Best ever train to run on UK mainline (excluding HS1)

[xotGD]

Class 87 + Mk3.

Only when being dragged from Brum to Nuneaton with a 58 on the front.

 

[cambsy]

xotGD been lucky enough have this drag happen, from Rugby to Birmingham via Nuneaton, with close to if not 100mph thrash on the WCML, in MK2‘s, was brilliant hellfire run .

 

[AJM580]

755s are the best regional train by far, but for a mainline ride, I have to concur with those who nominate the HST. Much better than the IEPs

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Are we only talking about currently operated services, as the "Golden Arrow" and the "Brighton Belle" were historical services with Pullman Cars that I would consider to be "best train" contenders.

 

[stuu]

The more comfortable older 377 2x2 mostly tables configuration is basically a modern day TSO but more comfy imo. Very underrated train. Does its role very well. Very good reliability considering how thin margins Southern have been running on since they got rid of their 455s.

I always thought the 379s were very comfortable trains, better than the Southern versions.

As for best ever, I imagine the various 1930s express stock must have been excellent ways to travel, but in terms of things I have actually been on, HSTs for me. The Cross Country or LNER refurbs. Honourable mention for the 159s too

 

[cjmillsnun]

Nowadays the class 444. Despite the issues with first class, these are the nicest trains on the SWR network. They’re comfortable. They have fantastic reliability (along with the 450).
I had a soft spot for their predecessor the 442 in NSE livery.

 

[mangyiscute]

I love the 80xs, they always seem quick, have a lot of space - plenty more seats than the HSTs they replaced in the west and each seat is spacious with large windows.
They have everything an intercity train needs, and I expect them to be operating for a long time - my only grudge would be that they chose to build some 5 coach trains.

 

[03_179]

For me ...
47/7+Push/Pull stock
47 + MkII on the Trans Pennine
37 + MkII on the Kyle / Far North lines
WCML 86/87 and 90s
ECML HSTs+91s
Even 2&4 EPBs on local lines

 

[Magdalia]

For my own personal comfort the early MarkII fresh air stock with original seats was the best, especially when it was being steam heated. It has been all downhill since then. I don't like aircon and, though I'm only a bit taller than average, most modern trains that I've experienced (which isn't very many) do not have sufficient legroom or seats of a suitable height.

For commercial impact the HST is way ahead of anything else.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Class 365 always happy to see you

Always looked more like a grimace than a smile to me. Much prefer the original Networker style cabs. The interiors were also ruined by the mid-life (which turned out to be near-end-of-life) refurbishment.

 

[APT618S]

For me it would be an early MK II with opening windows and the "winged" headrests - and a Deltic up front !

 

[DM352]

Past:
Class 421 series 1 with the non refurb seats.
Class 304 trent valley better 4 car riding the quieter non open trailer - do not remember a corridor as they reduced to 3 car early eighties.

Current:
Class 323 - best run was diverted north cross city and it started from Bham International, and run top speed until joining the branch to Aston to access cross city north.

 

[Mogz]

Speaking from personal experience, I think the Mk 2Ds with the air conditioning working properly were hard to beat.

They even had a few with First Class compartments. That was a treat!

 

[Donny Dave]

HSTs for the reasons previously mentioned. Quick and comfortable. 156s as well, as I think these are great workhorses and underrated.

Choosing from stock of more recent vintage now, the 185s. Superb acceleration and great for medium length journeys. Also, despite being a detractor of the IEP during the consultation and design process, I've been impressed so far by those that run on the ECML. Only time will tell if those standards can be maintained though.

 

[Johnnie2Sheds]

Western, 10+ MkIIa, Summer 1976, Devon.

Or probably a Pendolino.

 

[507021]

Class 47. British Rail didn't order 512 of them for nothing.

 

[150249]

150249.

 

[Western 52]

Mk2b corridor first for me. Comfortable seats and an opening window for real air! Even better along the Dawlish sea wall with a Western on the front!

 

[Recessio]

Electrostar/Turbostar. Massively versatile units, happy doing everything from metro services with London Overground, to long distance services with Cross Country and Midland Mainline.

