RoscoTrain107

With the Class 350/2s off lease the question of where they would go next remains ongoing

So on this matter Im going to do 2 separate posts on which companies are possible.

Lets start off with Northern being at the moment the likely possible option even if its just short term

The case you can make for Northern would seem a likely option and to many its a no brainer especially the fact their electric services on certain routes aren't really doing great in terms of dealing with Passenger demand.

Last report before the end of 2025 was that included some claims that one set was tested for gauge clearance around the North West in particular on the Glossop Line between Manchester Piccadilly and Hadfield via Glossop 

Whilst I don't know much about how the local routes in and out of Manchester Piccadilly are like overall compared to some other spotters however to be honest its not the preferred route overall I would choose.

But what other Electric routes could 350/2s be considered for when it comes to Northern?

Here's some of the electric routes operated by Northern

Yorkshire
Doncaster - Leeds via Wakefield Westgate
Leeds - Skipton via Shipley
Leeds - Bradford Forster Square via Bingley
Bradford Forster Square - Skipton

North West
Liverpool Lime Street - Manchester Airport via Newton-le-Willows
Liverpool Lime Street - Wigan North Western via St Helens Central
Liverpool Lime Street - Blackpool North via St Helens Central
Manchester Airport - Blackpool North via Bolton
Manchester Piccadilly - Hadfield via Glossop
Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe or Stoke-on-Trent via Wilmslow

Now putting the 350/2s on Northern in the short term that would be simple in a way but there are a few other problems in practice both short and long term

Firstly to clear up one thing that the 350/2s were built around 2007 / 2008 which presently makes them around 17 - 18 years old and also they wouldn't be allowed to be scrapped unless any corrosion damage is deemed beyond repair.

So in a way I wouldn't be concerned at the moment of the possibility of the 350/2s being scrapped 

But I would say to the lease holder and DFT one thing whatever the outcome get off your back sides and make sure you store them properly and not leave them in a neglect state like the Class 379s were for 2 years after they went off lease and then spending a whole year or two just getting them repaired and getting them working again.

Now regarding the fact of converting the 350/2s into BEMUs I don't think short term is a practical option which in a way rules that out unless Siemens in Germany, Austria or over in Goole, East Yorkshire have a contingency plan in place which so far is unlikely.

The second issue is that Northern itself is already thinking Long Term and they are in a tending process for up to 450 new trains which as of right now presently remains ongoing.

Now according to Northern's Managing Director Rob Warnes revealed in a interview last year that the replacement process is complex but probably would go down the line of something like this in a 3 phase process.

Phase 1 which planned for 2030 - 2032
1. Class 382s EMUs 
(12 x 3 car EMUs for TRU Services)

2. Class 780 MMUs
(48 x 3 car MMUs, 63 x 4 Car MMUs) replacing the Class 150s, 155s and 156s

3. Class 781s BEMUs 
(8 x 4 car BEMUs) which replace the Class 769s that operate the Southport - Stalybridge / Manchester Oxford Road

Phase 2 TBD 2033 onwards
1. Class 382 EMUs (34 x 3 car EMUs and 16 x 4 car EMUs) 
(Replacing the Class 323s and 333s)

2. Class 780s MMUs which in two phases would replace first the Class 150s and 156s and then later the Class 158s

3. Class 781s BEMUs (24 x BEMUs)

Phase 3 later would include replacing the Class 170 Turbostars

How would I go about it in practice?

So in practice if Northern even just short term were to take on the 350/2s then in practice would be preferred to put them on a route that really needs especially in the North West around Liverpool and Manchester areas which knowing already the 350s are already familiar with not just with LNWR just nationalised a few weeks back but also when Transpennine Express use to operate the 350/3s on Manchester Airport to Edinburgh and Glasgow Central services in the past.

If I was head of Northern in the short term even for 5 years at least then I would certainly put them on these two routes 

Liverpool Lime Street - Blackpool North services maybe as 8 cars and not forgetting the 350/2s do have door selective operations in case some stations do have short platforms.

