Wigan-Liverpool why no class 331 ?

[Vespa]

Noticed for some time that on my route they've stopped using Class 331 and replaced them with Class 319 which is not as refined as 331 IMO.

Is there a reason why and how likely is it coming back ?

 

[DJH1971]

Noticed for some time that on my route they've stopped using Class 331 and replaced them with Class 319 which is not as refined as 331 IMO.

Is there a reason why and how likely is it coming back ?

Given that the 319's are going in the near future, they will either have to put these back on or use 323's.

 

[Vespa]

323 is worse, rock hard seats.

 

[185]

Anything to do with the high amount of ASB, and the lone working guard having to do the doors from mid-saloon?

Honestly, you'd think they'd modify them to make the cab panels live and end this silliness.

 

[Rail Quest]

Honestly, you'd think they'd modify them to make the cab panels live and end this silliness.

Out of interest, why aren't the cab panels usable? I kept hearing guards weren't allowed to use them but I can't find why

 

[185]

Could be to do with the clumsy cab door, however that problem exists with a slam door can 150/1, although the step is lower. Perhaps they could allow cab working as an occasional exception, not the rule.

 

[jonnyfan]

There are no guard door controls in the cabs, the only door control buttons are on the drivers desk, which are not in a suitable position for use by the guard. They were only built with door controls in the saloon, which will partly be because of Northern's policy over the years of having guards not use cabs to operate doors (plus the whole DOO thing etc). When the 319s transferred to Northern, the door controls in the cab were disabled and saloon controls fitted. Also on Class 170s, guards are only allowed to use the saloon controls, cab controls can only be used with permission from control.

 

[InkyScrolls]

There are no guard door controls in the cabs, the only door control buttons are on the drivers desk, which are not in a suitable position for use by the guard. They were only built with door controls in the saloon, which will partly be because of Northern's policy over the years of having guards not use cabs to operate doors (plus the whole DOO thing etc). When the 319s transferred to Northern, the door controls in the cab were disabled and saloon controls fitted. Also on Class 170s, guards are only allowed to use the saloon controls, cab controls can only be used with permission from control.

On 170s the cab door controls can now be used at the conductor's discretion.

 

[jonnyfan]

On 170s the cab door controls can now be used at the conductor's discretion.

That's an improvement then, glad to hear it!

 

[Kite159]

On 170s the cab door controls can now be used at the conductor's discretion.

Useful, especially if the train is extremely busy (ie between Doncaster & Sheffield) that it would be a struggle for the guard to come out to do the doors from the passenger saloon.