The LAST DAYS of the Class 323s on the Cross City Line

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

brilliant video the West Midlands Railway class 323s are great i have memories of seeing them while passing through Birmingham in my younger years while travelling from the South to the North & i did a week in the Midlands earlier this year & spent a day on the Cross City line where i got to ride some 323s & i even got a shot of 221 which again the regional Railways livery brings back memories i will admit i will miss them & at least well get to enjoy the Northern class 323s & its good to see that some of the WMR 323s will be used by Northern

[@donovanemery597]

Some already are, Michael. Piccadilly to Stoke-on-Trent and Piccadilly to Crewe.

[@lovefive5733]

A great video, I'm lucky as the WMR 323,s are moving over to Northern so hopefully I'll be able to nab a ride on some of them. Thank you for uploading this video 😊😊

[@Desiro360]

Great video. Glad you got to enjoy a final ride on the 323's on the Cross City Line.

[@Theo5550]

RIP WMR 323's, we will all miss them alot, the 730's have officially taken over

[@MrGreatplum]

Looking at these trains, they are quite featureless but the best thing about them surely is the noise they make 😜

[@johnwayne2896]

Great video Simon

[@sr6424]

I live in Barnt Gen. It’s A nightmare going south. Currently if you want to go to Worcester you get 15 minute connection at Bromsgrove. Coming back it’s 40 minute. Mainly due to the next cross city at Bromsgrove not stopping at Barnt Green. Now we have 730s with better acceleration, all trains will eventually call at Barnt Green. Barnt Green may be a small village but passengers from Redditch use the station as an interchange!

[@Sim0nTrains]

I did notice that the service to Bromsgrove I was on didn't call at Barnt Green but the service back did call at Barnt Green but do agree that Barnt Green does need more services. Before the election there was plans to try and get the services reinstated to 6 trains per hour but not sure what happening to that

[@jiml6026]

I’m not sure many people from Redditch use Barnt Green as an interchange. The 52/52A bus is quicker and cheaper, but I agree it seems sensible to stop every cross city at BTG.

[@sr6424]

@@jiml6026 they do. Last year there were 50,000 recorded interchanges. Reference ORR.

[@jakewynn]

The new trains acceleration is MINIMAL compared to the 323s. The only difference is top speed, something to which I wonder if they will actually get to use.

[@sr6424]

@@Sim0nTrains they can’t stop both ways. Which is a complete pain. As the connection back from Worcester is 45 minute wait. It was 6 trains per hour before lockdown. It was cut to 4 to accommodate the new Camp Hill line service. Not sure if that project gets cancelled.

[@SamsVlogstrainsmore]

Great vlog Simon. I’m definitely going to miss the WMR Class 323s and it’s sad to see them go. I had my last ride in early September from Birmingham New Street to Longbridge.

[@Awws1e]

My final ride on a class 323 was on 323221 (coupled with 216) from Five Ways to Selly Oak. After getting off I went to the front to get a video of it leaving, and the driver was kind enough to sound the tones when departing! It was a great train, I'll never forget it.

[@Midlandtransportation]

Rest in peace 323’s you gave us at Walsall a blast of a 7 tone

[@Sim0nTrains]

They're not dead yet, You can still see plenty of them on the Northern Network and the Rest have gone to Warm Storage

[@Midlandtransportation]

@@Sim0nTrains yes indeed

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video Cyber, I love the class 323's and I'm gonna miss them being on the Cross City line, they were amazing there and I have loads of memories with them. :)

[@jakewynn]

9:52 My favourite place to sit, the lower height really gives such 80s vibes. I love everything about them. The announcements being all distorted and interference just adds to the vibes. Im so sad they are gone. Such a waste of money IMO. would much rather just save the money and reduce the ticket fairs.

[@ChilternSam]

Most have/are in the process of being cascaded to Northern. I believe it is only 8 units with uncertain futures, or are likely to be scrapped.

[@jakewynn]

@@ChilternSam this further adds to my point though.They are still so capable. Should have never been replaced. The new ones are hardly an upgrade. They also all look the same. The 730s look like they are part of the diesel civity family.

