321903 Sounding a bit rough

[wbbminerals]

As a regular Wakefield line passenger I have noticed that in the last few weeks 321903 hasn't been sounding (and sometimes smelling) too good.

It has been shaking a lot when on full power and a few weeks ago the carriage I was in (pantograph car) 'smelt of burnt toast' as the guard put it. Has anyone else noticed these things and what things are causing them?

 

[Pyromaniac]

A lot of the 321's on the GEML smell of burning whilst trying to hit 100 as well, plus I like sitting in the MSO. Generally I wouldn't be too worried unless you see smoke.

 

[Nym]

Could just be the oil getting warm in the transformer, when you see smoke, panic, if you see lots of smoke, panic more because it's about to set it'self on fire...

 

[ChrisCooper]

I thought the smell was pretty standard for the Mk3 based AC EMUs.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I thought
the smell was pretty standard for the Mk3 based AC EMUs.

similarly.

Bare in mind maybe too that your 321s will probs be doing more work now youve got 5 lovely X Scotrail 322s to rescue them if there new daily shedule is just a bit to much for them!

just a tip, unless they have been tampered with these units are pritty hellfire at speed and worth a bash. I miss them here esp when you see the horrid plastick 380s we got now, some of which are already creeking, rattling and groaning alarmingly for such new units.

 

[RichmondCommu]

similarly.

Bare in mind maybe too that your 321s will probs be doing more work now youve got 5 lovely X Scotrail 322s to rescue them if there new daily shedule is just a bit to much for them!

just a tip, unless they have been tampered with these units are pritty hellfire at speed and worth a bash. I miss them here esp when you see the horrid plastick 380s we got now, some of which are already creeking, rattling and groaning alarmingly for such new units.

But lets face it Seimens are the best and everything else can go hang.

 

[Mike C]

In my experience I would be more surprised if a class 321 sounded smooth.

 

[wbbminerals]

In my experience I would be more surprised if a class 321 sounded smooth.

The 321/9s usually do! Mind you 321903 is the only one I keep getting because it stalks me around at the moment.

 

[317666]

Come over to the West Anglia and have a ride in the MSO of 317650, that is the definition of knackered

 

[Blindtraveler]

Come over to the West Anglia and have a ride in the MSO of 317650, that is the definition of knackered

sounds fun!

 

[Lampshade]

The 321/9s usually do! Mind you 321903 is the only one I keep getting because it stalks me around at the moment.

902 sure as hell doesn't! I was on it from Bradford Forster Square to Shipley the other week, sounded as if it was about to explode hock:

 

[ainsworth74]

Yes my experience of 321/9s is that they as a fleet do tend to make some quite 'interesting' noises (especially in the PTSO) when accelerating away from stations.

 

[Mike C]

I get very disappointed on the rare occasion that FCC send a 321 in place of the usual 365 on a fast Peterborough service. 55 minutes at 100mph on a 321 and you realise how good the 365's really are.

 

[O L Leigh]

I thought you lot liked a noisy unit.

TBH, some units are simply louder than others but it doesn't mean that they are about to fall over. The other thing to bear in mind is that these Mk3 EMUs only have four driven axles under a single coach, and that makes them prone to slipping at this time of year. This can put a lot of additional stress on the electrical equipment and contribute to a rough ride as the unit finds/loses grip on the rail.

O L Leigh

 

[jon0844]

I find that a 317/319/321 at top speed feels a lot faster than it should - and perhaps that is because of the noises and the bouncing that makes you wonder if you're about to jump off the track.

If you like rollercoasters, it's a free thrill ride.

Honestly though, I think they're okay - but it depends if you're in a nice seat with leg room (and space beside you) - such as on a 319 that is 2+2 or in first class - than crammed in like a sardine on a packed peak service with 3+2, or standing with very little to hold on to.

Back when there must have been less services, I used to love my trips to London from Cheshunt. Hop on a (then new) 317 and I was at Tottenham Hale in 8 minutes. 10 minutes later or so, I was off at Warren Street and shopping on Tottenham Court Road! A little longer and I was at Oxford Street. The train almost literally flew, and hardly ever got held up by another service. I wish the same could be said today where (I travel rarely) I get held up nearly ALL the time.