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I don't have a problem with 165/166s, it's with the state of the things that is the main problem. Something akin to the 195s is what's needed in terms of cabin layout, in a 5 or 6 car configuration, and preferably bi-mode to take advantage of some of the electrification on the route. The refurb...

Having whined about the 159s- I stood from Tisbury to Salisbury (3-cars and full) and then got into one of the units which came straight from the depot. That unit was warm, but not unbearably warm. The train home from Waterloo to Salisbury was positively cold, which was lovely! I was very...

Yes these were full size tables, so must have been a 166. Long time since I was living in the Windsor area so not too familiar with the Turbos any more!

You might say that your Skoda's AC is superb! (sorry) I'd add as well that the system in my parent's Skoda Enyaq is even better than when they had a Superb- because with electric cars you can normally start the AC with an app before you get to the car. I am heading up to London from Salisbury...

I'm sure you're right! It was a single 3-car unit but it wasn't peak time so was fine. I'm sure it would have got quite nasty though at rush hour. Either way though- the seat covers were pretty grim. Lovely patch of ingrained dandruff on each headrest, and a tear in the seat base opposite me.

I was on a Turbo from Bath to Salisbury yesterday. Not sure if it was a 165 or 166 (didn't look) but got in the declassified first class. I've never been in a more depressing, dirty, collapsing train. And I was on my way back from New York, where we'd ridden the subway extensively, somewhere not...

I believe that the 165/166s are a bit too wide for a lot of lines, whereas the Turbostars were designed as 'go anywhere'. The 165/166s were designed for ex-GWR lines which had a bit more space apparently. The ones sent west had to have their ride height modified though.

I'm not sure the poor Mersey deserves being filled with those old relics! I do wonder if Northern are ruing the day they agreed to use these things. A larger fleet of bi-mode Civities or some FLIRTS would be ideal!

From Dagenham? Ford haven't built a car in Dagenham in years- it's been an engine plant for quite a while now. Maybe they're coming in from the continent?

Off topic (and I'm to blame- sorry mods) but it's quite cleverly done in the VW Group cars. If you take your foot completely off the accelerator it engine brakes, but a tiny throttle application will coast. Interesting to hear! Thank you. I wonder if a more long-term plan for 158/159s would...

Interesting you say that- my main experience of those seats is really on the 159s. The ones with the red moquette are definitely better than the 'refurbished' flat cloth, but the basic seat design still works well for me. I do agree with this though- it's why I like the seats used on the...

I wonder if the ZF transmissions could be made to freewheel? I know a lot of DSG/automated manual type transmissions in cars will freewheel- had a Skoda Octavia with a DSG transmission that would freewheel when in 'eco' mode. They just disengage the clutch when the computer decides that...

The old original 158 seats are very comfy, but the backrests are so thick that whilst the seat pitch is fine, the legroom isn't. I'm 6'2 and struggle in the airline seats. I'd certainly rather the fairly firm Grammar seating (I think? - as used on the EMR 158s) if I can't get a table seat. And...

Because old British stuff looks so good after hitting buffer stops...

Exactly- Alstom (and for that matter Siemens too, I'm sure) would much rather sell a new BEMU than refit an old one. But that doesn't preclude another company coming in and adding to the existing trains, as proposed with the 350/2 BEMU idea (from Porterbrook? Can't remember) I do agree though...

I don't understand how the type of material used for seat coverings can possibly become unsafe unless it suddenly decided that it would no longer comply with fire regulations or something. Because your post definitely suggested that the flat cloth could somehow become unsafe. I don't disagree...

I certainly expect the 159s to spend their entire operational lives on the WoE line. Whatever replaces them needs to be a bi-mode unit though, able to take advantage of electrification from Basingstoke to Waterloo. I'd personally love a bi-mode 444 style unit, but something with doors at thirds...

They'd have to be very different Aventras - the current ones wouldn't get very close to Salisbury without more 3rd rail! They're also a totally different type of train to what the Salisbury line needs. Some bi-mode 444s would be ideal IMO, but that's getting off topic. Although I'm sure a...

Maybe back to the Covid style 'at seat ordering' tech but with you collecting it from the shop rather than having a staff member take it to you? Because a lot of people (myself included) do not carry cash these days. I often don't even carry my wallet.

HVO - I think hydrogenated vegetable oil?