Again, a difficult choice as there are some excellent trains in this category. For example, the SWT Express Sprinter reliable, good to travel in and a very smart livery and similarly the Turbostars (especially in Southern livery) which are underrated in my view. I never saw a Blue Pullman on the big railway but, if I had, it would have been one of my choices.
But by the width of a headlamp, my choice would be the Cross Country Voyager. A very good looking train and, after the chaos of buses replacing trains on the Weymouth line because of a broken down freight train on the Parkstone bank, there always used to be a Voyager waiting for me at Bournemouth to take me home.
It's a toss up between the 205 and the 159 there Pengy!
In n gauge it's definitely the Class 150. Great to change into EMU's! >:D ;D
I can tell you my least favorite:
A Class 170. As everytime i travel on one they are filthy inside, overcrowded and mostly always late.
Thanks to X-Country Trains for only having 2 car units on the Stanstead Express-Birmingham New Street Route! Idiots!
Simple, class 251/261, better known as the Midland and Western Pullmans, in the original nanking blue livery! :bounce:
For pure nostalgia value, it has to be the Class 101. When I started spotting in around Stevenage, they were still in Refurbished blue/white and working services from Hitchin to Huntingdon and Hertford, as well as Royston to Cambridge.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6169153059_e589fc035c_z.jpg)
The Class 156 is far and away the best "modern" DMU, with a well-designed interior, large windows and a good, no-frills design.
Favorite DMU? (Apart from Tadpoles, obviously).
Swindon Intercity 123, closely followed by Transpennines.
(http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu73/fletch5535/2011-90.jpg)
(One of Adam's thumpers in the background - also rank very high)
Hull Trains take on the Voyager, what were they, Pioneers or something.
Only a few days more to go and I can be back with full internet access and can research my answeres :doh:
Quote from: tadpole on February 10, 2013, 11:08:40 AM
Swindon Intercity 123
Got to agree with you there. One of the most comfortable DMU's, but horrible to maintain and repair.
dodger
Ok your all going to hate me for this one, but personally my favourite DMU is the.........
Class 142, Ive always enjoyed the rides on these, a bit dusty at times and a LOT of problems in the past but come on, they have been going for almost 35 years and still a lot in service (especially in Manchester as I saw yesterday) and the amount of liveries they have had has been a treat for the eye, well sometimes.
Cant wait for them to come out in N gauge :laugh:
My favourite is the original Derby "Lightweight" Yellow Diamond" (forerunner of the Class 108.) Whilst I got to travel on them occasionally in South Manchester in the early years I got to know them better when I moved to Barrow-in-Furness where they operated all the Cumbrian Coast services. Their high back seats were very comfortable for reasonably long distances and the large front windows were excellent for "road learning." Running them close would be the Birmingham RC&W class 110 (720hp) sets and the original "Trans-Pennine" sets both of which were designed sepecifically for Pennine routes for which they were admirably suited. Then there were the Cravens Class 105 (twin power) sets with Rolls-Royce engines based at Accrington depot. (The ones based at Newton Heath had BTU (Leyland) engines which were not maintained properly and the windows used to vibrate dramatically so are excluded although I would happily have a model if one is ever produced.)
Ron
The Swindon Transpennine Class 124 DMU has no equal in terms of front-end design.
I agree on that point (and they had a "Griddle" car) which is why I ranked them highly.
Ron
Quote from: willike1958 on February 10, 2013, 03:34:40 PM
The Swindon Transpennine Class 124 DMU has no equal in terms of front-end design.
Wonderful design indeed - until you try and model one. Several head-banging-on-wall attempts later I've given up trying to draw one :doh:
Quote from: Matthew-peter on February 10, 2013, 03:13:43 PM
Ok your all going to hate me for this one, but personally my favourite DMU is the.........
Class 142, Ive always enjoyed the rides on these, a bit dusty at times and a LOT of problems in the past but come on, they have been going for almost 35 years and still a lot in service (especially in Manchester as I saw yesterday) and the amount of liveries they have had has been a treat for the eye, well sometimes.
Cant wait for them to come out in N gauge :laugh:
Don't worry, your not on your own... I've got a soft spot for the 142/143 as well. At least that's 2 members of the 142 preservation society ! ;D
Quote from: 4x2 on February 10, 2013, 07:28:30 PM
At least that's 2 members of the 142 preservation society ! ;D
:laughabovepost: I am considering it actually haha.
