hexagon789
Veteran Member
Isn't one preserved?
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What's your favourite diesel train?
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Isn't one preserved?
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3141
Established Member
Cravens class 105 DMU. They were the first diesel DMUs I knew when introduced on suburban services from Kings Cross (though they were quite unsuitable for them and had been intended for somewhere very different), and with only two front cab windows you got a very good view.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Its D5705 but I don't think it "breathes" - yet....
Linky
I remember at the end of a days spotting at Birmingham New Street getting the DMU back to my grandparents at Sutton Coldfield. The sound of the engines grinding their way up past Vauxhall and Duddeston - long slow acceleration.
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hexagon789
Veteran Member
It's definitely one of the more unusual designs so hopefully one day it will "breathe" again. I don't think there's anything else left with a Crossley engine either, another point of uniqueness
curly42
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Class 45 - in many years of working on them never had one fail on me.
Class 37s look and sound fine but a pain to work with.
Class 37s look and sound fine but a pain to work with.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
I used to get 45s at St Pancras but more close up in your face at Birmingham New Street - 45s and 46s. A lot of memories. I was rather deprived of 40s so these would be my memories of leviathons.
xotGD
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I suppose I had a bit of a soft spot for 46s as they were 'our' locos allocated to GD. But anything EE is waaaay better.
OK, so maybe not an 08!
D5645
Member
For me it's class 31s.
Of the more modern traction I do find class 68s impressive.
Of the more modern traction I do find class 68s impressive.
DaveDustbin
New Member
56 in large logo 
Bevan Price
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Locos - no single favourite.
DMU - Trans Pennine (Class 124) -- vastly superior to anything before or since.
DMU - Trans Pennine (Class 124) -- vastly superior to anything before or since.
Richard Scott
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Would never say it was favourite as an enthusiast but take that out of the equation and the HST is without a doubt an icon. Someone mentioned Voyagers being transformational, no - HSTs were. I am also a product of the 70s and the HST just looked amazing especially in original blue/grey. I bet you can show a number of people in the UK (and around the world even) a picture of an HST and they'll recognise it. Most people have heard of Flying Scotsman but the HST must be the diesel equivalent? Bit of a digression but cannot fault people picking it out as a favourite. Like I said wasn't bothered about them as an enthusiast but have to admire them as an engineering (and marketing!) masterpiece. Shows what Britain can achieve when we try!
Mikey C
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Mechanically the Hitachis are really impressive, quiet and smooth in diesel mode, a major step up from older trainsI'm gonna have to say my favourite 2 - the HST and, sorry folks, the Hitachi Class 8xx trains - yes these are bi-mode but in diesel mode they really do perform well
The HST - well, the look. Seeing one come into Birmingham New Street on the same platform you stand in is just fantastic
Ashley Hill
Established Member
I was sad to see the full HSTs finish and saw them on their last day on GWR. Compared with an IET you always felt like you worked an HST rather than being an optional extra. It's always a pleasure stepping onto a 255 after working an IET.
Prestige15
On Moderation
Trainset: HST/Blue Pullman
Loco: Class 68 and class 70 (only on the engine sound it makes)
DMU: Class 170/180/221
Loco: Class 68 and class 70 (only on the engine sound it makes)
DMU: Class 170/180/221
ValleyLines142
Established Member
185 for me.
NorthWestRover
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NorthWestRover
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Loco - 40s
Unit - I do like the 185s and 170s.
Unit - I do like the 185s and 170s.
sjm77
Member
The 156s were very understated revolutionary for what became possible. Imagine the C31 + clapped out Mark 1s being replaced with brand new right sized stock with sliding electric doors on the Norwich to Birmingham leg. So much more efficient cost wise! Then just remember the transformational timetable from 1988 with Norwich and Cambridge/Ipswich interchanging two hourly at Peterborough to Birmingham and Liverpool/Blackpool. It gave such a step-up to these inter-regional corridors. Originally 29 156s were allocated to Crown Point to cover 25 diagrams, but they were so reliable that when the 155s went into meltdown this was slimmed down to 26 with 3 units sent to the West Country. No-one in the East noticed!
The 156s allowed hourly clock face services on Birmingham and Manchester/Sheffield to East Anglia which broadly remains today!
However the winner has to be the HST no question, still love the 156 though!
