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Agree with comments that 158 units are probably the best on the network. Saying that the 195 ride quality feels like it was designed by someone on an apprenticeship scheme. When sitting close to the bogie is is quite poor. Even first generation units designed in the 50s with leaf spring design...
Hard decisions need to be made in the North, first of all extend platforms so that 4 car trains minimum can be accommodated at every single station.
Sort out the ride quality on the 195 units and at the same time order new cars from the manufacturer so that every 195 unit become 4 car units...
Maybe even order single cars, without front gangway of course! When you look at the skyline in Leeds, Manchester etc and then think of a two-car DMU without level boarding and double glazed windows in the doors. Not to mention the rather poor ride quality it seems less than ideal.
It makes an interesting comparison to sit at the end of the coach on a 195 and feel the harsh ride of the bogie; then do the same on a 158. If you close your eyes and focus on the motion and overall ride quality you would easily think the 158 was the newer unit.
Not sure how to obtain more information on the subject. Is it known when the last timetabled passenger service operated between Godley Junction and Apethorn?
Maybe the TOC could equip crew with rubber bullets and a suitably supplied shooting device. Offenders should be shot onsite and have to pay a financial penalty for each rubber bullet that hits the target? Seems as sensible if not better than the current policy in this area.
Researching the Woodhead route in the 1950s there are pictures of a direct steam passenger service from Glossop to Woodley via Godley Junction. It was certainly running at the same time the Class 506 units were around. Does anyone know when this service finished, what year approx? Also any...
Confusing why Northern used such deep cushions on the original seats. When the units were new the cushion was no where near as deep which allowed more leg room and arm rests that are fit purpose. Do not understand the people that make such decisions.
Strange world when a unit that did not feel worn out at all meets it's end. Especially when other life expired units are running on the network using electric power. The 319 and 321 come to mind. It would be a shame if a number are not saved for preservation and given a long-term future
Very short lived but I believe the two Barrow services may have been the longest diagramed Class 156 route back in the day? Have a timetable from 1989 and direct services are:
Barrow depart 7.04 arrive in Cambridge 13.22. It was the same Class 156 unit that arrived from Colchester the previous...
125mph is simply not high speed if you look at the railways in the wider world, Eurostar excepted since the 1970's and 80's in my opinion the ambition of the railways has gone down and backwards. The APT originally planned for 155mph and then the IC250 project showed ambition to compete with...
In a so called developed country personally I do not feel the risk is advisable and of sound judgement, it will need to be dealt with eventually so why delay this? Inside trains it was removed long ago, so why do stations differ?
With the huge amount of money the railways takes these days from government funds, the asbestos simply needs to be dealt with, seems an unnecessary risk for the public in the event of the smallest amount of damage
Honestly what is left of Victoria is soulless and miserable, very limited services compared to decades past. Anyone that has not been there since the 70's or 80's I would suggest it is not worth going to see it today. It used to be a run down but very atmospheric station. Completely depressing...
From memory a few strange ones:
Circa 1988 Hull-Holyhead normally Class 150 units in pairs but many times a 142 was used for the full trip
Circa 1989 - Barrow-Cambridge operated once per day with a Class 156 although recall 150 units being used at times. Lasted no more than 12 months
Circa 1989...
Currently reading the excellent book titled the 'Regional Railways Story' which was published a few years past and it states in 1993 the entire age of the full large Regional Railways fleet was a mere 8 years of age. This made me think is there anything out there that gives an overview of the...
Could not agree more the Class 158\9 ride is just superb, it is such a shame that these bogies were not used on a full generation of later EMU's and DMU stock. When comparing the ride quality to say Class 195 units it feels as if the CAF design is totally inferior and if you close your eyes on...
Whilst the ECML wires do come down at times, this same 'cheap electrification' seems to be holding up reasonably well, also the early 1950's Picc to Hadfield catenary seems to be original in most sections so BR cannot have been that bad at electrification. We also taking about the same 'First...
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