Northern takes delivery of first FLEX unit

The first FLEX bi-mode unit moved to Northern on December 20, but had yet to start main line testing as this issue of RAIL went to press.

The four-car Class 769 is the first of eight to transfer to Allerton (Liverpool), where the trains will be based. Converted from 319431, it will be able to operate on both diesel and electric power.

Eight are on order from Porterbrook, with two being tested at the Great Central Railway, and a further four undergoing conversion at Brush Traction, Loughborough. The final unit (319448) was moved from Wolverton Works to the Midlands site on January 8, having undergone internal refurbishment.

Northern will use the ‘769s’ on passenger services between Wigan and Manchester, as well as between Southport and Manchester.

The FLEX trains are fitted with two diesel gensets allowing them to run on non-electrified routes. The trains are more than a year late, having initially been planned to enter traffic in late 2017-early 2018 ( RAIL 818).

As well as eight for Northern, Porterbrook is supplying five FLEX units to Transport for Wales (769002 is the first to be converted) and 19 tri-mode FLEX units to Great Western Railway (769443 will be the first) that can also operate using third-rail power. A further two FLEX units will be leased by Rail Operations (UK) Limited for logistics traffic ( RAIL 868).