[@Sim0nTrains]

At the moment all I heard on the reaming units is that they're going into Warm Storage which is Wolverton

[@Sim0nTrains]

I've been on many Class 323s and sometimes do hear the announcements being distorted but they shall be missed

[@ChilternSam]

@@jakewynn Yes - so my point would be that Northern have been able to increase the much needed capacity of their NW services by adding to their fleet, whilst the West Midlands gain new units. There isn't a lot of wastage here, not when you compare to other projects such as the impending withdrawal of all 350/2s upon their replacement by 730/2s - or withdrawal of the 4 year old Mk5 coaches into storage, which currently have no set-in-stone future plans. In contrast, 8x 30-year old units in storage is honestly more of a favourable outcome when you put it into context.

[@ReecesTrains]

Great vlog, Simon! I managed to ride the 323's when I came down in May. It'll be different without them there. I shall look forward to see more of them around the Manchester area with Northern!

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I used to live near Butlers Lane and can recall the slatted wooden platforms, heritage DMU's and class 45's on Sunday diversions...

[@turbostream7925]

I'm old enough to remember the class 116 DMU on the cross city line and remember the 323's coming in. Be strange not to hear them setting off from Selly Oak anymore but I recently used the 730 into New street and it was really good.

[@peterjackson-cheadleheath1182]

Hi Simon Just watched this and yet another good one, its a shame you couldn't do the last rides on 29th (today) , as its obvious you really liked these units and will no doubt miss their 'distinctive' sound as they arrive and depart from Stations. The 730's just don't seem the same, also heard the "ASDA" shout out, good luck with the next one. Thanks

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

Another enjoyable video, Simon. We visited the garden railway exhibition at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, which my grandson has filmed for his latest video... Cheers James 🙂👍

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

Love the 323 sounds, will be a shame to lose that there, but at least some are moving on as you say. Wonder if that door ever got fixed!!! Great video spotlighting the class 323, preserving the sound and look for the future.

[@donovanemery597]

Some are already in the Northwest. I've seen 2 or 3 up here.

[@ILovePlanes787-10]

Does northern still operate them?

[@donovanemery597]

@@ILovePlanes787-10 yes, but many stations can only accommodate one unit

[@Thornaby37]

Great footage Cyber 👍 Nice to see Centro livery 323221 during their final days of service

[@sr6424]

The Camp Hill line does have a passenger service. Some Cross Country trains use it,

[@Sim0nTrains]

They do, the Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol Temple Meads/South West of England services

[@StarbitTrainspots]

Fantastic vid Simon! Just came back from the 323 farewell tour with Tico Sprinter. It was fantastic other than at the end it was 20 mins late..🎉

[@uhm121]

Great video brought back memories thank you

[@Andrewjg_89]

At least that they are heading for scrap which is good news. I hope that Northern would look after them. And the Class 730/0 3-Car trains are very nice.

[@mbx966]

I had my last 323 ride with 323221 and 216 about ten days ago. I remember them entering service and now they have gone. I saw the farewell tour at Coventry earlier.

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

Farewell Class 323. The West Midlands and Birmingham will never forget you. Hopefully Northern should look after them and some that are going for storage. I believe 9 Class 323s are to be moved for storage.

[@masonlawson649]

I love the new trains. Do you know when the new trains will arrive on the Birmingham to Rugeley TV line, or thd Chase Line ?

[@Sim0nTrains]

They still planning to bring the Class 730s to the Rugeley to Birmingham International services from what I heard but there is no date for that introduction as of yet. it's in the early stages.

[@joelightrailway2362]

It is emotionally sad to see these units running on the Cross City Lines, I’ve travelled in between the two Lichfield stations and ride of these units. I hope 323 221 will be preserved in it regional railways livery as that will be super great to remember these units when they were introduced back in the early 1990s.

[@trainsfan2114]

The class323 tour was amazing.

[@ABTrainsYT]

What if the rest went to ScotRail to replace the 320s (and 318s if they’re still around) on Glasgow commuter services? Now that would be nice!

[@Sim0nTrains]

It is a possible option. They would be good for Cathcart Circle or Barrhead/East Kilbride services, don't think there be enough to replace trains

[@MiaGrace-v7k]

This is my fav train I will miss it 😢 poor 323! 30 years wow 🤩 the good memories I had is on the 3rd of may 2021 we ride the 323 to I think Birmingham new street by the city centre to have a picnic I think but I wasn’t sure, on Saturday the 10 august we went to bournville ! 20th august selly oak! On 27th: long bridge ! There’s no bad memories so far but I do miss them so much 😢for them to leave I feel bad 😢😢😢😢 Simontrains you did great!

