Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Mk5 coaches. First Class is something really quite special.
I will get shot around these parts for my answer, but here goes....
Class 180s when they were working for Northern on the Blackpool services. Used to have a lovely commute to Manchester in the former 1st class carriages.
Yes - you are right behind the 68!Mk5 coaches. First Class is something really quite special.
Anyone who thinks IETs are an "all-round great train" immediately has their opinions on rolling stock dismissed as far as I'm concerned!
I'd say the same for those who dislike the MK5s! And there's one thing I like about the IETs more than anything else:
There's no 180s on Great Western! Grand Central and whoever else want to/are using them are seriously welcome to those heaps of junk!
Oi! Hands off my beloved 180s! They're fantastic trains.
Oh you are so welcome to them! They are better with power sockets, but the infernal things bowling me out for HSTs on GC in years gone by will not soon be forgotten!
I'd take one over an 800 any day. Although as much as I love them, if given the choice I would also go with an HST...
They might have got my vote, unfortunately I'm only today having my first proper run on them!Class 68’s and Mk5a’s.
Depends on the definition - rulebook definition most definitely includes a light locomotive as a train.But not actually a “train”...
I believe we have a winner.Any of:
68/mk2s scotrail
68/mk3s chiltern
68/MK5s transpennine
Class 195 & 331 from the drivers point of view. Better than driving Pacers, Sprinters and 319's all the time.
Class 70 "Power Haul" worth a mention
I thought they were built around 2010/2011 ?I thought the 70s were pre 2010?
According to Wikipedia (yes, I know...) the first two were delivered to Newport Docks on 8 November 2009, so their inclusion in this topic is, let's say borderline.I thought they were built around 2010/2011 ?
I don't remember seeing any when I worked at Oxford Road in 2009.
Yeah I assumed the OP was referring to new build stock during the decade, otherwise as you rightly state things like the power door fitted HSTs are worthy of inclusion, which seems to widen the scope of the conversation somewhat excessively.Do 180s count? They've been around since 2000!
Or are we allowed to nominate new services using old trains? In which case I'd like to put forward the GWR Castle HSTs.
The 172s have been an absolute boon to the Snow Hill lines: I was relieved that they had replaced the last of the 150s when I started to regularly commute on those routes.The class 172's
The OP asked for a subjective opinion rather than a quantitative assessment, so personal preference will take precedence.Why the love for Mark 5s? Rubbish seats and appalling ride quality. Sounds rather like enthusiast loco=good regardless view of the world!
Some are being introduced this year!I won't include any of Electrostar family in my choices as, although they may have been introduced up to last year, it is still virtually a 20 year old design with only software and seat changes. I was never that impressed with them when they came to Southern, and I don't think I'll be that impressed with them up to now.
Not the Electrostar they aren't, I believe the last of those was delivered in 2017.Some are being introduced this year!