Rail Quest
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Definitely the 390 for me - one of the most iconic trains to ever grace the UK imo
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Which type of train still in service today will you miss most when they've all been withdrawn from use on the national network?
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Good gravy this is a tough question! There's a lot I'll miss when the class is all gone, and I could easily type lots on each entry here, but here for now is my list:
- HSTs. I don't follow them like I used to, but I wouldn't be where I am now without them. They're not as fun as they used to be, but they're still great trains.
- 323s. The iconic sound of a 323 will be sorely missed, the class still seems so new to me even though they're actually not much younger than me.
- 175s. I remember the joy these were when they first came to South Wales, still wearing FNW colours (oh my days there's a big wave of nostalgia, I could be here a while!) minus branding of course. This class has been so welcome on my local route, it seems weird to think they will soon be going.
- 158s. Fantastic trains, no question of it. Great for regional services, and I have plenty of memories of these both in South Wales and on journeys to/from the North West in past decades. Oof, there's the wave of nostalgia again!
There are of course other classes I'll miss when they go, but the above are the most notable. Of course, there's things like 150s and 153s which I'll miss too, as they've been such an important part of my enthusiast career so far, and the 321s ending service will take some getting used to. There's just so many examples to go into!
- HSTs. I don't follow them like I used to, but I wouldn't be where I am now without them. They're not as fun as they used to be, but they're still great trains.
- 323s. The iconic sound of a 323 will be sorely missed, the class still seems so new to me even though they're actually not much younger than me.
- 175s. I remember the joy these were when they first came to South Wales, still wearing FNW colours (oh my days there's a big wave of nostalgia, I could be here a while!) minus branding of course. This class has been so welcome on my local route, it seems weird to think they will soon be going.
- 158s. Fantastic trains, no question of it. Great for regional services, and I have plenty of memories of these both in South Wales and on journeys to/from the North West in past decades. Oof, there's the wave of nostalgia again!
There are of course other classes I'll miss when they go, but the above are the most notable. Of course, there's things like 150s and 153s which I'll miss too, as they've been such an important part of my enthusiast career so far, and the 321s ending service will take some getting used to. There's just so many examples to go into!
When the whole Sprinter generation goes, it will feel strange - as they have been the mainstay of my adult life* on "Regional Railways" type routes.
(*well, many were introduced when I was still at school, but they were mostly in far-flung parts of the country at that point. Didn't actually travel on a Sprinter - specifically, a 155 - until I was 18).
(*well, many were introduced when I was still at school, but they were mostly in far-flung parts of the country at that point. Didn't actually travel on a Sprinter - specifically, a 155 - until I was 18).
I'm personally not enamoured with them. They were old, rattly, uncomfortable and pretty sedate on acceleration. The only thing I can see they had going for them was nostalgia. I expect the PEP brigade will be along shortly to crucify me for such heresy, but I much prefer the electrostars.
Although I won't miss a 377 when they go, but that's largely because I expect they'll be replaced by something broadly similar but a little bit faster off the mark and a little bit less comfortable on the backside so there won't be much to miss. Same with 350s - perfectly good trains, but not particularly special and will likely be replaced with something broadly similar.
The 390s are an interesting one. They are smart, comfortable and quick. But they're also pretty claustrophobic, the PA is rather jarring and they're often crammed full and the toilets smell bad. I didn't really notice the tilt (but then I've never been north of Manchester on one) so wouldn't really miss that novelty. I am sad I've never been hauled by a 90 though.
LOL The Irony
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185s. Massively over specced and over engineered making them amongst the most comfortable trains on the network. Also the best sounding diesel units to ever grace the network. Things in the pennines won't be the same once they're gone.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I got so distracted by my ice cream I forgot to mention 37s and 60s. Two fantastic classes of locomotives, the sight and sound of a 60 on a tanker train will always be amazing! The growl of a 37, oof that's good fun too!
390s, I've not always been a fan of them, but I do love the tilt. Cruising through Cumbria on a sunny day, with a cuppa in hand, watching the scenery while tilting away at speed, yes that will be much missed when the class retire.
390s, I've not always been a fan of them, but I do love the tilt. Cruising through Cumbria on a sunny day, with a cuppa in hand, watching the scenery while tilting away at speed, yes that will be much missed when the class retire.
Class15
On Moderation
90s, the distinctive sound and amazing capabilities will be missed.
None
Because I don't have the rose tinted nostalgia for the past that others do. (Or emotional attachment)
I am also a fan of technology and the future of the railway. Even units I've driven through my career I look on fondly, but when they are gone, I'll embrace the new and shiny.
Islineclear3_1
Established Member
For me, it has to be the 321's as I commuted on the GEML back in the early 1990s; first on the old slammers (i.e. 302/5/7/8) and 309/312's to Clacton. The 321's came along and apart from the seating, were great, and reliable trains. Great acceleration and fast. I left the GEML in the latter 1990s but still did regular trips to Clacton. The beginning of the end came with the Renatus project. The best bits of them however were the compressors
And believe it or not, I will miss the Southern 313's.... I spent the best part of 13 years travelling on them. The last units I know well with loud compressors and Spirax valve tapping sounds. I will miss the variety on the South Coast
And believe it or not, I will miss the Southern 313's.... I spent the best part of 13 years travelling on them. The last units I know well with loud compressors and Spirax valve tapping sounds. I will miss the variety on the South Coast
778
Member
How can you be sure none will be preserved?
I will probably miss the 350s and the Turbos (class 165s-168s) the most.
I have always prefered the Turbos over the Sprinters, although I have not travelled on a sprinter for a long time so they may have improved since then (internally)?
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90s are good, true.
Also 373s. Standing at St Pancras as one pulls out is magnificent, and that front cab is just a design triumph to see it whizz past at 180mph.
That’s a good point. Fair to say they’re somewhat under appreciated compared to the HST.
For me it has to be the class 73s, i have really enjoyed seeing them from Tonbridge depot to seeing them do the weedkiller trains on the NKML and the Medway valley. When they pass through Chatham on the weedkillers as due to the design of the station being elevated above the platforms, the sound of the engine is incredible through the archways.
Kinda hope they have some more time on the mainline left
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Kinda hope they have some more time on the mainline left
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778
Member
Surprised no one has mentioned the 395s yet. One of the best trains around.
I'll miss their current interiors when they get round to the refirbishments, rather comfy and have pretty much everything you need out of a train these days. Feel like they are going to ruin them with more ironing-board seats.
WarrenTManager
Member
I wonder how easy it would be to make them collect the juice as a replacement for the West of England line!
Strap them to a 442.... (Ducks and hides)
12LDA28C
Established Member
Pretty sure that's not an option... if they move to another TOC it won't be GWR
Class15
On Moderation
In terms of current passenger trains, I’m going 313s, which are being withdrawn very soon.
I think the suggestion is SWR.
12LDA28C
Established Member
No, Chiltern is a likely option according to current thinking.
My experience of them on the Seaford Line was that there was little to recommend them other than rose-tinting, and I certainly won't miss them.
It would, in theory, be technically possible to fit 750v pickups to them but it'll almost certainly be cost-prohibitive. 222s also probably don't align with SWR's future stock ideas, given the need to minimise dwells east of Basingstoke.
Class15
On Moderation
I don’t know them from the Seaford line, I know them from the NLL and GN where they had far more character than what’s come after them.
It would cost a lot, I wasn’t even agreeing with the statement, just correcting what the poster had said about GWR.
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