The 156s allowed hourly clock face services on Birmingham and Manchester/Sheffield to East Anglia which broadly remains today!
However the winner has to be the HST no question, still love the 156 though!
gimmea50anyday
Established Member
For the 37 fans amongst you, I give you this...
“COME ON!!!”
“COME ON!!!”
gimmea50anyday
Established Member
And an awful electrical buzz at the corridor ends in electric mode!
WideRanger
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As a child, I used to spend a lot of time at Beeston station. We used to get a lot of coal and tanker traffic through at that time. With lots of different locomotives. 20, 31, 37, 47, 56, 58 and the odd 45 pulling the few remaining loco hauled trains into Nottingham.
I hated the 37s because of the noise and the terrible pollution. And whenever at 47 came through, I hoped it was 'Rail Riders'. But for some reason, I loved the 20. I couldn't understand why on earth they would make locomotives that had to work in pairs. Later I went on the Jolly Fisherman to Skegness behnd a pair, and the sound, and the whole experience was amazing.
I still hold a fond memory for class 20s, and now I live in London, occassionally get to see them outside Neasden Depot on the Underground.
Of course, they are rubbish. But at the same time, they are magical, and I can't think if a loco I love more.
I hated the 37s because of the noise and the terrible pollution. And whenever at 47 came through, I hoped it was 'Rail Riders'. But for some reason, I loved the 20. I couldn't understand why on earth they would make locomotives that had to work in pairs. Later I went on the Jolly Fisherman to Skegness behnd a pair, and the sound, and the whole experience was amazing.
I still hold a fond memory for class 20s, and now I live in London, occassionally get to see them outside Neasden Depot on the Underground.
Of course, they are rubbish. But at the same time, they are magical, and I can't think if a loco I love more.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
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Kneedown
Established Member
Loco's - Class 45, 50, 56.
DMU - Cravens 105, Swindon 120.
Set - HST with Valenta engine and original cab.
DMU - Cravens 105, Swindon 120.
Set - HST with Valenta engine and original cab.
RailWonderer
Established Member
Loco: Class 37. In BR Blue with the big NR logo, muddied vents with engine noise blasting out is unequalled.
DMU: Class 185. Powerful traction, unrivalled build quality and ride comfort. Nicest Desiro front end as well. Could easily go to 110mph on 3/3 engines if needed (although a ToC would balk at the fuel bill).
The HST as a complete train as well of course.
DMU: Class 185. Powerful traction, unrivalled build quality and ride comfort. Nicest Desiro front end as well. Could easily go to 110mph on 3/3 engines if needed (although a ToC would balk at the fuel bill).
The HST as a complete train as well of course.
Heritage
Class 50 doing 100mph between Reading and Paddington.
Class 37 unrefurbished original Blue ones on heavy freight.
Class 20s,as I always saw them in pairs and they look and sound impressive.
DMU Class 116 (affectionately known as the C3s on the Valley Lines).I hated their replacements in 150s and things got better when the Pacers arrived lol.
Swindon class 120.
Class 205 thumpers.
Today
Class 68s. You can hear them a mile off!
Class 66 working heavy freight trains.
DMU Any Pacers- even more so now as they are being retired. Class 156 as a distant 2nd choice.
Class 50 doing 100mph between Reading and Paddington.
Class 37 unrefurbished original Blue ones on heavy freight.
Class 20s,as I always saw them in pairs and they look and sound impressive.
DMU Class 116 (affectionately known as the C3s on the Valley Lines).I hated their replacements in 150s and things got better when the Pacers arrived lol.
Swindon class 120.
Class 205 thumpers.
Today
Class 68s. You can hear them a mile off!
Class 66 working heavy freight trains.
DMU Any Pacers- even more so now as they are being retired. Class 156 as a distant 2nd choice.
El Toro
On Moderation
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Thanks for the video . That engine sound is beautiful. Even My wife who was not a train fan liked that sound. As for the class 50, I can’t remember ever being On a train hauled by one, but the specs look impressive, including that huge 16 cylinder V engine, unusual in a locomotive. I remember talking to someone who had been a driver,and he preferred nothing better than driving class 50’s double-headed, surely impressive beasts.
Ladder23
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- 29 Oct 2015
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Westerns, still yet to see one in person!
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