Electrostar

Astrovana · Post by **Astrovana** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:07 pm

I recently travelled to Birmingham on the train from Northampton. The train I travelled on was a class 350 electrostar. Can anyone fill me in about these trains and when they were introduced?

simont · Post by **simont** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:29 pm

They're Desiros rather than Electrostars. Introduced earlier this year, they were originally to be a "growth" order for South West Trains, but that fell through, so they were converted to AC traction. They are shared between Silverlink and Central Trains (which may eventually become 1 TOC), and currently run outer-suburban services out of Euston (shared with 321s), plus various Central services, mainly Birmingham to Liverpool or Northampton.

They will also run an occasional "Trent Valley local" service during the Winter timetable, providing a more stopping service between Euston and Liverpool a few times a day. There are also plans for them to operate some of Virgin's Manchester to Birmingham services, but Virgin are resisting this, which is a shame, as it would make perfect sense (It's an entirely electrified route).

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 4:36 pm

Class 350/1 Siemens Desiro unit. Similar to the South West Trains Class 450 Outer-Suburban (Blue) Desiros, but with 2+2 seating, etc. In fact, they were to be SWT Desiros until the SRA got their grubby mitts on them. They've been working since April (this year) on Central Trains running Birmingham-Northampton and Birmingham-Liverpool/Preston, and on Silverlink with Northampton-Euston 'fast' services. They are operated as a common pool between Silverlink and Central. Mechanically the same to Class 450, only fitted with pantographs and associated equipment for operation on the 25kV. Anything I've missed?

Astrovana · Post by **Astrovana** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:40 pm

Thanks for filling me in. Just out of curiosity, what is the sharing between silverlink and central with these trains. Is it 50/50 or something else. Or do they have their own units which just run their routes?

barrymcguire9999 · Post by **barrymcguire9999** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:20 pm

They are common user, currently there is a diagram where a unit starts off on Silverlink work to Euston and ends up on Birmingham/Liverpool in the afternoon, all bar 2 have now visited Liverpool...(350102/5)

skipperdipper · Post by **skipperdipper** » Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:43 pm

350's first worked to Liverpool in September. This calls at Wolverhampton, Penkridge, Stafford, Crewe, Winsford, Hartford, Acton Bridge, Runcorn and Mossley Hill. Central Trains only calls at Mossley Hill during the morning peak.

Currently they also operate a once daily Birmingham New Street-Preston service, which calls at Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston, then returns to Crewe ecs.

I saw a pair of Desiros at Lime Street once. According to the boards they were to form a Norwich service!

Rob

allypally · Post by **allypally** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:58 am

Central Trains only calls at Mossley Hill

Not quite true, 1751 New Street to Liverpool Lime Street also calls Mossley Hill.

Astrovana · Post by **Astrovana** » Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:08 pm

thanks. All sorted now!