Could differential speed restrictions be adjusted to enable 185s to use Sprinter speeds?

[Philip]

Ultimately removing engines that will weigh a couple of tonnes each isn't going to solve anything.

The simple reality is these trains simply aren't well suited for ongoing operation on British railways.

There are plenty of other routes they can go to where they would be suitable. They would be an upgrade compared with 170s on Cardiff to Nottingham; replacing 168s and LHCS on the Chiltern line; EWR to give a few examples.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There are plenty of other routes they can go to where they would be suitable. They would be an upgrade compared with 170s on Cardiff to Nottingham; replacing 168s and LHCS on the Chiltern line; EWR to give a few examples.

All three of those examples... I would rather ride the existing stock than 185s...

 

[Philip]

All three of those examples... I would rather ride the existing stock than 185s...

I think that is because of familiarity with what is already there rather than a comparison of the trains in question. Class 185s are intercity standard trains (regardless of the door position) and their use over the last 15 years is evidence of this; Turbostars and 196s are very much local-medium distance commuter trains.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I think that is because of familiarity with what is already there rather than a comparison of the trains in question. Class 185s are intercity standard trains (regardless of the door position) and their use over the last 15 years is evidence of this; Turbostars and 196s are very much local-medium distance commuter trains.

I'm not sure - I've been on plenty of 185s, including for some quite long runs and having been on 170s / 168s for similar distances, I still prefer the latter.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm not sure - I've been on plenty of 185s, including for some quite long runs and having been on 170s / 168s for similar distances, I still prefer the latter.

Agreed- when TPE had both 185s and 170s, I'd time my journeys to match the 170s if possible. Now if you could get the drive train of a 185 into a 170 without making it too heavy, you'd have a truly versatile regional express unit.

 

[Grumpy]

Agreed- when TPE had both 185s and 170s, I'd time my journeys to match the 170s if possible.

Same here. Better ride, better view out

 

[Philip]

Class 185s have one of the best seat-window alignments of all trains. The refurb a few years ago has improved the interior by a couple of notches.

Each to their own, but TPE did consider them as suitable enough for the Manchester-Scotland service for many years, so going by that I think they can be considered intercity standard and very suited to the routes mentioned above.

 

[Llama]

Not sure that is the case,

We now have a tri speed differential
HST 125
110
EMU 100

in a few places.

Is that definitely right? Not saying it isn't but that would mean that EMU trains are restricted to less than standard permissible speed.

 

[edwin_m]

Is that definitely right? Not saying it isn't but that would mean that EMU trains are restricted to less than standard permissible speed.

Hmm, I don't think differentials can ever be less than the "default" speed.

 

[HSTEd]

Hmm, I don't think differentials can ever be less than the "default" speed.

I'm aware of a few cases where they were (or maybe are).

Including a (possibly now defunct) speed limit where there was a WES differential that was less than default because 442s had suspensions with greater travel than the original Mark 1 stock used on the route.

EDIT:

This website offers an example of a negative differential for London Underground stock.

 

[notadriver]

I'm aware of a few cases where they were (or maybe are).

Including a (possibly now defunct) speed limit where there was a WES differential that was less than default because 442s had suspensions with greater travel than the original Mark 1 stock used on the route.

EDIT:

This website offers an example of a negative differential for London Underground stock.

I can’t think of anywhere now where that negative differential exists for lul trains.

 

[westcoaster]

Is that definitely right? Not saying it isn't but that would mean that EMU trains are restricted to less than standard permissible speed.

Yes it's correct all on the MML south of Bedford.
The EMU differential came in with the Introduction of the uprated class 360's (110mph) on EMR connect services.
This is because the OHLE has a 100mph restriction south of Bedford placed on it.