EMR 180s to Skegness this summer

[STINT47]

1S01 the 07:58 Derby to Skegness is booked for 180110 today, the four car unit.

Given that one of the coaches is made up of first class 2 +1 seating (although in fairness declassified) passengers might be better of going for a service formed of two sprinters.

It's a poor effort from the rail industry given that a few years ago passengers got an eight coach HST I imagine things could get somewhat cozy for holidaymakers.

 

[43055]

1S01 the 07:58 Derby to Skegness is booked for 180110 today, the four car unit.

Given that one of the coaches is made up of first class 2 +1 seating (although in fairness declassified) passengers might be better of going for a service formed of two sprinters.

It's a poor effort from the rail industry given that a few years ago passengers got an eight coach HST I imagine things could get somewhat cozy for holidaymakers.

Given LNER are on strike you probably don't want that one on the London's today so Skegness is the next best option. Ideally the 3 5 cars should be out on Saturdays but it looks like 180111 is on maintenance/not allocated today.

 

[Silver Cobra]

1S01 the 07:58 Derby to Skegness is booked for 180110 today, the four car unit.

Given that one of the coaches is made up of first class 2 +1 seating (although in fairness declassified) passengers might be better of going for a service formed of two sprinters.

It's a poor effort from the rail industry given that a few years ago passengers got an eight coach HST I imagine things could get somewhat cozy for holidaymakers.

If my experience on 180109 last week is anything to go by, which was cozy enough, I can imagine 180110 being almost crush-loaded by the time it leaves Boston (unless fewer people travel today due to disruption elsewhere on the network from the ASLEF strikes and such). If I was planning to go to Skegness today and saw that 180110 was on the express, I'd much rather favour the normal Sprinter/Turbostar service over it.

 

[TheBigD]

When I checked earlier this morning, all the Skeggy trains were allocated for 2 x 156/8 except 1 diagram (0915/1415/1915 ex Skeggy) which was a 3 car 170/4.

 

[liamf656]

Given LNER are on strike you probably don't want that one on the London's today

I know it’s veering off topic but the MML has been much quieter than anticipated, mostly because there is zero ticket acceptance on it. But a I agree the 4 car would have been better on Skegs I think. Only downside is the catering struggles as there is no buffet bar on that one. Saying that there is still a 180 on Londons today, it’s rare that more than two of them are out in one go

 

[Andy Pacer]

If my experience on 180109 last week is anything to go by, which was cozy enough, I can imagine 180110 being almost crush-loaded by the time it leaves Boston (unless fewer people travel today due to disruption elsewhere on the network from the ASLEF strikes and such). If I was planning to go to Skegness today and saw that 180110 was on the express, I'd much rather favour the normal Sprinter/Turbostar service over it.

Are the normal DMU services not loading as heavily this year then?

 

[TheBigD]

Are the normal DMU services not loading as heavily this year then?

There is actually a bit more capacity on the normal service on saturdays than last summer. 3 diagrams are increased from 3 cars to 4 cars this summer.

Last year was...
Ex Nottingham
0745 153+156or8
0845 153+156or8
0955 153+156or8
1045 2x156or8
1145 153+156or8

This year they are all booked for 2 x 156or8 with the exception of the 1145 diagram which is a 3 car 170.

 

[STINT47]

EMR certainly appear to be doing their best to strengthen services where they can but they really could do with more trains and staff to run them.

Hopefully things will continue to get better in the coming years as more trains and staff start to come through.

 

[Kite159]

I suspect they will try and keep the 158s away if possible, owing to the lack of luggage compared to the 156s.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I suspect they will try and keep the 158s away if possible, owing to the lack of luggage compared to the 156s.

Yes, quite well documented that. Although I'd still rather a 158 is involved than a short form.

 

[Kite159]

Yes, quite well documented that. Although I'd still rather a 158 is involved than a short form.

Agreed a 158+156 is better than a single 156 or even no train.

I'm hoping to give the 180 a spin in early September (depends on any potential strike action or the BLS tour being something I want to do [when it actually gets announced]). Just for the novelty factor of a 180 to Skegness

 

[Andy Pacer]

Agreed a 158+156 is better than a single 156 or even no train.

I'm hoping to give the 180 a spin in early September (depends on any potential strike action or the BLS tour being something I want to do [when it actually gets announced]). Just for the novelty factor of a 180 to Skegness

I'd considered doing it but getting a bit fed up of packed trains and disorderly passengers (in general) Maybe I'm just getting too old for all this!

 

[Purple Train]

At least most of the seats line up with the windows, so the passengers can stare out at the beautiful, flat Lincolnshire scenery when it breaks down.

 

[Mikw]

At least most of the seats line up with the windows, so the passengers can stare out at the beautiful, flat Lincolnshire scenery when it breaks down.

From my experiences of the 180 - and i really do like them - is what you say is a distinct possibility. Especially if the temperature goes up by a couple of degrees.

 

[Purple Train]

From my experiences of the 180 - and i really do like them - is what you say is a distinct possibility. Especially if the temperature goes up by a couple of degrees.

If any are preserved, they'd be the perfect units for conversion into restaurants.

 

[43102EMR]

180111 is on the 07:58 to Skegness and return to Derby.

180109 is on the 09:23 from Derby.

 

[eastwestdivide]

On the subject of breakdowns, perhaps EM are better off putting the 180s on a leisurely canter across the flatlands than thrashing them up and down to London at 100mph+

 

[Andy Pacer]

On the subject of breakdowns, perhaps EM are better off putting the 180s on a leisurely canter across the flatlands than thrashing them up and down to London at 100mph+

Maybe, although they will cause havvock of they break down on the Skegness line.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Maybe, although they will cause havvock of they break down on the Skegness line.

So would the HSTs if they had broken down. Anything other than 15x/170 rolling stock which can couple to each other to rescue a failure would cause problems.

 

[Andy Pacer]

So would the HSTs if they had broken down. Anything other than 15x/170 rolling stock which can couple to each other to rescue a failure would cause problems.

Indeed. But the comparison was made to the MML.

 

[TheBigD]

There is often one of EMRs travelling technicians on them, just like they rode on the HSTs.
One of them I know always looks forward to the delights of a trip to skeggy during the summer !