Class 195 issues

[tfw756rider]

On the 2/12/25, I rode on 195119. This was over 3 years after I had first and previously ridden on 195s on the 22/11/22, and over two years after I started riding on 197s and 196s on the 8/9/23.

I was disappointed to hear a "constant" quick succession of knocking noises coming from under my vehicle while the unit was in motion, that sounded like something was loose underneath (not the knocking sound that they can make every now and then when there's a bump).

As someone who's used to 197s and 196s (that don't do it), it was a bit of an unpleasant surprise. Also, the gearbox wasn't behaving as well as on 197s and 196s, changing down-up-down-up at times.

Did I just have bad luck, or are these behaviours unfortunately now common from 195s?

 

[vicbury]

197s sometimes have the knocking from underneath, I've mainly noticed it when sat by the cab ends. Was the gearbox changing up and down because of wheel slip? I experienced this the other morning

 

[D6130]

On the 2/12/25, I rode on 195119. This was over 3 years after I had first and previously ridden on 195s on the 22/11/22, and over two years after I started riding on 197s and 196s on the 8/9/23.

I was disappointed to hear a "constant" quick succession of knocking noises coming from under my vehicle while the unit was in motion, that sounded like something was loose underneath (not the knocking sound that they can make every now and then when there's a bump).

As someone who's used to 197s and 196s (that don't do it), it was a bit of an unpleasant surprise. Also, the gearbox wasn't behaving as well as on 197s and 196s, changing down-up-down-up at times.

Did I just have bad luck, or are these behaviours unfortunately now common from 195s?

They have been common since the units entered service. They have an appalling bad ride quality which is particularly noticeable if you sit over a bogie....so I always aim to sit in the middle of the carriage if possible. Try writing or drinking while sat over a bogie....or, on second thoughts, don't!

 

[tfw756rider]

197s sometimes have the knocking from underneath, I've mainly noticed it when sat by the cab ends.

I've never heard what I'm specifically referring to from any 197s and I've ridden on 56 of them. I acknowledge that without a sound recording, it could be difficult to interpret exactly what I mean. What I heard on the 195 was more of a quick succession of "knocks" than what you'd hear from bumps, and lower-pitched. It sounded like something was loose/broken underneath. I was sitting on one of the longitudinal tip-up seats.

Was the gearbox changing up and down because of wheel slip? I experienced this the other morning

Not sure, but I didn't notice any wheel slip. I take it that it was on a 197 you had it?

D6130 said: They have been common since the units entered service. They have an appalling bad ride quality which is particularly noticeable if you sit over a bogie....so I always aim to sit in the middle of the carriage if possible. Try writing or drinking while sat over a bogie....or, on second thoughts, don't!

Oh I'm aware that ride quality isn't a strong point of the 19x units, it's just that riding on that 195 after being used to 197s and 196s, I was disappointed just because of the noises I heard from it.

 

[vicbury]

I've never heard what I'm specifically referring to from any 197s and I've ridden on 56 of them. I acknowledge that without a sound recording, it could be difficult to interpret exactly what I mean. What I heard on the 195 was more of a quick succession of "knocks" than what you'd hear from bumps, and lower-pitched. It sounded like something was loose/broken underneath. I was sitting on one of the longitudinal tip-up seats.


Not sure, but I didn't notice any wheel slip. I take it that it was on a 197 you had it?


Oh I'm aware that ride quality isn't a strong point of the 19x units, it's just that riding on that 195 after being used to 197s and 196s, I was disappointed just because of the noises I heard from it.

Yes, like a constant rattling underneath as if something is loose, faster than the frequency of any bumps or bounces. I only ever ride 197s and I've experienced it numerous times. Yup, a 197, sometimes they really seem to struggle with wheelslip around here (Lydney to Severn Tunnel Junction).

 

[Calderdale Ian]

The 195s are rough riding rattle boxes , I try to avoid sitting at the coach ends . It's par for the course over sets of points to hear the muffled rattling from underneath around the wheelsets; and occasionally I've been on a few where there is a louder knocking like something is striking from under the unit having come loose .

The frequent changing up and down is commonplace. I don't know if it's to do with the gearing on the units , where the unit is running at the maximum line speed which coincides with the unit wanting to change up/down and undecided which .....the York to Blackpool services are a case in point running west from Hall Royd Junction Todmorden ....I've known a unit power up / down a dozen or more times towards Cornholme as the linespeed is maintained but the unit seems to be stuck in between gear changes .

There are still 195/1 running round on two engines for days and weeks on end , it's noticeable some labour particularly badly if the leading coach engine is out ... not just the slower acceleration out of stations losing a few minutes here and there en route , but struggling uphill such as out of Bradford to New Pudsey . Whilst no doubt the 195/1s can and do run with an engine out , doing so for days or weeks on end is surely going to take it's toll on the two still functioning engines.

 

[Russel]

Issue being, they are built by CAF.

 

[Pinus contorta]

On the 2/12/25, I rode on 195119. This was over 3 years after I had first and previously ridden on 195s on the 22/11/22, and over two years after I started riding on 197s and 196s on the 8/9/23.

I was disappointed to hear a "constant" quick succession of knocking noises coming from under my vehicle while the unit was in motion, that sounded like something was loose underneath (not the knocking sound that they can make every now and then when there's a bump).

As someone who's used to 197s and 196s (that don't do it), it was a bit of an unpleasant surprise. Also, the gearbox wasn't behaving as well as on 197s and 196s, changing down-up-down-up at times.

Did I just have bad luck, or are these behaviours unfortunately now common from 195s?

I think its the type of constant knocking noises you sometimes hear on trams. Its either the wheel flats or the brakes I think.

It was noticeably worse on trams when the temperature dropped and there was snow. Of course trams are engineered different to CAF units, but the bogies at the back of the trams were always more prone to this knocking. Where were you sat on the train?
Front or back?

Dont know anything about the gearbox behaviour but the 195'/1s do seem to struggle around 50/60 when as a passenger you are sat in a car thats obviously not powering and the other 2 cars are playing piano to forte

 

[D6130]

think its the type of constant knocking noises you sometimes hear on trams. Its either the wheel flats or the brakes I think.

No....it's the suspension.

 

[FrontSideBus]

Knocking sounds and feelings are standard on the 195's EMU sisters, the 331. Almost feels and sounds like something is broken!
397's do it too.