Best DMU for passenger comfort?

[Bevan Price]

Classes 123 & 124 were the best in my opinion. Of current units, Classes 175, 180 & 168 are probably the best. Classes 170 & 185 not bad, but for long journeys, the 185s would benefit by having more (thicker) padding in the seats.

Voyager (& Pendolino) seats are a bit too narrow to be comfortable if someone is sat next to you.

 

[railfan100]

Indeed, the problems that the 158s initially had activating track circuits were nothing to do with ride quality and everything to do with the use of disc brakes instead of tread. This allowed a build up of leaf mulch and other detritus around the wheel tread, causing a reduction in conductivity. They were subsequently fitted with 'scrubbers' to alleviate the problem.

Large numbers of EMU's had disc brakes fitted over 10 years before the Class 158 units, why did they not suffer the same issues? Not convinced that the issue was related to the use of disc brakes.

 

[sprinterguy]

Large numbers of EMU's had disc brakes fitted over 10 years before the Class 158 units, why did they not suffer the same issues? Not convinced that the issue was related to the use of disc brakes.

No idea, but that seems to have been noted as the cause by more than one source online.The only written source I have to hand that makes mention of the issues isn't specific on the underlying cause.

 

[railfan100]

No idea, but that seems to have been noted as the cause by more than one source online.

Maybe it was a mixture of everything, having sampled the Class 158 in its early years I was amazed how smooth the ride was, clearly now the suspension has had many million miles of wear but back in 1989\1990 the Class 158 was setting the standard.

It was openly discussed in 1990 with BR sources that the ride was so smooth they were vanishing 'off grid' compared to the current standard of harder riding stock.

 

[D5645]

Class 222 Meridians are the best diesel unit for comfort.

All the speed and power of a Voyager but without the awful internal layout.

 

[edwin_m]

No idea, but that seems to have been noted as the cause by more than one source online.The only written source I have to hand that makes mention of the issues isn't specific on the underlying cause.

Having been at BR Research at the time, the 158s were the first to have the track circuit actuation problems in a big way but also the first to have disc brakes and also the first with the more sophisticated T4 bogie. It's a bit of a moot point how much each contributed, but the scrubber brakes didn't totally eliminate the problem which suggests it wasn't totally down to the discs. Earlier classes suffered less, and initially 156s and 158s were split and coupled to each other to give a better chance of detecting at least one coach. However all second and later generation DMU classes were then fitted with the TCA, as were some on-track machines, so track circuit problems were clearly seen as a significant risk for any of them.

For passenger comfort I'd vote for the maroon and gold Transpennine 158s.

 

[Ayman Ilham]

Best would definitely be the Northern 158 (basically all ex-TPE and WYPTE units) - it's seats are even more comfortable than any Intercity train I've been on (if you can get a seat that is, cos services to Leeds from Manchester Victoria tend to be quite busy) - other contenders would be the 175 (making journeys along the North Wales Coast even more enjoyable), 170 (though I haven't been in a Turbostar for 6 years), 185 and other 158 variants.

 

[railfan100]

Maybe the Class 185 units if you bring your own seat cushion and have ear defenders?! Unless in the coach with the engine shut down due to TPE's 'eco mode'. Which still means that in terms of being eco friendly the dead weight of a 750hp unit is still dragged around.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Best would definitely be the Northern 158 (basically all ex-TPE and WYPTE units) - it's seats are even more comfortable than any Intercity train I've been on (if you can get a seat that is, cos services to Leeds from Manchester Victoria tend to be quite busy) - other contenders would be the 175 (making journeys along the North Wales Coast even more enjoyable), 170 (though I haven't been in a Turbostar for 6 years), 185 and other 158 variants.

The WYPTE 10 have the original seats (though reupholstered) and the cushions are starting to become permanently flattened now. The only ex-TPE vehicles with Northern, which had the thicker cushions fitted are the centre cars in the 3-car units, which I always seek out if I get one!

