Slam door services

[FGWadmirer]

Can anyone add to this list if I've missed any? I'm ignoring railtours and steam etc.

FGW, NXEC and XC HSTs
WSMR 67
FGW 57 night one
SWT Lymington - Brockenhurst EMUs
NXEA something?

 

[90019]

FSR Caledonian Sleeper
FSR Fife Circle 67 and Mk2s
FGW Taunton - Cardiff
FGW Night Riviera
Arriva WAG express
NXEA 90 and Mk3s

 

[CCF23]

FGW 67 Taunton-Cardiff
ATW 57 WAG EXPRESS (Holyhead to Cardiff)
NXEA is a 90 with mark 3 coaches
The virgin 90 relief service
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Chiltern 121 "Bubblecar" Aylesbury to Princes Risborough
ATW 121 "Bubblecar" Cardiff Bay Line

 

[tbtc]

EMT & Grand Central HSTs?

 

[90019]

Chiltern 121 "Bubblecar" Aylesbury to Princes Risborough
ATW 121 "Bubblecar" Cardiff Bay Line

I thought one of these wasn't running anymore?

 

[87015]

I thought one of these wasn't running anymore?

55020 may have a friend to share branch duties with in the not-too-distant future

 

[anthony263]

I thought one of these wasn't running anymore?

The arriva 1 is still operating and will be for the for the next few years since arriva have enough spare parts and the service is proving popular and plus the drivers love it as well as all of us rail enthusiasts.

the arriva class 121 is also very good for route learning and it does do this quite often.

i think chiltern have withdrawn theirs

 

[fgwrich]

i think chiltern have withdrawn theirs

Dont know either... I know that they tend to use them on the Bank Holiday Quainton road bank holiday specials from Aylesbury... Hope Chiltern havent finnished with there Buuble Car on the Princess Risborough to Aylesbury service though...Although it was only really intended to be used whilst the 165 fleet was refurbished, and Chiltern do now operate through Marylebone to Aylesbury via Princess Risborough services...

Although Chiltern certainly wouldnt have disposed of it without disposing of all there other 121's...

As for the ATW bubble... Thats certainly up and running... wonder where they got the spares from... the former NR Bubbles...:roll:

Mind you... if Chiltern had finnished with the 121... i know FGW are still looking for DMU's... An idea for the Great Scenic Railways of Devon & Cornwall Perhaps... back in BR blue...

Sorry... ill stop dreaming now

 

[Phoenix]

55020 may have a friend to share branch duties with in the not-too-distant future

Indeed from what I have heard that seems to be apparent.

 

[NSEFAN]

The Chiltern Bubble was definetely running earier this April (rode on it on the 7th). As far as I know it hasn't been, and won't be withdrawn. 'Tis convenient for giving a spare 165 in the peaks, especially now Aylesbury Vale Parkway is opened.

Has anyone mentioned the Lymington 421 units? I know there are rumours about axing them but I thought they were still running.

 

[anthony263]

The Chiltern Bubble was definetely running earier this April (rode on it on the 7th). As far as I know it hasn't been, and won't be withdrawn. 'Tis convenient for giving a spare 165 in the peaks, especially now Aylesbury Vale Parkway is opened.

Has anyone mentioned the Lymington 421 units? I know there are rumours about axing them but I thought they were still running.

the lymington emus are to finish by this december however from what i have read in at least 1 magazine if 1 unit comes up for overhall etc they wont overhall it.

 

[Mojo]

The 90 + Mk3s standby for Virgin.

 

[Aictos]

The Chiltern Bubble was definetely running earier this April (rode on it on the 7th).

What were the 121s like to travel on compared say with a 153? Thinking of a trip on some slam door stock in the near future as in between now and November.

 

[Mojo]

What were the 121s like to travel on compared say with a 153? Thinking of a trip on some slam door stock in the near future as in between now and November.

In 2004/05 I used to travel on the bubble car to school every day - it wasn't a pleasant experience when it used to be busy, and from what I seem to remember it was noisy and rocked around a bit. The 3+2 seating was a bit of a squeeze to get 3 on one side and 2 on the other!

