Are 158s hellfire?

[EE Type 3]

To follow on from this discussion from another thread, are they?

To me, yes. They are the best 2nd Gen DMU IMO, closely followed by the 156.

They've been staple motive power for many a TOC for years, and carried enough liveries to open up a paint shop!

I'll raise my glass anyday to one, but, what do you all think, as enthusiants, bashers, passengers of photographers.

Dave

 

[me123]

I wouldn't exactly say "hellfire", but my feelings are closer to "yes".

 

[adamp]

YES!
There amazing. best DMU on our rails I reck.
Im only 15 but want to drive one! BADLY!
Im not sure on driving views...but for me as a passenger everything is brilliant on most class 158's.

 

[EE Type 3]

The cabs are cosy (usually!hock and very simple and laid out well. Also good for a kip 8)

Dave

 

[adamp]

Also good for a kip 8)

I wouldnt like you as my train driver hock:

 

[Jord]

Definatly not is the answer to that question

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! On a par with 142s for the worst EVER. I'd much rather have a 156 than a 158!

 

[5872]

I think 158s are hellfire, although aren't 159s the same?, If anyone said a 159 wasn't more hellfire then a 158, is just noooooo....

 

[adamp]

So what do you fools not like about the 158's then??????????????

 

[ChrisCooper]

No. They are the worst sounding DMU in the UK (Cummins versions anyway), more of a whine than the roar more common with DMUs, particularly inside, and especially when idling (I suppose some of my hatred comes from the various times I sat listening to that sound when on a failed or otherwise delayed 158). From personal experiance they are unreliable (I think I've clocked up more delay minutes due to 158s over the years than all other types put together, and they arn't even my highest milage trains (they are at least 3rd behind HSTs and Turbostars, 156s probably come close). Even when they havn't failed, more often than not 158 related journies seem to turn into a disaster one way or the other. Whilst it's always been Central units I've had problems with, I've done more milage on their Turbostars and about the same on 156s with much less problems (infact I can't remember one real problem with a CT 156). Most of the ones I have been on have been rarther uncomfortable and in bad condition aswell (although that's a lot down to TOCs, again Central, but also Trans Pennine and Northern/ATN). Air Conditioning often fails in the summer aswell. The "tilt profile" makes them seem a little cramped.
They arn't all bad though, they do give a damned good ride (same bogies as 442s and Mk3 DVTs) especially compared to other Sprinters and Turbostars, when the air-con fails at least they have opening windows, and they do look good. Perkins engined ones arn't that bad sounding either. I do like the tip up seat in the front vestibule aswell, spent many a happy hour their on busy CT services.

 

[EE Type 3]

I think 158s are hellfire, although aren't 159s the same?, If anyone said a 159 wasn't more hellfire then a 158, is just noooooo....

159s have more powerful engines.

I wouldnt like you as my train driver hock:

No you would'nt 8)

 

[Gizmogle]

Yes

158815!!!

 

[Jord]

158s. . .

Worst Sounding,

Not good looking, nor as any i don't think

Cab is tiny and crap

Uncomfortable

Want me to go on? . . . You 158 lovers may be offended

 

[Gizmogle]

...coming from a shed ned.

YINGYINGYING!!!

 

[Max]

I personally think 158s (with original seats and lots of padding!) are really comfortable, far more than many of these new units. You can really sink into the seats and relax. The ex-TPE 158s were probably the best for this!

 

[EE Type 3]

And 66s are more pleasing in every way possible? uke::tard:ukerigh:ukeleft:

The cabs of 158s are very good, have you been in one?

Not having a rant, but you don't seem to back your opinions up

Dave

 

[Dennis]

Ride and comfort wise, if the seats are of a decent type and the air-cons working, 158's are OK. The biggest irritant has to be the deadful whining din so many of them make - certainly not hellfire.

 

[Jordy]

158s are very comfy (well...the ex TPE ones, and the Northern ones which still have padding left), usually at a suitable temperature inside and ideal for semi-fast journeys, I don't mind them at all as far as units go.

However, by no means are they Hellfire

Jordy

 

[me123]

...coming from a shed ned.

In Aberdeen, if you don't like MUs, you have to take whatever you can get.

 

[EE Type 3]

158s are very comfy (well...the ex TPE ones, and the Northern ones which still have padding left), usually at a suitable temperature inside and ideal for semi-fast journeys, I don't mind them at all as far as units go.

However, by no means are they Hellfire

Jordy

Ok, maybe not hellfire

 

[Techniquest]

The answer to the OP's question is a most definate 'Yes'.

158s have been the staple traction up and down the Marches for several years, until ATW got the full 175 fleet back. Now these Coradias are the staple traction, with 158s employed on other services up and down Wales.