As for Liverpool - Wigan stoppers Northern really need to get a grip on that either have as 4 car workings with a 331/1 or 350/2 or 2 pairs of 3 car sets put together 323s or 331s for that route.

Same could be said for Manchester Airport - Blackpool North workings as well with which having 350/2s on those well shouldn't be a problem pending on gauge clearance of course.

One thing is glaringly obvious with the 350/2s is that they need a big overhaul not just changing seat covers refurbishing the inside of the train but also they a complete revamp on the outside which probably likely will get repainted into the new GBR Regional livery.

As for Yorkshire around Bradford, Leeds, Skipton, Doncaster or Wakefield Westgate you could have them on there but that would be tricky unless you share workings with either 331s on one route or 333s not both at the same time because it would become more confusing that watching a game of Deal or No Deal with trains not knowing which one your going to get.

So thats the case for Northern for the short term to have the 350/2s

So I want to pass it over to you

What electric routes do you think the 350/2s could work on if Northern were to take them on even if its just Short Term?

Yorkshire?, Manchester?, Liverpool or maybe all 3 areas?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below and do please be realistic and precise as possible base it on present workings not just making it up as you go.

So for now have a good one

1 day ago (edited) | [YT] | 131

RoscoTrain107

CrossCountry unveiled their first refurbished Voyager (220033) in Derby yesterday in a press event yesterday at Litchurch Lane, Derby 

Guests within the rail industry were invited to the press reveal of the newly refurbished Voyager including a tour to see the improvements first hand.

Just to note whilst presently the Voyagers are maintained at Central Rivers Depot in Staffordshire however the overhauls of all Voyagers for CrossCountry will take place in Derby

So lets get to the basics of the overhaul

So the livery on the outside has been changed which will the first time for nearly 20 years since it was last repainted from the Virgin CrossCountry on most voyagers with the only exception being the 12 Class 221s originally from Avanti West Coast which was last repainted back in 2019 which gradually moved over to CrossCountry in the last 12- 15 months.

The inside interior has been done up from new seats, tables, Onboard plugs including new USB-A and USB-Cs, LED lighting, Carpets etc.

Between now and 2028 which by then CrossCountry will have been moved from Arriva to being Nationalised which ultimately will become GBR from around 2029 to 2030 at the earliest.

I'll leave a link of the full original press from Alstom down below
www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2026/2/alstom-r…

So I want to give my take on them

So whilst it will be a while before more refurbished voyagers will start appearing on CrossCountry to be honest an overhaul was certainly overdue.

CrossCountry is due to be nationalised which according to its present agreement will be from October 2027 before eventually it becomes GBR.

Based on the press it dorms on the outside the livery looks quite good and a bit more striking compared to the present one

I have to say the present livery prior to refurbishment had in the past few years began to look dated and left behind

On the interior side of things there is one thing that based on other rail pages Ive read that highlight one concern which is the seats.

Whilst they have headrests which is good although they seem to be a bit smaller but also thinner which normally for some raises the alarm about the so ironboard seating.

However the photos from the press release is easy to look at it from one perspective but if its true for real then that could make anybody's journey from say Plymouth to Edinburgh even worse.

I know from experience standing on a busy CrossCountry Voyager just from Exeter St Davids to Birmingham New Street which is no fun at all for over 2 hours and 20 minutes.

One other thing that has been left out of the press release by Alstom 

There seems to be no mention of the auto start system which at the moment is being introduced for Lumo's Class 222 Meridians for their London Euston to Stirling workings from this June 

If my guess unless someone from CrossCountry or Alstom can clarify the Auto start system likely that will get installed on the Voyagers at a later date but will see.

Just to remind you what an autostart system is well its like a train version of a modern day car Auto drive system or on a modern London bus 

So when activated its a system that turns of the train engines when it comes to a stop at a signal or more commonly on the station platform which also would save fuel.

So overall some mixed results, some questions need answering going forward but still at least the livery for CrossCountry for their refurbished voyagers looks more appealing.

