WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[uniquicity]

196001+012 failed on the 1650 Bhm to Hereford… felt like door issues

 

[Energy]

196001+012 failed on the 1650 Bhm to Hereford… felt like door issues

Sounds about right, door issues seem to be the most common problem.

So far on the 196 I've heard two comments on them "this train is nice" from a friend and "this train sounds like a washing machine" (at low speed) from a random passenger.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

196109 15:15 off Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

196109 0802 off Telford Central to Birmingham New Street.

 

[py_megapixel]

"this train sounds like a washing machine" (at low speed) from a random passenger.

The 195s and 331s do have something - I think it may be HVAC related - that periodically makes a rather distinctive sound not dissimilar to when the drain pump in a washing machine kicks in, so presumably it was that.

 

[Liam L]

196002 has entered service today on the Hereford route.

 

[newtownmgr]

196002 has entered service today on the Hereford route.

Was out yesterday as well

 

[william.martin]

The units that haven't made there passenger debut yet are as follows:

•196011
•196105
•196106
•196111
•196112
•196113
•196114

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Was out yesterday as well

Do you know what unit is with it?

 

[HST274]

Do you know what unit is with it?

196008 I believe.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

196008 I believe.

Thanks .

 

[Techniquest]

Was out yesterday as well

I'm surprised it wasn't reported here to be honest!

196008 I believe.

Correct, it was 008. I initially saw it on the 1650 from Birmingham, and when I saw 002 on the back I had to make plans to get it. Initially I said no, but made it thanks to some seriously fast feet!

I'm down to just 009, 010 and 011 of the 196/0s to get, which I'm very pleased with. I hadn't originally planned to be on a train until either 10th or 17th July, but the opportunity presented itself after today's Tour de France stage to go out on a combined train and power-walk mission. Very glad I went out now!

 

[Liam L]

Was out yesterday as well

Ah I just presumed it was today as my source said it was the first time that they seen it out, thanks

 

[Pokelet]

Does anyone know what the diagrams are for Saturday Worcester - BHM. Keen to sample a 196 but also keen to avoid anything that might be a 2 car 172!

 

[GWVillager]

Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo, but I noticed this morning that two of the exterior rubber window seals on 196008 were falling off. Not just peeling slightly, but one was quite literally hanging limp from the body side. The other had been scruffily taped back on with ‘wasp’-striped tape: neither of which is a good look for new trains. I shall try and find it again to upload a photo of how serious the peeling is.

Are WMR aware of this and are there any plans to sort it out?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

A Selection of 196s at Telford Central and Wolverhampton over this past week. (3rd-6th July)

 

[alan71]

004+005 0640 HFD BHM

 

[uniquicity]

It has lost 004 since then, now running as a 2 car

 

[Pokelet]

It has lost 004 since then, now running as a 2 car

And 005 has just gone pop on the 1650 ex BHM. Cab window interlock failure. Having sat on it for 15 minutes, observations are, nice interior, windows lined up with my table seat, table was very narrow compared to the 170 - wouldn't be comfortable for me to work on my laptop, no armrests . Doors and hustle alarms very loud. Also the number decals are already wearing off.

Now on a decidedly tatty 172004 ex Chiltern.

So glad I no longer commute daily.

 

[uniquicity]

And 005 has just gone pop on the 1650 ex BHM. Cab window interlock failure. Having sat on it for 15 minutes, observations are, nice interior, windows lined up with my table seat, table was very narrow compared to the 170 - wouldn't be comfortable for me to work on my laptop, no armrests . Doors and hustle alarms very loud. Also the number decals are already wearing off.

Now on a decidedly tatty 172004 ex Chiltern.

So glad I no longer commute daily.

005 has been like that since April. Suspect it was graffiti that hasn't been cleaned with due care and attention

 

[GWVillager]

And 005 has just gone pop on the 1650 ex BHM. Cab window interlock failure. Having sat on it for 15 minutes, observations are, nice interior, windows lined up with my table seat, table was very narrow compared to the 170 - wouldn't be comfortable for me to work on my laptop, no armrests . Doors and hustle alarms very loud. Also the number decals are already wearing off.

