Favorite DMU

[monkey]

I forgot to mention that I like 185s as well. I don't think they're up to regular WCML jaunts, and I strongly believe that the 180s would have been better for the Scottish services in the short term. That said, I've been on ones on the main Transpennine stretch (Manchester-Leeds) and also to York and Blackpool. I think they're comfortable, and do the job well, but really deserve that extra carriage! I'm looking forward to the 380s up here which seem to be very similar to 185s inside.

^^seriously:roll:. be careful what you wish for, th 185' are ok for a short 50 min hop from leeds to manchester, but you should try sitting in one from newcastle to manchester which takes over 3 hours, or even worse manchester to edinburgh, wich is over 4 hours. you' do your back in, the seats are that firm, and the bumpy noisy ride and not to mention poor amenities - s***ty little trolley (which is what you get on xc now as well), no wifi. oh and first class, thats another story, should be done under the trades description act - all you get is the same hard seat, but it reclines slightly and table with a seemingly pointless lamp and curtains...

the 380's do look good, but god hope they've improved on the 185's with the seating and ride...

 

[JustinStacey.x]

People didn't sweat, fart and go to the toilet when these trains were around, then?
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I do like the 170s - shame Scotrail (does anyone) don't have an "inter-city" version though. I can imagine that with end-doors and loos off the vestibule they'd pretty much set the standard for passenger comfort. Seven car "inter-city" version of the 170 capable of 125mph - that's what the Voyager series should have been.

Um... that IS basically what Voyagers are. *Okay, they have less cars, but...

They are a little faster than Turbostars but are basically just a DMU with extra services on board.

 

[yorksrob]

Fraid I can't really comment on 1st generation DMU's as I've not been on enough (more of a DEMU man myself) but as for the modern ones I've always liked the 158's they have on some Northern services. Good comfortable design and as far as I'm aware fairly reliable.

 

[90019]

the new ones only smell of sweat, farts and the toilet.

Of course, they don't have the added smells of things such as damp and diesel fumes, mind you, the draghtyness of them helps a bit with that, cant do much about the rubbish ride though.

 

[Mike Redding]

Hmm, it's definately not a 153 or 156 because i'm 6ft tall. 185's aren't that much better for the same reason. Wasn't too keen on voyagers. So that leaves 165/6's - Not a massive fan of them either, but i guess that's my favourite out of the ones i've been on.

 

[rww100]

Um... that IS basically what Voyagers are. *Okay, they have less cars, but...

They are a little faster than Turbostars but are basically just a DMU with extra services on board.

Bear in mind that voyagers also have narrower bodies so that the 221s can tilt. As a result they feel more cramped and are also noisier IMO, even though they're diesel electric rather than diesel hydraulic (should this make a difference to the noise?...).

On the other hand, I have never experienced any of the smelly toilet/air conditioning problems that people always go on about, even though the problem was supposedly fixed several years ago, and would also be quite willing to voyage on one for several hours.

 

[43021HST]

aggghh too many people like 170`s :head explodes:

Agreed, how can so many people like such a boring DMU.

 

[90019]

Agreed, how can so many people like such a boring DMU.

Because they're much better as a travelling experience than all that old rubbish.

 

[CCF23]

My favourite has to be SWT 159's as i consider these comfortable and spacious also they are in very good condition for their age.

 

[JustinStacey.x]

Because they're much better as a travelling experience than all that old rubbish.

 

[j0hn0]

I do not like any DMU.

I like a HST or a Deltic, NOT coaches with Bus engines underneath. So uncomfortable and nauseating.

Sure, have distributed power, but why not have a power (half) car and send the power to the traction motors via a cable?

 

[mallard]

The 168s are nice, really like the seats with their proper headrests, although it does seem a little silly to have a "quiet zone" on them when the thing rattles like anything when the engine revs up.

Don't like the 170s, seats are rubbish and the disabled toilet and associated area takes up far too much space, especially on a 2-car, I'd much rather be on a 158.

Speaking of the 158, I like those too, but then I've never been on a crowded one.

For comfort I really like the 222s, every time I get on one I momentarily think I've accidentally stepped into first class!

 

[MCR247]

The 168s are nice, really like the seats with their proper headrests, although it does seem a little silly to have a "quiet zone" on them when the thing rattles like anything when the engine revs up.

Don't like the 170s, seats are rubbish and the disabled toilet and associated area takes up far too much space, especially on a 2-car, I'd much rather be on a 158.

168s and 170 seats are the same in most cases(?), unless you mean the ones at the end of the coaches on 168s

 

[mallard]

168s and 170 seats are the same in most cases(?), unless you mean the ones at the end of the coaches on 168s

Admittedly I didn't get a seat last time I was on a 170, but I thought they were the same as those on the Electrostars? (i.e. Padded metal with "flat" headrests). The 168s have proper, "soft" seats with full headrests.

 

[MCR247]

No, 170s have the same seats as 168s: 168 seats

170 seats

 

[mallard]

No, 170s have the same seats as 168s: 168 seats

170 seats

Except that the seats on the last 168 I travelled on actually looked like this, but that's just a different moquette. So I guess the 170's seats are OK if you get a chance to sit in one (which isn't very likely in a 2-car).

 

[emoaconr]

The specification of the DMU does not bother me... what satisfies is the comfort, quality and experience. Its fair to say that I like a ride on a 175, but when they're sardine-tin cramped, I would probably say that it is less favourable! Same applies for loco-hauled stock! I can say one class that I seriously dislike is the 153; bad layout, cramped and the reclassification could have been done in a better way, although I realise the funding issues at that time. A refurbished old DMU could easily be as nice of a ride as a newer one!