 

[Iskra]

For my own personal comfort the early MarkII fresh air stock with original seats was the best, especially when it was being steam heated. It has been all downhill since then. I don't like aircon and, though I'm only a bit taller than average, most modern trains that I've experienced (which isn't very many) do not have sufficient legroom or seats of a suitable height.

For commercial impact the HST is way ahead of anything else.

Really? I think the Pendolino has a strong argument on the WCML.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jun 2024 ==

Class 47. British Rail didn't order 512 of them for nothing.

Not a train though.

 

[185]

From a business perspective, for the effort, investment and ultimate cost paid sadly... the 142 technically is the best. 35 years out of them was astonishing.

All your modern Alstom Corodeas, Azumawumas, Arteriobleeding, Evaero (mint flavour) - all that junk cost squillions in consultancy, design, build fees and will probably be in a Cardiff scrapyard rather sooner than the 142s 35 years.

All hail the dusty bin pacers, for they were righteous*

*and probably dangerous

 

[Whistler40145]

Mk 1s with a 37 on the front

 

[signed]

will probably be in a Cardiff scrapyard rather sooner than the 142s 35 years.

I am not that loving the new sets, but for that treatment, wait until Chinese trains, those will get the Mark 5A treatment of not even lasting 4 year in service if they ever enter the UK market.

 

[185]

I am not that loving the new sets, but for that treatment, wait until Chinese trains, those will get the Mark 5A treatment of not even lasting 4 year in service if they ever enter the UK market.

I've been on a few, both within and outside of China. Ultimately they will build according to the amount the buyer pays... ie pay Temu price, get a Temu train. Some of their CRH stuff isn't that bad and should see a reasonable length of service, although they (CRRC) seem to struggle gaining UK/EU certification. That said, looking at some of the Spanish, Swiss and Japanese junk that has arrived in the UK in recent years, the target is not too difficult to beat.

 

[yorksrob]

From a business perspective, for the effort, investment and ultimate cost paid sadly... the 142 technically is the best. 35 years out of them was astonishing.

All your modern Alstom Corodeas, Azumawumas, Arteriobleeding, Evaero (mint flavour) - all that junk cost squillions in consultancy, design, build fees and will probably be in a Cardiff scrapyard rather sooner than the 142s 35 years.

All hail the dusty bin pacers, for they were righteous*

*and probably dangerous

The slammers were versatile, reliable, didn't cost the earth to build and unlike the 142's were comfortable as well - and they lasted over forty years in many cases.

Knocked the 142's into a cocked hat I'm afraid.

 

[signed]

I've been on a few, both within and outside of China. Ultimately they will build according to the amount the buyer pays... ie pay Temu price, get a Temu train. Some of their CRH stuff isn't that bad and should see a reasonable length of service, although they (CRRC) seem to struggle gaining UK/EU certification. That said, looking at some of the Spanish, Swiss and Japanese junk that has arrived in the UK in recent years, the target is not too difficult to beat.

Most of the older CRH stock are not CRRC-built

You have ETR600s, Zefiros, and a Shinkansen.

I don't know how the Fuxing 400kph stock is doing but if you use the Chinese EV Safety as the same base, a CRRC will either never get certified or get swung out of service

 

[xotGD]

Mk 1s with a 37 on the front

Better still, Mark 1s with a pair of 37s on the front.

 

[Whistler40145]

Better still, Mark 1s with a pair of 37s on the front.

Of course, no heat 37s

 

[185]

Most of the older CRH stock are not CRRC-built

You have ETR600s, Zefiros, and a Shinkansen.

Discussion was in relation to the Chinese built stock, not imported stock. That said, the newer Chinese stock is a near perfect copy of what they bought.

 

[Magdalia]

Really? I think the Pendolino has a strong argument on the WCML.

Yes really. The Pendolino made a marginal difference on one route in a market that was rising rapidly anyway.

The HST reversed decline on 4 major routes: Great Western, East Coast, Midland and Cross Country. It really is no contest.