The Class 333! Britain's most FUTURISTIC looking train?

This week, we head to West Yorkshire, to check out Northern's rather futuristic looking Class 333 sets!
Date of Travel: May 2022
Class of Travel: Standard Class (2nd Class)
Rolling Stock: Class 333
Operator: Northern Trains Limited
Service type: Ordinary Passenger
Train Number: 2V39
Origin: Ilkley, City of Bradford, West Yorkshire
Destination: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Cost of Ticket: £3.85 ($4.85, €4.50; including railcard discount of a third)
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#Northern #Class333 #trains
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[@DannySapko]

From San Francisco to Guiseley in two weeks! Gotta love the Wharfedale line.

[@blackman-bp4tq]

?

[@EuroDC1990]

I do like these trains, growing up in Rotherham I remember going to Leeds with my dad at the age of 10 and seeing these. Couldn't help but be fascinated by them, try just looked so completely modern and otherworldly than the Pacers, Sprinters and HSTs I was more used to. Now I'm older but I still think they have a certain charm to them, more than anything else though i love the automated announcements. They all sound somehow so chirpy... Which is weird when the train is going to Bradford 😂

[@chrisk_nfl4120]

The announcements sound like they're being made by creepy androids from the Alien series!

[@not_lewis2649]

Class 332 is looking up from its grave

[@Howardthompson]

Have always liked the 333's - certainly much better trains than the more modern 331's. You should let Mrs Dylan have a speaking part in your videos, you two could become the new Geoff and Vikki!

[@LiveFromLondon2]

No, that is not a good idea. Always a mistake letting your woman get involved in your stuff.

[@TheCatOfWarCSGO]

I think they're both pretty good. The 331s are much more rapid and have a better internal layout (2+2 with tables), as well as sounding really sci-fi in the motor coaches, but the 333s feel smoother and a bit more elegant even if they're not as quick. Can't go wrong with either :)

[@maryburger1232]

She did the video for the 1e of April this year, she did a great job !

[@DarkLeaf]

@@LiveFromLondon2 bro what

[@GuyArab]

I travelled on them from Leeds to Skipton and return on a daily basis for work. I always selected a two seater, facing the back of another, rather than a face to face combination. I quite liked them and, of course, you get used to them, even if legroom is a bit tight.

[@parshakamarsh]

The two seaters are definitely the ones to use, especially at peak times

[@roundandroundmyworld]

The 333s certainly do look futuristic -- I'm right with you there. And I always enjoy the little bits of trivia that you share about the many towns your train rides pass through.

[@NamiTemeraireHusky]

Despite being 3+2 seating, probably one of the more comfy trains I've ridden on. The aircon is the real winner on these though, I had one last year where the aircon was pushing out some properly cold air on a very hot summer's day. WiFi can be a bit hit and miss, but in reality absolutely zero complaints about them (much prefer them to the 331s that also show up, with the silly amount of tables that just aren't needed).

[@Nathanstrains]

You should ride the 318s in Scotland there are very comfy. They run with 320s on Suburban Glasgow Lines.

[@NamiTemeraireHusky]

@@Nathanstrains they're on the bucket list... Just getting up there is the problem! 😅

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

Got to try out Northern Rail some day whenever I'm back in England someday.

[@naoisecooke6079]

Hi Dylan, Great video as always!!! Just asking if you are going to do a trip report in Ireland soon??? Keep up the great work!

[@DylansTravelReports]

I'm looking into it!

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

@@DylansTravelReports If you go to Derry make sure you sit on the right for the sea views!

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Yes the classic route would be Dublin-Belfast (or vice versa). Best combine it with a ferry crossing from the UK mainland.

[@TheSpotify95]

Seems decent enough for the routes that they offer, though I can't help but think that 2+2 seating would be better, especially if (a) the services aren't that busy and (b) there are 4 coaches in each train. That said, it seemed reasonable enough and cheap enough, too.

