Class 153 updates.

[3973EXL]

STP 21/12
5E47
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1040 Etches Park Sdgs to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings

 

[WesternLancer]

As a taller man I too prefer the small cab for the greater knee space, though my smaller colleagues seem to prefer the larger cab as it's less cramped overall. In both cabs I find that the DSD pedal is too high up as well, meaning your feet don't rest at a natural angle.

It's not just cab comfort that's the issue though, their actual performance makes them miserable to drive. The brakes take a long time to fully release, making a smooth stop very difficult and it takes forever to get going again. And that's before you take into account all the extra weight they have over other Sprinters despite using the same engine, meaning that even when the brakes do finally release you're not going anywhere very fast.

I can just about keep to time almost anywhere with a 150 running on 158 timings. Give me 153s instead, and despite having the same basic engine and top speed, i haven't a hope of keeping time.

Thanks - out of interest do those observations generally apply to 155s too?

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks - out of interest do those observations generally apply to 155s too?

I couldn't say for definite as I've never signed 155s. But given how many redundancies were fitted to 153s to reduce the risk of a single unit failing and blocking a mainline, I would expect 155s to have a better power to weight ratio, and not having 2 separate brake control systems per car probably helps the brakes release quicker too.

 

[WesternLancer]

I couldn't say for definite as I've never signed 155s. But given how many redundancies were fitted to 153s to reduce the risk of a single unit failing and blocking a mainline, I would expect 155s to have a better power to weight ratio, and not having 2 separate brake control systems per car probably helps the brakes release quicker too.

Thanks

 

[jopsuk]

STP 17/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1027 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings 5L47 dep 1014

well that explains what i saw yesterday at Ely

 

[43096]

well that explains what i saw yesterday at Ely

Thanks for that photo: so 153307/331 are two of them. Presumably 153328 is the other as the only other Angel-owned unit that Northern had.

 

[jopsuk]

Thanks for that photo: so 153307/331 are two of them. Presumably 153328 is the other as the only other Angel-owned unit that Northern had.

if I'd been more on the ball I'd have got you a better photo and numbers of all three units. Apologies, I was cold!

 

[physics34]

The way there were constructed makes them look cheap imo, but theyve served a purpose and had a good life.

 

[WesternLancer]

The way there were constructed makes them look cheap imo, but theyve served a purpose and had a good life.

I'd have thought more preferable for a preserved line out of season service than a Pacer? But maybe not (need to make the seat spacing more comfortable I suppose).

 

[MattBlueRuby]

Anybody know the location of 153324 & 359? TIA

 

[aleandrail]

STP 21/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 1040 Etches Park Sdgs to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings

Does anybody know if 308 will be part of this journey ?

 

[IamTrainsYT]

Thanks for that photo: so 153307/331 are two of them. Presumably 153328 is the other as the only other Angel-owned unit that Northern had.

My eyes tell me it was 153331, 153307 and 153328 in the exact order. (Caught at Ashton Moss)

Farewell old friends

Former Northern Dogboxes 153331, 153307 and 153328 coast over Ashton Moss Junction working 5L46 Newton Heath Traction Maintenance Depot to Ely Papworth Sidings on the 17/12/21.

flic.kr

 

[Mariner16]

Does anybody know if 308 will be part of this journey ?

308, 319, 355 and 357

 

[158722]

Anybody know the location of 153324 & 359? TIA

They, along with 360, were quoted somewhere for a Newton Heath to Long Marston move yesterday, but I've not seen any confirmation that it ran.

 

[Whisky Papa]

I was very surprised to see 2 x 153 cross Todmorden viaduct while shopping this afternoon. At first I thought this was the Leeds - Wigan NW 2R96, but apparently it was an ECS move from Neville Hill to Newton Heath, 5G53. I'm no help on the unit numbers I'm afraid.

 

[Llama]

I couldn't say for definite as I've never signed 155s. But given how many redundancies were fitted to 153s to reduce the risk of a single unit failing and blocking a mainline, I would expect 155s to have a better power to weight ratio, and not having 2 separate brake control systems per car probably helps the brakes release quicker too.

155s are almost as gutless and their brakes are slower to release than the other 15x units - not as bad as 153s but always worse than 150/156.

 

[craigybagel]

155s are almost as gutless and their brakes are slower to release than the other 15x units - not as bad as 153s but always worse than 150/156.

So they started off awful - and the conversion made them worse! Interesting.

 

[3973EXL]

STP 22/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0952 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Long Marston 5Q94 dep 0946

 

[aleandrail]

308, 319, 355 and 357

many thanks

 

[Geeves]

I will never forget single 153s turning up from Leeds at Victoria in the middle of rush hour, funny memories for the staff, not so much the passengers! Not too sad to see them go. I am sure someone will preserve one.

 

[43102EMR]

I will never forget single 153s turning up from Leeds at Victoria in the middle of rush hour, funny memories for the staff, not so much the passengers! Not too sad to see them go. I am sure someone will preserve one.

Still operational under Scotrail, TfW and Network Rail - for me it’s more a case of them leaving the North and Midlands-based franchises

 

[3973EXL]

STP 21/12
5E47
Realtime Trains - FRGT 1040 Etches Park Sdgs to Ely Mlf Papworth Sidings

Dep Derby station 1 early

 

[50002Superb]

They were absolutely flying through Long Eaton

 

[43055]

The last of the EMR dogbox's leaving Derby.

 

[LowLevel]

The last of the EMR dogbox's leaving Derby.
View attachment 107389

Lovely photo. Farewell, faithful doggies. I am both relieved and slightly sad at the same time.

 

[WesternLancer]

Dep Derby station 1 early

The least comfortable of the EM fleet I'd say so no bad thing they have gone, but on balance they have done good service and performed their role all things considered.

 

[Benno]

STP 22/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0952 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Long Marston

There should be another move on 23/12. Four units on one day, three units on the other day. Nothing in RTT yet though.

 

[Liam L]

STP 22/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0952 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Long Marston

Sorry if it already been mentioned in this thread, But any ideas which 153s will be on this one tomorrow? Hopefully going to catch it on the southern section of the cross city Line

 

[3973EXL]

STP 22/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0952 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Long Marston 5Q94 dep 0946

STP 23/12

Realtime Trains - FRGT 0952 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Long Marston 5Q94 dep 0947

 

[skyhigh]

I was very surprised to see 2 x 153 cross Todmorden viaduct while shopping this afternoon. At first I thought this was the Leeds - Wigan NW 2R96, but apparently it was an ECS move from Neville Hill to Newton Heath, 5G53. I'm no help on the unit numbers I'm afraid.

330+358 I believe (the only two that were on Neville Hill)