Class 153 'sag'

[RAGNARØKR]

Or we build proper units to start with, and make sure they last. They dont need to be expensive, even if they were built over here.
All you are asking for are units ready for the scrap heap sooner than pacers if you look over to China.

You are talking about class 172 prices. But why should Chinese built units have a short life?

 

[asylumxl]

You are talking about class 172 prices. But why should Chinese built units have a short life?

I agree.

The Chinese design their units to tighter tolerances than here, particularly body resonance.

 

[davido39]

There was talk of a longer version of the Parry People Mover not so long ago, surely with with the success of this concept, maybe this should be looked at more to replace single car 153's?

 

[D365]

Would be a good idea for branch lines where the main line is not set to be electrified in the near future (like Stourbridge Town). Units could always be cascaded if the branch becomes electric though. An ePPM perhaps?

153s are sometimes coupled to other Sprinters to increase capacity, which none of the developed PPMs can do. They'd be good for isolated branch lines but not on the main line.

 

[junglejames]

You are talking about class 172 prices. But why should Chinese built units have a short life?

But if you are wanting to replace pacers and 153s, then you wont need something costing what the 172 costs.
Why would Chinese built rubbish have shorter lives? Experience, and things I have heard.
Plus look at the trains they operate in China. Either copied from European manufacturers. Knock offs basically. Or in a lot of cases, actually built officially under license (to be knocked off at a later date)

Why do they not use their own trains as much? Its not like in our case where our facilities were sold off. Its because in a lot of cases, the actual Chinese stuff is very very poor quality. They dont even want to use their own stuff. This is stuff I have heard on more than one occasion.
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I agree.

The Chinese design their units to tighter tolerances than here, particularly body resonance.

Are there many chinese designed units about? Seemingly most chinese designed stuff is exported (not even the chinese are fans of their own stuff), and very little of the exported stuff is that good.

It is well known, that unless you keep a very very keen eye on what the chinese are building for you, they will knock you off. Even then, dont expect much in the way of quality.

 

[D6975]

The 155s used on the Cardiff - Portsmouths before they were converted to 153s showed signs of sag almost from new. I remember the discussions at the time as to how long they would last compared to the Mk1s they replaced. We got rid of them first for 156s, then 158s after a 155 reprise. The fact that we got some back as 153s did not go down well with Bristol drivers, especially the taller ones. Those 'new' cabs are very cramped.

 

[RAGNARØKR]

There was talk of a longer version of the Parry People Mover not so long ago, surely with with the success of this concept, maybe this should be looked at more to replace single car 153's?

I referred to that possibility a few weeks ago but seemingly the Stourbridge units are less than a success. Pity because the concept is promising.

 

[Bedpan]

The attempt to introduce them on the Mid Hants (Medstead - Alton commuter service) seems to have failed too.

 

[richw]

The 155s used on the Cardiff - Portsmouths before they were converted to 153s showed signs of sag almost from new. I remember the discussions at the time as to how long they would last compared to the Mk1s they replaced. We got rid of them first for 156s, then 158s after a 155 reprise. The fact that we got some back as 153s did not go down well with Bristol drivers, especially the taller ones. Those 'new' cabs are very cramped.

153s aren't cleared to Portsmouth, so is surprising to me 155s were.

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using Tapatalk 2

 

[D6975]

153s aren't cleared to Portsmouth, so is surprising to me 155s were.

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It's what the 155s were specifically built for, the replacement of loco hauled services on Cardiff-Portsmouth and Cardiff-Manchester/Liverpool services.
The West Yorks ones were a 'Tag on' order.

 

[Kingston Flyer]

153s aren't cleared to Portsmouth, so is surprising to me 155s were.

I have a feeling that was to do with the fact that the 153s foul with the steps and/or obstacle remover at the small cab (no. 2?) end. These wouldn't have been on the 155s.

 

[158722]

153s aren't cleared to Portsmouth, so is surprising to me 155s were.

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Isn't it to do with the object deflector/snowploughs? These were only fitted after conversion to 153s, hence 155s were okay back then.

 

[BestWestern]

Isn't it to do with the object deflector/snowploughs? These were only fitted after conversion to 153s, hence 155s were okay back then.

The snowpolughs are only an issue I believe when they are coupled in multiple over certain tightly curved lines, as they can foul each other. The issue on the Portsmouth line is the steps on the number 2 end bogie, which will not clear certain platform edges.