[@haveyoutakenyourmeds]

I've used these trains on a few of the routes from leeds and they can be ram packed around the traditional commute times. Certainly between bradofrd and leeds.

[@John_Fugazzi]

The highlight for me was the beautiful, green English countryside rolling by.

[@jasonmoffat679]

I remember seeing these once in Leeds and couldn't help but want to go to one still one of my favourite trains to this day just behind the 158

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Thanks for another great video Dylan. Yes they are similar to the former HEX stock which I used to use on numerous occasions. I believe an airport train should be 'special' because after all it's what foreign visitors see after they arrive, an airport would want to promote itself (witness Narita Express) and fares (on airport trains) are invariably higher. So how disappointing that HEX now uses 'normal' trains.

[@LeeRender1980]

Ilkley to Bradford would normally be half-hourly Monday to Saturday daytime but have had to be reduced to hourly (together with the Skipton to Bradford) owing to ongoing resource issues which Northern currently have. In the next couple of years the units will also return to work on the Leeds to Doncaster route as a major shift round of 331s / timetable changes will occur which requires the full inter-lining of the units again - some thing not done since they were introduced.

[@lewiss626]

So the 333 will move to Leeds-Docaster?

[@arnoldspottingvideos5269]

Well I think the class 333s were very nice trains and they still go strong in Northern

[@brianknowles7130]

Nice to see a UK trip report. thks

[@SL-Kanalen]

That train reminds me of the southeastern 465 train.

[@GamingPanda679]

Thats what i was thinking!

[@naturallyherb]

Nice to see these still around despite the demise of the Class 332 on Heathrow Express!

[@danielsellers8707]

I think Northern should have got the 332s but they were said to be high mileage and didn't have the TPWS (due to ATP on the Great Western Main Line).

[@NaenaeGaming]

Nice to see the 333s on the channel! Personally like these units, although preferred the pre refurb look with the old purple moquete, less harsh lighting and the old Metro livery! Also a shame they didn’t replace the 5 abreast seating with lower density seating, as these trains never seem to be full.

[@MurraySteel3.14]

My home-line! It is a very underrated, little journey; along with the delightful stretch through Esholt & Dawson Woods, between Guiseley and Shipley.

[@bozzalewis8399]

A very nice route for sure! Been along there a few times on those and the new electric CAF stock seeing my grandparents

[@hk-2497]

What's crazy is that Bradford to Leeds takes three more minutes, and is half the distance.

[@parshakamarsh]

I've used these trains regularly on the Bradford to Skipton route, and believe me they get packed at peak times. Good reliable trains though

[@oliverbrookes27]

Good trip, I still prefer the 333 over newer stock and a seat in the 6 is the sensible choice! You have a slight error in the commentary. Bradford and the Wharfedale and Airedale valley towns grew out of the riches from the wool trade, not cotton.

[@lewiscourtney5740]

Nice to see Yorkshire getting some much needed newer trains.

[@danielroach5415]

3+2 seating needs to do one!

[@Transpennine]

I’ve been from Bradford - Leeds, Ilkley and skipton So many times on these class 333’s!

[@bobmmann3917]

Nice clean and modern train, although I can imagine it could get quickly quite unpleasant if even moderately full at rush hour. Not the best commute after a busy day. Great review as always.

[@christophernoble6810]

3+2 seating is a bit of a squash with our restricted loading gauge! The seats did look comfortable enough. I wonder whether the bouncing is down to the track, though. Overall appearance of these units is good. Need more lines to be electrified, we are so far behind in this country.

[@chriswilkes4350]

Quite lovely.

[@CarolgTX]

Nice commuter train, and you are right. The views were lively! All the greenery was beautiful!

