An update on Northern's 319's ...

319361-365 have all been refreshed and ready for service at Allerton Depot
319379 is also there, still in First CC livery presumably for use on training duties.

Wolverton Works currently have 319366, 368, 380 and 382

Due to enter service in March on Liverpool to Manchester Airport, with more following in May onto the Liverpool to Manchester Victoria services.

I love the new 'Northern Electrics' brand. The trains look completely refreshed, and don't look like they've had 10 rounds with Mike Tyson unlike the Class 142/144 Pacers!

Northern Electrics?

I've heard of Northern/Metro electric livery, but not Northern Electrics?

http://www.northernrail.org/northern/electric-trains

A friend of mine has had an idea of 'Freinds of Manors Station'

Personally I think the idea is a great idea as the station has so much potential and could be improved in so many ways! I'd be willing to help but we need more people onboard

A friend of mine has had an idea of 'Freinds of Manors Station'

Personally I think the idea is a great idea as the station has so much potential and could be improved in so many ways! I'd be willing to help but we need more people onboard

Surely he's having a joke...  

I'm surprised Manors station is still there, it's basically just for the businesses and students around there.

Here is the stats for MAS.
2012/13

 3,872

Surely he's having a joke...  

I'm surprised Manors station is still there, it's basically just for the businesses and students around there.

Here is the stats for MAS.
2012/13

 3,872

Personally I feel it's a good idea. Bring station had about 20 passengers a year and now it's got nearly 75% more to do 'Friends of'

Following successful testing of the wires last night, Northern have confirmed that the 319s will enter service on Liverpool-Manchester Airport on Monday 2nd March with 2 diagrams to be run by the refurbished 319s

They look brilliant as well

They look brilliant as well

I hope they're a bit more comfortable since their refurbishment. I've used them on the Thameslink a number of times, and found they're no better than the Metro comfort-wise. 

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1182...ar_Pacers/

142's to be scrapped under new franchise rules

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-31657191#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

And potentially a new station on Northumberland/Cumbria border.

Whilst all positive, I can't help being cynical about these plans coinciding with the upcoming election.

http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1182...ar_Pacers/

142's to be scrapped under new franchise rules

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-31657191#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

And potentially a new station on Northumberland/Cumbria border.

Whilst all positive, I can't help being cynical about these plans coinciding with the upcoming election.

Aye, it was the main feature on BBC Newcastle's Breakfast Show this morning. Most of comments and calls were favourable towards the withdrawal of the Pacers but there were concerns over the what they'll be replaced with. The cascading of ex-London Tube stock was mentioned, but apparently that isn't the plan anymore according to an 'expert' they interviewed (can't remember who - could've been either the Rail Minister or the Transport Minister, Patrick McLaughlin.

Aye, it was the main feature on BBC Newcastle's Breakfast Show this morning. Most of comments and calls were favourable towards the withdrawal of the Pacers but there were concerns over the what they'll be replaced with. The cascading of ex-London Tube stock was mentioned, but apparently that isn't the plan anymore according to an 'expert' they interviewed (can't remember who - could've been either the Rail Minister or the Transport Minister, Patrick McLaughlin.

There's the BBC take on it.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31650705

It will be interesting to see what the impact is for the leasing companies and whether they will be compensated for the loss and/or given handouts to purchase replacement stock.

Apart from the tube stock, I have no idea what else could be used. Did they mention anything specifically on the radio this morning?

There's the BBC take on it.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31650705

It will be interesting to see what the impact is for the leasing companies and whether they will be compensated for the loss and/or given handouts to purchase replacement stock.

Apart from the tube stock, I have no idea what else could be used. Did they mention anything specifically on the radio this morning?

I don't recall anything being specifically mentioned this morning. I was at work however so it's possible I may have missed something while jumping in and out of my van. 

The cleanliness of the regions trains was discussed in detail with the general consensus being that they are dirty and mucky, both inside and out. 

I don't recall anything being specifically mentioned this morning. I was at work however so it's possible I may have missed something while jumping in and out of my van. 

The cleanliness of the regions trains was discussed in detail with the general consensus being that they are dirty and mucky, both inside and out. 

My tutor heard it on the radio.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/singl...hises.html

I don't recall anything being specifically mentioned this morning. I was at work however so it's possible I may have missed something while jumping in and out of my van. 

