What is your favourite British EMU of all time?

[EtchedPixels]

Definitely Eurostar (in GNER colours)

[Kipper]

Used to catch an Alton to Waterloo EMU, from Farnham to Brookwood, on the way home from school (which is why it is my favourite), and invariably it was number 4711, which was also the name of a perfume popular with the girls in those days (1961 - 1966).

[Chetcombe]

Used to catch an Alton to Waterloo EMU, from Farnham to Brookwood, on the way home from school (which is why it is my favourite), and invariably it was number 4711, which was also the name of a perfume popular with the girls in those days (1961 - 1966).

From the number 4711 it sounds like a Class 405 4-SUB. These used to ply their trade on the Victoria to Epsom/Dorking line when I was at school in South London in the 70s/80s. Untidy cables all over the front end, filthy bouncy seats and scary non corridor compartments - if a shady character got in one of those you had nowhere to go until you reached the next station... In fact they were so bad, they were iconic and thus my favorite EMU as well

[Trainfish]

These sound like the ones I used to use from Staines (my gran lived there) into London with luggage racks made from a sort of rope netting a bit like a hammock. I/we used to be able to climb into those, I have no idea why we did that, but I don't think I'd chance it now even if they did still exist due to being 35 years older and a couple of stones heavier.

[Pengi]

These sound like the ones I used to use from Staines (my gran lived there) into London with luggage racks made from a sort of rope netting a bit like a hammock. I/we used to be able to climb into those, I have no idea why we did that, but I don't think I'd chance it now even if they did still exist due to being 35 years older and a couple of stones heavier.

My Mum told me that when she was going to school by train, her and her friends used to hang onto the luggage rack and kick the seats so that clouds of dust would come up in the adjacent compartment. Apparently success was when you could hear the passengers coughing!

[pape_timmo]

Though hardly everyday, it has to be the APT-P. After that, maroon Clactons!

I have to agree with the APT-P, and as you can't just uncouple it and add coaches, it's an EMU in my book. (Also has EMU numbering series.)

After that I'd have to say class 442 Wessex Electrics. Great looking, fast and smooth with a nod to the past with 4REP running gear. Beast!!!

Cheers. Timmo

[Jerry Howlett]

If I have to move away from the fire I have to say that the "Clacton" units (later class 309 ?) with the wrap around windows were a real gem in thir maroon days.

But for a real experience you couldn't beat Bullied's Waterloo & City line units. They could beat any Disney world themed ride on the short but body shuddering trip between Waterloo & Bank. Nobody in those days would have dared take a cup of water on them let alone a beaker of molten coffee... Happy days.

[tadpole]

After that I'd have to say class 442 Wessex Electrics. Great looking, fast and smooth with a nod to the past with 4REP running gear. Beast!!!

Fine units indeed, love the REP-like scream of the power cars as they go past at speed.

Although they were considered plenty powerful enough when "new", they have very poor acceleration compared to later generations of EMus, and this reduces capacity on busy double track lines (Soton-Basingstoke, Gatwick-Brighton).

[BernardTPM]

I'd have to say class 442 Wessex Electrics. Great looking, fast and smooth with a nod to the past with 4REP running gear. Beast!!!

Yes, must add those as my favourite 3rd rail EMU!

[pape_timmo]

Fine units indeed, love the REP-like scream of the power cars as they go past at speed.

Although they were considered plenty powerful enough when "new", they have very poor acceleration compared to later generations of EMus, and this reduces capacity on busy double track lines (Soton-Basingstoke, Gatwick-Brighton).
[/quote]

Yes they are underpowered in today's high-acceleration railway, but for a 50+ year old running gear they have worked well.

I drive the Class 165/166 Turbo DMU for FGW, and last year the units went through a period of serious lack of power. Our fleet department have done wonders with them since though, but still no where near the power of modern trains. The HEX units out of Paddington leave us standing in their sparky arcy dust.

Cheers Timmo

[Karhedron]

I drive the Class 165/166 Turbo DMU for FGW, and last year the units went through a period of serious lack of power. Our fleet department have done wonders with them since though, but still no where near the power of modern trains. The HEX units out of Paddington leave us standing in their sparky arcy dust.

Electric units will usually out-accelerate diesels due to the better power-to-weight ratio. The fact that the turbos have to lug their fuel around as well as the passengers does not help matters.

[Pengi]

I drive the Class 165/166 Turbo DMU for FGW, and last year the units went through a period of serious lack of power. Our fleet department have done wonders with them since though, but still no where near the power of modern trains. The HEX units out of Paddington leave us standing in their sparky arcy dust.

Cheers Timmo

Do you do the Gatwick to Reading route? The 165s used to make me feel very sick but the last few times I've been on them, they seem to be much smoother.

If I let you know when I am next on this route, could you make an unscheduled stop at Winnersh Triangle? I have to get off the 165 at freezing cold Wokingham and wait for about 30 mins to catch the Juniper that stops at WT.

Luckily coming back today, someone gave me a lift to Ash station so I avoided the hell hole that is Wokingham station (although it is going to be redeveloped thank goodness!).

P.S. the staff at Wokingham station are wonderful - it is just the dilapidated station that is so bad - particularly the Reading side.

[pape_timmo]

Sorry, I don't do the Gatwick line, a couple of links above me. The Turbos are doing quite well at the moment, so glad they're not making you feel ill.
As Winnersh station is operated by SWT I don't think they'd like us stopping there and taking all their school children business lol.

[Pengi]

Sorry, I don't do the Gatwick line, a couple of links above me. The Turbos are doing quite well at the moment, so glad they're not making you feel ill.
As Winnersh station is operated by SWT I don't think they'd like us stopping there and taking all their school children business lol.

It is just so frustrating though - watching the FGWs speed through WT and me having to catch a Juniper to then catch the FGW.

The Junipers are becoming one of my favourite EMUs.  They are a real success story. They used to be so unreliable and now they are the most reliable fleet - getting the golden spanner award.

[pape_timmo]

I worked as a fitter for SWT  at Wimbledon before starting this job, and Wimborne were telling me that the big change with the Junipers happened when they gave Alstom the boot and took maintenance in house. They were up to 50000 miles per casualty when I was there.

It's always a pain watching trains speed thru stations, it baffles is when we get not to stop orders when we're delayed, then see people on platforms looking miffed as we sail thru. If we're on the next one that does stop we're rammed, and get all the grief. Not good, but that's control sitting in a nice warm office for you.