West Midlands Class 323 - the final countdown

[TheSel]

So... is it still in WM Gold livery?

Yes - still gold.

Seen below, arriving at St Helens Central, working 2C15 - 1253 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street. (my pic).

 

[crosscity]

Here's my latest status report.

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston
323202	Butlers Lane	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Fri 24Nov2023	Ray	Northern
323206	Barnt Green			Northern
323207	Bournville	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Storage at Wolverton, then Northern	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323216	University
323217	Chester Road	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Storage at Wolverton, then Northern	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Sat 30Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
As at	Mon 08Jan2024

Still not reported on, or not since November: 201, 205, 206 and 216.
Thanks to everyone for replying.

 

[Liam L]

Here's my latest status report.

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston
323202	Butlers Lane	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Fri 24Nov2023	Ray	Northern
323206	Barnt Green			Northern
323207	Bournville	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Storage at Wolverton, then Northern	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323216	University
323217	Chester Road	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	Storage at Wolverton, then Northern	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Sat 30Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
As at	Mon 08Jan2024

Still not reported on, or not since November: 201, 205, 206 and 216.
Thanks to everyone for replying.

206 seen at Bournville this afternoon working the 14:03 off Bromsgrove to Lichfields

 

[507 001]

Would that include being shipped to Allerton for parts?

Well I didn’t say they had to be in one piece!


(Although I’d be very disappointed if they weren’t in one piece to be fair)

 

[Liam L]

Just passed 216 at selly oak running as a 3 car.
Working 2R31 to Redditch

 

[Some guy]

Does anyone know when Blackpool North and Wigan Wallgate will sign 323’s?

 

[Geeves]

Does anyone know when Blackpool North and Wigan Wallgate will sign 323’s?

There's some back an forth between Aslef and the company about the traction course length currently. Not sure what the current status is. The other issue was you had to sign 319s before you signed anything else EMU wise due to the modules on that course but hopefully that's also sorted otherwise they are in a bit of a bind ha!

 

[thealexweb]

There's some back an forth between Aslef and the company about the traction course length currently. Not sure what the current status is. The other issue was you had to sign 319s before you signed anything else EMU wise due to the modules on that course but hopefully that's also sorted otherwise they are in a bit of a bind ha!

Are Northern proposing a similar conversion course for their 156 drivers that got a two day course to get them on 158s?

 

[Geeves]

Are Northern proposing a similar conversion course for their 156 drivers that got a two day course to get them on 158s?

I'm not sure what the final amount of time agreed is yet but definitely longer than two days, I will have to check with my buddy but I think 323s are becoming the core electric traction that everyone signs from the start at Northern (on the west side) so there's some extra electrical modules as well that was previously on the 319 course.

 

[childwallblues]

323208 has been on Manchester Piccadilly-Crewe services today.

 

[Liam L]

323208 has been on Manchester Piccadilly-Crewe services today.

Finished early and replaced with 323232 after it failed earlier (Some comments are suggesting it stopped in a neutral zone) and had to be towed out of it.

 

[jonesy3001]

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 0804 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 10/01/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 0804 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 10/01/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

323212 and 323220 are on their way to allerton has I type, when will the other 14 323s move to northern?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Realtime Trains | 5Q36 0804 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot | 10/01/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Q36 0804 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Allerton Depot on 10/01/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

323212 and 323220 are on their way to allerton has I type, when will the other 14 323s move to northern?

Just reached Liverpool

 

[Liam L]

323212 and 323220 are on their way to allerton has I type, when will the other 14 323s move to northern?

As a cross city passenger, I hope no more are released till the 730s are being brought in now.

 

[darylyates17]

Hus

Just reached Liverpool

Just passed Allerton and saw 2 WMT liveried 323s presuming it was them 2.

 

[The_Train]

I presume 212 and 220 have had their names removed?

 

[jonesy3001]

Hus

Just passed Allerton and saw 2 WMT liveried 323s presuming it was them 2.

Went pass the Crewe cams about an hour ago.

 

[Liam L]

I presume 212 and 220 have had their names removed?

Yes.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

As a cross city passenger, I hope no more are released till the 730s are being brought in now.

Jan 30th then, or until they reach the cross city line?

 

[Liam L]

Jan 30th then, or until they reach the cross city line?

