Flex debut for Northern

THE MUCH-DELAYED entry into passenger service of Northern Rail’s Class 769 fleet finally occurred with the start of the new timetable on May 17. After months of testing, union grumbles and training, six sets were available for traffic on the first day with 769424/31/34/48/50 deployed on Stockport-Alderley Edge diagrams while, after a stuttering start, 769442 covered a Southport to Stalybridge diagram.

(Tom McAtee) On its first day in passenger service, Northern Class 769 769442 departs from Hoscar on May 17 while forming the 2W60 1531 Southport to Stalybridge.