What is your favourite DMU currently operating on the rail network?

[alexl92]

Definitely the 185s. Go like the clappers, sound amazing from the outside, yet are super quiet on the inside. I actually like the desiro seats (don't know what they're called), as albeit a bit hard, they have vary good lumbar and lateral support. Refurbishment only made them better by the looks of it, although I haven't been on a refurbished one yet.

Do you think? I think when the engine's running in the coach you're in, you can't help but be very aware of it. Not really a fan of 185s really though, I think I've been on them too often!

 

[Fleetwoodflyer]

Definitely 156 for me. I find the seats much more comfortable than the 158s. Like 142s with bench seats for shorter journeys too.

 

[Mordac]

Do you think? I think when the engine's running in the coach you're in, you can't help but be very aware of it. Not really a fan of 185s really though, I think I've been on them too often!

Maybe I should preface that as "for a DMU." You are aware of the engine, but it's just a gentle hum. I do find them quieter on the inside than any BR DMU, as well as Turbostars, and about as quiet as a 175 (never been on a 180, but from what I've heard of them, I can't imagine they're quieter). The only quieter DMU I've experienced has been a NIR Class 3000 (which bodes well for Northern's 195s).

Are you sure it's not the aircon noise you're aware of? They are Desiros, after all.

 

[AndrewE]

I do find them quieter on the inside than any BR DMU, ... The only quieter DMU I've experienced has been a NIR Class 3000 (which bodes well for Northern's 195s).

Surely the "Thumper" DMUs must have been quiet inside (if you weren't in the motor coach)? I'll have to seek one out, as I can't remember noticing the ambience when I last travelled on one. Maybe it was just as quiet as any other hauled coach...

 

[alexl92]

Maybe I should preface that as "for a DMU." You are aware of the engine, but it's just a gentle hum. I do find them quieter on the inside than any BR DMU, as well as Turbostars, and about as quiet as a 175 (never been on a 180, but from what I've heard of them, I can't imagine they're quieter). The only quieter DMU I've experienced has been a NIR Class 3000 (which bodes well for Northern's 195s).

Are you sure it's not the aircon noise you're aware of? They are Desiros, after all.

Hah, no - I will say though that if I'm on a 185 in the evening and I'm in a coach where the engine is not running, it's certainly not an unpleasant experience (unless it's Friday night and there's a dozen 40-somethings in the carriage knocking back Stella and yelling profane jokes at each other!) And yeah - compared to the intolerable noise of a Pacer or even a 150 they're not too bad to be fair.

 

[_toommm_]

Still plenty of official documents that refer to 253 and 254. That'll do me what they are.

But the point is this thread is about DMUs. The 43 is not used in multiple and in itself isn't a passenger train

 

[hassaanhc]

I love most DMUs so it was hard to choose. But as 165/166 units have been my local for years, and are the DMUs that I've travelled on the most, I had to select that. I prefer the 165s more to the 166s, as 165s engines are generally loud (and even better when the windows are open ) but the 166s sound muffled. Actually I like the sound of most DMU engines, the only crap ones being the 142s because they're too quiet

Maybe I should preface that as "for a DMU." You are aware of the engine, but it's just a gentle hum. I do find them quieter on the inside than any BR DMU, as well as Turbostars, and about as quiet as a 175 (never been on a 180, but from what I've heard of them, I can't imagine they're quieter). The only quieter DMU I've experienced has been a NIR Class 3000 (which bodes well for Northern's 195s).

Are you sure it's not the aircon noise you're aware of? They are Desiros, after all.

I find that most DMUs are pretty quiet if you're not sat near the engine, and I remember this also being the case with 185s. On most DMU carriages the engine generally is about 1/3 of the way down from one end. Of course if you sit right by the engine then you'll most certainly notice it.

 

[fowler9]

Disappointed to see 156's mixed in with the other rubbish. I voted in that grouping anyway. Would have gone for 158's if it wasn't for the fact I use 156's more.

 

[SWTrainspottin]

Currently it has to be the Class 16x "Networker Turbos", or just simply "Turbos" as I like to refer to them as. I've developed a strong liking for them recently. In all fairness I don't mind the 2+3 seating in it because there are some sections with 2+2 seating, and the overall feeling is much better too.

