What is your favourite train?

[75A]

To my knowledge they were all called thumpers due to the distinctive sound of their 4 cylinder engines, the Slim line hastings units were 202s

At Brighton we called all the DEMU's Thumpers.

 

[43096]

I strongly suspect that I've sent a few members into a tizzy by having Class 334s down as one of my favorite EMUs, but meh. Different horses, different courses and all that lol

The 334s are nice units - best way from Edinburgh to Glasgow is via Bathgate.

 

[Kneedown]

Overall it's evens between Class 45, and Classes 81 to 85. I grew up on the outskirts of Leicester so was brought with Peaks, and even got to drive a few in service before they were withdrawn. As regards the Roarers, where we lived it was just as easy to go to Nuneaton, and it was always great to see, and indeed hear one as a change to the usual 86's and 87's, especially when an 83 put in an appearance one day. Managed a couple of cab rides on 85's during my Traction Trainee course.
My favorite things to drive these days, since we lost the HST's, are 180's and 360's. The 180 is a far better driving experience than the 222, albeit a tad rough around the edges, and 360's are fun as AC traction is a new challenge to us East Midlanders.
As an aside, i'm pleased to report that i've never had a droning, Heath Robinson, Napier powered contraption for haulage, and never intend to.

 

[Ex-controller]

Class 380. Solid, dependable, versatile.

Wish ScotRail had ordered more than 40 of them.

 

[mangyiscute]

I don't know why but I just love taking the GWR 387s, maybe because they are so much nicer than the 165/6s they replaced on the Reading to London stoppers and also because they always seem to be pretty empty too and they are rarely delayed, so in my mind I always have a good experience overall on them. but for me they seem to have everything - power sockets, plenty of tables including on the back of seats, fully electric of course. Perhaps the only complaint some people have is hard seats but for me this has never been a problem on any train

 

[Strathclyder]

The 334s are nice units - best way from Edinburgh to Glasgow is via Bathgate.

There seem to be a plethora of reasons why folk don't like them (same with any other class I suppose). It may be due to their protracted introduction/techincial issues/shaky reliabilty or low availability (at least at first, it's much, much better now), being built by Alstom, the fact they replaced the last of the 303s or just general dislike for any one of those reasons. Personally, while a tad unrefined compared to the 380s & 385s, they are ideally suited to the Airdrie - Bathgate run (only done the full 'new' section in the westbound direction; need to change that sooner rather than later); sizable, airy windows, comfortable seating with plenty of legroom (crucial for somone over 6' like yours truly). The lack of seats in the 4-bay seating areas still catches me out on occasion - no doubt due to many miles I've done on 318s/320s over the years - but that's a minor, personal nitpick if nothing else. Personally, it's the fast runs on the Ayrshire Coast Line down to Ayr/Largs I had with them (and the 318s) back in my formative years that I'll always remember with the greatest fondness.

Finishing on a purely gricer note, they also sound pretty bloomin' good in my book (probably my favourite-sounding modern EMU aside from the 323s).

 

[bramling]

Gross, both of you have been docked 10 internet points.

If 10 points are being docked for having a soft-spot for Networkers then 100 points have to be docked for liking 700s.

Now if they didn’t have ironing board seats, the seats were a couple of inches further spaced from the walls, they had carpet and half-tables, and weren’t walk-through then one could start to like them.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jan 2022 ==

Well? Favourite class, locomotive/unit and livery? Why?

This is mine. I can remember reading (mostly looking at the pictures) a book on Deltics as a ten year old and although they were never in service in my living memory, the book portrayed them almost as living entities (and I rather like the look of them). This one was my favourite and in this livery for no other reason than I like the name.

tulyar 55 - Bing

Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you.

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Even now, if the questions asked, this is the one that jumps to mind.

For modern stock, has to be 365. Served me very well indeed, and happen to be superb trains too. I quite like earlier Electrostars, but the later ones are ruined by having ironing-board seats. A mention for 323 too - they do their job well, and I’d probably like them even more if I lived in an area and thus used them regularly.

For older stock, joint between 205, 207 or VEP.

 

[MCSHF007]

Pinza - 43,954.75 miles

 

[MattRat]

The PEPs. They are all pretty much the same. They ride well, they sound good for an EMU without being annoying to the average passenger, they are rugged, and they are reliable. They might not have flair, but they are extremely likeable.

 

[diffident]

For me it was the early 2000's runs down to Brighton with a Class 47 and a rake of Mk2's.

That said, I do have a massive soft spot for 37s too.

 

[birchesgreen]

Interesting question as to what is my favourite, i really had to think about this!

For nostalgia then a Class 31, i think when i started noticing trains it was watching them go past at Washwood Heath and 31s were very common then. Second place would be Class 86s blasting up and down the WCML when i used to spot at Stechford as a boy.