The way I can see this working out going forward is that the present refurbishment for the Voyagers probably will be the last massive overhaul it will get as it goes into the 2030s and there has been talk of replacing the Voyagers sooner rather than later which won't be until probably after 2030 anyway pending on the existing lease agreement by Beacon Rail. 

Otherwise refurbishing the Voyager fleet then to announce its replacements not only wouldn't make sense but you end up with the SWR Arterio order controversy of March 2018 all over again.

So what do you think about the refurbished Voyager for CrossCountry do you like it or do you feel something was a missed opportunity?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below and for now have a good one

(Photo Credit: Alstom)

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6 days ago (edited) | [YT] | 150

RoscoTrain107

Some will ask with the next updated intro to come for Summer 2026 around July / August Time is why another one

So far since December 2019 when I began to use an intro for my videos I have done 6 versions of my present intro

Although with the 1st 5 versions I use to always start them at the very beginning of the video
December 2019
June 2020
July 2021
September 2022
December 2023

However since Im on Version 6 which dates from my Northwest Tour back in May last year I decided to change the opening slightly so instead of the intro it would be the first clip I filmed at any station

Now of course the only exceptions have been onboard journey videos like North Berwick Line and of course the Long Edinburgh - Aberdeen via Kirkcaldy journey from my 1st Scotland Tour last July and also occasional London Underground Videos especially since August 2022.

The other exception during the pandemic was when I did a revisited series of some former videos both mainline and underground which at the time since no one couldn’t really go anywhere due to lockdown so it was something to pass the time.

Now whilst I haven’t done much London Underground content on its own not really since May 2023 with the only exceptions being featured in videos such as Stratford in August 2023, Balham in October 2023 and Tottenham Hale in March 2024.

So it brings me onto the 7th version of the intro I have just released a preview of it which was going to be in Autumn this year however due to some pushback and some questioning why so long wait I decided they have a point so it will be Summer time likely around July / August Time at the earliest.

The music itself is still the same which I have used since December 2019 although on some of my earlier versions of the intro looking back in hindsight timing was a bit off when it came to balance, clips and transition between clips themselves.

Version 6 whilst at the time when I previewed it at first the feedback was good although I admit just didn’t quite have enough in terms of blending in with the music itself.

So on Version 7 I thought make a bit of tense not just trying to blend in the clips used in question but also the bit after the beat drops needed a more pace especially with passing trains.

So how long did it take me to make an intro?
Well some would think it would only take a few hours and whilst its easy to make one providing you know what to do however getting it done though is which in my case it took 4 days in total.

The reason for that is sometimes just when you think you have the blend and the balance good to go then its very easy to have second thoughts from whether the balance can be a bit more better or swapping out one clip for another.

In the future would I change the music after over 6 years of using for all my intros so far including the upcoming 7th version of it for Summer this year?
Well for now I won’t and it’s because it depends on what other music you may find that would blend in.

It not as simple as you find a track that seems to be more upbeat but to find your rail clips might not work with it and also that uncertainty on what your viewers might embrace it or not.

So what about use clips of trains that some just don’t like?
Well to be honest its not a big deal to me because whilst some trains that I have rode on some good some bad that doesn’t mean Im not going to film when Im spotting for real or use some of them for my intro.

Anyway thats how I have come up with my intros including some of my recent known ones and of course my 7th version to come this Summer.

So for now take care and have a good one

1 week ago | [YT] | 80

RoscoTrain107

Hi guys so in case your not aware that I have released a preview of my next intro which will take over at some time later this year

Originally was going to be Autumn time around September / October however I have had some questions about why so long and probably a few will say its makes no sense

However so Ive decided to bring it forward slightly to this summer but it will now take over around July / August time no earlier than that

I'll leave a link for the preview of my new intro for this Summer below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL6qW...

Sorry about that guys and I will do my best going forward

So for now have a good one

1 week ago | [YT] | 26

RoscoTrain107

So guys I do have some news

That there is going to be a video coming out my first one for 2026

But its not a new spotting video that will come at some point 

So I decided to spend a bit of last week working on a new updated intro which will take over from my present one around Autumn time.

