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Longest 153 formation?

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rebmcr

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The limit to DMU formations is 6 driving cabs (due to voltage dropoff on the control bus), thus an unimpressive three 153s is the limit.
 

LNW-GW Joint

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Hello,
Just wondering what the longest ever 'Tin Rocket' rake/formation was? Preferably service examples and not convoys. Cheers!

The last time I caught an FGW Taunton-Cardiff service at Bristol, a 3x153 formation turned up.
It was quite hard deciding which one to sit in... ;)
 

SprinterMan

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The limit to DMU formations is 6 driving cabs (due to voltage dropoff on the control bus), thus an unimpressive three 153s is the limit.

12 cabs is the limit, so 6 153s in multiple is possible. Central trains have used 4x153+156 formation on a holiday train to Skegness in the past.

Adam :D
 

swt_passenger

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The limit to DMU formations is 6 driving cabs (due to voltage dropoff on the control bus), thus an unimpressive three 153s is the limit.

The regular SWT 10 car sets (2x158+2x159) with 8 cabs also definitely disprove that 'gen'.
 
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rebmcr

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Oops, yes it's 12 cabs for 6 vehicles. Got my doubles/halves mixed up.
 

headshot119

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Presumably the limit is 12 cabs for 6 UNITS (rather than vehicles) ?. Of course, in the context of this thread, that is 6 * class153.

I was always taught it was 12 cabs (No matter on how many vehicles) for 15X / 170 but only 8 cabs if a 14X was involved.
 

D6975

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3x153 is quite common through Bristol, as is 150 + 2x153. I've also seen 3x153 at Leeds. I didn't realise at first, thought it was 155+153 (I'd already seen a couple of such formations).
 

PHILIPE

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There used to be a Summer Saturday train in Wales and West days from Cardiff to Paignton and return worked by 4 x 153. This has been lengthy discussion on this before but unable to turn it up now.
 

185

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12 cabs is the limit, so 6 153s in multiple is possible. Central trains have used 4x153+156 formation on a holiday train to Skegness in the past.

Adam :D

This is correct. 12 cabs = 12 TCAs = Max.
 

CallySleeper

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EMT 2A51, 15:35 Matlock - Nottingham was today worked by 153374 + 153302 + 158799, which even in light of this thread I thought was a bit of a rare formation (unless this is the standard formation, i'm sure someone will have access to the diagrams!)
 

Class 92

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The best I've seen is 3x EMT 156s or a class 150, 153, 158 on a ATW Sunday service.
 

Qwerty133

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EMT 2A51, 15:35 Matlock - Nottingham was today worked by 153374 + 153302 + 158799, which even in light of this thread I thought was a bit of a rare formation (unless this is the standard formation, i'm sure someone will have access to the diagrams!)

It wasn't it was just the 2 153s, however the 158 was just north of derby when we arrived, so could have coupled on the back before departure towards Nottingham.
 

Class 92

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Arriva tend to have a lot of odd formations on the Manchester to South Wales services on a Sunday! Quite interesting to see.
 

ValleyLines142

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On 26th June 2013, the 0624 Derby to Nottingham was worked by 153313, 156408, 158858 and 158863!! That's seven coaches!! Pretty impressive.
 

ChiefPlanner

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The very first privatised Central trains formation out of Aberystwyth on a Sunday (March 1997) was a 153 /156 / 150 combination. Means of swopping units over for maintenance at Tyseley....
 

anthony263

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I have witnessed x3 class 175's being used on a Cardiff - Milford Haven service on a sunday a few years ago although the rear unit was locked out of use. Two of the units were detached at Carmarthen.

However like others I have witnessed ATW use a class 153/150/143 formation before now back when the Wales & Borders franchise was run National Express
 
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fgwrich

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FGW have been pretty good with several unit formations in the past, with stock DMU moves from Portsmouth to Bristol and Bristol to Exeter, with formations like 150, 150, 153, 3 Car 158 etc.
 

Martin_1981

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There used to be a Summer Saturday train in Wales and West days from Cardiff to Paignton and return worked by 4 x 153. This has been lengthy discussion on this before but unable to turn it up now.

I remember this working very well, remember seeing it whilst on holiday in Teignmouth back in 2000-2001.
 

bunnahabhain

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EMT 2A51, 15:35 Matlock - Nottingham was today worked by 153374 + 153302 + 158799, which even in light of this thread I thought was a bit of a rare formation (unless this is the standard formation, i'm sure someone will have access to the diagrams!)
A lot of stuck is usually shuttled between Derby and Nottingham (and vice versa) on the back of the Matlock trains. Lashups of up to 8 cars are not uncommon but regularly 4.
 
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