Manchester to Sheffield Hope Valley

[Coolzac]

Does anyone know the typical train formation of services on the Hope valley on a weekday i.e for tomorrow.

I am hoping to go on a pacer as they offer greater views and lot's of bouncing

 

[Loop & Link]

12:49/17:50/18:49 are booked 142's ex-Man Picc

And

17:14/18:14/20:35 ex-Sheffield

 

[RichmondCommu]

Does anyone know the typical train formation of services on the Hope valley on a weekday i.e for tomorrow.

I am hoping to go on a pacer as they offer greater views and lot's of bouncing

You shouldn't have too much bouncing because other than for points there is no jointed track.

 

[Coolzac]

12:49/17:50/18:49 are booked 142's ex-Man Picc

And

17:14/18:14/20:35 ex-Sheffield

Thanks! May I ask how you know? Also I thought they were nearly all 142s, have they cut them back recently?

 

[PHILIPE]

Northerns are a mixture of 142s, 150s and 156s. You haven't specifically mentioned a particular because, as well as Northern, EMT work the route with trains between Liverpool and Norwich hourly booked to be worked by pairs of 158s but quite frequently 158+156 and occasionally 158+153 Combos. Not forgetting TPE operating an hourly service between Manchester Airport and Cleethorpes which are 185s and nothing else.

 

[sprinterguy]

Also I thought they were nearly all 142s, have they cut them back recently?

That's surprised me as well; while I've sometimes seen a 150 sitting in the bay waiting to work a Hope Valley service while passing through Sheffield, I've only ever travelled on 142s on local services on the route, or watched them pass by from the beer garden of The Rambler in Edale.

 

[PHILIPE]

That's surprised me as well; while I've sometimes seen a 150 sitting in the bay waiting to work a Hope Valley service while passing through Sheffield, I've only ever travelled on 142s on local services on the route, or watched them pass by from the beer garden of The Rambler in Edale.

142s could be in the majority but the other classes also work. Perhaps not so many 156s but they are seen.

 

[50032]

You shouldn't have too much bouncing because other than for points there is no jointed track.

Actually there is a small amount - between Chinley North and East Junctions, only on the Up Main.

 

[DanTrain]

142s could be in the majority but the other classes also work. Perhaps not so many 156s but they are seen.

I generally see 150s and 142s on the route, depending on the day and time. 156s run mostly on Sundays, when then pacers are parked up in the through roads at Sheffield (and elsewhere). It generally happens that either 142s or 150s run on a day, I don't often see them running together - what you go on you tend to return on. Have fun, it's a lovely ride, although one I prefer in a 150

 

[sprinterguy]

Have fun, it's a lovely ride, although one I prefer in a 150

Nah, there's much better all round visibility to enjoy the scenery from a Pacer. It's quite pleasant, chugging away along the picturesque Hope Valley.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nah, there's much better all round visibility to enjoy the scenery from a Pacer. It's quite pleasant, chugging away along the picturesque Hope Valley.

Agreed, 150(/1)s are terrible for any vaguely scenic line, being uniquely[1] designed such that not one single seat has an acceptable window view.

[1] Sort of, Mk3 EMUs and PEP EMUs are the same.

 

[sprinterguy]

Agreed, 150(/1)s are terrible for any vaguely scenic line, being uniquely[1] designed such that not one single seat has an acceptable window view.

[1] Sort of, Mk3 EMUs and PEP EMUs are the same.

Not helped by the fact that, as well as there being vast tracts of interior wall and window pillar, the original, cramped 3+2 seating that still plagues many of Northern's units feels like it's virtually at floor level.

 

[Edgeley]

Agreed, 150(/1)s are terrible for any vaguely scenic line, being uniquely[1] designed such that not one single seat has an acceptable window view.

[1] Sort of, Mk3 EMUs and PEP EMUs are the same.

Yes, I actually rate 150s as being worse than 142s. 323 EMUs also have poor seating but are redeemed by being quieter and nippier.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, I actually rate 150s as being worse than 142s. 323 EMUs also have poor seating but are redeemed by being quieter and nippier.

And having all the seats lined up to the windows. Though also an issue with window view distortion on some units probably caused by badly applied anti-scratch film, shared by 172s but not any other unit I've used.

 

[eastwestdivide]

I always seem to get the 142s with the dreadful Merseyrail seats when I use a Hope Valley stopper (mostly Saturdays). Can't get even remotely comfortable in them.

 

[PHILIPE]

I generally see 150s and 142s on the route, depending on the day and time. 156s run mostly on Sundays, when then pacers are parked up in the through roads at Sheffield (and elsewhere). It generally happens that either 142s or 150s run on a day, I don't often see them running together - what you go on you tend to return on. Have fun, it's a lovely ride, although one I prefer in a 150

The 0914 from Sheffield is regularly reported as being a 156

 

[sprinterguy]

I always seem to get the 142s with the dreadful Merseyrail seats when I use a Hope Valley stopper (mostly Saturdays). Can't get even remotely comfortable in them.

They are atrocious. I usually seem to get the ones with the original bus benches: On a lightly loaded train they act as a very pleasant 2 x 1 layout, although it goes without saying that they get a bit cosy when they're busy, whether travelling out of Sheffield in the evening peak or into Manchester on a Saturday night. Best to travel as a group, as that way at least you're rubbing shoulders and elbows with people you know!

 

[DanTrain]

The 0914 from Sheffield is regularly reported as being a 156

Sounds plausible, I don't normally get that one so wouldn't know. As for 150s, I do still prefer them to pacers, but I agree they are not perfect. They also need more handrails in the door areas - the Hope Valley often has standing room only, and that is very difficult with nothing to hold on to!

 

[Gareth]

Never been on a stopper on this route that wasn't a pacer. Pacers are one of those constants I associate with the Peak District, for better or worse (probably worse).

 

[route101]

Northerns are a mixture of 142s, 150s and 156s. You haven't specifically mentioned a particular because, as well as Northern, EMT work the route with trains between Liverpool and Norwich hourly booked to be worked by pairs of 158s but quite frequently 158+156 and occasionally 158+153 Combos. Not forgetting TPE operating an hourly service between Manchester Airport and Cleethorpes which are 185s and nothing else.

Single EMT class 156 earlier today , busy busy

 

[Timrud]

Its usually a 150 on a weekday leaving Sheffield at 07:12