To travel on now its 323s, which are on my local line so all my journies generally begin and end with them.

 

[Zontar]

Class 89.....purely as it is unique and looks like nothing else. Wonder what it's up to now?

 

[XAM2175]

Class 89.....purely as it is unique and looks like nothing else. Wonder what it's up to now?

You'll be excited to find out, I reckon:

Class 89 updates

Seen passing Barton-under-Needwood One of British Rail's finer sandwiches!

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Zontar]

You'll be excited to find out, I reckon:

Class 89 updates

Seen passing Barton-under-Needwood One of British Rail's finer sandwiches!

www.railforums.co.uk

Fantastic. Hopefully I'll either get to see it out and about and/or get on a rail tour. Thanks

 

[Juniper Driver]

Class 20 with a long rake of unheated carriages, heading to the coast or on a football special. I may be projecting, but it felt that the drivers were enjoying the challenge (or the change).

Yes those whistlers....

 

[DM352]

Original or refurbished down to 3 carriages?

I just about remember the 4 coach 304 ones which I think had a trailer with compartments and used to get a Trent Tripper ticket for the mostly Stafford - Nuneaton run they did. They were reduced to 3 car not long after in the 80's

Used to travel in the front coach which used to give a springy ride, especially on the nb slow line between Polesworth and Tamworth that had non-welded track in places.

 

[Joshua_Harman]

Bombardier Movia

 

[D365]

Bombardier Movia

Which one?

 

[gimmea50anyday]

<——- Errrrrrrmmmmmmm.............

Partly thanks to the rasping engine and partly through the naval link. I grew up with them in Cornwall and on the mule

I also have many happy memories riding the motor bogies on 411, always preferred the rugged look of the Jaffa caked CEP compared to the later smoother fronted and colourful NSE liveried 421/423 and hammering along the Kent coast mainline at 90mph then enjoying the more sedate pace south of Tonbridge through Wadhurst and Battle to finish at Hastings those EE507s used to sing! Ah, the memories!

 

[Class15]

For me, it's either Class 15s or Class 87s, but the original 41s come close. Also close are Classes 76/7, 86 and 90.

 

[McRhu]

The AM3 Glasgow Blue Trains as originally built with the wrap-around windows, white roofs, Caley blue livery and optimism for the future. As for locos: Class 87, but also the 84s which looked ever so slightly different from their cousins AND had those exotic oval buffers.

 

[387star]

377s are remarkably underrated
The outer cars are superb

 

[Razorblades]

Sam's

 

[D6130]

but also the 84s which looked ever so slightly different from their cousins AND had those exotic oval buffers.

....and not forgetting the trademark NBL Co. spoked wheels.

 

[colchesterken]

Class 306. ahead of their time, first generation EMU were the last with confey seats.

 

[antharro]

Electric: 442 (in original or SWT spec), 317 (one), 458 (SWT)
Diesel: HST (Swallow), 159/159 (SWT), 220/221 (in 1st only)

 

[Eviga Resande]

DC Electric: Class 442, CEPs and CIGs as well. Starting to get a soft spot for the Class 444 too.
AC Electric: Class 310, Class 321, starting to get a soft spot for TfL's Aventras in Class 345/710 guise.
Electric Loco: Class 91 with a rake of Mk IVs.
Diesel MU: Class 158. Possibly my favourite of the lot, and would go out of my way for a 158 over an EMU on the SW.
Diesel Loco: Class 37 and Class 55 in a dead heat.
Foreign: ABB X2 - original livery and interior please. The standard for high-speed intercity trains I benchmark everything else by. Hope to return to Sweden one day to see how the totally gutted and refurbed units fare.

 

[class_47]

I used to enjoy travelling on the 312’s in the 90’s, could open the windows in the summer and they were warm in the winter. Always found them more comfortable than the then new 321’s. Having said that am really sad that the 321’s are now leaving.

Can’t say that I find either the 720’s or 745’s very comfortable, horrible hard seats on both

 

[Pseudonym]

First Gen DMUs - loved the view from the front when I was a kid on the Brid to Scabby line. Please can the train designers bring back trains where passengers can see out of the front?

I also love the sound of a Class 47 pulling away and of course the Class 43 with their original engines screaming out of the station.

 

[Intro298]

If 10 points are being docked for having a soft-spot for Networkers then 100 points have to be docked for liking 700s.

Now if they didn’t have ironing board seats, the seats were a couple of inches further spaced from the walls, they had carpet and half-tables, and weren’t walk-through then one could start to like them.

The Class 700's definitely are not my favourite train by any stretch, but they aren't that bad, they are very quick off the mark, have massive information screens, the seats have never been a problem for me, with the lack of armrests, and tables being my main complaints about the trains. All of my issues with these trains are solved by first class (which is always declassified at the rear of any Class 700), the wider seats, the large tables, and the armrests.