Transfer of WM 323s to Northern

[Liam L]

As suggested in the 'Final countdown' thread, I have opened a new thread to report and document the former WMT 323s.

Just a quick summary:

323201,204,211,214,215,216,221,222,240 are now in storage following withdrawal from WMT

323202,203,205-10,212-13,217-20,241-43 have transferred to Northern.
Of those transferred, 207,208,219,220 have seen service.
205 & 220 are currently in repaint at Wolverton into Northern colours.

Any updates are appreciated

 

[warwickshire]

As suggested in the 'Final countdown' thread, I have opened a new thread to report and document the former WMT 323s.

Just a quick summary:

323201,204,211,214,221,222,240 are now in storage following withdrawal from WMT

323202,203,205-10,212-13,217-20,241-43 have transferred to Northern.
Of those transferred, 207,208,219,220 have seen service.
205 & 220 are currently in repaint at Wolverton into Northern colours.

Any updates are appreciated

323215 323216 also in Store at Wolverton.

 

[TheTallOne]

There’s some info over here?

Northern 323 diagrams

Apparently all 17 323s have now been transferred from WMR. Are they working many Manchester diagrams to Blackpool as 6-car? Also, are more Liverpool to Blackpool going over to 323 operation and freeing up 331s for work elsewhere?

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[js1000]

How long do we give it until the 9 in storage are broken up for spares?

 

[D365]

How long do we give it until the 9 in storage are broken up for spares?

Wandering into speculative territory here… but the fate of the 323s may well depend on whether or not there will be a need to fit ETCS to Northern fleets in the near future.

Which is the 323 that was involved in the collision with 67013?

 

[Liam L]

There’s some info over here?

Northern 323 diagrams

Apparently all 17 323s have now been transferred from WMR. Are they working many Manchester diagrams to Blackpool as 6-car? Also, are more Liverpool to Blackpool going over to 323 operation and freeing up 331s for work elsewhere?

www.railforums.co.uk

That seems to cover diagrams which they run in North West, Just thought a thread on the units themselves (including the 9 unallocated ones) would be useful, If moderation team disagrees then feel free to merge it.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Looks like a 323 unit swap?

Realtime Trains | 5N36 1124 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5N36 1124 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5H70 1541 Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5H70 1541 departure from Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Liam L]

Looks like a 323 unit swap?

Realtime Trains | 5N36 1124 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5N36 1124 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5H70 1541 Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5H70 1541 departure from Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

205 out I think, No clue on the inbound movement

 

[crosscity]

The 'Final Countdown' thread was closed before I'd made my last post to round off the end of the 323's at Soho.
Rather than get it re-opened I thought I'd post my final report here.

It's almost a year since the first 323 left (323208) and headed for Allerton. Long before then the 323's were deployed exclusively on the Birmingham Crosscity line.
11 Crosscity diagrams provided the Monday-Saturday service (and still do) - 5 to cover Redditch-Four Oaks and 6 Bromsgrove-Lichfield.
To 06Jan three left Soho for Northern, and the mysterious 323214 was at Wolverton, leaving 22 units to cover the 11 diagrams
In w/c 15Apr another left Soho for Allerton, and the first 730 diagram started. This left 21 units at Soho to cover 10 diagrams
In w/c 13May another two left Soho for Allerton and a second 730 diagram started. This left 19 323's at Soho to cover 9 diagrams.
By w/c 27May another four more left Soho for Allerton and a third 730 diagram started. This left 15 323's at Soho to cover 8 diagrams.
By w/c 10Jun another two left Soho for Allerton with seven 730 diagrams in place. This left 13 323's at Soho to cover 4 diagrams.
By w/c 15Jul the last five had left Soho for Allerton with seven 730 diagrams. 323214 back at Soho. This left 9 323's at Soho to cover 4 diagrams.
In w/c 22Jul one more 730 diagram put in place. Two 323's off lease to Wolverton. This left 7 323's at Soho to cover 3 diagrams.
Sun 11Aug. Last Sunday 323 public workings.
By w/c 12Aug another 730 diagram in place. Two 323's off lease to Wolverton including the little used 323214. This left 5 323's at Soho to cover 2 diagrams.
w/c 23Sep. Last week of public service. Another 730 diagram in place. Two 323's off lease to Wolverton. This left 3 323's at Soho to cover just 1 diagram.
Fri 27Sep. Last day of public service. 1 Bromsgrove-Lichfield diagram provided by 323222 & 323240. Last service: [2G75] the 23:31 Bromsgrove-Birmingham New St.
Sun 29Sep. 323 Farewell charity special to Liverpool with 323221 and 323222,
Mon 30Sep. 323221 and 323222 off-lease to Wolverton.
Fri 04Oct. 323240 'Staff farewell' at Wolverhampton and return to Soho via Birmingham New St.
Mon 07Oct. Last man standing 323240 off-lease to Wolverton.
THE END

