WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[AJDesiro]

Yikes that's a grim thought, swapping 196s to EMR for the 170s back! Your experiences do not match mine in any way, legroom was amazing on the seats I tried and I've no issues with comfort whatsoever.

They’re certainly some of the best seats you’re going to get in standard these days, I can’t fault the units personally, especially when you consider that they’re more comfortable than IETs.

 

[Techniquest]

They’re certainly some of the best seats you’re going to get in standard these days, I can’t fault the units personally, especially when you consider that they’re more comfortable than IETs.

They're also more comfortable than a ScotRail 156 I used to have issues after a few hours on an IET seat, but I think that specific trip was when I was already tired. I've done many trips on 80x since then, and I generally don't have any issues.

As for 196s, I can happily confirm the 1039 Hereford-Birmingham Snow Hill is formed of 196008+196007. Both are winners for me, and I am happily on board with my Blue Beauty. I fancy a spot of beautiful cycling in the sunshine, and Colwall's better for that than Ledbury. Plus a day return to Colwall is not that much more expensive than it is to Ledbury!

Attached is a photo of the 196s in the sun in Hereford

 

[voithgearbox]

They're also more comfortable than a ScotRail 156 I used to have issues after a few hours on an IET seat, but I think that specific trip was when I was already tired. I've done many trips on 80x since then, and I generally don't have any issues.

As for 196s, I can happily confirm the 1039 Hereford-Birmingham Snow Hill is formed of 196008+196007. Both are winners for me, and I am happily on board with my Blue Beauty. I fancy a spot of beautiful cycling in the sunshine, and Colwall's better for that than Ledbury. Plus a day return to Colwall is not that much more expensive than it is to Ledbury!

Attached is a photo of the 196s in the sun in Hereford

Nice, guess I was correct yesterday with today's workings then.

 

[Techniquest]

Nice, guess I was correct yesterday with today's workings then.

I guess so, I don't recall right now what you posted to be honest, I'm more focusing on not thinking about the wasp sting on my leg!

For the forum member who asked, 196004 is with 196005 today. I made sure to time my ride to check them if possible, and I am presently travelling on them to Hereford

Photos attached are a scenic view at Colwall station in the glorious weather, and of 196004+196005 approaching on the 1036 Birmingham Snow Hill to Hereford

 

[QSK19]

East Midlands passengers, you want new trains, I'll do you a swap: You have the 196s, we'll keep the 170s. Now there's a pretty damning indictment of an exercise that's taken the railway's finest many years and cost a good few hundred million quid, and a regrettable theme for a first post to this forum.

No thanks - the 170s are something more modern than they’re replacing (a crucial aspect of the fleet refresh) and they do what they say on the tin. Not spectacular, but a solid product - with a decent refurb, they’ll be just what EMR needs.

The 196s, whilst they sound like they’re gradually coming good, have been a pain to introduce. As I’ve said before, a lesson in how not to introduce a fleet. I’d love for us to have new trains, but not to the point where there is loads of agro that comes with their introduction.

So, nah, keep your 196s and I’m sure they’ll come good in the end.

 

[GWVillager]

No thanks - the 170s are something more modern than they’re replacing (a crucial aspect of the fleet refresh) and they do what they say on the tin. Not spectacular, but a solid product - with a decent refurb, they’ll be just what EMR needs.

The 196s, whilst they sound like they’re gradually coming good, have been a pain to introduce. As I’ve said before, a lesson in how not to introduce a fleet. I’d love for us to have new trains, but not to the point where there is loads of agro that comes with their introduction.

So, nah, keep your 196s and I’m sure they’ll come good in the end.

I daresay this is exactly why the Badgerer wanted to keep the 170s!

Time will really tell with the 196s I think, the rattling of the cab bulkheads is irritatingly loud, and doesn't exactly scream a good build, and when combined with WMR's seeming inability to clean trains as of late, I'm not sure they'll stay shiny for long. That said though, there have been plenty of trains that I thought the same prove to be real gems 5 or 10 years on, and vice versa. But on the whole, I'm inclined to agree, 6 coaches and they'll be welcomed, but at 4 they just don't present enough of a step up.

 

[XAM2175]

A far better and cheaper outcome would have been to get hold of more carriages compatible with the 170s and simply run longer trains. Re-use of the old PEP carriages shows they could have done this, maybe grabbed some of the 321 carriages and done a modest refit (if need be as trailers).

All the "carriages compatible with the 170s" are already in other 170s and therefore in demand. "Re-use of the old PEP/321 carriages" is known as "Class 769" and not doing too well either

Reading the forum on the topic of seats and its quite apparent that UK railway buyers don't use trains, and have no understanding of seat comfort. Maybe they've had a human described to them but never encountered one. How can it be that the simple job of providing a moderately comfortable and supportive seat is completely beyond then in the 2020s?

Please, no more bloody seat wibble, there's already too much going around.

 

[43096]

All the "carriages compatible with the 170s" are already in other 170s and therefore in demand. "Re-use of the old PEP/321 carriages" is known as "Class 769" and not doing too well either

170s are asthmatic enough as it is without adding unpowered trailers into the formation.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Lovely trip had on 196004 and 005 twice today! Brilliant units and the acceleration is superb!