So I will be releasing a preview of my new intro for Summer 2026 which will be tomorrow evening at 7pm

A few things I can confirm 
1. The music remains unchanged
2. All the clips are new with all but one filmed during 2025

Hopefully its an improvement of my present one so see what you think when its released.

So for now take care and have a good one

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 73

RoscoTrain107

Whilst my spotting is still parked up in a sidings at the moment despite that one thing still must go on

Which of course eventhough a week late than normal but its none other than Monthly Shoutouts 

So who gets a mention well here's a list of those who do in no particular order
1. ‪@OliversTrainJournals‬
2. ‪@ThomasTrainsandtrucks‬
3. ‪@TransportLover1‬
4. ‪@BRtrainspotting‬
5. ‪@ZackMurray12‬
6. ‪@TideTransport‬
7. ‪@Archie-f4o‬
8. ‪@thetrainboylondon‬
9. ‪@Elisnotsocooltrains‬
10. ​⁠@charliestrainzuk (CHARLIE’S TRAINS)
11. ‪@alfiestransport‬
12. @Harry-q3m8u (West Yorkshire Trainspotting)
13. ‪@AF7_Trains‬
14. ‪@CWTrain56‬
15. ‪@MetroCuriosity‬
16. ‪@samuelsadventures3609‬
17. ‪@AaronsAdventureArchive‬
18. ‪@LocoLover2‬
19. ‪@uktrainguyandgag‬
20. ‪@trainmadgeorge2333‬
21. ‪@TheTrainspottingGuy13‬
22. ​‪@Adamtrainspotting‬
23. ‪@SniffTrains‬
24. ‪@jackjukesytrainsandstuff‬
25. ‪@TheTransportKid.‬
26. ‪@Edd1esAdventuresEddiestrains‬
27. ‪@mltransport10‬
28. ‪@JackandEd‬
29. ‪@lbautosandrails‬
30. ‪@TrainDays‬

So well done to those who did get a mention and if you didn't well there's always the next one which will be on the first Sunday in March in exactly a few weeks time

Just to note that any shoutout I give to anyone is down to my own choosing so be advised if you do ask for one then its unlikely you will get one.

Anyway that will do for now I will have a few posts to come during the week and hopefully once my local line is back open will be back spotting as soon as possible

So for now take care and have a good one

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 73

RoscoTrain107

So for those who did take part in the London Underground Quiz last week whilst some did ok some not so

So a review of all the questions on how many answered each one and how much percentage of those who did answer did get the answers correct. 

1. 50 answered, overall 18% got the answer correct
2. 49 answered, overall 37% got the answer correct
3. 47 answered, overall 26% got the answer correct
4. 47 answered, overall 28% got the answer correct
5. 50 answered, overall 10% got the answer correct
6. 47 answered, overall 43% got the answer correct
7. 50 answered, overall 40% got the answer correct
8. 45 answered, overall 29% got the answer correct
9. 47 answered, overall 47% got the answer correct
10. 47 answered, overall 28% got the answer correct

So overall a ok start for a quiz however I have to say that on some of the percentages for those who the answers right to Questions 1 and 5 especially was surprisingly disappointing however on that I can make an exception although with the wet, gloomy, depressing, awful weather of the past month probably hadn't helped.

However never mind nice try and just want to say thank you to those who did take part on my London Underground Quiz.

So what are these quizzes about? 

Well on that with these quizzes I do is that the idea of doing them on my channel once every 2 months just to be clear it's not about prizes. 

Overall its about improving some others own knowledge not just short term but possibly long term as well as a rail enthusiast because even if its in an area of rail that your knowledge might be underwhelming compared to another

Say for example your knowledge on the rail system in the UK is great if its London area or Essex maybe and then to find your knowledge on Northwest like North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside or Cumbria is not great.

Whilst some of you may struggle however don't be too worried or too down about it as long as you try.