Till they reach the cross city line, Believe it wolves walsall first?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Till they reach the cross city line, Believe it wolves walsall first?

Yeah, not heard a date for cross city yet. Can't imagine it will happen until driver training is completed

 

[superkev]

Hus

Just passed Allerton and saw 2 WMT liveried 323s presuming it was them 2.

I thought some of the WM 323s had been repainted in Northern livery as well as having some Northern features.
K

 

[Liam L]

I thought some of the WM 323s had been repainted in Northern livery as well as having some Northern features.
K

Just USBs, passenger counters and Screens inside for now. Everything else still in WMT.

 

[childwallblues]

323208 is out today on rhe Piccadilly-Hadfield service.
323212 and 323220 arrived at Allerton at 1255 today.

 

[45076]

I thought some of the WM 323s had been repainted in Northern livery as well as having some Northern features.
K

Superkev I think its says somewhere above in this thread that they will all be repainted/new vinyl after all the units are transferred. Seems a bit daft to me but heyho

 

[prod_pep]

323212 is in the siding at Allerton beside the up and down electric line, with sister and new stablemate 323236 alongside. Both 323s are sandwiched between a 331 and a doomed 319.

 

[JW4]

323210 Shenstone 323202 Butlers Lance are working together today. 323205 Blake Street is also out today.

323204 getting given the 3 car working.

 

[crosscity]

This weeks WM 323 report:

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston
323202	Butlers Lane	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUk	Northern
323206	Barnt Green	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323207	Bournville	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323216	University	Tue 09Jan2024	RailUK
323217	Chester Road	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
As at	Tue 16Jan2024

All three units that have emigrated are now in the North West (208, 212, 220) with 208 now in service.
201 has still not been seen. 213 and 214 last recorded in December. Perhaps 214 is still at Wolverton.

 

[Liam L]

This weeks WM 323 report:

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston
323202	Butlers Lane	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUk	Northern
323206	Barnt Green	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323207	Bournville	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323216	University	Tue 09Jan2024	RailUK
323217	Chester Road	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
As at	Tue 16Jan2024

All three units that have emigrated are now in the North West (208, 212, 220) with 208 now in service.
201 has still not been seen. 213 and 214 last recorded in December. Perhaps 214 is still at Wolverton.

214 still at Wolverton. 201 hasn't been allocated for the past week so I presume it's stopped on Soho.

I had 213 last Tuesday (9th) into Birmingham

 

[JW4]

This weeks WM 323 report:

Unit	Name/Note	Last seen in WM service	Source	Future	Date left WM or withdrawn
323201	Duddeston
323202	Butlers Lane	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323203	Aston	Mon 01Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323204	Selly Oak	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK
323205	Blake Street	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUk	Northern
323206	Barnt Green	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323207	Bournville	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323208	Five Ways	Transferred		Northern	Sat 28Oct2023
323209	Birmingham New Street	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323210	Shenstone	Tue 16Jan2024	RailUK	Northern
323211	Four Oaks	Wed 03Jan2024	Ray
323212	Bromsgrove	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Thu 04Jan2024
323213	Sutton Coldfield	Sun 31Dec2023	RailUK	Northern
323214	Wylde Green	Tue 26Dec2023	RailUK		At Wolverton for repairs
323215	Gravelly Hill	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323216	University	Tue 09Jan2024	RailUK
323217	Chester Road	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323218	Lichfield City	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323219	Kings Norton	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323220	Lichfield Trent Valley	Wed 27Dec2023	RailUK	To Wolverton, then Northern Wed 10Jan2024	Sat 06Jan2024
323221	Was 'Northfield' (now in 'Centro' livery	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray
323222	Redditch	Sat 06Jan2024	RailUK
323240	Erdington	Mon 01Jan2024	Ray
323241	Dave Pomroy 323 Fleet Engineer 40 Years Service.	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323242	Alvechurch	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
323243	Longbridge	Wed 10Jan2024	Ray	Northern
As at	Tue 16Jan2024

All three units that have emigrated are now in the North West (208, 212, 220) with 208 now in service.
201 has still not been seen. 213 and 214 last recorded in December. Perhaps 214 is still at Wolverton.

323203 Aston and 323217 Chester Road worked together today on my train back.