Whats your most favourite DMU

[Karl]

Trans-Pennine units were my favourite in the early 1970's

 

[90019]

170s and the Inverness refurb 158s.

 

[satisnek]

Got to be a Hastings unit! Otherwise Class 205/207 as long as I haven't supped any pints and have no need for an on-train toilet

Was quite impressed with the 158s when introduced - the last UK passenger rolling stock to have an integrated seating layout/window spacing design - but after a while I started to realise how cramped they were!

I'll give the 175s the runner-up award, simply because I've travelled on them less often, but when it comes to today's units my vote goes to the Class 170 (tho' not the XC ones - too many seats!), not perfect but a good all-rounder.

 

[Hyphen]

Winner for me would be 170s, specifically the ex-MML ones which were handed to Central Trains. Purely because they never took first class out, and didn't operate a first class service. Not many people knew that, so it was always very quiet in there! Still like travelling on the class as a whole now though.

Runner up would be 185s.

Not sure I understand the love for 175s on here though. IMO the only thing they have going for them is good legroom. They really don't have enough capacity for the job they're being expected to do in South Wales and on the Marches - perhaps they're a lot quieter on the N. Wales runs? Some units have really messed up aircon too - I've been on a few which kick out uncomfortably freezing air at one end of the carriage, and uncomfortably roasting hot air at the other. Guards and drivers tell me it was designed like that and the air is supposed to 'mix' in the middle to create the right temperature. Though clearly those sitting at either end don't get that benefit.

 

[Rapidash]

Its indeed, for me anyway, the legroom that sells it for the 175/185. As someone who is 6'3 its one of my small annoyances about life in general that the majority of DMU's have bloody terrible legroom, compared to their electric cousins. Which is why I get very jelly when I venture into Leccyland on my jollies around the country.

 

[overtonchris]

For me, my local 159s are very comfortable. Also pleasantly surprised by a Scotrail 156 from Glasgow Central to Haymarket recently. Comfortable seats and great views out of plenty of glass.....seats were mostly well positioned as well to actually line up with the windows

 

[jspillman]

Also pleasantly surprised by a Scotrail 156 from Glasgow Central to Haymarket recently. Comfortable seats and great views out of plenty of glass.....seats were mostly well positioned as well to actually line up with the windows[/QUOTE]

In April I went up on 2 156's joined together from Glasgow q street to Fort William and it was a great run the seats are comfy plus good engine sounds (5hour journey)

 

[hassaanhc]

Not been on a 165/6 yet, but I assume they are pretty similar to the 150 family, seating wise. They'll be here....eeevvveeeennnntuallllly......

Not that similar, they don't use the very low seats and also not that much padding https://flic.kr/p/hdwKUg

 

[LLivery]

The 222s for me, I've always been fond of them since being introduced. Never found them uncomfortable and like the way the seats are. The 4 car 171s are nice on the Uckfield but let down by the overcrowding on the Marshlink as they're 2 cars. I was pleasantly surprised by EMTs 158s, they're lovely, strange smelling the diesel while onboard! And 185s I've only been on a few months ago are good units, defiantly have the look factor.

Don't like the Network Turbos - FGWs are just too dark and overcrowd. Don't like London Overground 172s either, the 2+2 seating is appreciated but I just don't like them.

Never been on a 175 but I'm intrigued!

 

[jspillman]

OK cool

 

[Techniquest]

For someone who's grown up on a DMU railway, it's tough to say which is my favourite. To save some time for now, 150s, 165s, 170s and 175s for my favourites I would say, each class has a different reason for being a favourite and I might be persuaded to go into why eventually...

 

[notadriver]

It's a shame anything fitted with that 19 litre cummins engine is so noisy for passengers inside. If it wasn't for that a class 180/22x series would be one of my favourites and I believe are the fastest traction working over the East Coast main line (yes quicker than a 91 formation). The 185s with their EMU like acceleraton would be my next. 170 etc are so slow to accelerate, seems to take ages to get going.

 

[8J]

158's hands down for me

 

[red2005]

from the little driving experience I have had!.........175's without a shadow of a doubt!

 

[talltim]

Anything with compartments

 

[Mugby]

SWT class 158, best DMU design, combined with lovely comfortable seating.

I'm in complete agreement. I'm a big fan of 158s except the EMT ones which have seats that are far too high, eliminating all forward vision. The SWT examples are much better and more comfortable.

 

[jspillman]

I'm in complete agreement. I'm a big fan of 158s except the EMT ones which have seats that are far too high, eliminating all forward vision. The SWT examples are much better and more comfortable.

I have only been on the EMT ones

 

[D6975]

Easily the class 124, compartment in the unpowered middle coach that wasn't the buffet.

 

[Blindtraveler]

The 14x series of Pacers or failing that CL158s, though wish Scotrail would do a bit of work on the NatX Refurbished ones based at Haymarket Depot.

 

[fowler9]

Northerns 156's by a mile. After that the East Midlands 158's. After that 175's. Favourite of all time the 110's.

 

[Segedunum]

156s and 158s. It's always a relief to see a 156 appear on the services shared with 142s. And the 158s have a very nice feel to them. Never used a 159 though.

 

[RPM]

121s. No contest

 

[Kite159]

175s & 222s for me
Closely followed by the 159s

 

[Strathclyder]

For me, it's a tie between the Scotrail Class 156 (the Strathclyde Partnership of Transport batch, 156500-514 in particular) and the ScotRail 170s.

 

[G_A_C_C_C]

110s for me....Lived in Preston, Uni in Leeds (and a 1st class rail pass)... Peaks and Mk2s via the Southern route, 110 by the Northern route....bliss.....

 

[Techniquest]

The 14x series of Pacers or failing that CL158s, though wish Scotrail would do a bit of work on the NatX Refurbished ones based at Haymarket Depot.

That reminds me, I still need 158868 (although I do imagine I've had it in Wessex Trains days, but that was a long time ago. Curse my poor record keeping at the time!), hopefully I'll get that rather annoying gap in my NREA filled next week. Next week, oh yes that feels good to say!

Not that 868 is the only irritating gap in my NREA, 884 is another major irritance...

I'm amazed they've not refurb'd the ex-Wessex Trains 158s yet, although conversely I hope they leave them alone until after next week as I'm now after a bit of a trip down Memory Lane!

 

[Harbon 1]

Although they were way before my time the Class 124s in my eyes are one of the smartest looking trains ever produced.

Modern day has to be EMTs Class 158s

Or since it is technically a DMU, can I say a HST?

 

[Techniquest]

Or since it is technically a DMU, can I say a HST?

Run far, run fast!

 

[BR Class 1.618]

I have so many, they're all very cool, but the ones at the top of my list are:

East Midlands 153, 158
First Great Western 150
Cross Country 170
Virgin Trains 220, 221

I could count for a while, couldn't I? :P