Discussion: 158s, who does them best?

[Grumpy]

Indeed, a new air conditioning unit, maybe some electronics, and I could be tempted to order another fleet of them when they need retiring.

Agreed. But would need better noise insulation from the underfloor action.

 

[FrontSideBus]

It doesn't take much to put an AC system out of action. A dirty or blocked condensor on a hot day would be more than enough for the compressor to trip off on it's high pressure switch!
You'd imagine they would fix leaks quite quickly as refrigerants are getting silly expensive now, like £1000 a bottle!

 

[Yew]

Agreed. But would need better noise insulation from the underfloor action.

Indeed, they were refined for the time, especially compared to their 150 and 156 siblings, but standards have improved somewhat.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Indeed, they were refined for the time, especially compared to their 150 and 156 siblings, but standards have improved somewhat.

As evidenced by the 197…

 

[Grumpy]

I would suggest the ride of a 158 is vastly superior to a 197

 

[FrontSideBus]

I would suggest the ride of a 158 is vastly superior to a 197

Seconded! Also I'd rather spend 5 hours on a 158 than 1 hour on a 397!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would suggest the ride of a 158 is vastly superior to a 197

Not much rides better than a 158, they even glide over poor quality jointed rail.

 

[Wolfie]

Not much rides better than a 158, they even glide over poor quality jointed rail.

To be honest the late BR era represented the high point in rail stock ride quality. Things seem to have gone significantly backwards since.

 

[Bletchleyite]

To be honest the late BR era represented the high point in rail stock ride quality. Things seem to have gone significantly backwards since.

Roger Ford is forever pointing out that it's not a key input to the spec because it's hard to quantify and it doesn't sell tickets nor save money (whereas inside framed lightweight bogies, which give a bad ride, do save money). In BR days with BREL it was more a matter of pride.

 

[Grumpy]

Seconded! Also I'd rather spend 5 hours on a 158 than 1 hour on a 397!

Indeed. It’s a shame Virgin didn’t buy some upgraded 158s rather than voyagers

 

[Siimo]

I really like 158s. I had a lovely journey on a SWR (GBRSW division?) recently from Exeter in squishy SWT moquette seats behind the wheelchair section with epic legroom. These and the Romsey Loop units always seem to be clean and well presented inside. GWR ones pretty good too. Was on a Northern one which had a very loud engine and vibration though, maybe I was just sitting in the wrong spot. (They are not flawless, the doors are too narrow and open with a bang, toilets are cramped and the cycle area is designed by someone who might have seen a bicycle, once, and guessed the dimensions). I do hope some are preserved and get painted back into Regional Railways Express colours.