[@johncrwarner]

I hope you were wearing a hat when near Ilkley Moor LOL Remember the cautionary song: "On Ilkley Moor bar t'at"

[@theblockybanana5537]

The song itself actually goes “On Ilka Moor Bar t’at”, even thought the place is Ilkley Moor. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Ilkla_Moor_Baht_%27at#Theme

[@lukeainley9528]

Have been on this route many times so glad your back in the mighty Yorkshire

[@caggywaggy8779]

I think you should do more British trip reports, that’s just my opinion though :)

[@Tracker158snow]

you did it....you reviewed the trains I grew up on....

[@HumbertoMesa]

Thanks folk for the ride !!! 🇺🇾

[@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509]

Super video! Nice train ride! Big 👍😉

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

On Ilkley Moor baht'at! The platforms 3 and 4 are now under the M&S Car Park, they used to be the through platforms for Skipton.

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Quite a nice train ride out from Leeds to Ilkley. Good Town for a night out too fabulous selection of pubs and bars.

[@dannydanny9875]

8:56 Dylan got some new Specs! Cool!

[@TB76Returns]

These trains run on my local line, so I am totally used to them. I sometimes call them the Airedale units.

[@greyshadow9498]

On a crowded day I hope you REALLY like the people you're with! God bless the poor sod who get's the middle seat!

[@InvertedCreeper1611]

Haha local line go brrrrrrrrrr

[@ampersand.]

Lovely scenery, great to see the verdant English outdoors :)

[@AutoUnder]

I do love the modern appearance of these units; it's a shame it wasn't practical for Northern to get hold of the 332s, they would've worked really well up here. Also I do wish the PIS announcements would be updated to Trisha to fit in with the rest of the Northern fleet

[@LeeRender1980]

Siemens whom maintain the units don’t like having to go in and mess as it requires a lot of work to do things. There’s a business case in process to update the PIS on the 333s to either a 331 or 15x system as the current legacy system can not be updated easily hence Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge and other messages have no vocals.

[@NaenaeGaming]

While the PIS definitely needs updating, considering it doesn’t work half the time and the driver has to make announcements instead, it would be a shame to lose that good old “Welcome to the Leeds train!” I’m also not prepared to hear the same butchered pronunciation of Frizinghall as on the 331s.

[@AutoUnder]

@@NaenaeGaming yes that is the one iconic feature of it and it will be a shame to lose that

[@AutoUnder]

@@LeeRender1980 Just saw a Facebook post from Northern showing them installing the TrainFX screens in a 333, it appears as though the PIS has been replaced now!

[@LeeRender1980]

@@AutoUnder I thinks it's a Digital media centre which is different to TrainFx system - but yes the final bits of the refurb are now finally happening

[@Cazkumali]

I’d recommend a West Yorkshire daysaver ticket train that if you were visiting more places in West Yorkshire which is £9.10 Valid from 0930 Monday to Fridays upto 1600 & then valid again after 1830 but you can use them all day Sat/Sun & Bank Holidays

[@thatfootballfan5371]

Love the class 333s

[@johnlang4198]

You'll catch your death of cold, Dylan! You were on Ilkley Moor bah'tat!

[@andrewwilson6240]

Some really nice scenery there. I've never been on a 333, but internally they remind me of 350s 3hich I have used lots.

[@louisthetravelspotter]

dylan mate iv been on these 333 units before as i live in ripon when i went to skipton once i went on 333009 i loved the interia and everything else

[@Ztbmrc1]

Nice trains. You said they are 20 years old? They look very new. Only the very bright blue seats, almost hurts the eye! :)

[@markdavies8467]

7:00 … Great iPhone holders 😉

[@jackcrawford3921]

Could you do Leeds to Knottingley or Knottingley to Leeds please? (do bear in mind that there are two Leeds--Knottingley routes though, one via Castleford and one via Wakefield Kirkgate)

[@judithcatlett8518]

I just think it’s cool you have so many local rail systems. We have none here in America that I’m aware of.

[@1dkappe]

Quite a number of cities have local commuter trains - New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, DC - probably a few more.

[@TheSitruc46]

Pleasant little journey.