 

[Marklund]

But the point is this thread is about DMUs. The 43 is not used in multiple and in itself isn't a passenger train

You made a song and dance about class numbers and locomotives. I really don't care to be frank.

I'll leave this link here...

 

[MG11]

Mine is Class 222, closely followed by Class 220 and 221.

Btw, the Parry People Mover is not a DMU, it is battery powered.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Btw, the Parry People Mover is not a DMU, it is battery powered.

It's not, it's a DMU[1] (sort of) with a flywheel to provide "regen".

[1] Technically an LPGMU

 

[D365]

The flywheel is the battery in this sense, as opposed to the ‘traditional’ lithium ion cells.

 

[Sparks807Evo]

Gone for the 168s/170s etc. The 168s and 171s in particular are excellent I've found; perfect seating, good heating and air-con system and all round comfortable DMU. 172s are the ideal commuter train and superior to most of the previous BR stock. I like the 158s though with the layout and find the ride quality among the best - heating decent and I'll forgive the dodgy air con. Put the door layout and suspension of a 158 onto a 170 and it'd be perfect.

 

[xotGD]

But the point is this thread is about DMUs. The 43 is not used in multiple and in itself isn't a passenger train

It is the power car of a fixed-formation DMU. Numbered as coaching stock. Has a guards van. Has a vestibule connection to the next coach. Isn't a locomotive. Has more in common with a 101 than a locomotive.

 

[AndrewE]

It is the power car of a fixed-formation DMU. Numbered as coaching stock. Has a guards van. Has a vestibule connection to the next coach. Isn't a locomotive. Has more in common with a 101 than a locomotive.

How many other sets can it work in multiple with?

 

[AndrewE]

It's not, it's a DMU[1] (sort of) with a flywheel to provide "regen".
[1] Technically an LPGMU

"Diesel" describes the power unit (compression ignition) rather than the fuel... it could be either spark-ignition or Diesel, Wikipedia only says LPG-fuelled internal combustion engine.

 

[Bletchleyite]

"Diesel" describes the power unit (compression ignition) rather than the fuel... it could be either spark-ignition or Diesel, Wikipedia only says LPG-fuelled internal combustion engine.

I half recall them being 1.8l Ford petrol engines (the one out of the Mondy) converted to LPG.

 

[D365]

I half recall them being 1.8l Ford petrol engines (the one out of the Mondy) converted to LPG.

Definitely bigger than 1.8L and not petrol; Wikipedia claims a ‎Ford DSG423 2.3L.

 

[Marklund]

How many other sets can it work in multiple with?

The other Power Car at the rear.
Good luck running a normal service on it's own, and not in multiple with another.

 

[D365]

The other Power Car at the rear.
Good luck running a normal service on it's own, and not in multiple with another.

It doesn't matter whether you consider it a multiple unit or not. Under TOPS the power cars are designated Class 43, and they are not marshalled in permanent formation.

In any case, backontrack created a different poll for LHCS and 125mph+ rolling stock.

 

[Marklund]

It doesn't matter whether you consider it a multiple unit or not. Under TOPS the power cars are designated Class 43, and they are not marshalled in permanent formation.

In any case, backontrack created a different poll for LHCS and 125mph+ rolling stock.

As I've said, before this started, there are plenty of places where 253/254 is used in rules and regulations, and not class 43. I'd say that Trumps TOPS

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It doesn't matter whether you consider it a multiple unit or not. Under TOPS the power cars are designated Class 43, and they are not marshalled in permanent formation.

In any case, backontrack created a different poll for LHCS and 125mph+ rolling stock.

As I've said, before this started, there are plenty of places where 253/254 is used in rules and regulations, and not class 43. I'd say that Trumps TOPS

I'd like to commend @backontrack for some quite stellar grey-hat trolling with these recent polls!

 

[xotGD]

It doesn't matter whether you consider it a multiple unit or not. Under TOPS the power cars are designated Class 43, and they are not marshalled in permanent formation.

In any case, backontrack created a different poll for LHCS and 125mph+ rolling stock.

And bubble cars are numbered 55xxx but that doesn't make them Deltics!

Both are numbered in the coaching stock numbering sequence.