Pacers are pretty rubbish of course, but the "car seats" in the ex-Northern Spirit 142s aren't too bad as long as you're on CWR and not passing over loads of pointwork such as the approach to Leeds or Victoria... still be glad when they're dispatched one-way to Rotherham though!
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Maybe the Class 185 units if you bring your own seat cushion and have ear defenders?! Unless in the coach with the engine shut down due to TPE's 'eco mode'. Which still means that in terms of being eco friendly the dead weight of a 750hp unit is still dragged around.

185s are pretty quiet when you're inside them, the noise when one departs and you're on the platform shows how good the soundproofing on the units is.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

What's the Best DMU for passenger comfort?

Class 142 unit 142009 - there can be no other permitted answer

 

[Bletchleyite]

Class 222 Meridians are the best diesel unit for comfort.

All the speed and power of a Voyager but without the awful internal layout.

I do see your point, but I find them quite claustrophobic because of the "bench" seating with no gaps. They also seem, like the Voyagers, to be getting into a poor state of repair, suggesting poor build quality.

 

[DarloRich]

Class 222 Meridians are the best diesel unit for comfort.

All the speed and power of a Voyager but without the awful internal layout.

not a bad call actually. much better seats than the Voyager and so much more pleasant! Not an HST but not bad for a horrible new unit

 

[sprinterguy]

Having been at BR Research at the time, the 158s were the first to have the track circuit actuation problems in a big way but also the first to have disc brakes and also the first with the more sophisticated T4 bogie. It's a bit of a moot point how much each contributed, but the scrubber brakes didn't totally eliminate the problem which suggests it wasn't totally down to the discs. Earlier classes suffered less, and initially 156s and 158s were split and coupled to each other to give a better chance of detecting at least one coach. However all second and later generation DMU classes were then fitted with the TCA, as were some on-track machines, so track circuit problems were clearly seen as a significant risk for any of them.

Thanks for shedding a little more light on the matter - it seems that it wasn't as clear cut as I suggested.
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Classes 123 & 124 were the best in my opinion. Of current units, Classes 175, 180 & 168 are probably the best. Classes 170 & 185 not bad, but for long journeys, the 185s would benefit by having more (thicker) padding in the seats.

Voyager (& Pendolino) seats are a bit too narrow to be comfortable if someone is sat next to you.

I must agree with this post as it aligns closely with my own views, although I am too young to have experienced the class 123 and 124 units. I would have liked to have the opportunity to, though; it's a real shame that none of the latter in particular made it into preservation.

The Transpennine 158s were pretty good as well, though.

 

[MarlowDonkey]

I must agree with this post as it aligns closely with my own views, although I am too young to have experienced the class 123 and 124 units.

123 sets were essentially powered Mk1s, with side corridors even. In style, they were similar to Southern's longer distance EMUs and the Clacton units which became Class 309.

 

[Iskra]

Refurbished Scotrail 170's in 1st class for me.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Further afield SNCB Class 41 are very good; seats reasonably comfortable and lining up with windows

 

[125Forever]

A vote for the 170s here.

 

[DarloRich]

A vote for the 170s here.

do you not think they are a bit tatty now?

 

[D6975]

185s are my favourite, closely followed by 168s.
Riding in the middle car of a Northern 3 car 158 over the Copy Pit route is my favourite DMU journey.

123s and 124s were very nice to travel in, as were the Ayrshire 126s.

 

[Prestige15]

I go for 175, Its rather quiet for a train this type especially when its idling. The way i see it its a successor to the 158 only with no front end gangway and higher speed. But right now they badly need a new livery.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I go for 175, Its rather quiet for a train this type especially when its idling. The way i see it its a successor to the 158 only with no front end gangway and higher speed. But right now they badly need a new livery.

It's more of a successor to the Class 156, coming from the same stable. But the build quality is substantially inferior.

 

[swt_passenger]

253 and 254 are quite good, apparently.

 

[Deepgreen]

Are they planning on refurbishing the other 165s and 166s as well? Personally i would classify HSTs as Locomotive Hauled Trains rather than DMUs.

I hope so. I believe 166205 is being evaluated in service to check the durability of the finishes. It's rather like a 'mini HST' inside, with the leather first class seats (actually the same seats in both driving cars' cab-end sections, but one end has been de-classified) being quite similar to, but smaller than, the HST equivalents.