[@hoonami139]

Y2K aesthetic trains. One of my regrets from my 2017 trip to the UK was not riding their cousins, the class 332s, when I had the chance

[@Cloudrak]

Well at least you didn't pay an overpriced fare.

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@LiveFromLondon2]

The Free Free Freeze.

[@harrierjames7727]

Best commuter sets in the UK

[@johnrafferty8087]

Not done Ilkley but been on class 333 units from Leeds to Keighley and Skipton loads. We has sister class 332 units down here from Paddington to Heathrow

[@dannypaulread1023]

Remember when the 333s replaced the old 308 units which were handed down from the LTS line of Network Sourh East!

[@peterdean8009]

Oh yes, the 308 bouncy castles!

[@videonut1988]

They look like the former cars for the Heathrow Express…

[@fredericvanfraechem]

Hey Dylan! Nice video, say, are you planning on doing some travels in Belgium? Heard they have a sleeper train to austria now! Keep it up man!

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

The service is called nightjet and is operated by ÖBB the Austrian Federal Railway company. Night trains are making a return.

[@timbounds7190]

I thought you said that Bicycles can be 'bought' on board, rather than brought on board!

[@DylansTravelReports]

It's a new Northern service 😉

[@timbounds7190]

@@DylansTravelReports Yeah....for Northern I guess that its anything to get rid of those Pesky passengers!

[@countludwigvonnippeltassel]

Another enjoyable video, thanks! Just a thought, but do you have any plans to take a look at the Merseyrail Class 507/8s before they're withdrawn after nearly 45 years service?

[@DylansTravelReports]

I might do

[@fatihburek]

electric moving fishbowl

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Enjoyable video Dylan, many thanks. I used to commute into London on trains with 3+2 seating. Fine if your fellow travellers were, shall we say, of the slimmer variety, but not so great if they were (as most of us are) of more 'traditional build'. I often elected to stand if the only seat available was the middle one of three. The similar Heathrow Express units were withdrawn due to corrosion problems. Has that been an issue on these 333 units I wonder. I do agree with you, they're one of the better looking of the EMUs now operating in the UK.

[@maimadha]

The 333s don't have corrosion damage

[@Andrewjg_89]

To be honest I do like Northern Class 332. I also do like the traction sound of the Class 332 which sounds similar to the London Underground Jubilee Line 1996 Stock.

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip. What an unique train.

[@LucasVanderBartlett]

If you want expensive, Just take a look at the return prices for Watford Junction to Watford North.

[@DailyAviaton]

Great report, Dylan!

[@Charlizzie]

1:00 2:55 Still looks good as 20 years before and the exterior looks noice. 2:29 6:46 Ahhhh, it's Dylan's girlfriend! 3:32 Face reveal!! Great video Dylan!

[@ametrinemoon]

Mobile phone held in boobage 7:00 LOL I was a tad like what the? We should have a video about what does Mrs Dylan recommend stuffing in the boobage to avoid getting lost?

[@elijade99]

Hi, I have to address this since I am the phone boob girl 😅 me and Dylan had stopped for a drink with our lunch and I thought it would be funny to see if I could gey him footage filmed with my cleavage as a tripod. Didn't realise it had made it's way into the video but oh well! (And for the record the footage was surprisingly steady albeit slightly wonky)

[@southwesterncamper4848]

I remember when these were on the Heathrow Express. Unless they were another very similar looking It must be a generation thing, but I don't get the whole unspeaking thing 😃

[@chbmckie]

That was the 332 which these 333s were based off of. These are slightly different though.

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Ilkley is part of Leeds since it has an 'LS' postcode but falls under the control of Bradford council. I prefer the new trains with tables in them. The longest journey is around 40-45 minutes between Skipton and Leeds. I used to live in Burley-in-Wharfedale until i moved at the beginning of November 2018. Just like Ilkley all those places on the line are part of Leeds.