The cleanliness of the regions trains was discussed in detail with the general consensus being that they are dirty and mucky, both inside and out.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/singl...hises.html

Ordering a minimum of 120 new-build DMU or battery-electric multiple-unit cars capable of operating ‘under their own power for significant distances’. Options for ‘vehicles other than conventional DMUs’ would be considered;

What's the betting something along the lines of a class 139 being proposed?

What's the betting something along the lines of a class 139 being proposed?

Would cause major issues with capacity! The extra services being proposed all over the place should help with capacity issues though, even in the North East we are proposed to get earlier and later services.

Would cause major issues with capacity! The extra services being proposed all over the place should help with capacity issues though, even in the North East we are proposed to get earlier and later services.

Something as small as that would, but wouldn't put it past any of the bidders to come up with something like it - but on a larger basis.

Touching on the extra services line, I am keen to see how these services will fit on to those lines, ready close to capacity on top of the likes of VTEC looking to extend services.

Just as an example, East Midlands Trains have just announced a massive increase in services along the Castle Line between Nottingham and Newark Castle, with extensions to existing services between Newark Castle and Lincoln. VTEC have said they're planning to fit in 11 (5 in one direction, 6 the other) trains along a stretch of the line between Newark Northgate and Lincoln.
Whilst there will be no competition between the two TOC's (due to the Stagecoach influence), the line will be close to full to bursting with those two and any freight using it.

Then you have any trains arriving from the direction of Gainsborough, Grimsby and Sleaford thrown into the mix once they hit Lincoln.

Saying all of that, I have a feeling the VTEC trains to/from Lincoln, will be at the expense of East Midlands trains between Northgate and Lincoln, which could in theory help with line capacity issues.

Going back to Northern, line capacity issues to/from Pelaw with the Metro and then VTEC, should mean that Sunderland doesn't see much of an increase - unless they're going to/from Teesside?

NEW: Due to a person hit by a train between #Newcastle and #Hexham all lines are blocked.

NEW: Due to a person hit by a train between #Newcastle and #Hexham all lines are blocked.

, i hope it wasn't suicide. 

319362 and 319363 have entered service this morning on the Liverpool - Manchester Airport services

The two diagrams at the moment are:

1H43 07:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F93 08:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H40 14:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F90 15:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H43 17:13 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F93 18:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street

1H42 06:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F92 07:35 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H45 09:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F95 10:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H48 12:15 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F98 13:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H41 15:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F91 16:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H44 18:14 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F94 19:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street

Info from RailUK Forums

Northern Rail limited edition ticket wallet

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=271799351045

Dear me...142089 was screaming on every bend we went past on the journey I had today...

Was enough to make you go deaf!

Dear me...142089 was screaming on every bend we went past on the journey I had today...

Was enough to make you go deaf!

LEE CALDER!!!

You've got your first compliant! 

Dear me...142089 was screaming on every bend we went past on the journey I had today...

Was enough to make you go deaf!

Standard on 142's because of them not having bogies... 

319362 and 319363 have entered service this morning on the Liverpool - Manchester Airport services

The two diagrams at the moment are:

1H43 07:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F93 08:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H40 14:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F90 15:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H43 17:13 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F93 18:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street

1H42 06:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F92 07:35 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H45 09:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F95 10:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H48 12:15 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F98 13:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H41 15:16 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F91 16:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street
1H44 18:14 Lime Street to Manchester Airport
1F94 19:40 Manchester Airport to Lime Street

Info from RailUK Forums

319365 is also is Service as i had it on Wed

Only fair as we report problems on the Metro that Northern should get a mention for short forming the 0626 Newcastle to Hexham to a single unit (hopefully a 156!) - it also ran 27 mins late departing at 0653. This runs the 0742 back to Middlesbrough which ran on time but obviously a unit short - wonder how many it left behind! Normally 2x142 on that.

Dear me...142089 was screaming on every bend we went past on the journey I had today...

Was enough to make you go deaf!

You leave 142089 alone Marcus!!! 

The DfT has just released a document  today giving the results of the feasibility study recently carried out concerning the fitting of pantographs to Class 142 multiple units,this would enable savings to be made when running on electrified lines such as Newcastle to Morpeth and Chathill and Newcastle to Darlington also between Sunderland and Pelaw Jnct, this last section would require trains to stop at Pelaw Jnct in both directions to raise and lower the pantograph, the pantographs would be dual voltage to enable them to work over all the aforementioned lines.
The cost of these modifications would be covered by the savings in diesel fuel consumption.