However I know all too well that no matter how many times you do trainspotting or no matter how old or young you are even on rail travel you will always at some point learn something new.

Anyway a reminder that the next Quiz will be in April 

The date is Easter Sunday (Sunday April 5th) at 7pm

This time its across the English Channel and over into France

So once more will be 10 maybe 12 questions in total pending on demand

Some will be on Paris rail systems especially on this one both Paris Metro and RER (Reseau Express Regional)

And before anyone asks just to liven it up with a bit of speed and power some questions will be in relation to some French High Speed Rail LGV Lines (Ligne Grande Vitesse).

So if you are going to take part in this one I will advise that you got plenty of time to prepare.

So for now take care and have a good one

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 48

RoscoTrain107

When your a trainspotter thats either starting out or been doing it for sometime that whilst most will enjoy your content or maybe sub to you not just in the short term but going forward in in the long term.

However knowing very well that your never going to make everybody happy and in some cases there is a minority who probably won't like your channel or content either its down to just that trainspotting isn't for them or something else.

Of course trainspotting isn't going to be for everyone or sometimes you try it out and if you decide its not for you then thats not a problem

However when you start getting someone who hates you doing trainspotting well what do you do?

This brings me onto a channel that only started over a week ago called ‪@Archie-f4o‬ known as Archie's train adventures

So far he has over 15 subscribers but in recent days he did a post about whether he should quit spotting

I responded in the comments of the post saying 
"Why when you only have started?. You Shouldn't to be honest"

He responded 
"There was a hater on my channel and he said I stop trainspotting"

Now the hater in his case is someone with a channel called "Gas Me" which to be honest the channel name sounds a bit hideous with only one video, 4 subs and was only set up around near the same time.

So on the post in question he writes things like
"Hell Yeah"
"Of course your channel is so bad"
"Quit"
"Like you have no subs because you film trains"

I'll leave a link to the post in question down below
youtube.com/post/UgkxEPW-lchtgziNJhrPxn07lFg31dP1e…

My reaction to this is that the hater doesn't like Archie at all 

On the second point saying "Of course your channel is so bad" well he's only just started

I mean its not like in football you go from the low ranks to the first team in 5 minutes instead you have to work your way up which takes time.

And then on the 4th point "Like you have no subs because you film trains" well in actual fact whilst he has 16 subs and probably will have more to come over the next several days, weeks or months

Anyway onto the overview of the situation

So what's the easiest thing you can do when you have a situation like Archie has in this case well is to get into a points scoring situation which not only isn't the best thing to do and sometimes can make things worse because they would want you to react.

But the main thing you sometimes whilst its isn't easy to do is be a bit resistant and try to ignore them or block them and just walk away.

If some like the so called hater can't accept or doesn't like Archie trainspotting well thats their problem and its sort of the same thing if you ever have a similar situation.

Now when you just starting out trainspotting regardless what age your never going to be perfect from the beginning but the more you do then the more better you should get as time goes on.

Sometimes if your content isn't perfect yes you might get criticised but in a way use it to improve your content going forward.

And one bit of advice for Archie is that he's probably not the only trainspotter who at some point one way or another who has been in a similar situation so do please keep your head up and not let one hater get you down.

Anyway I will now pass it over to you 

Have you been in a similar situation when you had one hater constantly hating your content and if so how would you overcome that to continue on what your doing?

Leave your thoughts in the comments below

Also do go over if you can and subscribe to Archies Channel 
"Archie's train adventures" 

Just to give him a bit of a morale boost and support

So for now please be kind to each other, take care and have a good one

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 81

RoscoTrain107

LNER have unveiled their new interior for their new Class 897s and also revealed their name for them as well

They will be known as Class 897 Serenzas which there will be 10 sets of 10 x cars each as we know will replace the ageing Class 91 (Intercity 225) sets by around 2027 / 28.

