47271
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- 28 Apr 2015
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This question really isn't trivial at all, it's very important to us bouncing around on a daily basis, but I thought that I'd do the right thing and categorise it as such.
At the weekend, a friend who is a regular on the Caledonian Sleeper, but also travels extensively by other services, claimed to me that be believes that a well maintained mk3 sleeper at 35+ years old still offers the quietest and smoothest ride of any UK stock at speed. He qualified this by saying that he bases the claim on travelling amidships and not over the wheels, and that 'at speed' means anything of 80mph or more.
The sleeper has a couple of physical features going for it I suppose: small windows and the guarantee of a solid door between the passenger and corridor noises. Also bear in mind that under normal timekeeping it shouldn't be running above 80 anyway.
Assuming that we accept that 80mph plus is 'speed', what does everyone else think?
Personally, I'd probably go for a 395, which is a good sign considering the number of trains Hitachi is churning out at the moment. I'm also very partial to a Transpennine 350.
To be fair on any design we have to assume a good state of maintenance, and this is all about quiet and smooth, so other characteristics such as lighting, seating, temperature or smells (I think you know what I mean) aren't relevant.
At the weekend, a friend who is a regular on the Caledonian Sleeper, but also travels extensively by other services, claimed to me that be believes that a well maintained mk3 sleeper at 35+ years old still offers the quietest and smoothest ride of any UK stock at speed. He qualified this by saying that he bases the claim on travelling amidships and not over the wheels, and that 'at speed' means anything of 80mph or more.
The sleeper has a couple of physical features going for it I suppose: small windows and the guarantee of a solid door between the passenger and corridor noises. Also bear in mind that under normal timekeeping it shouldn't be running above 80 anyway.
Assuming that we accept that 80mph plus is 'speed', what does everyone else think?
Personally, I'd probably go for a 395, which is a good sign considering the number of trains Hitachi is churning out at the moment. I'm also very partial to a Transpennine 350.
To be fair on any design we have to assume a good state of maintenance, and this is all about quiet and smooth, so other characteristics such as lighting, seating, temperature or smells (I think you know what I mean) aren't relevant.
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