hard to believe that the Welsh units, which have come from across the country are all somehow in a worse state. It doesn't add up.

Well, no, but as Matt Rice COO Northern explained in recent Green Signals Podcast, the refurbishment of their 15x fleet is taking longer than expected as more work is reuired than planned; which puts into context why the TFW 150/2s are making a one way trip to skip.

Link below from Youtube... start from 27 minutes 43 seconds ish...

Green Signals Podcast w/Matt Rice COO Northern

 

[amahy]

Well, no, but as Matt Rice COO Northern explained in recent Green Signals Podcast, the refurbishment of their 15x fleet is taking longer than expected as more work is reuired than planned; which puts into context why the TFW 150/2s are making a one way trip to skip.

Link below from Youtube... start from 27 minutes 43 seconds ish...

Green Signals Podcast w/Matt Rice COO Northern

If anything, this is more of a case for the TfW 150s to go to Northern, as the fact that Northern's 15X refurb is taking longer means that less trains are available for service. Even if its costly, TOCs do need to make sure they have enough trains to run their services!

 

[Earle Grey]

Well, no, but as Matt Rice COO Northern explained in recent Green Signals Podcast, the refurbishment of their 15x fleet is taking longer than expected as more work is reuired than planned; which puts into context why the TFW 150/2s are making a one way trip to skip.

Link below from Youtube... start from 27 minutes 43 seconds ish...

Green Signals Podcast w/Matt Rice COO Northern

Ok link doesn't work... try this one instead...

If anything, this is more of a case for the TfW 150s to go to Northern, as the fact that Northern's 15X refurb is taking longer means that less trains are available for service. Even if its costly, TOCs do need to make sure they have enough trains to run their services!

Not when they require the same/similar amount of work being done them as part of the transfer.

 

[Ribbleman]

The situation regarding the two additional 769s is bizarre. Last October, Porterbrook managers advised rail user group OPSTA in the presence of Northern managers that two units from those previously used by TfW would be receiving attention at Long Marston and Crewe IEMD. They would then be available for Northern to use from January at no charge, providing cover for the 8 sets already used by Northern when they were sent away one at a time to Brodies in Kilmarnock for C6 overhauls.

The Government tender document, issued 5 months after the sets were supposed to be in traffic, implies that these units will in fact incur leasing charges. This may be creative accounting for appearance sake with no funds actually changing hands but the appalling lack of urgency in progressing matters reflects very badly on those involved.

 

[skyhigh]

If anything, this is more of a case for the TfW 150s to go to Northern, as the fact that Northern's 15X refurb is taking longer means that less trains are available for service. Even if its costly, TOCs do need to make sure they have enough trains to run their services!

Some of the 150s going for de-corrosion work have been in an awful state, much worse than expected. Hence all Northern 150s are undergoing scanning to check they're safe to continue in service and prioritise the worst examples for repair.

The TfW 150s are being stood down as they reach their drop-dead limits without exam work. They simply cannot go straight into service until they have been away for overhaul.

The overhaul is taking several months per unit and the amount of new steel going into the units is immense. Someone told me, though I have no idea of the truth of the statement, that the de-corrosion works on each 150 is costing about 50% the price of a new unit.

If that is true, it would be insanity to repair additional units.

 

[Iskra]

It's a shame that more diesel units weren't ordered with the 195 order. 5 years since the OLR took over Northern, diesel routes are still plagued with short formations. I'm surprised there is absolutely nothing that Northern can do short term.

Surely the TfW 150s aren't that cost prohibitive that they could be brought in for Northern to at least have a small chance of running full length trains?

And total unreliability.

Northern electric routes vs diesel route reliability and usability for the passenger is night and day, a point that doesn’t get mentioned enough.

 

[david l]

And total unreliability.

Northern electric routes vs diesel route reliability and usability for the passenger is night and day, a point that doesn’t get mentioned enough.

Clouded a bit when 769's are involved..........but they are responsible for many of the problems on North Manchester routes, with 17.7% shortforms. 6/8 are diagrammed, might soon be 6/10 but very rarely do you start the day with 6 (which means DMU's have to cover) - its usually 3 or 4 which by lunchtime drops further and services on the Manchester Ox Rd/Stalybridge- Southport route then either get cancelled/terminated short and the covering DMU's split to keep a service going. Am amazed that Northern management say nothing about this route.

 

[FrontSideBus]

Using a 68 with a few Mk5's would be overkill to replace the 769's and 150's then ?