class 153

[387star]

Hey I was on a FGW class 150 heading to Brighton today (usually a 158) and was thinking couldn't two 153s coupled together operate this service?

Has a 153 ever made it to Brighton? What about a 143?

Also how do you pass through the gangway of a 150? It has manually operated doors but I am so used to automatic doors it put me off from trying to get through for fear of making an idiot of myself! Is this for public use?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Yes, the gangway is public - just turn the handle. The 455s have exactly the same gangway doors; it's just what they built before they had power doors everwhere.

No 143 has ever made it to Brighton, but 153s probably did... albeit as 155s since as built the 155s operated the Portsmouth - Cardiff services.

 

[Pacerpilot]

Pacers are banned from the Southern or anywhere with Third Rails....

 

[ainsworth74]

Pacers are banned from the Southern or anywhere with Third Rails....

No they're not, I can't remember where it is but they do travel over track with 3rd rail.

 

[Aictos]

No they're not, I can't remember where it is but they do travel over track with 3rd rail.

Merseyrail used to operate 142s and Northern still do in the area, for some reason when I think of Merseyrail, 3rd rail, Pacers I think of Southport!

 

[Pacerpilot]

Then, Sir, I am prepared to be corrected. it was always my understanding there were fears over them contacting the juice rail due to their "nodding" nature.

 

[Lampshade]

Northern Rail services use non-electrified platforms 4, 5 and 6.

 

[142094]

Then, Sir, I am prepared to be corrected. it was always my understanding there were fears over them contacting the juice rail due to their "nodding" nature.

More lies spread by the Pacer haters! As has been said, there are a few places where they do share lines, but a lot of people still think that they are banned.

 

[First class]

Northern Rail services use non-electrified platforms 4, 5 and 6.

On many occasions they have been put into platform 3 at Southport. An electrified platform. They always seem to pass the signal at danger though when heading back to Wigan...

They also go through Hunts Cross again an electrified area.

 

[d1015fan]

i know 142/143's are technically cleared to portsmouth harbour but due to the tight curve outside southampton central they have to be routed via southampton airport parkway and I am sure a 143 has made it to portsmouth ex bristol on a wessex trains service

 

[Aictos]

Northern Rail services use non-electrified platforms 4, 5 and 6.

Pacers do run on third rail tracks via Hunts Cross though

EDIT: Conclusive proof.

Sorry, I'm not local so my route knowledge is rather limited - thanks for correcting me though.

 

[starrymarkb]

While Pacers are fine, HSTs or rather Mk3s are restricted over third rail, they have to have Short Swing Link suspension as the Long Swing Link version could foul the the juice rail. (I'm assuming at crossovers and junctions)

Expect all the SSL stock to be on the Waterloo turns when Reading is shut...

 

[tom1649]

More lies spread by the Pacer haters! As has been said, there are a few places where they do share lines, but a lot of people still think that they are banned.

Used to happen at Bidston as well when NWT ran the service from Wrexham.

 

[TEW]

i know 142/143's are technically cleared to portsmouth harbour but due to the tight curve outside southampton central they have to be routed via southampton airport parkway and I am sure a 143 has made it to portsmouth ex bristol on a wessex trains service

153s are banned from Porstmouth Harbour due to the steps on the outside of the unit.

 

[dk1]

153s are banned from Porstmouth Harbour due to the steps on the outside of the unit.

These stepboards have to be removed when 153s travel Crown Point to Ilford for tyre turning. Not allowed to run like this in passenger service & this is the reason the class have never visited Liverpool Street (unlike 150s & 156s).

 

[387star]

why they banned because of the steps

 

[dk1]

why they banned because of the steps

It's a danger of clipping platform edges. Most of the time they wouldnt but are outside of tolerance or may impact should air-bags de-flate. The latter is the reason this type of unit are also prohibited from using platforms 2 & 4 at Great Yarmouth due to curviture.

 

[buses7675]

Sorry, I'm not local so my route knowledge is rather limited - thanks for correcting me though.

Hi All,

What is interesting about that third rail on that platform at Hunts Cross (platform 2) is that is almost never used by third rail units as Merseyrail almost always use the platform 3 which is the bay platform.

I assume platform 2 had third rail put in in case of any problems on platform 3, but has anyone got any photos of the third rail in use on that platform?

Another rarity a bit further back too is the line outside Allerton depot has both third rail and overhead lines, however the overheard is almost never used anymore due to Allerton depot being closed!

 

[fgwrich]

153s are banned from Porstmouth Harbour due to the steps on the outside of the unit.

But when did this ban come into place? Surely the 153s haven't externally been modified that much since RR 155 Days?

Seems to be several reasons/excuses given as to why 153s can't operate east of Southampton, one of them even included gauge restrictions in Southampton Tunnel, but that should now be sorted thanks to the W10 gauging program for container flats?...

 

[sprinterguy]

But when did this ban come into place? Surely the 153s haven't externally been modified that much since RR 155 Days?

Indeed, I'm sure the 155s used to operate the Cardiff to Portsmouth Harbour services when they were introduced. The body of a 153 and it's fittings is surely almost identical to the carriage of a 155.

 

[Z12XE]

The body of a 153 and it's fittings is surely almost identical to the carriage of a 155.

Obvious underfloor differences on the former inner ends would be the deflector, repositioned exhaust pipe (although there would make little differences), and the additional steps upto the doors on the No 2 end which are fairly close to the front of the train when compared with the other end

 

[Failed Unit]

Yep. I am sure the steps at the no2 end need removing for certain parts of the ecml. Or the route via Lincoln when the visit webtec for heavy maintenance from nc.