By far, the original seating is the most comfortable. I have fond memories, however, of doing Fishguard Harbour to Hereford (would have been all the way through to Crewe where it terminated but I was bailing for a HST to Oxford) on a Chapman-seated 158 once, not to mention the marathon trip of Haverfordwest to Milford Haven then all the way through to Hereford. Then there was the first time I went to Milford Haven on 158825 from Swansea to Milford Haven and back. I seem to recall never wanting to go there again, the only interesting thing there was the Tesco. That was a great little bash there though...Just a couple of fond memories of 158 bashing. To think I'm happy to run for a 158 now...

So yes, I say 158s are hellfire. It's just not the same on the Marches...

 

[Turbostar]

Without a doubt, the best 2nd gen dmu's. Coming a joint 1st, the 159's. A joy to ride on, especially the 159's, which to be honest, are better than the FGW 158's internally. Very comfortable, especially the refurb'd 159's. If FGW take a leaf out of SWT 159's with their 158's, they might get somewhere. Went to Salisbury today btw from Exeter, on one of the refurb'd 159/1s. Best ride out I've had in a long time, spotless & clean, & comfortable.

Mart

P.S Who do I speak to, to get my username changed plz?

 

[Jord]

...coming from a shed ned.

YINGYINGYING!!!

66s -

Spacious cabs,

Not the worse sounding,

Never rode in the cab of a 66 before

Any are definatly not the worst looking either. . .

And EE_Type_3 i haven't really been bothered to go in cabs of MU's, Only ever been in a 323 at Birmingham New Street some time ago now.

 

[Donny Dave]

158s. . .

Worst Sounding,

Not good looking, nor as any i don't think

Cab is tiny and crap

Uncomfortable

Erm, have you seen the cab in the number 2 end of a 153, that is tiny ....

158s (TPE ones anyway) were very comfortable (many hours kip had on them ), and as other people have pointed out, they are ideally suited to semi fast journeys. Compared to a pacer, they are brilliant. Also Jord, don't go bragging in public about cabbing units/locos. You could cost a driver their job.

Mart. If you wan't your username changing, then PM an admin.

 

[Zamracene749]

158s are OK,although some sound more 'whiney' than others. Especially good with the original seats nice and comfy.
156s sound better though, and you can open the windows in the summer to drown out all the noise from cheap mp3 players!

Both pale into insignificance compared to what they replaced though:-

Class47 and mk2 on the Welsh marches.
46/47s and mk2 on trans pennine (class31 and mk1s to Cleethorpes).
47s and mk2 on the highland mainline.
47s and mk1/2 on the S&C.
37/26s Aberdeen-Inverness-Thurso/Kyle.

Ah happy memories!

 

[Respite]

Well I'm sure you know My views on 158's & I drive them almost everyday.

Lovely unit to drive, best of the bunch. Cummins engined ones have less power but spool up faster.Perkins rev lazy but have some good grunt.

To be fair most 158's have reached the stage that a major rebuild would be nice, some have already had engines & transmissions replaced & it shows. Get a poor one & its average but get a nice sorted one & it certainly can be hellfire!

As for the 66 arguement..........comon, random Yinging & creaking/groaning is not the noise that comes from a hellfire loco!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

156s sound better though, and you can open the windows in the summer to drown out all the noise from cheap mp3 players!

I almost always drive with the window open, sounds good enough to me. Passengers get treated to some good sound deadening as thrashy engines are not to everyones taste's believe it or not.

 

[33056]

Are 158s hellfire?

Absolutely definitely NOT - modern plastic junk

 

[O L Leigh]

Sheds are terrible to drive. The Loco Journal pages are full of how bad the conditions are in the cabs for the poor driver. For one thing, why do you imagine that so many run around with the cab doors wide open?

one TN

 

[Respite]

Are 158s hellfire?

Absolutely definitely NOT - modern plastic junk

Put it into context though, modern? really? 1989+. You should try a 175!

Don't get me wrong in an ideal world all my workings would be loco hauled, 47's for my fasts & 37's for My semi's with a random selection of proper BR loco's to boot etc etc........(Oh & no sheds or skips).

Trouble is the ideal world doesnt stay around for you. One day you have to just look up & face the fact that some arsehole has gotten rid of everything you liked on the railway. (Usually has a beard ,the git).

158's based on what is around right now, well there really isnt any equal.

 

[Techniquest]

I'd rather a 158 to a 170. I still remember stepping off a 158 on a leap from Newport to Hereford to find a CT 158 on the next CT run to Nottingham. I was happy. No rancid Turbostars for me that time.

As for modern, wasn't it 1994 when Alphaline got them for the Marches? So it's, what, 13 years for them up and down this way. It'll be disappointing when the last 158 works the Marches, that's for sure.