Best Sounding DMU

darylyates17 · 9 Nov 2015

As you can tell i am new to this forum. As i want to find out what everyone thinks is the best sounding DMU i have created this thread, if you asked me what the best sounding DMU is it would be the 185 as the sound especially from the exhaust sounds meaty as hell and even the idle has a deep rumble. I also really like the idle on the 175s as they have a nice deep rumble as well although they don't sound as good when they are accelerating as the 185s.

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ed1971 · 9 Nov 2015

Mine would be first generation DMUs with Leyland 680 engines, Class 101s, 104s and 108s for example. My other is the original spec Pacer with Leyland TL11 engines and SCG gearboxes. This video at 32 seconds in will give you the idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYCzz8M6nrk

DarloRich · 9 Nov 2015

A Voyager.

When stopped, not moving and locked up for the night

RPM · 9 Nov 2015

I'd say the Chiltern water jetting class 117 unit, with the generator running. Awesome sound and smoke effects. Sadly we no longer have it.

Liam · 9 Nov 2015

The rumble of a 156 or the squeal of a 158.

D6975 · 9 Nov 2015

The Transpennine units were the best. The thrash on the climb to Marsden used to be excellent. Sad that none of them (or their IC brothers) were preserved.

ed1971 · 9 Nov 2015

Yes, I regret never having been able to ride on a Class Class 123 or 124. An old video of a Class 123 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr1IGBWK0qo

fishquinn · 9 Nov 2015

Probably a 101.

bramling · 9 Nov 2015

darylyates17 said:
As you can tell i am new to this forum. As i want to find out what everyone thinks is the best sounding DMU i have created this thread, if you asked me what the best sounding DMU is it would be the 185 as the sound especially from the exhaust sounds meaty as hell and even the idle has a deep rumble. I also really like the idle on the 175s as they have a nice deep rumble as well although they don't sound as good when they are accelerating as the 185s.

For me, if we include DEMUs as well then it has to be class 205 or 207. Having said that, a class 150 starting from Marsden and heading through Standedge Tunnel isn't bad.

On modern DMUs, Turbostars can sound quite good on faster runs.

darylyates17 · 9 Nov 2015

ed1971 said:
Mine would be first generation DMUs with Leyland 680 engines, Class 101s, 104s and 108s for example. My other is the original spec Pacer with Leyland TL11 engines and SCG gearboxes. This video at 32 seconds in will give you the idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYCzz8M6nrk

i have to admit the old TL11 engines do sound quite good in the pacers.

ed1971 · 9 Nov 2015

darylyates17 said:
i have to admit the old TL11 engines do sound quite good in the pacers.

Yes, but only with an SCG gearbox. When they were Voith fitted, the engines sounded like they were being flogged to death and didn't last long!

hassaanhc · 9 Nov 2015

Class 165/1 2-car units are loud beasts and much preferable to HSTs on the routes shared by both

. Most of the 3-car ones are a bit quiet for some reason. But all are better than the 165/0 and 166 units as there is no air conditioning compressor causing the engine cooling fan to run and compete with the engine sound.

ash39 · 9 Nov 2015

I agree with the 185 choice of the OP. Nice turbo whistle at full chat as well.

I find it interesting that DMU's all sound so different when a lot of classes share similar powerplants. A voyager sounds nothing like a 185 even though they have the same basic engine although I appreciate the voyager has an electric drive rather than hydraulic.

darylyates17 · 9 Nov 2015

bramling said:
For me, if we include DEMUs as well then it has to be class 205 or 207. Having said that, a class 150 starting from Marsden and heading through Standedge Tunnel isn't bad.

On modern DMUs, Turbostars can sound quite good on faster runs.

A DEMU to me is still still counts as a DMU as along as its powered by Diesel of course
Having been on Sprinters and Pacers on my local lines for most of my 17 year old life(hence why i am going on about the more modern units more than the older ones) before this recent electrification i do have a soft spot for the Sprinters and i do like the sound of them as well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

ed1971 said:
Yes, but only with an SCG gearbox. When they were Voith fitted, the engines sounded like they were being flogged to death and didn't last long!

and thats why they changed them for the Cummins LTA-10R Units they have now

ed1971 · 9 Nov 2015

darylyates17 said:
A DEMU to me is still still counts as a DMU as along as its powered by Diesel of course
Having been on Sprinters and Pacers on my local lines for most of my 17 year old life(hence why i am going on about the more modern units more than the older ones) before this recent electrification i do have a soft spot for the Sprinters and i do like the sound of them as well.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
and thats why they changed them for the Cummins LTA-10R Units they have now

Yes, the TL11s worked ok on buses and coaches but in rail applications they didn't like idling for long periods which resulted in blown cylinder heads.

Ash Bridge · 9 Nov 2015

Does anyone remember the Cravens Class 105 DMU's, hear one of those powering away and you'll never forget it! Btw, they were horrible things to travel on though, a 142 would be luxury in comparison..

GrimsbyPacer · 9 Nov 2015

I also like 185 noise more than sprinters and pacers.

D6975 · 9 Nov 2015

The DEMUs all sounded good, and almost the same whether Hastings, 205, 207, 80 or 450.

8J · 9 Nov 2015

Currently 158's take it for me although I do like the noise from 121's

507 001 · 9 Nov 2015

jtd508110 said:
Currently 158's take it for me although I do like the noise from 121's

My vote is for either the 185s or Perkins engined 158s.....

61653 HTAFC · 9 Nov 2015

The Rolls-Royce engines of the BRCW "Calder Valley" class 110s get my vote for the "all-time" best engine sound. Of current units it has to be the 185s though, especially when accelerating up Miles Platting bank.

Nym · 9 Nov 2015

Class 253s and 254s...

Bungle965 · 9 Nov 2015

I agree for me the 185`s have to be the best for me!!

Bevan Price · 9 Nov 2015

Ash Bridge said:
Does anyone remember the Cravens Class 105 DMU's, hear one of those powering away and you'll never forget it! Btw, they were horrible things to travel on though, a 142 would be luxury in comparison..

I disagree about comfort - the ride quality wasn't too bad - their main problem was that all the windows seemed to rattle incessantly, often making more noise than the engines.

gimmea50anyday · 9 Nov 2015

.
.
.
<---- This, naturally!

If you have ear defender type headphones, please plug in to your interweb server device before clicking on the following link........

http://youtu.be/ex4HAZEQ4UQ

TB · 9 Nov 2015

142's and 144's for me.

Ash Bridge · 9 Nov 2015

Bevan Price said:
I disagree about comfort - the ride quality wasn't too bad - their main problem was that all the windows seemed to rattle incessantly, often making more noise than the engines.

And were not the exhaust and silencers routed internally through the guards van area rather than externally as on the majority of other 1st generation dmu's?

vicbury · 9 Nov 2015

Dare I say it - Voyagers, particularly when accelerating.

ed1971 · 9 Nov 2015

Ash Bridge said:
Does anyone remember the Cravens Class 105 DMU's, hear one of those powering away and you'll never forget it! Btw, they were horrible things to travel on though, a 142 would be luxury in comparison..

How about Class 105s 'Australian Style'!? One is shown here 7 mins in the video complete with Voith hydraulic transmission. Plenty 'clagg':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n0c0ZCZqn4

TOCDriver · 9 Nov 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeP8l4POWw

Oh come on now, listen to that sound of 101 pulling away at 0:40 seconds. Brilliant

Best Sounding DMU

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