Now on a decidedly tatty 172004 ex Chiltern.

So glad I no longer commute daily.

Yeah I saw 005 today, the numbers are white-ish due to graffiti, those on the other carriages are still immaculate.

Also, do you mean 172104? 172004 is ex London Overground.

 

[william.martin]

And 005 has just gone pop on the 1650 ex BHM. Cab window interlock failure. Having sat on it for 15 minutes, observations are, nice interior, windows lined up with my table seat, table was very narrow compared to the 170 - wouldn't be comfortable for me to work on my laptop, no armrests . Doors and hustle alarms very loud. Also the number decals are already wearing off.

Now on a decidedly tatty 172004 ex Chiltern.

So glad I no longer commute daily.

If I am to be honest WMR have gave these trains a commuter style interior despite them being regional trains on (mostly) regional routes, I happily perch on these units nipping around Shropshire however doing the full Shrewsbury to Birmingham, I would rather get up 10 minutes earlier for a TFW 158.

 

[Liam L]

005 has been like that since April. Suspect it was graffiti that hasn't been cleaned with due care and attention

The numbers are vinyl so they get very worn when someone been scrubbing the graffiti off, I doubt it high priority for them to be changed I would of thought.

 

[Pokelet]

Yeah I saw 005 today, the numbers are white-ish due to graffiti, those on the other carriages are still immaculate.

Also, do you mean 172104? 172004 is ex London Overground.

Humm got me thinking now. Blue seats, red grab handles, cup holders and rubber flooring?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Humm got me thinking now. Blue seats, red grab handles, cup holders and rubber flooring?

Yes, definitely 172104.

 

[Rhydgaled]

If I am to be honest WMR have gave these trains a commuter style interior despite them being regional trains on (mostly) regional routes, I happily perch on these units nipping around Shropshire however doing the full Shrewsbury to Birmingham, I would rather get up 10 minutes earlier for a TFW 158.

The 196s were only really meant for Birmingham-Shrewsbury and Birmingham-Hereford weren't they? While the latter could probably do with having regional trains, I would argue that the fact the 196s are suburban/commuter trains isn't an issue for Birmingham-Shrewsbury because the faster service, for the passengers doing longer journeys, is TfW's responsibility. I therefore direct my ire at TfW/KeolisAmey and their class 197s.

 

[GWVillager]

The 196s were only really meant for Birmingham-Shrewsbury and Birmingham-Hereford weren't they? While the latter could probably do with having regional trains, I would argue that the fact the 196s are suburban/commuter trains isn't an issue for Birmingham-Shrewsbury because the faster service, for the passengers doing longer journeys, is TfW's responsibility. I therefore direct my ire at TfW/KeolisAmey and their class 197s.

I think most Hereford passengers are just glad they don't have to put up with any more 172s! The spec is probably not ideal but perfectly satisfactory as you say, the capacity improvements will probably increase comfort more than their interior has decreased it.

 

[Pokelet]

Having commuted for over 6 years to BHM on 170's but stopped in 2018 I managed to sit on a197 yesterday, it's OK, not brilliant, not awful I could get used to it. The 172/1 we ended up travelling on when the 197 failed was dire. If those units are staying I hope they get a refurb + tables

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Having commuted for over 6 years to BHM on 170's but stopped in 2018 I managed to sit on a197 yesterday, it's OK, not brilliant, not awful I could get used to it. The 172/1 we ended up travelling on when the 197 failed was dire. If those units are staying I hope they get a refurb + tables

They won't be putting tables on 172s. They are perfectly fine for the other routes they serve

 

[trainJam]

As a passenger, on some power door trains it is possible to hold down the door open button so that the door will immediately open when the crew eventually release the doors, thus saving the passenger "reaction time".

(e.g. class 323, some 172s, 350, voyagers)
This does not work on some trains e.g. class 170.

As for the 196, not only does it not work, but it also seems to cause an odd behaviour. The door seems to take even longer to open and then it makes a high beep sound. Then it will stay open forever (no auto-close) until the crew close doors.