The Serenza fleet will be maintained at Neville Hill TMD just outside Leeds

Unlike their brother Class 397s on Transpennine Express the Class 897s are slightly different 

The Class 897s will be tri-mode or hybrid to simplify which will consist of Electric, Diesel and Battery Power unlike the 397s which are electric only and also they are being manufactured at CAFs UK HQ in Newport, South Wales

Now according to LNER they have been working on the design of their new Class 897s with the Accessibility Forum to make journeys more easier for passengers which included implementing up to 47 recommendations made by the panel themselves.

47 recommendations is a lot and its also being done by customer feedback overall

LNERs managing Director Dr Linda Wain give her reaction of the announcement into the preview of the Class 897s interior and the name saying

“This is an exciting milestone for LNER as we reveal an insight into what our customers can expect from their journeys in the future and unveil a name. Our new fleet will bring more comfortable, more reliable, and greener journeys across the East Coast Main Line for decades to come and we are looking forward to their introduction in the coming years.

“Reaching this stage has taken a huge amount of work and it has been great to work in partnership with CAF as we design this new fleet of trains. As LNER continues to welcome more customers onboard, these trains will be vital in helping to meet demand for train travel while delivering a new, modern experience for our customers.”

I'll leave a link down below for the story or you can visit via the LNER website for more details about the announcement

www.railadvent.co.uk/2026/02/sneak-peek-of-new-lon…

Giving my early reaction the interior although we won't know until the first one is fully built and finished based on the photos it actually looks pretty good overall

Although have said that LNER have said that whilst most of the designs have been approved but there is a possibility that some minor changes may still have to take place before the final interior is added.

As for the name itself being known as the Class 897 Serenzas well the name itself whilst it's not perfect but its not too bad.

There have been some not all of other train names that have been a bit underwhelming and it's not like something thats going to grab your attention.

Also another thing that has bothered me for a while about Modern Trains is pushback before the final designed interior and build of a modern train is finished.

Yes some modern trains in the last 15 years have had mixed results overall and perhaps could of and should of done better not just design on the interior but also better consolation 

On one hand I can totally understand why some might be a bit sceptical with the Class 897 Serenzas and there will be some that will probably say the words I will believe it when I see it.

On the other hand that whilst I do accept that some modern trains maybe not be as comfy like their predecessors before them however where I will disagree with some ridiculous takes is when comparing for example modern intercitys with classic trains like the HSTs from a different era

One thing is obvious is that you cannot put them in the same sentence and compare and there are certain reasons for that

I mean for starters is that modern day trains comfort isn't going to be like trains of the past and if we are not use to it by now even if some modern day train seats are awful then just got to get over it sooner rather than later.

This is 2026 not 1976 like the dawn of the HST era or 1988 the dawn of the Class 91 era for example.

Also there are far more safety requirements in place that are more stringent and with good reason compared to back then when it comes to interior train design.

Just because a modern day train might not have character or its just awful that doesn't mean we can't improve them and also we are in a era that modern train life is never going to be like 40 - 50 years but instead its going to be average 25 - 35 years.

The Class 91s some will be 40 years old come 2028 and with parts running out and reliability problems becoming more and more difficult to keep up with unfortunately they have to retire soon but they have their job overall on the ECML.

For those who moan like 'Oh Why are LNER getting rid of the Class 91s and replacing them with these 897s' well Im sorry all eras even great ones have to end at some point which includes even the most famous iconic trains that the UK rail system has had dating back decades.

So I would say to anyone rather than spend time moaning about it instead you have to accept it is what it is and just make use of the time the Class 91s (IC225s) have left and film as many as you can.

Regarding those who probably dislike the Class 897s well as the saying goes Don't judge a book by its cover until you have read the whole story.

In this Im keeping an open mind overall on the Class 897s looks promises on paper but obviously whether that translates into practice for real will have to wait and see.

Anyway I will leave it there so what are your thoughts on the potential new interior and the new name for Class 897s being known as 'The Serenzas'?

Leave your thoughts in the comments and for now have a good one

(Photo Credit: LNER)

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2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 103

RoscoTrain107

So all of my 10 Questions of my London Underground Quiz are now up

How many did you get out of 10?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 82