:D Have to suggest two x ex-GWR railcars running in tandem!!! :laugh3:
Quote from: tadpole on February 10, 2013, 11:08:40 AM
Favorite DMU? (Apart from Tadpoles, obviously).
Swindon Intercity 123, closely followed by Transpennines.
[)
Almost a "Clacton EMU" but without the sparky bits.
Mine would have to be class 124 followed by class 123
Steve
Class 165/166 network turbos. I grew up in Maidenhead and remember the excitement as the first units started to replace the rattly old 117s. Too bad privatisation effectively killed the Networker project. They may not be up to the standards of today's Desiros and turbostars but they were great back in the day.
Friends,
I have no idea what the class or construction year but I think it is known as something with whiskers!
I loved my Tri-ang model, it was such a shame when I dropped it and then clumsily stepped on it crushing the driver carriage!
Regards Peter.
Hi Everyone,
My favorite D.M.U has to be the Derby built class 158 . They as more comfortable and seam quicker
than some of the more modern D.M.U's built ever since :beers:
:NGaugersRule:
Quote from: Arrachogaidh on April 08, 2013, 01:06:31 PM
Quote from: 4x2 on February 10, 2013, 07:28:30 PM
Quote from: Matthew-peter on February 10, 2013, 03:13:43 PM
Ok your all going to hate me for this one, but personally my favourite DMU is the.........
Class 142, Ive always enjoyed the rides on these, a bit dusty at times and a LOT of problems in the past but come on, they have been going for almost 35 years and still a lot in service (especially in Manchester as I saw yesterday) and the amount of liveries they have had has been a treat for the eye, well sometimes.
Cant wait for them to come out in N gauge :laugh:
Don't worry, your not on your own... I've got a soft spot for the 142/143 as well. At least that's 2 members of the 142 preservation society ! ;D
The soft spot you need on a 142 is your posterior.............. :P :P
That is very true haha ;D
for me its got to be 205/207 demus the sound smell and ride on them is unforgettable
daz
class 104. noisy, warm and comfortable with big windows. what more does one require from a unit??
Quote from: Karhedron on February 14, 2013, 04:48:24 PM
Class 165/166 network turbos. I grew up in Maidenhead and remember the excitement as the first units started to replace the rattly old 117s. Too bad privatisation effectively killed the Networker project. They may not be up to the standards of today's Desiros and turbostars but they were great back in the day.
i worked in the booking office at maidenhead for a couple of years (1987-1989)... fond memories
Mine is probably Class 121 Bubble car W55023.
http://geeceesfotts.smugmug.com/keyword/w55023#!i=1950374471&k=DSB2vmH (http://geeceesfotts.smugmug.com/keyword/w55023#!i=1950374471&k=DSB2vmH)
I am positive (according to what remains of my trainspotting books) that this one was an occasional train on the route from Reading the whole 4 mile trip back to Tilehurst. After a cold wet day of hanging around spotting Westerns on the end of platforms 4 and 5 with only a vending machine cup of chicken soup to keep me going, this 12 year old trainspotter was very glad to get in the toasty warm smelly old DMU in the bay of platform 7. The ride home in a bubble car meant you could see all the way round, and usually it was pretty empty too. The sound of the door clunk, the rattle of the engine and the smell of the diesel fumes... clackety clack over the points... home in time for tea.
W55023 is now preserved and looks like new. More than can be said for me thirty-seven years later!
The Class 159s are right up there for me, but I have to say, driving the 165/166 Turbos as I do, I've developed quite a soft spot for them.
The beating they get all day every day, and they'll usually still get you there. BREL and ABB didn't do a bad job really. They're in need of some TLC, but don't really get it.
Cheers, Timmo
I think the 159 is an exceptional train. They are so smooth that I sometimes think I'm travelling in an electric. They are one of the UKs most reliable trains - Golden Spanner winner last year and Silver this year (amazingly the Juniper got the gold, a remarkable turnaround in reliability and shows the fine work that SWTs maintenance depots are doing)
I'm mellowing towards the 165/166. The overhaul has made them so much smoother and I no longer feel queasy.
158 for me. The ride is quieter and smoother than any other DMU I've had to travel on.
