London Midland Trains

[Tony]

If LM are getting 153s this summer could they not run them on the two car scheduled trips on the Chase line and move a couple of two car 170s to run at Bletchley?  As a stop gap capacity increasing measure? There'd be more seats on the trips then and fresh air. The 2 car 4.42 from new st can be hell

No, Can't run 170s on the Bedford-Bletchley, too long for the platforms. Cannot run 2x153 on there either

[Bob]

What will they use the extra 153s on then? As aren't they coming in and the 3 150s used on that line leaving?

[Tony]

What will they use the extra 153s on then? As aren't they coming in and the 3 150s used on that line leaving?

I reckon in the new franchise Bedford-Bletchley will get ex Underground 230s, which are short length cars, so 2 cars can fit.

[windy miller]

 The converted 230 unit project originally designed for the Coventry-Ricoh line was supposed to have been abandoned due to various problems and considered too expensive to put right..as far as I am aware there was only one unit built for test purposes? one unit would surely not be a viable alternative?

[Roy]

The Class 230 project hasn't been cancelled and a battery powered Class 230 unit is now being tested alongside the diesel version.  What was cancelled was the trial on the Coventry to Nuneaton line because the Kenilworth fire meant that there would be insufficient time for the trial before the LM franchise ends in October. 

What Vivarail needs to find is an alternative test line, which could be anywhere in the country.  For instance, First/MTR have to come up with plans to replace the ageing Isle of Wight units. 

The company selected to operate the West Midlands franchise will be announced in June, so it will be interesting to see if the successful bidder has plans to use the Class 230, either for testing or to operate a line such as Bletchley to Bedford as Tony suggests.  Any rolling stock used on this line would be a short term solution as it will become part of the first section of the East-West line within the next 7 years.  Given that Govia were keen to trial the train in the current franchise, they may be keen to do the same in the new franchise should they retain it.

A report by Adrian Shooter on the future of the Class 230 project can be found at

[mikestone]

Adrian Shooter of course is not an impartial reporter.
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As for the 153 v 150 business surely common sense answer is for LM to keep the 150s and loan the 153s to Northern, allowing Northern to strengthen twice as many trains, albeit with less seats per train.

[Bob]

And reduce capacity on the Chase line even more? The early morning into and especially 5.12 evening out of brum which use 153 are almost unbearable as it is

[busfan2847]

What Vivarail needs to find is an alternative test line, which could be anywhere in the country.  For instance, First/MTR have to come up with plans to replace the ageing Isle of Wight units. 

The D stock is too large to fit through the tunnel in Ryde from the seafront to St John's Rd.

When they electrified the line in 1967 they had to raise the tracks through the tunnel giving it a reduced loading gauge. Only tube trains will fit through there without extensive civil engineering.

[T840MAK]

Adrian Shooter of course is not an impartial reporter.
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As for the 153 v 150 business surely common sense answer is for LM to keep the 150s and loan the 153s to Northern, allowing Northern to strengthen twice as many trains, albeit with less seats per train.

Northern are getting rid of their 153s, so why would they want more? LM are getting more 153s to help strengthen their current services as well as replace the 150s.

[Tony]

Northern are getting rid of their 153s, so why would they want more? LM are getting more 153s to help strengthen their current services as well as replace the 150s.

That's of course if FGW can release them before the change of franchise.

Transfer of 165s from London to Bristol & the West Country a bit behind

[Bob]

But the 150s are used on the Bedford to Bletchley line ? And a 2 car 153 apparently can't work it? So what will replace the 150s? Hopefully they'll put the 153s on the back of the 2 car trips on the Chase line!

[Tony]

There's also the Leamington-Kenilworth-Coventry service starting

[Bob]

Well hopefully they'll shift some chappy 2 car 170 onto it then. The air con wasn't working on a rammed 2 car one the other day. Boiling on it can't imagine it'll be fun in the summer. 153s are noisy as he'll but nicer to listen to than a 170 and also plenty of air!

[T840MAK]

But the 150s are used on the Bedford to Bletchley line ? And a 2 car 153 apparently can't work it? So what will replace the 150s? Hopefully they'll put the 153s on the back of the 2 car trips on the Chase line!

2/150 and 1/153 on the Marston Vale will be replaced by 2x1/153.
I assume the 150 on Birmingham to Hereford will be replaced by 2/153.
No doubt the fourth 153 will be used on Cov-Nun

Number five and number six, I can't say.

[Tony]

2/150 and 1/153 on the Marston Vale will be replaced by 2x1/153.
I assume the 150 on Birmingham to Hereford will be replaced by 2/153.
No doubt the fourth 153 will be used on Cov-Nun

Number five and number six, I can't say.

The reason one of the Marston Vale services is a 150 is because a single 153 cannot cope with a crowd of school children on one trip