Train identity sought??

[Lawman]

Folks, wonder if anyone can help!

When i was a youngster (early 80's) I seem to remember travelling on some sort of diesel loco passanger train. I had a clear view of the drivers compartment from the front passanger carriage because i think it was some sort of glass partition seperating the driver from passangers. Would i be right in thinking this and would anyone know what type of train this would have been?

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Folks, wonder if anyone can help!

When i was a youngster (early 80's) I seem to remember travelling on some sort of diesel loco passanger train. I had a clear view of the drivers compartment from the front passanger carriage because i think it was some sort of glass partition seperating the driver from passangers. Would i be right in thinking this and would anyone know what type of train this would have been?

maybe a 101/2/3/4/5/ ?? ive seen pics with glass windows behinf the cab??

 

[Oracle]

The DMMUs used on the Paddington suburban routes (Pressed Steel units?) used to have glass windows (two either side of a central door with another window) and unless the driver pulled his blind down you could see all the ops and a good view of the track ahead.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Any first gen DMMU had that really. I suspect probably a 117 or a 121.

 

[Lawman]

Thanks for the replies gents!

 

[Oracle]

Yes, Pressed Steel built the Class 117 3-cars, the 121 railcars, and also the associated trailers that ran with the railcars. Remember them all! The Gloucester RC&W Class 122 were similar.

 

[Waddon]

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why modern units couldn't have the same sort of forward looking windows on the passenger compartment?

 

[OuterDistant]

I seem to remember that the 151s had a small window in the cab door that gave a bit of a forward view.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why modern units couldn't have the same sort of forward looking windows on the passenger compartment?

Security I would imagine.

 

[Clip]

Security I would imagine.

Nah if that was the case then the Metro wouldnt have it.

Though i see no reason why they shouldnt.

i know Chiltern still have a couple of units knocking about.. Especially when they were doing route learning for WSMR

 

[scotsman]

Lawman - I see your location is Strathclyde. If you grew up in the area then it'll be a Class 303/311 'the blue trains' or a Class 101

 

[CarterUSM]

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why modern units couldn't have the same sort of forward looking windows on the passenger compartment?

I may be wrong, but I think many of the drivers of the time didn't like being "watched" while at work. Nowadays I am pretty sure it could be seen as a possible distraction.

 

[Lawman]

Lawman - I see your location is Strathclyde. If you grew up in the area then it'll be a Class 303/311 'the blue trains' or a Class 101

ta much...............it was the old blue trains,l think on the arygle line,glasgow central high level.................cheers scotsman

 

[CosherB]

I remember years ago being in a 101 on an early morning 'special' from Stockport over the Settle & Carlisle. We were immediately behind the driver with a clear view of the cab and the line ahead, and the driver kept nodding off! He would gradually slouch further and further forward over the control desk (so pressure was kept on the 'dead man's handle') as he snoozed, and the train would gather speed untill it hit some points which jerked it violently side to side and the driver would wake with a start and bring the speed back, only for the same thing to happen again!

Later, in Settle station, it was raining and the cab windows were steaming up, so the driver opened the window next to him and then stood up, crossed the cab, and opened the window on the second man's side (the door between the cab and the passenger compartment was also open so we were chatting to him all the time). We set off from Settle and he closed his window, but the other one was still open, so he called back to me to enter the cab and close it for him. Which I did. And he was happy for me to stay.

So my first train-view of Ribblehead Viaduct was from the cab of that DMU!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The blue trains weren't diesel, though, were they?

I think Strathclyde also had the 107s out of Central didn't they? Used to run the Ayr line before the electrification and 318s took over?

 

[CarterUSM]

The blue trains weren't diesel, though, were they?

I think Strathclyde also had the 107s out of Central didn't they? Used to run the Ayr line before the electrification and 318s took over?

Indeed they did, I think they stayed in the Scottish region most of their working lives.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . . many of the drivers of the time didn't like being "watched" while at work. Nowadays I am pretty sure it could be seen as a possible distraction.

There's actually quite a significant impairment to visibility at night when you've got light from the passenger compartment shining into the cab (and reflecting off the glass and metal) while trying to see clearly in the darkness ahead.

Yes, I nearly mentioned the blue electrics too, then I realised that they were, er, electric! I enjoyed many journeys on them watching the view in front from the front passenger seats.

 

[O L Leigh]

There is also a lot more electrical equipment in more modern trains and the back wall of the cab is usually covered in switches and circuit breakers and full of relays and other electrical equipment. Frankly it's the best place for it all because it's easy to reach for use and maintenance.

Short of trying to pin down precisely what class of train it was, most diesel and some electric multiple units from the 1950's through to the 1970's had a glass partition between the passenger saloon and the train cab. If you were lucky the driver would leave at least one of the blinds up so you could see out the front. I certainly have fond memories of Cl101's and Cl105's on the Breckland line and seeing who could spot Ely Cathedral rising out of the mist first.

O L Leigh

 

[ph1985]

The latest German ICE trains have see through driver's compartments, so im sure theres no real reason they cant have them over here.

 

[313103]

Just out of curiosity, is there any reason why modern units couldn't have the same sort of forward looking windows on the passenger compartment?

I think that modern trains, now that there are numerous electricall equipment on board have most of the reste buttons on the bulkhead behind the driver. So therefore restricting access to watch the driver. Also if you put it on say a 378 you wouldnt see much anyway due to the design of the cab layout. On our 172s a glass panel could quite easily be put in but that would also change the seating layout as well.

Also has been mentioned elf & safty.

 

[fsmr]

The DMMUs used on the Paddington suburban routes (Pressed Steel units?) used to have glass windows (two either side of a central door with another window) and unless the driver pulled his blind down you could see all the ops and a good view of the track ahead.

And if you were really lucky, you even got to ride up front in the cab on the Oakham to Leicester line

Of course, it wouldnt be allowed now due to child protection policies to name but one
Oh how life has changed since the 70s
Used to love watching the AWS warning or we might even get a 31 loco hauled with no upfront views but then you got that great 12SVT engine sound

Nige

 

[Welshman]

The latest German ICE trains have see through driver's compartments, so im sure theres no real reason they cant have them over here.

Indeed - and that must be a great ride. But I think I remember reading somewhere that that glass becomes opaque if the train is running under caution signals, so there's still the concern about the driver's attention being distracted.