Trains are often busy on Match days, so check when Newacstle and Sunderland are playing at home and you may see a link.

In some cases a simpe allocation of a class 156 instead of a class 142 removes the need from joining 2 trains together to provide peak cover. I occasionally see a class 142 and a class 156 working together, which puzzles me as they are completly different.

There is a morning service allocated 2x142 from Hexham-Middlesbrough because it was leaving people behind with 1 unit.

As an ocassional user myself, most carriages are empty, except on some occasional journeys - mainly the curry train.

What's the curry train? - I almost dread asking.

Only 1 service in and out of Newcastle is allocated a double set on a weekday and that is the 0743 Hexham to Middlesborough. Double set allocated even if one is a 156 (unless there is a unit shortage) as 1 unit goes empty from Middlesborough to Darlington and acts as spare cover at Darlington in case of disruption.
There is no reservations for The Valley that stopped ages ago but they try to keep themselves sat together.

I don't think they do on the Windermere branch either but that's due to be done I believe!

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-30238130

The Winderemere branch uses Transpennine Express units (class 185's I think) that come from Lancaster / Manchester Airport, go back and forth to Oxenholme a couple of times, then go back to Manchester Airport, so I suspect the only reason the lines being electrified is so TPE can use new electric trains on that route without having to cling on to a couple of diesels just to run that line. Plus Oxenholme to Windermere is a lot shorter train journey than Newcastle to Carlisle!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-...e-district

More on the electrification.

What I find strange, is that TPE were part of the team behind the business plan, (yet with the franchise possibly going elsewhere prior to the 2017 date that has been mentioned for completion of the electrification) - they may not get to run a service on it.
Essentially seeing another toc benefiting from their hard work and enterprise.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rail-...e-district

More on the electrification.

What I find strange, is that TPE were part of the team behind the business plan, (yet with the franchise possibly going elsewhere prior to the 2017 date that has been mentioned for completion of the electrification) - they may not get to run a service on it.
Essentially seeing another toc benefiting from their hard work and enterprise.

"Once completed, the line will form part of a direct electrified route between key destinations in the region, including Kendal, Burneside and Staveley, and Manchester".


Scraping the barrel somewhat to say Burnside and Staveley are "key destinations".


Not only may the franchise not end up with First after 2017, the Manchester Airport to Lancaster / Barrow / Windermere may end up as part of the future Northern franchise.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultati...franchises

Just seen Northern Rail's post on Twitter about the new Class 319.

Looks like the replacements for the pacers have been identified.
Not ScotRail stock either!

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1166...on_claims/

Looks like the replacements for the pacers have been identified.
Not ScotRail stock either!

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1166...on_claims/

Can't imagine a tube on the Tyne Valley Line, like!

Just seen Northern Rail's post on Twitter about the new Class 319.

They're not new... They're from 1987, the same year all 96 Class 142s had been finished.

The 319s are shockingly bad. I was in hope that they were going to receive the full refurbishment as previously suggested, but that looks somewhat in doubt, with a basic refurbishment being preferred. Northern powerhouse eh....

Meet the manager session on platform 5 at Central Station between 1630 and 1800 tonight.

Complementary mince pies and hot drinks too!

They're not new... They're from 1987, the same year all 96 Class 142s had been finished.

I know they're old - when I made the post I assumed everyone would know I was referring to it's new appearance.

Meet the manager session on platform 5 at Central Station between 1630 and 1800 tonight.

Complementary mince pies and hot drinks too!

I was half expecting it to be cancelled due to a crew member being unavailable...

I was half expecting it to be cancelled due to a crew member being unavailable...

*boom tish* [emoji23]

Personally I hope the Pacers are withdrawn pretty soon, and we get some 158's they are my favourite Northern train, and I'd love to see them in the North East

Personally I hope the Pacers are withdrawn pretty soon, and we get some 158's they are my favourite Northern train, and I'd love to see them in the North East

Refer to Andreos' post a few above. In the article it mentions ex-Tube stock.

Thank you, I'm sure I read something like that in Rail before

Its been said somewhere that Pacers will not be withdrawn when the Class 319s enter service, I think the plan is that the extra capacity will be spread between the Liverpool/Manchester Depots. I for one hope this means improvements for the last Liverpool - Wigan service on a Saturday Night as am getting sick of the 4 Car standing load full of Drunk people thing

Am also told that the Class 319s are due out early Feb.

Personally I hope the Pacers are withdrawn pretty soon, and we get some 158's they are my favourite Northern train, and I'd love to see them in the North East

158s won't happen. Some occasionally go to Heaton for overhauls and major exams but putting them into service would require a lot of crew training.

If you're saying 142s should be gone, this will do nothing but decrease the chances of 158s to be in the north east - 142s are used pretty well across the Northern region, Manchester, Preston, Leeds etc all heavily use them as well as 158s.

I've heard a rumour that ex-London D87 tube stock are going to be totally remade into 2, 3 and 4-car DMUs which would be used for 142 replacements. However this is just a rumour I've heard.

Would like to throw it into the topic that I quite like 142s. The engine sounds on some are brilliant and more importantly, they're unique - I'm hoping a few will be preserved when they eventually go.

158s won't happen. Some occasionally go to Heaton for overhauls and major exams but putting them into service would require a lot of crew training.

If you're saying 142s should be gone, this will do nothing but decrease the chances of 158s to be in the north east - 142s are used pretty well across the Northern region, Manchester, Preston, Leeds etc all heavily use them as well as 158s.

I've heard a rumour that ex-London D87 tube stock are going to be totally remade into 2, 3 and 4-car DMUs which would be used for 142 replacements. However this is just a rumour I've heard.

Would like to throw it into the topic that I quite like 142s. The engine sounds on some are brilliant and more importantly, they're unique - I'm hoping a few will be preserved when they eventually go.

I too don't mind Pacers - would rather have a 156, but hey ho!

That Underground stock would be interesting, sure Andreos put a link about it on here a while back!

I read somewhere 142s are modelled after buses or something, don't get me wrong - but I think it's the Leyland National?

I read somewhere 142s are modelled after buses or something, don't get me wrong - but I think it's the Leyland National?

Certainly are. All members of the Pacer fleet are - 141, 142, 143 and 144. 

Would like to throw it into the topic that I quite like 142s. The engine sounds on some are brilliant and more importantly, they're unique - I'm hoping a few will be preserved when they eventually go.

Peasant! Absolute blasphemy! 

Peasant! Absolute blasphemy! 

The Great Sean is entitled to his opinion.

Peasant! Absolute blasphemy! 

Oh, go and join the flock of sheep waiting alongside will you... 

Bit of positive PR for Northern is that the 321/333 fleets are having free wi-fi installed at present.

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1166...on_claims/

There's the tube replacing 142 link.

Knew it was somewhere and that you'd posted it before, Andreos - cheers!

Northern Rail website saying that all services are running "Good Service" even though none are running up here.