IS the 175 juuust right with a 450hp cummins?
Serously though, why cant Bombardier or Alstom make somthing that feels like a quality product?
The 185s are getting a bit tired now, thanks in part to a lot of vandalism (carving names into the plastics) etc. But they alwayed had a nice aire of quality about them, everything fitted properly, nothing squeaked and the doors had a satisfying clunk when they closed.
From what I'm hearing about the 172s, this just isn't the case, the 175s (the other alternative base unit) does have a nice feel of quality on board, but wasn't too reliable in the first instance.
Personally, with all the weight saving thats going on for the Desiro City units that will adorn thameslink shortly, why doesn't the likes of Siemens come up with one with a smattering of Diesels or Gas Turbines on board. Possibly with a transformer aswell, but that would mean a fixed formation of at least 4 cars (3* 750hp Diesel / Gas Generator, 1* 2.5KW Transformer)
There are a decent number (that I know of) of inter reigonal (100mph) diesel only services in the country that could do with being fixed formation 4+ car units. Doubled up to 8 or 12 car units. I'm thinking Portsmouth - Cardiff, Waterloo - Exeter - West Country, Chiltern Main Line (They'll hate me for saying inter-reigonal), and almost every route in Scotland, and a fair wack of commuter routes round the north.
And lord may I be struck down for saying this, but I'd rather have a quality product on the rails in the UK that will last a good solid 50 years. Rather than a product made at Derby or Washwood Heath, that will fall appart in 20 or so years. I can see the 185s outlasting the 172s.
But then again, I'm of the opinion that if we work fast enough on electrification we don't need to order any more Diesel units, or Bi-Mode units. And with the first of the 3rd Gen diesels expected to last until 2030 (Clubman units) we could spend the money now and made a decision that would see no more diesel units needed to be ordered, ever. Or at least until 2050 where more 'self powered' units might be needed for the lines where electrification would be utterly pointless, but the economies of scale may have changed by then. The only diesel things I would look at ordering would be locomotives.
Anyway, back on topic.
Bombardier need to get their act together with these quality issues. I've been on 170s and seen better put together kit cars, in a shed! Ceriously, a TP 170, fresh out of refurbishment, and the electrical equipment is household external junction boxes, cracked, and held together with insulation tape! But it seems at the moment that Bombardier and CSRE are the only available options for diesel units in the UK, and I may be waivering on CSRE, I have spoken (by email) to one of their UK managers, and the product the're putting together seems mechanicaly sound, and will be able to meet new Euro emissions regulations. If they can make it (I'm gonna be hated for this aswell) quality like a desiro, then I'm waivering to giving CSRE a chance to build the next order of Diesel units, for Northern, directly replacing the pacers. On the proviso, they are made compatable and couplable to sprinter stock. (The only thing in favour of 170/172 products at the minute)
Oh and PS: I'm sure some of you know how critical of CSRE I have been in the past, and that it's quite hard for me to say that
). Basically, from what I've heard, the 172s could start entering service anytime from the start of September but it's more like December for the whole 172/3 fleet. I presume all 172s (including 172/2) will be in service by Spring 2012. The 150s will not go until their replacements have arrived and been thoroughly tested - even so, LM want to keep a couple of 150s so it's all a bit iffy 
