Is the 153 a pleasant ride?

[Harlesden]

Due to go on one next month for a Peterborough-Lincoln run - my first time on that route since the days of steam (early 1960's)

 

[Schnellzug]

Personally i always thought the seats were too low (or the windows are too high), although I suppose most operators will have fitted new seats by now, which may have improved on that. I suppose that one will be East Midlands Trains, won't it? Ride quality is just the same as any other brand of Sprinter, since they have the same bogies, although some can consider them to be a bit noisy.

 

[asylumxl]

I find them quite pleasant, far more pleasant than a 150. They tend to have a fair few table seats too. Had many enjoyable journeys on a LM 153.

 

[Harlesden]

Tables is one thing I had not anticipated on a single car DMU.

 

[Aictos]

I find them quite pleasant, far more pleasant than a 150. They tend to have a fair few table seats too. Had many enjoyable journeys on a LM 153.

Agreed, I've done a fair few trips on the Class 153s and I find them comfortable enough.

 

[AlterEgo]

153s are fine for up to an hour or so. Much prefer them to 150s or even 156s.

 

[harz99]

Due to go on one next month for a Peterborough-Lincoln run - my first time on that route since the days of steam (early 1960's)

Largely depends on your height/leg length - over 5'9" or 29" leg and you'll find them cramped. High capacity airline seating and the low height of the seats account for that.
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Personally i always thought the seats were too low (or the windows are too high), although I suppose most operators will have fitted new seats by now, which may have improved on that. I suppose that one will be East Midlands Trains, won't it? Ride quality is just the same as any other brand of Sprinter, since they have the same bogies, although some can consider them to be a bit noisy.

New seats or not; its the side mounting points which govern the height the seat is set at and being part of the carriage structure they will not have changed.

 

[Inox]

when a 153 turns up instead of a two car set and you're standing crammed at the smaller end of the vehicle, they're not great at all.

On a quiet run off peak, i suppose they're not dissimilar to a 156 in terms of comfort

 

[northernrailer]

The 11:48 Peterborough - Gainsborough via Lincoln service is booked for a class 156 or a 158 if 156 not available, which is the only service from Peterborough to Lincoln that is booked for a 2 car unit.

I love the 153s i remember the first time i ever saw one back in 1995 at york station since then i have just liked them, the first time i travelled on one 153304 it was in 1997 on the 15:38 Shefiield - Wakefield Kirkgate via Barnsley service. I ceratinly think that the Regional Railways livery suited the units best, i often travelled to Lincoln to see them in Regional Railways livery as up until 2004 Tyseley`s allocation was the only ones left in Regional Railways apart from 153311 and 153326 in provincial livery up until being painted in the East Midlands Livery.

Also the 16:14 Sleaford - Lincoln is made up of 2 class 153s one which arrives in from Peterborough and other terminates at Sleaford and couples up, bear in mind this service is very busy at Sleaford with School children and the units end up being in quite a state of news paper being torn up and thrown around.

The Peterborough - Lincoln route is very nice, especially on a summers day.

 

[Eagle]

The only experience I have of 153s is the surprisingly quiet LM Coventry–Nuneaton shuttle, which is certainly a reasonable ride, although you can't really gauge comfort on an 18-minute journey (the one service I was on that took 90 minutes due to a combination of engine trouble, leaf fall, cable theft and poor weather conditions was standing still most of the time).

Out of interest, when and how often does the Coventry–Nuneaton unit get swapped, being as it lives in Coventry yard and it's nowhere near any other 153 routes, or any other diesel LM routes for that matter?

 

[Greenback]

I used to catch a 153 almost every day. I never used to sit down as it was I find the seats too uncomfortable and cramped even for a 20 minute run.On the rare occasions a 150 turne dup, I was delighted!

I honestly find Pacers more comfortable to sit in!

 

[DarloRich]

The only experience I have of 153s is the surprisingly quiet LM Coventry–Nuneaton shuttle, which is certainly a reasonable ride, although you can't really gauge comfort on an 18-minute journey (the one service I was on that took 90 minutes due to a combination of engine trouble, leaf fall, cable theft and poor weather conditions was standing still most of the time).

Out of interest, when and how often does the Coventry–Nuneaton unit get swapped, being as it lives in Coventry yard and it's nowhere near any other 153 routes, or any other diesel LM routes for that matter?

I would imagine it is the same as the Marston Vale swap over, which i think is once aweek on a friday night.

I have always found the 153's to be ok comfortwise. The table seats are the best, if you get one of those you are laughing! I do find some of the other seats a bit on the tight side and lacking legroom but they are fine.

 

[anthony263]

I find the ATW 153's to be horrible. I travelled on one from Pyle at 08:38 to Shrewsbury (Arr 13:08) a journey of 4.5 hours not good.


