Atomic Systems

A while back someone pointed out that with the ex-Connex Express 319s under Thameslink use, and sometimes found on the Wimbledon/Sutton service, this provides some of the most luxurious inner-suburban services ever seen. You often hear nightmare stories of 142s turning up on Newcastle - Liverpool, so it's interesting to hear about the reverse on this situation.

On my last trip on the Great Eastern, I saw a 322 waiting to run the Romford - Upminster shuttle, these, of course, the ex-Stansted Express units, which although a bit tatty nowadays, are quite nice, owing to their lower density layout. And this on an 8 minute outer-suburban shuttle.

Another, more regular one, is the Romsey to Totton service. A local train in the Southampton era, this is borderline SWT/Wessex territory. If it was under Wessex trains, you could imagine it being operated with a 153, but as it is it's SWT, so you get a 170, with the typically nice SWT interior, and a large proportion of first class seats.

Any others?

I was gobsmacked when I took the train between Hastings and Ashford the other week - such a rural backwater that you need to wear wellington boots - that the Turbostars plying this line have far better interiors with better chairs than the Electrostars doing the Brighton "you silly silly commuters are getting fleeced" Express service!

But you do have to put up with the vibration from the engine

Regards

Dan

As DMU's go I thought the Turbostars were very serene. I didn't really feel much in the way of engine vibration but then again on both the in and out journey I was seated away from the inner ends of the carriages...

...in fact by some strange coincidence the Turbostar I caught back to Hastings several hours after I got to Ashford was exactly the same one...nothing special, the Hastings-Ashford service is basically just two trains running back and forth on an hourly, but I also happened to sit down in the exact same place each time! I know this because I noticed the red paint mark on the window on the train back was the same as the on train to Ashford! Freaky huh!? Well ok... maybe not, but it would make the beginnings of an interesting study into passengers subconciously heading for certain places on a train every time they travel....

...anyway I digress, where was I? Oh yes Turbostar noise and vibration. Like I said from where I was seated the vibration seemed OK, the noise wasn't that noticable but then maybe that's because of the sound proofing, and hey I could lean back in the seat and recline! A novelty these days or what!?

Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury stoppers commonly see 3 car 170s, including the superb 170398. This for a service that was entirely 153 in January.

class 450s on Waterloo - Waterloo via Hounslow services seems a bit of overkill (though I hate the things myself, it's clearly a route that 455s should do).

170s on the East Suffolk? Was 153s/ 150s until the through trains were introduced.

I've also been on a HST that did the Reading - Basingstoke stopper (due to the cancellation of the scheduled stopper, admittedly, but you won't get anything better than a HST calling at Mortimer...)

Well, back in the day, HSTs used to appear on the Newton Abbott to Paignton all stations services, now covered by Wessex 150s!

Vibration isnt that bad on trains though :?
I honestly dont notice it until i am trying to feel it, then yes, it becomes a bit weird, but i wouldnt say annoying in the least.

Pete

allypally wrote:Well, back in the day, HSTs used to appear on the Newton Abbott to Paignton all stations services, now covered by Wessex 150s!

I thought that was always just bank holidays which they still do? I've got a cab ride video filmed during the last days of British Rail (HST's in Intercity livery...everybody say "ooooh") that is a 150 service from Exmouth to Paignton. Very picturesque!

SimonT, living nr Newcastle, I think I can safely say that there were never any 142's running TPX services, even under Arriva. On the odd occasion a 156 may be drafted in, which fare enough are not as luxurious as a 158, but no where near as bad a pacer!

Slightly off tangent, but the train that is most luxurious for its market would be the Eurostar, absolutly perfect for an international traveller.

living nr Newcastle, I think I can safely say that there were never any 142's running TPX services, even under Arriva. On the odd occasion a 156 may be drafted in, which fare enough are not as luxurious as a 158, but no where near as bad a pacer!

Hi,

Just thought you all might like to know.....

Under Arriva a 3 car 144 ran Cleethorpes - Manchester Airport at least once. I saw it arrive into Piccadilly!!

Also, I myself, have taken a 142 to Blackpool North (from Leeds) under Arriva, and also a 144 from York to Middlesboro in place of a failed 158!!

Thanks

Lee


Providing Increased Frequency Intercity Services across the North

Class 170's on the Derby -> Matlock line, (31 minute journey) and always on time or early thanks to the 100mph running rather than 75.

Now this one everyone should of got:
Class 90's and MK3's on the North Berwick line?! I'd call that luxury for such a journey.

The Settle and Carslie line during The West Coast Upgrade diversions. Although it’s not actually a service a regular service..

The one or two Virgin Voyagers that stop at Dronfield, a drastic change from CT 158's etc.

Worst:
When a 150 is was used on a Liverpool -> Norwich. Ouch.

SheffieldLad2008 wrote:Now this one everyone should of got:
Class 90's and MK3's on the North Berwick line?! I'd call that luxury for such a journey.

Ah, yes, I forgot that one. Definitely high up the list, though.

158 all stations Kirkby to Rochdale, made a change from the usual pacer i must say! (still ran late though- plus never seen it since!)

GNER class 225 from Edinburgh to Doncaster, not London, stopping at Dunbar, Berwick, Alnmouth, Morpeth, Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York and Doncaster.

A GNER service from one of the local stations (say Morpeth to Newcastle) would make a nice change from a Northern 156/142! Although, the older 225s are starting to look really tatty.