Have there ever been any 6-car Class 196 (196/1+196/0) passenger services?

[tfw756rider]

I'm just wondering if there have ever been any 6-car Class 196 passenger services, specifically ones formed of 196/1+196/0 (rather than 3x 196/0)?

It has occurred to me that the 196/1s still have the gangway connection doors, despite being 4-car Diesel Multiple Units / DMUs (I think I'm right in saying that they're actually the only 4-car DMUs with gangway connection doors, at least in the UK).

I'm wondering how much use (if any) those doors have ever got on the /1s, or was it just an oversight?

Or was it so that the /0s and /1s had consistent cab types (bearing in mind that the 196s were ordered before the ex-South East England 172 variants were acquired)?

 

[AM9]

I'm just wondering if there have ever been any 6-car Class 196 passenger services, specifically ones formed of 196/1+196/0 (rather than 3x 196/0)?

It has occurred to me that the 196/1s still have the gangway connection doors, despite being 4-car Diesel Multiple Units / DMUs (I think I'm right in saying that they're actually the only 4-car DMUs with gangway connection doors, at least in the UK).

I'm wondering how much use (if any) those doors have ever got on the /1s, or was it just an oversight?

Or was it so that the /0s and /1s had consistent cab types (bearing in mind that the 196s were ordered before the ex-South East England 172 variants were acquired)?

Why would that be an oversight? Having the same design DMS & DMSL increases flexibility, availability and better train manager/driver access, - probably at a net zero additional cost. Also, there maybe an occasional requirement for an 8-car service at some stage of their working life. If a multiple unit has corridor connections between coaches, then that should be maintained through to a connected unit(s), unless there is a particular case for a streamlined front.

 

[tfw756rider]

Thanks for the reply Good points you make there.

By the way, it wouldn't have to be an 8-car service (2x 196/1) to take advantage of the 196/1s' gangway connection doors.

A 6-car service (formed of 196/1+196/0) would do it. Still curious as to whether it's ever actually happened though!

 

[Sprinter107]

I dont know if this is what you're looking for, but 196114 & 196103 have worked in multi. Not sure about 4 + 2 tho.

 

[tfw756rider]

I dont know if this is what you're looking for, but 196114 & 196103 have worked in multi. Not sure about 4 + 2 tho.

Wow, an 8-car service? What was that?

 

[Sprinter107]

It was the 22.30 SuO Birmingham New Street to Worcester Shrub Hill service, December last year.

 

[tfw756rider]

It was the 22.30 SuO Birmingham New Street to Worcester Shrub Hill service, December last year.

Thanks!
SuO standing for 'Sundays only', to save anyone else looking it up