Man refuses to travel on Northern service

[northwichcat]

This morning Northern had put an ex-LM 150/1 on a Manchester Airport-Liverpool service in lieu of the normal 156. A man with a broad Scottish accent got on (so may not be a normal Northern Rail user), sat down then stood up and got off, as he did he proclaimed the train was too dreadful to travel on and he'd catch the next service instead.

While I've seen people try to avoid Pacers before I think this is the first time I've seen someone decide that train isn't good enough after they have got on and also the first time that a Pacer isn't the offending train.

 

[Skimble19]

I know they could do with a good refurb (and new seats that aren't on the ground!) but they aren't THAT bad!

 

[davido39]

That explains the Northern survey email in my inbox on train cleanliness! Glad he didn't do this the other way round.

 

[Nym]

Could have been one of the abused and very brown ex. LM ones? I really didn't like travelling on them...

 

[iphone76]

To be fair, when the 322s made a brief appearance back in NXEA land (as it was), I would wait on the platform for the next train rather than catch one of those units. (They were a bit grubby and the 2 x 2 seating meant it was difficult to get a seat).

 

[MCR247]

322s appeared under NXEA? Or was this when it was still called one?

 

[iphone76]

That's a good point! I think you may be correct by saying ONE. It seem such a long time ago now.

 

[185]

...he did he proclaimed the train was too dreadful to travel on and he'd catch the next service instead

Gotta either be a forummer or a member of staff :roll:

 

[swj99]

I think the one I got on from Wilmslow to Euston in the early 80s is one I only regretted once it was moving and it was too late to change my mind.
There had been some delays, and just before the scheduled train arrived, there was an announcement saying there was an extra train a few minutes later, with plenty of room if anyone was willing to wait. So I waited, and it arrived, and I got on. It was quite old, with seperate 2nd class compartments.
But once it got moving, it felt like it had no shock absorbers. The carriage was bouncing up and down so much it felt like it was going to leave the rails. Certainly a memorable journey.

 

[Rick1984]

The Northern class150 I got from bolton to manchester victoria a few years back was pretty grim inside. Certainly one of the worst trains I've been on.

Also remember a pretty awful 321 from london to ipswich.

 

[150001]

The Ex LM ones if they've still got the old panels isn't the best interior ever, along with the low slung seats. I've always wished a SWT refurb or a ATW style interior was fitted; they're much much better.

 

[MCR247]

That's a good point! I think you may be correct by saying ONE. It seem such a long time ago now.

Ah ok I wasn't being pedantic its just that I can remember most of the NXEA era so I thought I'd have remembered and the early one days were before I was that interested in the railways so that explains it

 

[317666]

Northern's ex-LM 150s have/are being given Northern livery, Northern seat covers and re-painted grab handles on the seats. The old beige panelling and orange doors are here to stay!

 

[Nym]

Death by Midlands Brown it remains then, I'm sure it's old BL paint from Longridge they used heh

 

[northwichcat]

The Northern class150 I got from bolton to manchester victoria a few years back was pretty grim inside. Certainly one of the worst trains I've been on.

I'm guessing that was one of the 150/2s that ATN had. They originated mainly from Wales with a Scottish one thrown in and were in Regional Railways livery with the original British Rail passenger notices on board when Northern took over in 2004.

To make matters worse they moved them to the North West and put them in a common pool with the refurbished FNW 150s, which made them look even worse.

 

[WestCoast]

This story reminds me of a funny journey I made before catching a flight at Manchester Airport. I was waiting for the same service mentioned by the OP, except at Manchester Piccadilly. There was a large Swiss family with many cases stood next to me. Well what turned up instead of the usual 156? A good old ex-Mersey 142! The faces of the aforementioned family were priceless as we bounced out of Picc....

 

[MCR247]

If they ever built up the courage to come back I'd bet they'd make sure they have a car hired on arrival

 

[150001]

And that is one reason as to why we need to rid Pacers! We hardly create a great impression of ourselves with some of our trains.

 

[northwichcat]

And that is one reason as to why we need to rid Pacers! We hardly create a great impression of ourselves with some of our trains.

Really anything pre-1995 that has original seating needs to be withdrawn or completely refurbished if we want foreign tourists to have a good impression of our trains.

 

[Whistler40145]

I wonder what the opinion of passengers would be if Classes 304/305 EMUs were still around, they were pretty bouncy!

 

[150001]

I agree with the pre 1995 commment. Although I'd excuse the 165s and 323s which actually have good interiors. Anything else I'd say improve to a Class 332 interior standard or not knock them on the head. The Class 332 refurb has an excellent interior http://www.flickr.com/photos/55223176@N03/7529162272/

 

[MCR247]

I think some of the colours could be improved. IMO its a bit overrated

 

[transmanche]

To be fair, when the 322s made a brief appearance back in NXEA land (as it was), I would wait on the platform for the next train rather than catch one of those units. (They were a bit grubby and the 2 x 2 seating meant it was difficult to get a seat).

There have been three occasions in recent months on the Thameslink route, where I've let a grotty-looking (ex-Southern) 319 go - with the hope of catching one in better condition.

 

[John55]

This morning Northern had put an ex-LM 150/1 on a Manchester Airport-Liverpool service in lieu of the normal 156. A man with a broad Scottish accent got on (so may not be a normal Northern Rail user), sat down then stood up and got off, as he did he proclaimed the train was too dreadful to travel on and he'd catch the next service instead.

While I've seen people try to avoid Pacers before I think this is the first time I've seen someone decide that train isn't good enough after they have got on and also the first time that a Pacer isn't the offending train.

Based on personal experience with Northern 150s I presume the gentleman in question sat down found there was not enough legroom to sit comfortably (or at all) and decided to catch another train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I wonder what the opinion of passengers would be if Classes 304/305 EMUs were still around, they were pretty bouncy!

The class 304 the answer to the question "What gives a worse ride than a 16 ton mineral wagon", and definitely worse than a Pacer.

 

[Yew]

Hopefully when DDA modifications happen, a thorough refurb of old trains will come along. (look at EMT's 156/8's copmpared to Northerns, a world of differance) Just as long as suitable funding is provided for refurbishments, not just refreshes or facelifts.

Oh, and get rid of British Rail beige!

 

[MCR247]

I wouldn't say a world of difference between EMT 156s and some NT 156s as some arent half bad and arent much behind the EMT refresh

 

[Penmorfa]

And that is one reason as to why we need to rid Pacers! We hardly create a great impression of ourselves with some of our trains.

They're not our trains, they used to be though

 

[Yew]

I wouldn't say a world of difference between EMT 156s and some NT 156s as some arent half bad and arent much behind the EMT refresh

Looking back at it you might be right, however a lot of sprinters are closer to the pre-refresh standards. And uniform seating in the 150's would be good? Ideally with a few tables to show their more regional roles now, instead of london commuting.

 

[6Gman]

Ah 304s - they really were characters!

 

[317666]

Give me units with BR beige interiors, and proper old seats, not horrible brightly-lit white panelling with plastic seats!