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Creation of class 230 DEMUs from ex-LU D78s by Vivarail

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hooverboy

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And...it's departed on the 1736 48 minutes late. Right nuisance that, as I could have made it for that time!

I assume the intention is that it will get the delay back during the 1 hour-ish layover it has after this round trip.
I think there was a problem with the 150 earlier,that would explain some of the delay.

Not to mention all the photoshoots/interviews/cab rides with dignitaries
10.55 from bedford got into bletchley 11.43 but had some suits in the cab at the time,and also a hold up at stewartby. I don't think it will have a problem keeping time under normal circumstances
 
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sibbahz

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maybe. the oompa loompa-s were out on the crossing this morning
Network Rail were out and about on the crossing last Thursday too. They had the stop boards on the rails both sides of the crossing by the station and let the train stop before stamping on the crossing a few times then removing the stop sign.
On the last train from Bletchley, they were still there, heard them on the phone confirming that the train had successfully cleared the crossing.
 

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hooverboy

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Not even a grudging acknowledgment of Vivarail's success after years of knocking the project, Paul? It's beaten the 769 into service too.
I'd have to say fair play to vivarail.

it's a nice unit that certainly has a place.pretty good job. I'll give it 7.5/10...still obviously has a couple of kinks to iron out,but on low usage lines where 153 is going to be scrapped then one of these is a very good side-grade at the least(I would say upgrade as it's much nicer watching the scenery in these!)
downside obviously is the low speed limit,but for a very rural stop start pattern it's still quite quick off the blocks.

as for the northern 14x/15x combos' the 769 is the best solution for sure,once they get it up and running.
 
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hooverboy

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If anyone has been on these trains yet, I'd be interested to know how they compare to Sprinters!

Are they quieter/smoother than 150's?

Do they have air con, etc...

How is the seating layout on these, have they left enough legroom for a human sized passenger?

Be interested to hear people's thoughts!

1)yes up until about 40mph..then they get a bit whiney
2)yes, they have air con.still have a few opening windows which is nice.if aircon packs up you can still breathe.
the one thing i really did like is the "airiness" and sense of space.Inside it feels like you have loads of room,the seat alignment is nice and you have lots of window and natural light....you don't feel cramped in like you do in a sprinter.

3) some table, some airline,some londitudinal,some flip-ups near the bogs for cycle storage/wheelchairs. ..plenty of legroom and seats are decently pitched/padded.Pretty well thought out with a good enough mix to cope with most traffic.
 
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hooverboy

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It appears to have suffered delays all day. I hope it isn't struggling to keep to timings...
when the driver ragged it from lidlington i got the sense it is quicker than a sprinter.I really don't think timekeeping will be an issue once the drivers have a few more miles under their belt and get to know the units better.
 
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hooverboy

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I didn’t get the impression it was being driven aggressively in an attempt to keep to time. If anything, crew seemed to be handling it pretty gently. Probably new braking points to work out.
I got that impression too!..IMHO plenty more in the tank once drivers get used to it.
 

Bletchleyite

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I'm on it now...only going to Ridgmont and back though sadly due to the severe delay. Shown as departing 2050. The 153 is in P5 doing the 2101, unusual to get both units at BLY at once.

Will post more later when I get home.
 

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Bletchleyite

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What are the timings of the Class 230 trains because I want to go and ride one

It's on the Class 150 diagram, that is the one shown as 2 coaches on the timetable. Last run departing Bletchley at 2050 (49 late) to Ridgmont only today and return from there, assuming it doesn't get canned.

No idea about tomorrow though.
 

hooverboy

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I wonder who's decided on the semi-official nickname of "Penguins"? :)

On another point, I note it hasn't been named yet - I hope the plan of naming all three after local "heroes" is followed through.
we should have names for them for sure!!!!!!

paula radcliffe
tim foster
john bunyan

..please enter bletchleys alumni here for nomination
alan turing has got to be up there
 

Amaroussi

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If I recall correctly, the LNWR informally called it the penguins due to the front yellow panel looking like a beak (source). I would not be surprised if they started using names associated with penguins.
 

Jozhua

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The underground stock they were converted from is apparently some of the longest, however it still comes in a little bit short compared to a 150 (18.3 vs 20 meters) and a 156/153 (23m).

Obviously the advantage over a 153 is the fact there aren't 2 driving cars in each car!

Other than that, perhaps not as much seating space as the 150's it has replaced...

Definitely think the 3 car option could be compelling replacement for a single 15X on some routes.
 

mmh

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quite pleased with it actually!
it's a sweet little unit
got on the 10.55 @Bedford!(230004)

seats are certainly comfortable enough. windows,ambiance and so on is quite pleasant...I would say a better ride than the sprinters,albeit a bit noisier once the driver puts his foot down.

for the purposes of the line it's working it's quite adequate,much nicer than a dogbox. Now I've been on one I'd say that these would be absolutely perfect for island line as long as the clearances can be worked around.

Noisier than a 150? That's impressive! Should be fun on Crewe - Chester then.
 

hooverboy

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The underground stock they were converted from is apparently some of the longest, however it still comes in a little bit short compared to a 150 (18.3 vs 20 meters) and a 156/153 (23m).

Obviously the advantage over a 153 is the fact there aren't 2 driving cars in each car!

Other than that, perhaps not as much seating space as the 150's it has replaced...

Definitely think the 3 car option could be compelling replacement for a single 15X on some routes.

got more than a 153 for sure!
actually works out better seating than a pacer..even with PRM mods.

the other bonus is that these will take much tighter curves than most 15x(and probably also 14x).some of the radii of underground lines is quite a bit more constricted than mainline....in fact i think only DLR stock is built to handle tighter curves...so less sqealing!!!

it's got a place....with 153's going out of service this is a fairly decent replacement on sparse lines, but not ones with interconnect to mainline.
for mainline use then I think we need to be looking at a modular 2/3 car 18-20m,90mph capable unit as a minimum(769 is reportedly testing at 87mph so 80mph in service on diesel,100mph under the wires.)
 
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