However definately better than unrefurbished 153s with low down seats, filthy floors and windows and minimal padding.

 

[NSEFAN]

The chiltern 121 has never been overcrowded when I've been on it. I have always found it to be 3/4 full at most. It's definetely worth a trip though. 8)

 

[anthony263]

The arriva class 121 bubble car is brilliant to travel on especially on the return workings from Cardiff bay when u can get a good bit of thrash.

the arriva class 121 doesnt work on sundays and can be taken off for use on driver training etc.

 

[jamesontheroad]

NI Railways still have a couple of BREL 80 Class DMUs. They're a bit like Ian Paisley; they cause a hell of a ruckus and will be around for ever...

Saw one on the back of a low-loader on the M6 (?) last summer; the power cars were being refurbished in Staffordshire and are now arranged in pairs with a DVT rather than with a centre trailer, although these pairs are normally doubled up to form a four car unit. I think the centre cars are now being left to rot at the similarly obsolete NIR Freight depot in south Belfast.

I believe some or all of the NIR 80 class have been repainted in the shiny silver and blue "Red Bull" livery to match the C3K and 450 "Cattle" class units as well...

Photo: http://northernirelandtransportphotos.fotopic.net/p56864725.html

NIR also have eight Mk.2 carriages that were acquired from Gatwick Express and re-gauged for the Irish network. They're dragged behind an EMD 111 class locomotive twice a day to provide extra capacity on the Portadown - Belfast section of the Portadown - Belfast - Bangor line.

Photo: http://northernirelandtransportphotos.fotopic.net/p57275665.html


Have a poke around that Fotopic site as well - don't know the photographer, but he has some great recent pics from around NI. Back to Belfast next week for a few days, will keep an eye out for goings-on on the rapidly modernising network.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

The arriva 1 is still operating and will be for the for the next few years since arriva have enough spare parts and the service is proving popular and plus the drivers love it as well as all of us rail enthusiasts.

the arriva class 121 is also very good for route learning and it does do this quite often.

i think chiltern have withdrawn theirs

Went on the arriva 121 not so long ago, managed to depart bang on the same time as a pacer on the next platform, was interesting how much quicker the 121 was lol

 

[NSEFAN]

Went on the arriva 121 not so long ago, managed to depart bang on the same time as a pacer on the next platform, was interesting how much quicker the 121 was lol

I've noticed that with the chiltern 121. It seems to have better acceleration that the resident 165 and 168 units. However, I believe due to the restrictions on slam-door stock, it's not allowed to go above 40mph when in passenger service. (Methinks :???

In fact I think that's the rule for all slam door stock in public service now? Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Mojo]

I've noticed that with the chiltern 121. It seems to have better acceleration that the resident 165 and 168 units. However, I believe due to the restrictions on slam-door stock, it's not allowed to go above 40mph when in passenger service. (Methinks :???

I don't know about that, but the Aylesbury to Princes Risborough line has a top speed of 40mph.

 

[clagmonster]

In fact I think that's the rule for all slam door stock in public service now? Can anyone confirm this?

No. HSTs work at speeds of up to 125mph.

 

[ukrob]

I've noticed that with the chiltern 121. It seems to have better acceleration that the resident 165 and 168 units. However, I believe due to the restrictions on slam-door stock, it's not allowed to go above 40mph when in passenger service. (Methinks :???

In fact I think that's the rule for all slam door stock in public service now? Can anyone confirm this?

If that is the case, how do you explain 110mph Virgin Mk3s and 125mph HSTs amongst dozens of others? Am I missing something? *confused*

 

[NSEFAN]

Sorry. I meant MK1 stock. Whenever I think of slam-door trains I instantly think of MK1. :roll:

 

[90019]

Sorry. I meant MK1 stock. Whenever I think of slam-door trains I instantly think of MK1. :roll:

that can't be right either, what about all the mk1 stock on the mainline that can do 90mph?

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I can't say I've seen anything that limits any slam door stock to 40mph??? I don't know the case of the chiltern bubble, but the arriva one has been retrofitted with cdl so don't see a problem? :?

 

[Mojo]

Is it not still a matter of contention as to whether the bubble cars are infact Mk1 stock?