I just wanted to know people's opinions on these trains. I quite like them, really quiet, nice design, only improvement I can think of is a refurb, especially on toilets.
I regard them as the Class 150 of the EMU world. You certainly know you're on one when it begins its movement, lights go into 'fizz' mode and the gearbox (if it is a gearbox :S) seems to have endless gears (if they are gears :S). They look smart in the LM livery too.
I use them a fair bit, and yes, they do the job very nicely especially given the high frequency of the stations on the Cross-City line, but overcrowding is an increasing issue, I think .... are there plans for more 6-car trains?
I'm pretty sure London Midland have plans for some four-car class 350s, some of which are planned for cross-city peaks.
Quote from: Ossie on April 01, 2012, 09:59:40 PM
I use them a fair bit, and yes, they do the job very nicely especially given the high frequency of the stations on the Cross-City line, but overcrowding is an increasing issue, I think .... are there plans for more 6-car trains?
I don't think the new 350s will get on the Cross City, I think the plan is to put the 350s on the Walsall-Wolverhamptons and New Street-International shuttle releasing all the 323s to be on the Cross City
'The remaining three new trains will be used to provide extra capacity on the Cross-City line in Birmingham. They will be used to increase the weekday frequency of peak and off-peak services between Birmingham and Redditch from 2 to 3 trains per hour from December 2014'
That's what it says on the london midland website.
Quote from: Tony on April 02, 2012, 07:19:51 PM
I don't think the new 350s will get on the Cross City, I think the plan is to put the 350s on the Walsall-Wolverhamptons and New Street-International shuttle releasing all the 323s to be on the Cross City
If you read the full DfT press release about these units at
http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120229/
you will see it says 12 cars (3 units) will help deliver an internal rolling stock cascade that will provide additional capacity on the Cross City line in Birmingham. The frequency of peak and off-peak services between Birmingham and Redditch will be increased from two trains per hour to three trains per hour from December 2014. The trains will also enable electric services from Birmingham New Street to be extended to Bromsgrove from May 2015, assuming that the plan to relocate Bromsgrove Station is confirmed and electrification is completed on schedule.
in other words free up more 323s for the Cross City
Some way off, then! ;D
With regard to the Redditch enhancement, to increase the frequency to 20 minutes, presumably they will just put in a passing loop at Alvechurch, will they? I assume there's no room at Redditch for a second platform .....
I have noticed on several occasions recently the 323 toilet has been"locked out" on football saturdays
is this common practise on other services?
I travel on the 323's fairly regually, and I have to say I like them. There smooth, cofortable, and fairly spacious, and the best thing about is the noise they make at the start. Only thing to question is there reliabillity, numerous times, they seem quite late, espicially early morning rush hour
I know the Wasall - Birmingham - Wolverhampton line, which is run by class 323 are quite often late, but not massively. I can't comment on the CrossCity line too much, but it's always on time when I catch it, about 4/5 times
I think the reason there quite late is that there on services with alot of stops so would find it harder to make time up, also the Walsall service comes from Wolverhampton which can easily be delayed from late running (cross country, virgin and arriva services)
The stopper normally seems to be the one sacrificed when any other services are late.
Personally I love 323s most of the time. I would not like to use one for a long service (there are rumours they will be used on a Manchester to Birmingham service when the WCML review comes around), but for what they're currently used for, short journeys within the west midlands, they're perfect. Relatively comfortable, nice seating layout for families, light interior and in my opinion a great unique sound.
They're great for stopping services - mine of which never seems to be on time >:( (Birmingham to Wolverhampton)
I don't think they would be good for long services, for 1, their highest speed is 90 mph, secondly, they're like 20 years old and for a service like Manchester to birmingham there will be demand for first class, and the 323s don't provide that. LM are getting some new desiros soon, but I think they're being used to increase capacity from Birmingham to London
Quote from: Badger on May 28, 2012, 10:52:54 AM
The stopper normally seems to be the one sacrificed when any other services are late.
Personally I love 323s most of the time. I would not like to use one for a long service (there are rumours they will be used on a Manchester to Birmingham service when the WCML review comes around), but for what they're currently used for, short journeys within the west midlands, they're perfect. Relatively comfortable, nice seating layout for families, light interior and in my opinion a great unique sound.
Badger-I have only ever seen ONE 323 on a manchester service (in New st) -that was about 10 years ago-well before the desiros were introduced-One of the Longsight sets (blue/white) I think it may have been an emergency relacement for a failed Centro service.It obviously worked straight back to Piccadilly.Never seen one since (gmpt) that is. I wouldn't fancy a long distance service in one. I travel on the X city line a fair bit-as you say,Its not the worst service- I would have said the walsall-wolves 323 service was a lot less reliable- as I found out recently >:(might av bin quicker on the bus from walsall!)
Quote from: 4504 on May 28, 2012, 12:30:51 PM
They're great for stopping services - mine of which never seems to be on time >:( (Birmingham to Wolverhampton)
I don't think they would be good for long services, for 1, their highest speed is 90 mph, secondly, they're like 20 years old and for a service like Manchester to birmingham there will be demand for first class, and the 323s don't provide that. LM are getting some new desiros soon, but I think they're being used to increase capacity from Birmingham to London
Quote from: Badger on May 28, 2012, 10:52:54 AM
The stopper normally seems to be the one sacrificed when any other services are late.
Personally I love 323s most of the time. I would not like to use one for a long service (there are rumours they will be used on a Manchester to Birmingham service when the WCML review comes around), but for what they're currently used for, short journeys within the west midlands, they're perfect. Relatively comfortable, nice seating layout for families, light interior and in my opinion a great unique sound.
They were originally rated at 75mph, so have been upgraded at some point.
They have previously been used on Manchester - Birmingham services (the North Western sets as mentioned before), also B'ham Liverpool services which i've had the 'pleasure' of travelling on many a time - although generally routed on the slow lines twixt Stafford & Crewe due to the 75mph limit. They weren't too bad on these runs, although taking a few beers with you tends to help!
I thought the Birmingham to Lime St services were operated previously by class 170s. Couldn't imagine riding in a class 323 to Manchester, I would have a constant fear of my luggage flying out of the luggage racks. Would be nice if London Midland introduced a service to Manchester Piccadilly to rival CrossCountry
There was a Birmingham (Central Trains) service From B'ham Intl to Manchester Airport But It was discontinued when their franchise was revoked.Pity- Yes-I would prefer to go to Manchester on one of LM's 'Great escape' specials- ie anywhere on their 'system' for £10.Manchester has much more entertainment-A pub with Ladies underwear spread all over the ceiling and a collection of ceramic toiletries!! :) ( Just one example.)-- I only go to liverpool to visit my Hub caps.... ;) :) :)
I like the formula 1 sound when moving off 323's would be good if the walsall-rugeley section was electrified it has improved with 3 car 170's but looking at the seating they seem to hold more correct me if I am wrong. Or any help please Tony
CLASS 323'S HAVE 284 SEATS, WHEREAS 3- CAR CLASS 170'S HAVE JUST UNDER 200.
CLASS 323'S A CLEAR WINNER ON SEATING CAPACITY.
THERE IS PROPOSAL TO ELECTRIFY THE LINE FROM WALSALL TO ALDRIDGE.
THIS WOULD REQUIRE A NEW STAION AT ALDRIDGE, THE OLD ONE WAS CLOSED IN THE 1960'S.
THIS PLAN HAS YET TO RECEIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVAL AND FUNDING.