 

[william.martin]

Lovely trip had on 196004 and 005 twice today! Brilliant units and the acceleration is superb!

Unless it was the driver, it feels like the 4 cars accelerate quicker than a 2+2.

 

[GalaxyDog]

Someone mentioned bulkheads etc - actually, they are flimsily built, and the lack of shielding or weather protection when the cab doors are open, for the internal electronics, is alarming to say the least judging from photos seen.

Having seen the discussion with seats and legroom, I asked my correspondent up there to see if they could relay me what they are actually alike. It is not pretty - most seats by windows have zero legroom thanks to badly-thought out diagonal seat support bars well within the leg gap, meaning some very painful shins.

Oh, and another unit died on its arse tonight as the 2040 dep Shrews and its 2156 return were both cancelled.

 

[anamyd]

Have the issues with the sharp bins not been fixed? Just put something in the bin on 196008, and it slammed shut against my finger resulting in cuts.

If that really happened, that's absolutely shocking - how is that allowed?! And why has it still not been fixed?

 

[AJDesiro]

If that really happened, that's absolutely shocking - how is that allowed?! And why has it still not been fixed?

Trust me, it did happen! I complained to WMR about it. That is the thing I dislike about these units. Once the seat bases wear in and that issue is sorted out these will be solid units from a passenger POV.

 

[anamyd]

Trust me, it did happen! I complained to WMR about it. That is the thing I dislike about these units. Once the seat bases wear in and that issue is sorted out these will be solid units from a passenger POV.

Have WMR responded to your complaint?

 

[AJDesiro]

Have WMR responded to your complaint?

Not yet unfortunately.

 

[anamyd]

Not yet unfortunately.

Ah right, do please let me know when they have done - thanks.

 

[Techniquest]

196007+196008 on the 1040 Hereford-Birmingham New Street today, flagged it having had that pair recently. Anyone after it should find them on the 1250 back from Birmingham then the 1440 out of Hereford and so on

 

[Liam L]

196004 is out the Leamington to Nuneaton shuttles today.

 

[Techniquest]

Oh wow nice, I'll be on a WMDR soon then

All the ideas for combining 196 action with cycling are forming, the maps will be out soon!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

The 196s were on the 0732 Hereford to Birmingham this morning, as well as the 0710, but the 0732 pair did not return for the 1139 HFD BHM. Does anyone know whether the diagrams has changed and where this set has gone?

 

[newtownmgr]

The 196s were on the 0732 Hereford to Birmingham this morning, as well as the 0710, but the 0732 pair did not return for the 1139 HFD BHM. Does anyone know whether the diagrams has changed and where this set has gone?

They go to Tyseley after arrival at New St & comeback out for the 17:50 Worcester. The 09:50 New St - Hereford is now formed from the 08:35 ex Malvern

 

[SuperLuke2334]

They go to Tyseley after arrival at New St & comeback out for the 17:50 Worcester. The 09:50 New St - Hereford is now formed from the 08:35 ex Malvern

OK thank you. Just the one proper full diagram for now then? Can we expect another full diagram next week or is that too soon?

 

[Liam L]

OK thank you. Just the one proper full diagram for now then? Can we expect another full diagram next week or is that too soon?

.

The sooner the better, than the 172s can be put back onto SHL work. Not sure how well the new TT has been so far today on that side

 

[Techniquest]

OK thank you. Just the one proper full diagram for now then? Can we expect another full diagram next week or is that too soon?

I was wondering the same thing. Been and checked the 1240 from Hereford, that's 172334 today. Won't have chance to investigate the 1340. It is just nice to have 196s available at long last!

 

[newtownmgr]

OK thank you. Just the one proper full diagram for now then? Can we expect another full diagram next week or is that too soon?

Don’t know when the next diagram will go over. All supposed to be 196’s by September

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I was wondering the same thing. Been and checked the 1240 from Hereford, that's 172334 today. Won't have chance to investigate the 1340. It is just nice to have 196s available at long last!

1340 172332.

Don’t know when the next diagram will go over. All supposed to be 196’s by September

Thanks, just knew there was meant to be 2 full booked ones from TT change.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks! That pleases me that I didn't miss out I'll keep an eye out tomorrow I suspect on the 1039 again.

 

[bnsf734]

196004 and 172103 were the 2 sets on the Nuneaton - Leamington Spa run today. 196004 was earning its keep on a very full and standing 1537 service from Nuneaton with a large contingent of Harry Styles fans on their merry way to Coventry Arena for tonight.

 

[william.martin]

196004 and 172103 were the 2 sets on the Nuneaton - Leamington Spa run today. 196004 was earning its keep on a very full and standing 1537 service from Nuneaton with a large contingent of Harry Styles fans on their merry way to Coventry Arena for tonight.

I wish I was there for some Harry Styles great to see them on the Nuneaton runs - when will we see the 2nd diagram being 196's?

 

[OscarH]

Will Leamington-Nuneaton be 1 196, 1 172 all week?