London Midland Trains

[JIM H]

First TransPennine Express have just one more Class 350 left to be delivered to complete their present order, we should see the new  London Midland 350's arriving at about 2 units per month.

[Tony]

First TransPennine Express have just one more Class 350 left to be delivered to complete their present order, we should see the new  London Midland 350's arriving at about 2 units per month.

I was shown the full delivery schedule this morning by one of LM's fleet Managers, at least they are fairly close to 350/1 spec. Surprised me the numbers are going to be 350 368-377, all reference I had seen before today referred to 350301-10

[Sh4318]

Staff on strike again.

Did anybody have any problems? I travelled on Friday and Saturday on the Snow Hill line and had no trouble.

A few Birmingham - Liverpools got cancelled, to my displeasure

[JIM H]

I suppose it makes sense to start the new batch of LM Class 350's with 350368 because it keeps their batch in numerical order if you use only the last two digits, although as you say, all previous info i've seen states it would be 350301.

[Isle of Stroma]

Staff on strike again.

Did anybody have any problems? I travelled on Friday and Saturday on the Snow Hill line and had no trouble.

Cancellations on Saturday afternoon/evening, 1/2 hourly service from Kidderminster. No idea if this was a staffing or engineering issue, didn't bother checking as I fell out of the K&C in time for a service thanks to RTT.

One thing that severely annoys me though is when there are weekend cancellations (for whatever reason) on this line, the remaining services are NEVER strengthened. You can travel off peak during the week & 10 min. frequency services are up to load 5. Yet come the evening rush on a Saturday with half the services cancelled, yes you've guessed it just 2 coaches  >:( . - Still, that's preferable to the abject s***e rail replacement services which I avoid like the plague when they are in operation.

[windy miller]

First TransPennine Express have just one more Class 350 left to be delivered to complete their present order, we should see the new  London Midland 350's arriving at about 2 units per month.

I saw the latest TP unit (350409) in the maintenance shop at Ardwick traincare depot (8th March). I was told It will need some repairs due to a buffer-shunt apparently. (It was quite possible that 408 may have been behind it but not visible). 403+407 were in service, and 401,402,404 and ixIUD were stabled outside. I believe unit 406 was stabled at preston earlier in the day for D/training.

[JIM H]

First TransPennine Express last Class 350, 350410 was delivered to Manchester today.
LM'S new batch are next.

[Tony]

First TransPennine Express last Class 350, 350410 was delivered to Manchester today.
LM'S new batch are next.

350368 & 350369 are due to arrive at Kings Heath depot (Northampton not Birmingham) this Wednesday. They should venture out under their own power for the first time on 7th April with a test run to Stafford & back, due in Stafford around 11am

[JIM H]

350368 through Nuneaton at 11.58 on its way back to Northampton from Stafford, in LM livery.

[Tony]

350368 through Nuneaton at 11.58 on its way back to Northampton from Stafford, in LM livery.

Not out tomorrow, so don't bother going looking for it!

[Sh4318]

Stay away from the Wolverhampton - Birmingham line tonight if you can help it. A line side fire at Dudley Port means trains are cancelled, delayed and late running. All the Liverpools are calling at all stations, but even they are running late. Shrewsburys are terminating at Wolverhampton

[Isle of Stroma]

Stay away from the Wolverhampton - Birmingham line tonight if you can help it. A line side fire at Dudley Port means trains are cancelled, delayed and late running. All the Liverpools are calling at all stations, but even they are running late. Shrewsburys are terminating at Wolverhampton

Yep, baled off the 17:58 ex Stourbridge this evening at Galton Bridge, in order to catch the Arriva to B'ham International. Of course, you don't find out about the chaos until the 172 doors are closing. Cue 20-ish minute wait for the next Snow Hill service - which of course was a s*dding 2 car unit.

To top it off, my 350 from New Street was a further 12 minutes late due to various other farces...

[Tony]

350368 http://wmbusphotos.com/Trains/class350/350368.html
350369 http://wmbusphotos.com/Trains/class350/350369.html

ran North from Northampton to Crewe today for storage before entering service in a couple of weeks

[Sh4318]

350368 http://wmbusphotos.com/Trains/class350/350368.html
350369 http://wmbusphotos.com/Trains/class350/350369.html

ran North from Northampton to Crewe today for storage before entering service in a couple of weeks

I take it they'll be stored until the May timetable begins?

[mikestone]

Seems rather odd to store them at Crewe they already have to stable some in the platforms overnight, not a good idea given their propensity for toilet defects..
;
It has been stated that they are going on hire to TPE for the duration of the Commonwealth games - certainly there is no reference to the extra trains from Euston in LM's new booklet.
One change that is going ahead is that the 06.52 Crewe-Euston will be eight cars and no longer call at Alsager, Kidsgrove and Stone with the 06.56 Crewe-Birmingham starting at 06.35 and stopping there instead - its a pity they don't show as much concern for the general  public as Network Rail staff travelling to Milton Keynes!