Last day on The Cross City Line for the class 323s today.

[@joemercedeschannel196]

I am so gonna miss these units. They were so nice to ride on. Especially with the motor sounds they have got. One of the most iconic sounds in the West Midlands. Goodbye WMR Class 323 (1994 - 2024)

[@antman09ful1]

Yes Joe I agree with you, they will be missed around the West Midlands.

[@SiddoNotts]

Oh, such sad news. The start-up & the slowing-down-to-stop sounds bring back some great memories of exploring the Birmingham area!

[@antman09ful1]

Yes indeed that sound we will always remember, cheers for your comment.

[@matt154uk9]

Super footage of these fine units. Shall miss seeing them around the Midlands.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes and that sound they made.

[@MiaGrace-v7k]

The class 323 are my fav and I’m gonna miss them

[@antman09ful1]

Yes me too, I loved the sounds from the engines.

[@powhaha]

@@antman09ful1engines? You mean motor

[@powhaha]

also northern still operate them

[@colingarwood9971]

Great video Mike, that's another class of emu that has served the comunity well over the years. Mind you i had a ride in a class 730 out of Euston the other week and personaly thought it was a good ride with a spacious interier. As for me well the weather is dreadful again but at least your videos can keep me sane .Take care and all the best Mike, regards, Colin.

[@antman09ful1]

Oh dear Colin sorry to hear the weather hasn't been very good, we have just had a two day break in Devon and it was dry. Regarding the railtour I had to cover it as its in my area, and I must say I will miss them, ATB Mike.

[@JakeLikesTrains]

I am really gonna miss the 323s, they were my childhoood as a train lover and carried my local line. I can imagine myself just crying after fliming the farewell tour

[@antman09ful1]

Oh dear Jake I get how you will feel tomorrow. Its all very sad but most have gone up north now.

[@allan5919]

A nice look at the class 323 units before their demise Mike. Excellent video. 👍 Cheers - Allan.

[@antman09ful1]

Glad you enjoyed it this video, I suppose the new one's had to come on service Allan, they have been around on test for the last three years. ATB Mike.

[@edsutton115]

Good that you got some footage on the last day, which I didn't manage in the end. The 323s have nostalgia value for me but, having been on the new units a number of times now, I think they are excellent trains and it's good to see significant investment in the Cross City line.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I agree what you are saying Ed, I too have used the new 730 which do the job for that line, I noticed one on the Birmingham International to Rugeley service last week. Cheers for watching regards Mike.

[@pmallenuk]

They did a good job following the electrification of the Cross City. I’ll still ride on a Northern one occasionally

[@antman09ful1]

Indeed you will get to hear that magical sound.

[@TrainTraction]

It's a very sad goodbye to the West Mids 323s Mike, they will definitely be missed around there with the unique livery especially 221. Another gooden from you. You've done well getting these. Very nice indeed. Really enjoyed, thanks for sharing. Take care, have an awesome day and all the best! Jamie

[@antman09ful1]

You have got most of them up your way now Jamie so you will be hearing that great sound for a long time, thanks for your thoughts on these great British units, Mike.

[@TrainTraction]

​@antman09ful1 That is true Mike, of course, never a problem!

[@sundaysearchers811]

I used to do the 2 stops to University from New Street everyday. Some days standing room only. The 730s have more seats! But sound ordinary compared to the musical 323s motors.

[@antman09ful1]

Well you know that sound the 323 made is imbedded in you head I would say travelling on them all the time, cheers for your comment.

[@UKTransportVideos82]

Nice to see 323 in retro livery mike good video

[@antman09ful1]

Thank you Andrew, I filmed the final tour today, cheers Mike.

[@benGBRf]

Great video Mike. A real West Mids workhorse over the years and will be missed. See you tomorrow 👍🏻

[@antman09ful1]

Well said Ben, the new 730s have taken years to work on the CCL, and now it feels its all happen over night. Yes see you tomorrow.

