Why are class 153 DMUs called 'Dogboxes'?

[Class313:)]

why are 153s called dogboxes?

 

[59CosG95]

why are 153s called dogboxes?

Because, to a non-Sprinter fan, the feeling of being cooped up in one is akin to how a dog would feel being cooped up in an actual dogbox. The fact that they're 1 coach each adds to the nickname's truth.

 

[DJH1971]

why are 153s called dogboxes?

I always referred to them as skateboards

 

[whhistle]

Because, to a non-Sprinter fan, the feeling of being cooped up in one is akin to how a dog would feel being cooped up in an actual dogbox. The fact that they're 1 coach each adds to the nickname's truth.

Umm.
I always understood it was because the cab at one end was significantly smaller than the other due to the location of the toilet. Hence really, only one end was the actual dog box.

 

[59CosG95]

Umm.
I always understood it was because the cab at one end was significantly smaller than the other due to the location of the toilet. Hence really, only one end was the actual dog box.

Ahh fair enough. To be honest, a lot of these nicknames are open to personal interpretation!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Umm.
I always understood it was because the cab at one end was significantly smaller than the other due to the location of the toilet. Hence really, only one end was the actual dog box.

I've also heard "doodlebug". Only one engine, and when it stops...

 

[Sprinter153]

See also bricks, tin rockets and burger vans!

 

[Ianno87]

And coffins.

 

[HLE]

Because no.2 end cab is likened to a dogbox. Even the slimmest, smallest human has to move to one side to be able to shut the door behind them.

 

[6Gman]

Because no.2 end cab is likened to a dogbox. Even the slimmest, smallest human has to move to one side to be able to shut the door behind them.

I've also seen passengers (of not particularly rotundity) unable to shut the toilet door because ... there simply isn't enough room!

Personally, however, they're Tin Rockets! I rather like them.

 

[DarloRich]

other nicknames

sh$tbox
broken
pile of crap
Delayed
Replacement bus service
shanks pony

 

[47802]

Because they are utter garbage a Pacer with Bogies, built by a bus company on a Friday afternoon.

 

[700007]

other nicknames

sh$tbox
broken
pile of crap
Delayed
Replacement bus service
shanks pony

Don't forget Chug 1!

 

[DarloRich]

Don't forget Chug 1!

Of course! The smaller of the chug brothers.

 

[Muzer]

And coffins.

Rather confusing since those also refer to air conditioned Mk 2s and Mk 3s...

 

[Ash Bridge]

Another one was/is Super Bubblecar, and after perusing the list above without doubt the most complementary!

 

[Bletchleyite]

other nicknames

sh$tbox
broken
pile of crap
Delayed
Replacement bus service
shanks pony

I don't know, I actually prefer the Marston Vale one over the 150, though admittedly the latter is more reliable. Provided I can get a table due to the poor legroom (equally true of the 150) it has been refurbished to a very high standard and is always kept nice (possibly as some kind of depot pet given that they only have a few of them), and the window view is good. The PIS even works now, and the lighting, while "daylight white" LEDs, is nice and subdued.

Quite different from the Northern ones with their stark blue-painted interior and, I think, some of them with the appalling collapsing Richmond seating.

TBH if the platforms were long enough I'd be happy with pairs of 153s on the Vale.

 

[Philip]

Because they are utter garbage a Pacer with Bogies, built by a bus company on a Friday afternoon.

Not exactly garbage are they? They obviously have to be diagrammed carefully so that they don't appear by themselves on any service that is half busy, but for quiet and especially rural services between villages like the Crewe to Shrewsbury shuttle train they are pretty solid, comfy enough and do the job.

 

[DarloRich]

I don't know, I actually prefer the Marston Vale one over the 150, though admittedly the latter is more reliable. Provided I can get a table due to the poor legroom (equally true of the 150) it has been refurbished to a very high standard and is always kept nice (possibly as some kind of depot pet given that they only have a few of them), and the window view is good. The PIS even works now, and the lighting, while "daylight white" LEDs, is nice and subdued.

Quite different from the Northern ones with their stark blue-painted interior and, I think, some of them with the appalling collapsing Richmond seating.

TBH if the platforms were long enough I'd be happy with pairs of 153s on the Vale.

you are using a different train! The insides of the 153 are so dirty. Even the redecorated ones are looking tatty and none of them have a particularly cared for feel. I much prefer the 150.

 

[Bletchleyite]

you are using a different train! The insides of the 153 are so dirty. Even the redecorated ones are looking tatty and none of them have a particularly cared for feel. I much prefer the 150.

The one I had last Wednesday evening on the 19whatever-it-is off Bedford was spotless. With a happy, chatty guard who came across as quite proud of her little train it really gave a good impression of branch line railways.

The 150s are also refurbished to a high standard (albeit with original seating), but I prefer 2+2 seating with a decent window view.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Umm.
I always understood it was because the cab at one end was significantly smaller than the other due to the location of the toilet. Hence really, only one end was the actual dog box.

Nothing to do with the location of the toilet. It's the location of the exterior doors that led to the "new" cabs being so cramped. The cab even intrudes into the vestibule space meaning that area is pretty claustrophobic too.

 

[Steve Harris]

other nicknames

sh$tbox
broken
pile of crap
Delayed
Replacement bus service
shanks pony

I think you missed out the original nickname:

Scudds (after the scud missiles in the Iraq war).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nothing to do with the location of the toilet. It's the location of the exterior doors that led to the "new" cabs being so cramped. The cab even intrudes into the vestibule space meaning that area is pretty claustrophobic too.

This protrusion was a retrofit - before that the cab was even smaller, I believe!

 

[Clarence Yard]

I think you missed out the original nickname:

Scudds (after the scud missiles in the Iraq war).

Scud. As in you fired them off in the morning and you never knew where they were going to land.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

This protrusion was a retrofit - before that the cab was even smaller, I believe!

I wasn't aware of that. As there were none in my area for quite some time following conversion (West Yorkshire just had the 7 that stayed as 155s until a year or so after privatisation) I only encountered 153s from the mid-to-late 90s onwards.

 

[Steve Harris]

Scud. As in you fired them off in the morning and you never knew where they were going to land.

I have no idea, but i do know thats what many people called them in the 90's.

Perhaps its because they never made it to their intended target !
Or because they looked like a scud missile !

 

[xotGD]

I've heard 153s referred to as 'cupboards'. My response was that a 155 would therefore be a double wardrobe.

 

[50031]

"Pacer on bogies" is rather harsh IMHO. As a passenger, I prefer them to 150s, ambience wise, especially at table seats. Granted, here at GWR, they are not getting refurbed and are starting to look tired. I will be rather sad to see them being scrapped, as it seems no one seems keen on reforming them as 155s

 

[Parallel]

They do have their routes though, I would much rather a 153 than a 150 comfort-wise on the Heart of Wales Line!

 

[Muzer]

Yeah, 150s are rancid by comparison to 153s.