They are a bit better now that they have had new seating although I think the heart of wales line should only be in the hands of the class 150's.

 

[trentside]

I find the 153s to be perfectly adequate for the job they do. I did the journey from Lincoln to Peterborough for the first time in a few years recently - there's still some jointed track in places and the ride quality over it wasn't too bad.

I agree that some of the seats don't have much legroom, though.

 

[Jobsworth]

I am 6 feet tall and avoid 153 seats unless I can use the block of 4 with the table in between. At least if it's diagrammed to be a 153, it won't turn up short formed unless it's cancelled altogether.

 

[harz99]

I used to catch a 153 almost every day. I never used to sit down as it was I find the seats too uncomfortable and cramped even for a 20 minute run.On the rare occasions a 150 turne dup, I was delighted!

I honestly find Pacers more comfortable to sit in!

Ditto, as long as they still have bus seats..............

 

[brillopad]

Apart from the low seats and poor leg room they are a pain to get in and out of - 150's are much better.

 

[Temple Meads]

I haven't been in a 153 for quite a while actually, they're OK, but a 150 or 158 is better.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I find the ATW 153's to be horrible. I travelled on one from Pyle at 08:38 to Shrewsbury (Arr 13:08) a journey of 4.5 hours not good.


They are a bit better now that they have had new seating although I think the heart of wales line should only be in the hands of the class 150's.

With greatest respect would it not have been easier to change at Central and get a 175 to Manchester/Holyhead to Shrewsbury? Or did you purposely want to travel on the Heart of Wales line? Usually the 0809 from Cardiff is a 150, but I think it might end up being a 153, even though the train is busy going to Swansea.

 

[150001]

I find the 153s very comfortable and I only wish they were back to two car units though!

 

[jopsuk]

Used one yesterday to and from Felixstowe. Not horrendously uncomfortable, yet for me probably the least pleasant DMU I've been on. The high window (seat didn't seem that low was poor, but the sheer noise of the blasted thing was the worst part for me. I appreciate some enthusiasts like noisy engines, but from a travelling passenger point of view noise is bad.

(NB: not been on any class 14x ever)

 

[Greenback]

I find the ATW 153's to be horrible. I travelled on one from Pyle at 08:38 to Shrewsbury (Arr 13:08) a journey of 4.5 hours not good.

They are a bit better now that they have had new seating although I think the heart of wales line should only be in the hands of the class 150's.

I agree about the Heart of Wales. Though I can't help thinking a 156 would be brilliant. I love riding on a 156 on the Fort William run!

Apart from the low seats and poor leg room they are a pain to get in and out of - 150's are much better.

Precisely!

With greatest respect would it not have been easier to change at Central and get a 175 to Manchester/Holyhead to Shrewsbury? Or did you purposely want to travel on the Heart of Wales line? Usually the 0809 from Cardiff is a 150, but I think it might end up being a 153, even though the train is busy going to Swansea.

The HoW line is well worth doing if you ar enot in a particular hurry. The scenery is very good. The Circular Day Ranger is an excellent ticket for a day out.

As it happens, from Llanelli it can be a bit quicker to get to Shrewsbury this way.

 

[317666]

I have travelled on a few 153s back when they were on the Cambridge - Ipswich line. I do like them, but prefer 150s or 158s.

 

[Temple Meads]

Used one yesterday to and from Felixstowe. Not horrendously uncomfortable, yet for me probably the least pleasant DMU I've been on. The high window (seat didn't seem that low was poor, but the sheer noise of the blasted thing was the worst part for me. I appreciate some enthusiasts like noisy engines, but from a travelling passenger point of view noise is bad.

(NB: not been on any class 14x ever)

I didn't think of that, I've always loved engine noise, but for a "normal" passenger it may well be badly intrusive, 158's aren't a whole load better IMO.

 

[jopsuk]

158s are better, in my experience. For a "normal" passenger, loud engine noise makes conversation difficult, means that if you want to listen to music/radio/videos etc you have to have a higher volume on your headphones, makes having a snooze less likely and is generally just unpleasant.

 

[ValleyLines142]

The HoW line is well worth doing if you ar enot in a particular hurry. The scenery is very good. The Circular Day Ranger is an excellent ticket for a day out.

As it happens, from Llanelli it can be a bit quicker to get to Shrewsbury this way.

True, I think it's wonderful and very scenic. Apparently 175's have been cleared for the route now. I'd like that.

Both routes from Llanelli to Shrewsbury take the same time. I do like the route via Cardiff and Hereford mind as well, although the more common, busier and less scenic route.

I think if 175's made an appearance on the line then it'd be perfect, decent train, decent line

The 153's are great for quick local journeys, i.e. between say Barry/Penarth and Cardiff, but not for long distances i.e. HoW, although having said that, many people travelling on local stations in the HoW have this.