I don't think @WillPS was suggesting that it's remarkable because it's happening sooner than expected. Conjecture on my part here, but I interpreted it more as being an "I remember when these were new, and now they're pretty much done. Doesn't time fly?" sort of sentiment.
Yeah absolutely, it doesn't seem like long ago when the arrival of, I think, 2 153s from Northern was a big deal in increasing capacity. This was early in the EMT franchise, when (allegedly) it became apparent that the numbers Central Trains had provided were not accurate.
I don't remember them being new. To me Sprinters always looked and felt old and Turbostars looked and felt new and modern.
PRM is to ensure equal accessibility for all, so unsurprisingly you're not allowed to just say "this train isn't accessible". Similarly supposed workarounds like booking alternative transport for disabled passengers isn't providing equal access to disabled passengers.
a more sensible adoption of PRM means accessibility for the substantial majority-with a view toward equal access as an objective.It is better for a service to run,than no service at all.
That's really just backpedalling on PRM though. The government has committed to providing equal access for all and the cut off dates have been set for a decade by now. We've already had a decade of treating equal access as an objective
I always thought it was because (like all Sprinters with a corridor connection) it looks a bit like one from the front, but also because they are so small and cramped.
At least 10 years ago,
ATW had done up their 158s with PIS hadn't they?
Ah, that explains: 5T51 (15:15 Barrow Hill to Derby) today. Shown as 153374 / 385
Apparently ROG were using them for signal testing.
Put some into a heritage railway perhaps?
Why would they? Its just an extra small fleet when they can order more 196s if they don't have enough.
It would be nice if we could keep them, they're in much better condition then the original ex ATW fleet.
Comparing to other 15x stock in general I think EMT have done a very good job on keeping them in a good condition although the TFW 158s are good as well. I cant compare to TFW 153's but the ex GWR 153's that EMR have now don't look as good at the ex EMT ones but the seats are better.
The EMT 153s are certainly in much better condition than the Northern ones. Although you could say that about any piece of rolling stock that has had to deal with the devilish duo of Serco-Abellio and Arriva.
A significant part of the reason for the apparent early withdrawal of the first generation DMUs and other rolling stock from the same era was the use of asbestos for sound, heat and fire insulation in the bodies. The use of blue asbestos in new or refurbished stock stopped in 1967 and in 1976 (or was it 1974?) BR made a decision to remove all sprayed blue asbestos by December 1987. If it was not cost effective to remove the asbestos the vehicles were scrapped.