 

[route:oxford]

Was the "Blue Pullman" a multiple unit?

I remember reading about them after seeing the "Let's go to Brum" film and noticing that there appeared to be passenger seating in the lead car... ie...

Drivers Cabin, Engine Ducts, 2-3 passenger windows.

From memory there were traction engines in the lead car and the 2nd car and same at the opposite end with centre cars unpowered

 

[moonrakerz]

My favourite has to be SWT 159's as i consider these comfortable and spacious also they are in very good condition for their age.

I'd go with that too. At least SWT haven't packed as many "airline" seats in as poss like FGW. They seem to have left half the tables in place and they actually line up with the windows too !
I'm "only" 6ft and find the FGW 158s awful, I always head for the "priority" seat on those!
I wish someone from FGW would explain why there is tons of legroom on an HST for the 11min ride from Chippenham to Bath but b****r all on a 3hr 158 trip ! Do the "smaller" people travel on 158s ?

 

[Daimler]

Was the "Blue Pullman" a multiple unit?

I remember reading about them after seeing the "Let's go to Brum" film and noticing that there appeared to be passenger seating in the lead car... ie...

Drivers Cabin, Engine Ducts, 2-3 passenger windows.

From memory there were traction engines in the lead car and the 2nd car and same at the opposite end with centre cars unpowered

Was it off to a steam fair or something?

It was, yes - you're quite right with regards to traction motors in both driving cars and the adjoining cars adjoining them - 2 in each, with, as you say, the centre cars unpowered.

 

[37401]

In terms of Modern as I said 158, but out of them all 1st Gen stuff gets my vote Cravens 105 get a vote for funniest looking at the frount but my fave is the class 128 because it just looks so cool!

 

[yorksrob]

Further to my previous comment, the Turbostar 171's used on the Marshlink are also pretty smart. The pastel green interior in particular is very easy on the eye - although having been on them yesterday they clearly need an extra carriage. Thats hardly their fault though!

 

[TrainBrain185]

Whats everyones favorite DMU mine is the class 158 because of the lovely sounds those engines produce when onboard them.

I like the Perkins Phaser 158's. Makes a change from the sound of Cummins. Incidently, a newly repainted 158 was at Heaton this week, judging by the sound, a Perkins powered example too.

 

[poshbakerloo]

Class 158 & 159

Class 153 & 155

Class 175

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I'd go with that too. At least SWT haven't packed as many "airline" seats in as poss like FGW. They seem to have left half the tables in place and they actually line up with the windows too !
I'm "only" 6ft and find the FGW 158s awful, I always head for the "priority" seat on those!
I wish someone from FGW would explain why there is tons of legroom on an HST for the 11min ride from Chippenham to Bath but b****r all on a 3hr 158 trip ! Do the "smaller" people travel on 158s ?

SWT have looked after them so well! And also the livery they put on them looks great!!! EMT have some done the same way, they are the best ever! Sometimes I've even waited for them over a 185 when going from Sheffield for Stockport...

 

[156499]

Do i really need to say what class I think is the best

Ah to hell with it I will anyway, incase theres some dunder heads on this forum who can't read my username:P Class 156s's! shock horror bet you's would never of guessed:P

btw this is from a Scotrail West highland unit...

Comfort
Good brakes
Good Acceleraters (Excluding Beasdale bank):P
Thrashy, especially when a certain Mallaig driver is at the helm & doing his funny tunes on the horn! :P
Very reliable (besept when running on 1 engine, going up County March (Probably Quicker walking)
When they get faults they are usually quite simple to fix and by far the best performing Sprinter!

 

[JustinStacey.x]

Do i really need to say what class I think is the best

Ah to hell with it I will anyway, incase theres some dunder heads on this forum who can't read my username:P Class 156s's! shock horror bet you's would never of guessed:P

btw this is from a Scotrail West highland unit...

Comfort
Good brakes
Good Acceleraters (Excluding Beasdale bank):P
Thrashy, especially when a certain Mallaig driver is at the helm & doing his funny tunes on the horn! :P
Very reliable (besept when running on 1 engine, going up County March (Probably Quicker walking)
When they get faults they are usually quite simple to fix and by far the best performing Sprinter!

I'm sorry but I am going to have to disagree Steven.

Even when being thrashed to absolute buggery with the 156s its just all noise and little movement. They take forever to reach 50, and I'm sure a 158 will run circles around it... much as it pains me to admit that. Good brakes? They don't seem that good. Again, all noise and little action, and you can tell the driver has to apply them hard to make the train stop sharply because at stations the 156 will often stop 'hard' with a shudder. They also squeek and squeel like an animal has died under the floor :roll:

Comfort is alright (nowhere near as good as 170s) and the more technical parts I obviously don't know because I am not a railway engineer. I love riding on 156s just for fun, but there's just no way that they can compete with modern day stock, I'm sorry...

 

[156499]

I'm sorry but I am going to have to disagree Steven.

Even when being thrashed to absolute buggery with the 156s its just all noise and no movement. They take forever to reach 50, and I'm sure a 158 will run circles around it... much as it pains me to admit that. Good brakes? They don't seem that good. Again, all noise and no action, and you can tell the driver has to apply them hard to make the train stop sharply because at stations the 156 will often stop 'hard' with a shudder. They also squeek and squeel like an animal has died under the floor :roll:

Comfort is alright (nowhere near as good as 170s) and the more technical parts I obviously don't know because I am not a railway engineer. I love riding on 156s just for fun, but there's just no way that they can compete with modern day stock, I'm sorry...

The SPT units are rather poor, but the ones that do the west highland line brakes are better, and are maintained better