[@Queensburyheights]

@George Macpherson. With all due respect, postcodes enable the Post Office to deliver mail as efficiently as possible having regard to the density and distribution of population and location of head and district sorting offices. Consequently postcodes are completely independent of local authority boundaries. By your own admission Ilkley is under the control of Bradford council. My brother has a "BD" postcode but he doesn't live in Bradford. He lives in Birkenshaw which is in Kirklees but the Post Office deems it most efficient to deliver his mail from a Bradford sorting office. I live in the London Borough of Haringey and the postcodes that cover Haringey are all "N". But adjoining Haringey to the north is the London Borough of Enfield, the southern part of the borough being covered by "N" postcodes as Haringey, but the northern part being covered by "EN" postcodes as are Waltham Cross and Cheshunt which are not even in London but in Hertfordshire. I can absolutely assure you that your postcode does not necessarily tell you where you live, it is to whom you pay your council tax that tells you that.

[@georgemacpherson1992]

@@Queensburyheights not all of the city will with a curtain post code will be under the local council.

[@Transportationspotting]

Hello Dylan, this was an excellent video as always, thanks Dylan, great videos have always been a guarantee.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thank you 😁

[@paultidd9332]

I never knew originally they were only 3 car units; at rush hour that must have been more cosy than it already is with 4 cars!! Perhaps a trip on the new 331’s is needed as a comparison?

[@DylansTravelReports]

I might do one, but tbh, I find the 331s to be just as bad as the 195s.

[@dragonheatgaming5005]

Really need to visit ilkley, it's been years since the last I was there

[@cannedmelono0789]

My favourite brittish train

[@stmisbehavin662]

A note about the captioning: Please take the e out of "Ilkely" and give it back to "Wharfdale".

[@shirleynitka5030]

It's a shame that the aisles are so narrow. Also only one loo might be a problem. The train did seem fine otherwise. I believe they should do away with the seating of 6. Nobody would have decent leg room sitting like that. It's a good thing that you can choose you own seat. Be well. See you next Friday.

[@gazzythomas]

Off peak a West Yorkshire day saver might be a gpod option

[@froedlmetallmann4643]

@DylansTravelReports I challenge you to cover the Erfurt - Ilmenau route in Thuringia, Germany. I've travelled that one a lot in the past, and it deserves your visit.

[@BibtheBoulder]

The 333's remind me of an updated version of the old 310......

[@pritamkoli]

Five star coverage

[@shacarioking5149]

333 also known as the fishbowl

[@TheTrainiac377]

Ah yes, the Fishbowl

[@skeepo4862]

FISHBOWL!!!

[@enricomonti156]

I've travelled as far as Skipton on that line, and can say it's been amazing despite all the things they say about Northern

[@ElijahsTransport]

Nice

[@harryelliott4310]

Northern Class 333

[@johnbowyer6902]

It's odd that this line is electrified, yet the line from Leeds to York and Manchester are not as of yet. Ummm.! Nice vlog though, though.

[@ArchiezAviation]

Ah yes Fishbowls

[@HMPeterHearty7818]

lovely fishbowls

[@aaronparsons877]

Can u go to Newcastle and do a trip there?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Perhaps at some point.

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Boa tarde Dylans lindo trem gostei bom

[@AymanTravelTransport]

If only more of these were built; the new CAF stuff (195/331) look like cheap plasticky garbage in comparison to these solid units!

[@mano_max_sakuragi]

But their acceleration is REALLY quick like tube trains, honestly.

[@AymanTravelTransport]

@@mano_max_sakuragi that's definitely a plus, as well as more spacious seating with tables and armrests; however the 333 has a better aesthetic overall

[@DylansTravelReports]

This 🙌

[@c1p1moore]

Another great vLog 👌

[@RyanMatt]

thought you had almost forgotten the loo review !

[@thomasmoorhouse7793]

Hello from Crossflatts

[@henrys_trains_westcoast]

Fish bowl train!!