Why Has 319448 Not Been Repainted?
In the November 2017 Edition of Modern Railways, there is a picture of this Class 319 train passing behind the Ordsall Chord bridge on Page 49.
The train is on the right hand page and appears not to be in the usual Northern Electrics blue.
So why has it not been painted?
319448 Is A Class 319/4 Train
319448 is a Class 319/4 trains, which are probably the best variant of the Class 319 trains, as they have been refurbished a couple of times and have a First Class section, less 2+3 seating and a Universal Access Toilet.
These pictures which show a typical Class 319/4 train, were taken when the trains were being used on Thameslink.
So preparing 319448 for service in the North-West was probably a lot easier, than some of the other Class 319 trains.
Northern probably needed an extra Class 319 train urgently and bringing it into service in Thameslink condition was probably acceptable to customers and their cash-flow.
The exterior painting and the tidying up of the interiors can probably be done later, when there is less pressure on stock numbers.
319448 Is Going To Be Converted To A Class 769 Bi-Mode Train
In the Wikipedia entry for the Class 769 train, the serial numbers of the Class 319 trains to be converted are given.
769424, 769431, 769434, 769442, 769448, 769450, 769456, 769458, 769???, 769???, 769???
Note.
- The first three digits identify the train class and the last three digits the train number in that class.
- After conversion 319424 will become 769424
According to Issue 834 of Rail Magazine, 319456 and 319434 are in Loughborough for the conversion.
So it looks like 319448 will be converted to 769448.
Northern’s Need For Class 769 Trains
The Wikipedia entry for the Class 769 train, says this about Northern’s initial use of the trains.
Northern have indicated that the use of these trains would be of most benefit on routes that are part electrified, whereby they would be able to use the pantograph for the main part, while being able to operate using diesel power away from the overhead lines. The first route to be confirmed by Northern for the running of Class 769 units was the Windermere branch line between Oxenholme and Windermere in North West England.
Once the current electrification program between Manchester and Blackpool, Preston and Stalybridge is complete, there are several partially-electrified routes, where Class 769 trains might be used in North West England.
- Blackpool South to Colne
- Liverpool Lime Street to Chester via Runcorn and the Halton Curve.
- Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton
- Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington
- Manchester Victoria to Blackburn via Todmodern and Burnley
- Manchester Victoria to Clitheroe via Bolton and Blackburn
- Manchester Victoria to Kirkby
- Manchester Victoria to Southport
- Preston to Barrow
- Preston to Ormskirk
If the trains are a success, then surely more trains will be deployed around the electrical networks in Leeds and Newcastle.
A Possible Conversion Plan
Could the conversion of a Class 319 train to a Class 769 train be something like this multi-stage process.
1. Pre-Service Changes
The Class 319/4 trains have for several years been running without serious problems on the Thameslink route,
However, due to different operational rules, I suspect that there will be some changes that have to be carried out before the trains can run in the North. 319448 has obviously had these changes.
2, Pre-Conversion Test Running
If I’ was going to spend a lot of money converting a train, I’d give it a thorough testing with experienced drivers and engineers to make sure there wasn’t an expensive fault.
Northern have a team of drivers with lots of experience of their current fleet of thirty-two Class 319 trains.
The train could even be used in passenger service, as it is an unmodified Class 319/4 train little different to the others in Northern’s fleet.
3, Conversion To Class 769 Train
The train can then be removed from service and converted to a Class 769 train.
4, Testing And Entry Into Service
The trains can be appropriately tested.
5. Interior Refurbushment And External Painting
Doing this last is probably a lot easier, given that the Class 319/4 trains are generally in a good state cosmetically.
A Production Line Would Be Possible
I believe if you do the Project Management professionally for the conversion of the eleven trains need by Northern and the extra five for Wales, it will be possible to fit together a very orderly and efficient production line.
I can envisage that production of units getting quicker as experience is gained.
Ordsall Chord Progress – 17th November 2017
The Ordsall Chord is now more or less complete.
I started my walk by the Museum of Science and Industry and walked in a circle finishing up in the car park of the Manchester Marriott Victoria and Albert Hotel.
Ticketing
One thing that needs to be sorted around the Ordsall Chord is the ticketing.
Suppose I arrive at Piccadilly from London and want to go to say Salford Crescent or Salford Central, which in my view are both stations in the centre of Manchester.
Will I have to buy a ticket or would a London to Manchester Stations ticket be OK?
If I was in charge of Manchester ticketing, all of the following stations would be considered Manchester stations.
- Deansgate
- Oxford Road
- Piccadilly
- Salford Central
- Salford Crescent
- Victoria
It’s going to get more complicated.
Suppose a train operator decided to run a service from London Euston to Huddersfield via the Ordsall Chord stopping at perhaps Piccadilly, Oxford Road, Deansgate, Salford Central and Victoria. Would a London to Manchester Stations ticket be available?
Such a ticket is available to Liverpool and I regularly use my ticket from London to go down to James Street station for the Pier Head.
Incidentally, I just tried to buy a day return to Manchester and the ticketing site didn’t offer me a Mancunian equivalent of a London Zone 6 Travelcard, that is valid on trains and trams. Does such a ticket exist?
The Anonymous Widower 