[@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....

[@kevinjohnson7415]

I think they were designed and built by Hunslet based in Leeds

[@LeoR11]

12:30 what did he say?

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@LeoR11 Asda

[@VLV-5677]

Farewell our old friend.👋🙁 Already been down Brum today to see the final departure from New Street

[@susaneb1954]

New stock will be fab once they sort the doors out.

[@masonlawson649]

What a great broadcast, highly insightful. I never liked the old trains.

[@maimadha]

The West Midlands Railway 323s will be missed

[@TheosTrainsWalesOfficial]

You can still see the 323's, as WMT ones will transferred to Northern.

[@theBusManiac]

What units were on the last from Litchfield? 323240 and not 221 as clearly not the green one.

[@michaelhopkification]

The Class 323s that are going into storage could be introduced to a new train operator in the future.

[@jackchapman5052]

Good video cyber it will be sad when the class 323 go to northern because the sound is good because it will be replaced by 730 units on the WMR Cross city line services

[@michaelhopkification]

At least most of the 323s are being casted to Northern Trains.

[@Sim0nTrains]

That is good news being honest. The leasing company did want all the Class 323 together so it is good that some have gone to Northern

[@owenbuddery3441]

will unit 323221 go and be preserved at the Crewe heritage Centre

[@Sim0nTrains]

No news about 323221 being preserved at the moment, that's only rumours

[@lewiss_Roblox__videos_and_more]

They are all Heading for Northern seen few parked at Blackpool depot for a bit

[@Sim0nTrains]

Most of them are heading to Northern but sadly not all of them

[@BritishTrainsRBX]

They will be kept in long-term storage, which is something I prefer as opposed to getting scrapped, and even then, these trains are not too old

[@DadgeCity]

Are the 323s going into service elsewhere or are they off to the knackers yard?

[@Sim0nTrains]

@@DadgeCity 17 Class 323s are going to Northern, the rest into warm storage

[@mattviney8642]

Rest in peace 323

[@SWTROfficial]

Wish I could buy a 323 carriage it would be brilliant to have it as a memory

[@JoshHodginsTrains]

Cheers

[@AlOh-2]

A am going to miss the sound they make, when they are stopping and pulling off.

[@Manchester_hotpot_pie]

Luckily northern rail has bought some 323s from wmr so people can still go on them

[@Sim0nTrains]

They are technically not brought. They're leased to Northern as Porterbrook owns the Class 323s

[@Nevetsnamlod]

in my opinion 323221 centro should go to locomotive services limited

[@ZLDSmogless]

Haha the 730 failed. That's really funny

[@daffyduk77]

Nowt wrong with the middle of the 3 seats.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Totally agree. I have seen people use the middle seat on the Class 323s. End of the day it's the experience of the person and each experience will be different.

[@alexishamer6427]

It’s the end of the era of the 3 car class 323s are to be used for WMR - West Midlands Railway 🚃 is because they are replaced by class 730s which has comfortable seats 💺. The man 👨 🧍‍♂️ must be travelling 🧭 🧳 on the class 730 trains 🚂 🚆 🚊. Class 323s are more likely to be allocated to NT - Northern. WMR - West Midlands Railway 🚃 runs its services everyday including public holidays except Christmas 🎄🎅 🧑‍🎄 🤶 Day and Boxing 🥊 Day. 👍

[@harryelliott4310]

WMR Class 323

[@harryelliott4310]

WMR Class 730

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

I’ve done the tribute video on the 323s check it out

[@shazrahman8556]

Good riddance! The class 730s are far better. I use the cross city line regularly and the 730 is a much better experience. Nostalgia for the 323 does not mean they are good!

[@richarddastardly6845]

The new trains look fugly imo… the old centro ones look much better

[@supersprinter1564]

Probably the worst train to ever work in the west midlands good riddance not be miseed by me and many others

[@Sim0nTrains]

End of the day that is your opinion and yes many others will not miss them and many others will miss them, it's a divided opinion. Me personally don't think they are the worst train to ever work the West Midlands but people will have different opinions on them