… and the final snapshot:

Unit	Last seen in WM service	Source	Note	Date left WM	To
9 RETURNED TO PORTERBROOK AT WOLVERTON
323201	Thu 18Jul2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 22Jul2024	Wolverton
323204	Mon 08Jul2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 22Jul2024	Wolverton
323211	Tue 06Aug2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 12Aug2024	Wolverton
323214	Tue 06Aug2024	RailUK	Moved to Soho from Wolverton 08Jul2024	Fri 09Aug2024	Wolverton
323215	Sat 21Sep2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 23Sep2024	Wolverton
323216	Fri 20Sep2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 23Sep2024	Wolverton
323221	Thu 26Sep2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 30Sep2024	Wolverton
323222	Fri 27Sep2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 30Sep2024	Wolverton
323240	Fri 27Sep2024	RailUK	Returned to Porterbrook	Mon 07Oct2024	Wolverton
17 TRANSFERS TO NORTHERN (NOW COMPLETE)
323202	Fri 12Apr2024	RailUK	Transfer No 4	Mon 15Apr2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 19Apr2024
323203	Sat 22Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 16	Mon 24Jun2024	Wolverton then Blackpool 27Jun2024
323205	Sat 18May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 7. To Wolverton for painting. 02Sep2024	Mon 20May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 23May2024
323206	Sat 11May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 5	Mon 13May2024	Allerton
323207	Fri 24May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 9	Tue 28May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 31May2024
323208	Transferred		Transfer No 1	Sat 28Oct2023	Allerton
323209	Thu 09May2024	Crosscity	Transfer No 6	Mon 13May2024	Allerton
323210	Sat 18May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 8	Mon 20May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 23May2024
323212	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Transfer No 2	Thu 04Jan2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 10Jan2024
323213	Wed 12Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 14	Mon 17Jun2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 20Jun2024
323217	Thu 06Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 11	Mon 10Jun2024	Wolverton then Allerton 13Jun2024
323218	Fri 05Jul2024	RailUK	Transfer No 17	Mon 08Jul2024	Wolverton then Allerton 11Jul2024
323219	Sun 09Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 12	Mon 10Jun2024	Wolverton then Allerton 13Jun2024
323220	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Transfer No 3. To Wolverton for painting. 02Sep2024	Sat 06Jan2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 10Jan2024
323241	Sun 16Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 15	Mon 24Jun2024	Wolverton then Blackpool 27Jun2024
323242	Sat 15Jun2024	RailUK	Transfer No 13	Mon 17Jun2024	Wolverton, then Allerton 20Jun2024
323243	Sun 26May2024	RailUK	Transfer No 10	Tue 28May2024	Wolverton then Allerton 31May2024

 

[Liam L]

323205 is current en-route back to Allerton in its new livery.

Realtime Trains | 5N36 1124 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5N36 1124 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

323205 is current en-route back to Allerton in its new livery.

Realtime Trains | 5N36 1124 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5N36 1124 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

323213 will be replacing it going in

 

[crosscity]

That must mean 323220 is still at the works.

 

[Liam L]

That must mean 323220 is still at the works.

Yes, it's a 2 program unit but they will be 'one in, one out' system I think
So shouldn't take too long to get through them all I'm sure!

 

[John C]

323205 is current en-route back to Allerton in its new livery.

Realtime Trains | 5N36 1124 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 09/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5N36 1124 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 09/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

323213 will be replacing it going in

Managed to grab a photo of 323205 in Northern livery whilst passing Allerton on a class 777 earlier today.

323205

Allerton Depot 12/10/2024 Northern Taken from the window of a passing class 777

www.flickr.com

 

[childwallblues]

Managed to grab a photo of 323205 in Northern livery whilst passing Allerton on a class 777 earlier today.

323205

Allerton Depot 12/10/2024 Northern Taken from the window of a passing class 777

www.flickr.com

Excellent photo.

 

[John C]

Excellent photo.

Thank you

 

[crosscity]

Just thought I'd sign off with my last photo of a Soho 323.
Here is the final Soho 323 (323340) on its way to Wolverton facing an uncertain future.
Associated with the Birmingham Crosscity line for 30-years it has just left it at Aston on its last journey.

