Least favourite stock

[yorksrob]

Uh oh, here we go again...

Be careful, we Southerners only got swanky new sets to replace the ancient, dangerous 'Slammers remember

Oh dear, we really are opening a whole can of worms here aren't we

 

[tom1649]

I'd rather travel on a bus seated Pacer than a Voyager, and in the past have chosen to do so when given the choice. At least I don't feel claustrophobic on a Pacer and I can open a window. I like to be able to see around the carriage and the view is better. The smell of incoming diesel fumes is also preferable to the smell of retention tank toilets. I'm probably in a minority here.

 

[BestWestern]

Oh dear, we really are opening a whole can of worms here aren't we

Of course!

It irks me a little when people do the old, "Southerners get all the new trains" routine. It has to be pointed out that the massive influx of Electrostar/Desiro stock which most people tend to be thinking of when they make those comments, arrived primarily to replace the slam door units which served much of the NSE region en masse for many years, and which were certainly well due for replacement. Yes there was other new stock under BR, but most regions had that to some degree, not just the south.

Without wishing to offend, I personally think those views would be better aimed at Scotrail, who really do seem to be able to click their fingers and demand whatever trains they like!

 

[Sadsmileyface]

Only the 170s, 334s and 380s could be described as 'new'. As in stock that's less than 15 years old.



Those 380s did turn out pretty well
In the end after every little thing went wrong with them. I'm still amazed at how quiet they are inside.

 

[BestWestern]

Well, to be fair I didn't say 'new'. I understand they have ranks of 158s chugging about on services which don't justify them?

 

[D365]

Those 380s did turn out pretty well
In the end after every little thing went wrong with them. I'm still amazed at how quiet they are inside.

Desiros are good trains, I must admit. Without wanting to start another EvD debate, isn't Desiro traction quieter than the Electrostar package?

 

[6Gman]

323s would be improved immensely if the seat padding was increased from its current 0.0000001 mm thickness.

Pacers are truly horrible.

150s get a bit ropey when hammered (Tyseley for example).

153s can be rather cramped (depends on the internal layout).

Other than that I find it hard to nominate any truly bad units.

 

[LE Greys]

323s would be improved immensely if the seat padding was increased from its current 0.0000001 mm thickness.

Ditto for Desiros, indeed a lot of modern stock.

 

[phil281]

Ditto for Desiros, indeed a lot of modern stock.

Is there actually a reason why? Money i Guess....

I cannot stand some seats on modern trains especially the Class 450's they're a joke

 

[ert47]

Is there actually a reason why? Money i Guess....

I cannot stand some seats on modern trains especially the Class 450's they're a joke

I find the seats on 171s very comfortable... but apart from them (and the seats on East Coast trainsets)...

 

[bronzeonion]

I totally agree about the 450s just having awful seats but you'll probably be surprised to hear that the 378 ranks very high in my list, I think the seats are shaped well so are quite comfortable.

 

[D2022]

First Great Western 153s, cramped seats with no leg room, got one set of doors that are just annoying narrow despite the massive siding door. Noisy both engine sound wise and the rail noise. They are usually either an inferno or an ice age inside. They look old and tatty, and always seem the odd one out when they tag along with 150s. Scrap them

 

[Goatboy]

There are few 'poor' units on the network. What there are, however, is numerous examples of the wrong type of stock being used for the journey in hand.

450's on Weymouth to Waterloo. I was amazed when I first realised that they'd replaced the comfortable, long distance oriented 442's with what feel like inner-suburban units.

150's on long runs. 150's are fine for Exmouth to Paignton, or Exeter to Barnstaple and so on. But FGW now insist on putting them on completely unsuitable long distance routes. At more than 5 hours WEY-GMV is longer than almost every other service FGW run - inc some Penzance to Paddington trains - yet it's now almost always a 150 and not a 158.

165's on similar length routes like Hereford to Paddington. They've gone now - thankfully - but seriously, a train this length without proper tables? Really?

Thats about it really. Oh, special mention for Voyagers. It's blissful to find an HST in place of one of those on XC. It's amazing really, how do they manage to get newer stuff so wrong at times?

 

[junglejames]

I'd rather travel on a bus seated Pacer than a Voyager, and in the past have chosen to do so when given the choice. At least I don't feel claustrophobic on a Pacer and I can open a window. I like to be able to see around the carriage and the view is better. The smell of incoming diesel fumes is also preferable to the smell of retention tank toilets. I'm probably in a minority here.

Id rather a pacer to a voyager as well. Much more pleasant. Seats more comfortable. No disgusting smells.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

323s would be improved immensely if the seat padding was increased from its current 0.0000001 mm thickness.

Despite the thickness (along with the 165/ 166/ 365/ 465/ 466), once the seats are bedded in they actually provide a nice bit of padding, and the seats are an ok shapre. Compare this to voyagers and pendys, and virtually all Siemens stock (esp SWTs lot), which are always hard no matter what.

 

[Whistler40145]

junglejames, pacers are better when they get going, but feel like they've got square wheels at low speed.

 

[bnm]

In no particular order:

442
220/221
91+Mark 4

 

[junglejames]

junglejames, pacers are better when they get going, but feel like they've got square wheels at low speed.

Oh they dont have the best ride. But still better than voyagers in my mind. Although i realise not many will agree.

 

[12CSVT]

junglejames, pacers are better when they get going, but feel like they've got square wheels at low speed.

Pacers will be even better after 2019 when they have made a one way journey to Rotherham or Stockton (no offence intended to either C. F. Booth or T. J. Thompson).

 

[Whistler40145]

I was being sarcastic regarding Pacers. I also cannot wait until the go to the scrapyard.