Quote from: Mustermark on April 11, 2013, 07:00:47 PM
Mine is probably Class 121 Bubble car W55023.
I am positive (according to what remains of my trainspotting books) that this one was an occasional train on the route from Reading the whole 4 mile trip back to Tilehurst.
For a number of years in the 70's single power cars were used on the Reading - Didcot stopping service and Reading - Newbury fast service.
I had plenty of rides on them with a portable ridemeter when the drivers complained, usually about the CWR between Theale and Newbury.
Dodger
Quote from: dodger on April 12, 2013, 07:35:20 AM
Quote from: Mustermark on April 11, 2013, 07:00:47 PM
Mine is probably Class 121 Bubble car W55023.
I am positive (according to what remains of my trainspotting books) that this one was an occasional train on the route from Reading the whole 4 mile trip back to Tilehurst.
For a number of years in the 70's single power cars were used on the Reading - Didcot stopping service and Reading - Newbury fast service.
I had plenty of rides on them with a portable ridemeter when the drivers complained, usually about the CWR between Theale and Newbury.
Dodger
Drivers, complain??? Never... ;)
Quote from: dodger on April 12, 2013, 07:35:20 AM
Quote from: Mustermark on April 11, 2013, 07:00:47 PM
Mine is probably Class 121 Bubble car W55023.
I am positive (according to what remains of my trainspotting books) that this one was an occasional train on the route from Reading the whole 4 mile trip back to Tilehurst.
For a number of years in the 70's single power cars were used on the Reading - Didcot stopping service and Reading - Newbury fast service.
I had plenty of rides on them with a portable ridemeter when the drivers complained, usually about the CWR between Theale and Newbury.
Dodger
CWR?
Quote from: pape_timmo on April 12, 2013, 07:39:26 AM
[
Drivers, complain??? Never... ;)
Well not very often, unless the cab is cold!
I must admit one particular vehicle, fresh from overhaul at Swindon, was lively. Just satisfatory on the jointed track from Reading to near Theale but dangerous on the high speed section to Newbury on welded track (CWR).
So back to Swindon for rectification. After several attempts, each followed by a test run to Didcot & back, it was finally accepted and returned to sevice.
dodger
Those were the days, machines coming out of works for test runs and stuff. Today it's just sent back on a lorry and get on with it.
I must admit tho, train suspension has come a long way since the 80s. Saying that, there are some units out there that do ride rough at times, hunting and lurching quite a bit.
It may have moved on but the trains have not been scrapped. The 121 ride was way better than the still in service 142 vomit comets.
Alan
Quote from: EtchedPixels on April 12, 2013, 01:11:36 PM
It may have moved on but the trains have not been scrapped. The 121 ride was way better than the still in service 142 vomit comets.
Alan
Agreed, but then the 142 is a bus body on a wagon chassis basically. Wagons rattle and bang, so do buses, put them together and see what you get... A nodding donkey...
Now if you could put bogies under the chassis, I reckon it'd make a huge difference... Wouldn't happen tho...
I quite agree that suspensions have improved inthe last 30 years. Lear springs with inherant friction damping were not the best and with improving track standards were subject to frequent derailments, especially 10' wheelbase wagons. I was fortunate not to travel on the 14x DMU's but when did the were terrible on jointed track but satisfactory on 125 mph mainlines.
The only dmu that made me feel sick when stationary was a single power car (121) that was swaying in the wind whilst waiting at Reading station.
As for test runs I regularly had my own coach(es) on the back of the 1720(ish) Cardiff - Paddington ride test vehicles being returned to Old Oak Common follwing wheel turning at Canton. Happy days!
dodger
Class 104 closely followed by Class 105. They were the mainstay of the Leicester to Nuneaton/Birmingham Line in the '60s which was my trainspotting era.
[smg id=4705 type=preview align=center caption="nor3"]
So I think that's my answer and an old pic from my home city of Norwich and the inspiration for my layout.
Love them, and there's one up the road at the Mid Norfolk Railway.
the cl158 from Inverness up to Wick and back, beautifull scenery and a few wee drams, cause I'm not driving :beers:
apart from that, got to be cl108
Quote from: dch05 on February 13, 2013, 06:27:24 PM
:D Have to suggest two x ex-GWR railcars running in tandem!!! :laugh3:
With you there dch05 - are there any others worth considering?