07Oct2024. WM Class 323 Farewell. Aston South Jct. 323240. [P1210156] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[Potteries 323]

323207 and 323219 are regulars on the Manchester-Crewe,Manchester-Stoke and Manchester-Glossop-Hadfield services in West Midlands Trains livery.

 

[childwallblues]

323205 is the first ex WNR unit to receive Northern livery is in service today currently on 2A93 0736 Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe.

 

[Liam L]

323205 is the first ex WNR unit to receive Northern livery is in service today currently on 2A93 0736 Manchester Piccadilly to Crewe.

First day out in traffic since leaving WMT i think too.

 

[Geeves]

202+218 became the new training units based at Manchester international depot last night. 203 + 241 came back to Allerton after developing various issues, seems they don't like being caged up!

Seen at Lime St and Bank St/Manchester International credit to Gen Corky and Tom Swift

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

202+218 became the new training units based at Manchester international depot last night. 203 + 241 came back to Allerton after developing various issues, seems they don't like being caged up!

Seen at Lime St and Bank St/Manchester International credit to Gen Corky and Tom Swift

Interesting that 218s number is in Rail Alphabet.

 

[crosscity]

Interesting that 218s number is in Rail Alphabet.

I can't quite see what you're getting at. Here is my last encounter with 323218 in the West Midlands in June. Did it have the number in a different font after it transferred?
Didn't it go to Wolverton on Saturday for painting in Northern livery?

29Jun2024. Five Ways. BR Class 323 EMU 323218. [FiveWays323.mp4] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I can't quite see what you're getting at. Here is my last encounter with 323218 in the West Midlands in June. Did it have the number in a different font after it transferred?
Didn't it go to Wolverton on Saturday for painting in Northern livery?

29Jun2024. Five Ways. BR Class 323 EMU 323218. [FiveWays323.mp4] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

It’s evident in the image above my post


(Image shows a close up of 323218’s cab)

 

[CR165022]

I can't quite see what you're getting at. Here is my last encounter with 323218 in the West Midlands in June. Did it have the number in a different font after it transferred?
Didn't it go to Wolverton on Saturday for painting in Northern livery?

29Jun2024. Five Ways. BR Class 323 EMU 323218. [FiveWays323.mp4] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

It had it before with WMT but on the other end

 

[crosscity]

It had it before with WMT but on the other end

That explains it!

202+218 became the new training units based at Manchester international depot last night. 203 + 241 came back to Allerton after developing various issues, seems they don't like being caged up!

Seen at Lime St and Bank St/Manchester International credit to Gen Corky and Tom Swift

Didn't it go to Wolverton on Saturday for painting in Northern livery?

If 323218 didn't go to Wolverton on Saturday, what did as 5H70 ran?

Realtime Trains | 5H70 1718 Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 19/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5H70 1718 departure from Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 19/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Geeves]

That explains it!



If 323218 didn't go to Wolverton on Saturday, what did as 5H70 ran?

Realtime Trains | 5H70 1718 Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings | 19/10/2024

Real-time train running information for 5H70 1718 departure from Allerton Depot to Wolverton Centre Sidings on 19/10/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

208 and 213 are the ones currently recieving attention at Wolverton

 

[crosscity]

208 and 213 are the ones currently recieving attention at Wolverton

Thanks

 

[Liam L]

I can't quite see what you're getting at. Here is my last encounter with 323218 in the West Midlands in June. Did it have the number in a different font after it transferred?
Didn't it go to Wolverton on Saturday for painting in Northern livery?

29Jun2024. Five Ways. BR Class 323 EMU 323218. [FiveWays323.mp4] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

It's on the other end, It been like it for years.

 

[crosscity]

Interesting that 218s number is in Rail Alphabet.

So is this the 'Rail Alphabet' end? If so, it's been running about with it for quite a while.

25Jan2021. Kings Norton. BR Class 323 emu 323218 323207. Snow. [P1100563] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

So is this the 'Rail Alphabet' end? If so, it's been running about with it for quite a while.

25Jan2021. Kings Norton. BR Class 323 emu 323218 323207. Snow. [P1100563] by Ray Honke, on Flickr

Yes how interesting. Perhaps the ones in London Midland’s font peeled off and they have no replacements. I noted the slimline Futura unit numbers on the front of the East Midlands Trains 222s gradually all disappeared and were replaced by some truly ugly ones in what looked like Helvetica Bold a couple of years before the franchise ended, presumably for a similar reason.