[@JacobsTrainVideos]

Excellent video Mike!! Sad to see these go although I never got to experience them myself they have been a great workhorse for the West Midlands depsite not getting off to the best start! The 730s do look like nice trains though and will be interesting to see how they perform!

[@antman09ful1]

Well Jacob I filmed a class 730 at my local station in 2022 so its taken a very long time to get them into service, today I did get out to film the farewell tour which ran late twice. Hope you have a good week, Mike.

[@rubyait]

Wow! Passenger trains on the Antman! Great looking. It’s hard to believe they are going off.

[@antman09ful1]

I do film good passenger trains sometimes Thomas.

[@RedShedNick]

Great shots there Mike, sure you will miss them, as for us we have even more of then now on Northern Rail! Hoe long for, i hsve no idea. Enjoyed cheers Nick.

[@antman09ful1]

Sounds are great that we get from them Nick, the one's which are still in the area will be scrapped. Cheers Mike.

[@ukrailspotter21]

R.I.P WMR 323s they'll be missed on the CCL unless they're go to Northern. Great video, Mike and thanks for sharing 👍

[@antman09ful1]

They will Arnold, I have seen some in the Preston area.

[@ukrailspotter21]

@antman09ful1 Oh, nice one 👍

[@Thornaby37]

Great footage 👍 They will be missed in the West Midlands, but thankfully most of them are going to Northern

[@antman09ful1]

Yes that is right, and Northern have got them already, the rest are going for scrap except 221.

[@SimonTog]

Nice video Mike :)

[@antman09ful1]

Thanks.

[@ENCTrainspotting]

Such a shame to see the 323s go on the Cross City line Mike, at least Northern are having them! Great video anyway! 👍👍👍

[@antman09ful1]

Thanks for the comment ENC, I believe Northern have got what is needed up north, and the one's which are left at Solo Depot will be scrapped except 221.

[@ENCTrainspotting]

@@antman09ful1 👍👍👍

[@marc21091]

So farewell then to a well-designed, attractive train with a pleasant interior, plenty of seats facing each other, and welcome a new train with cramped hard seating with high backs and a lack of views out. The 323s were Metro-Cammell's last design. They derive from the Class 151 DMU which we should have had instead of the Cl 150 in the 1980s....

[@antman09ful1]

Yes a well said comment you have put together, cheers.

[@michaelbushell4356]

Totally disagree. The seating on the 730 is much better, there’s no 3+2 seats meaning standing passengers can easily spread through the carriage, it’s easy to walk from one end of the train to the other and the 730 has air conditioning.

[@edsutton115]

​@@michaelbushell4356 The window views are actually excellent too.

[@deauvilledad07]

Sad to see another class of units being cascaded off to pastures new. Who's going to get them next week then? Nice bit for the archive, well done 🤓

[@antman09ful1]

Tony the one's which Northern want have already gone north, but the few which are left in the area will sadly be scrapped. Thank you for watching but I will be out tomorrow for the farewell tour.

[@maimadha]

The West Midlands Railway 323s will be missed

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I agree pal.

[@daffyduk77]

Fully-openable windows are a bonus too, shame now. beats aircon for me

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I do agree with you sir.

[@HSTPaul]

Good video. A 323 to a 730... A big downgrade in my opinion.

[@antman09ful1]

Yes I must agree with your comment Paul.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

😢

[@antman09ful1]

Yes you know all about them.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

@@antman09ful1 The open space of the drivers cab, plus a window you can see out of are among the reasons they are so highly regarded by drivers. But top of the list has to be the sound they make when pulling off.

[@MiaGrace-v7k]

2:21

[@antman09ful1]

OK

[@tattoo1084]

Another gone, hope the new one's last.

[@antman09ful1]

Time will tell David, cheers for your comment Mike.

[@nataliehilton]

Can anyone tell me why class 323's are being sent to Wigan depot for use to Liverpool? They are HATED as much as the pacer trains. Even youtuber Jago Hazarrd has made a film about them. Those things should have been sent to be recycled into razor blades or washing machines. They are horrid.

[@antman09ful1]

Ok, thank you for your thoughts pal.