I spend half my life on the Exeter - Waterloo and Portsmouth-Cardiff services and am always happy to see a 158 roll in - especially the South Western Trains variants, which have more space and nicer upholstery too. I recently rode a new CAF built train on TfW, and it was junk in comparison - noisy, cheaply finished, horrid lighting and we had to decamp onto a 158 at Chester as it broke down!
Used to be some of the most comfortable seats in the country BR/SWT 159s. Although I've retired now I was gutted when SWR refurbished them and put firm seats in instead of just changing the moquette material. At least the 1st is still same (I believe), but I still preferred the old BR 1st with the red seats. On the Night Exeters we used to pull out the red 1st seat squabs to beds on the floor to have a kip in the siding before working the 5.10am back to Salisbury.
Another great video! Thank you! There was a "spin-off" from this class. B.R.E.L. in Derby, where these were built, procured an export order to Thailand Railways for very similar sets, based upon the Class 158 and built, of course, to their metre-guage. There was a short section of metre-guage track laid at Derby Carriage Works for testing prior to shipment.
The Class 158 is still the best diesel multiple unit passenger train in the UK. And are mainly used in Scotland, Wales, Northern England, Southwest England, East Midlands and West Midlands. As well as serving parts of the East of England.
I've driven 400s (57 & 63 stock), 442s, 170s, 450s 🤮 444s 🤮 but by far my favourite are the 158/159s. The only thing that really lets them down in my book, from a driver's point of view, they are freezing in the cab in winter 🥶 and like a greenhouse in summer 🥵 because the aircon can't cope if it gets above about 25 degrees outside. I drove them from 1999 pre automatic sanders, just the one shot emergency sand available. I didn't mind leaf fall though because it tests your skills.
Don't know why this popped up for me but, I do remember the Alpha line out of Waterloo to visit Family in Wiltshire and a nice comfy journey with service from the Trolley Dolly.
Totally agree they've been some of the best DMUs built but sadly many TOCs only use them as 2 or 4 car sets although GWR did create 3 car sets but the capacity was/is inadequate for the routes used. I used to find this with Southampton-Bristol and now find it with Liverpool-Norwich services
If the Pacer saved routes from closure, these were the trains that enhanced routes. I have to say, rather like the MK3 coach, they come from a golden period in rail design and manufacture in the UK. It'll be interesting to see how long a lifespan our shiney new trains have in comparison....
-Could you open the window please? It's a bit stuffy in here. -If I opened the window it would upset the air conditioning. -If the air conditioning worked I wouldn't be asking you to open the window...
SWR should purchase all the class 68 locos from TPE (Transport Pennine Express), and use them on the Waterloo to Exeter (via Salisbury) route; as the 158's must be getting on abit now - being over 30 years old. TPE have not long got rid of all their class 68 locos. I can't understand why SWR haven't bought them from TPE to use alongside the 158's (initially) with a view to eventually replacing them? If this route isn't going to be electrified anytime soon - then I would have thought that SWR need to be thinking about the eventual replacement of the 158's with newer stock - such as the 68 loco, and accompanying carriages. Surely it's something that SWR need to be thinking about fairly soon. How long can the 158's keep going for? ...sure they've been great, solid workhorses, but the trains are looking a little shabby and dated these days.
It would make more sense to electrify to Salisbury and run the route the same way as Waterloo Weymouth was operated between 1967 and 1988. Salisbury to Exeter is the kind of lighly trafficked route for which modern steam would be suitable. It is cleaner, cheaper and more efficient than diesel electric locomotives. The trains are normally 3 cars which is well with the capability of a small steam locomotive around the siza of a BR Standard Class 4.
@@physiocrat7143 Agree, but the money simply isn't there to do this. SWR would need to negotiate with Network Rail over this, as it's a track issue. I doubt the government would agree..... certainly not at this point in time. Electrification if this line is probably years away. Certainly it won't happen before 2030. So you're looking at sometime in the 2030's....or worse case scenario - the 2040's!
@@physiocrat7143 Also, it's not a 'high volume' line, and although relatively popular; is mainly used by those travelling as far as Salisbury. The section after this - Salisbury to Exeter is less used.....hence the train frequency, and the fact that some of the stations are single line, single platform ones. The government are probably likely prioritising the electrification of higher volume un-elecfrified lines.... especially those heavier used ones in South Wales.
@@robtyman4281In this case it does. Ours at Salisbury won many 'Golden Spanner' awards during service with SWT. Most reliable ex British Rail diesel fleet in the country.
Strange, I worked on them for 20 years as a driver and never found them claustrophobic. I don't like the Pendalinos because they really curve in and cramp you in the window seats.
Far better experience than recent DMU orders, the ride quality is excellent
Nothing better has been built since.
Wonderful DMUs, with great power, and a nice growly engine sound. Loved them.on the York-Scarborough runs to see Mt grandmother!
I love the 156 personally
I spend half my life on the Exeter - Waterloo and Portsmouth-Cardiff services and am always happy to see a 158 roll in - especially the South Western Trains variants, which have more space and nicer upholstery too. I recently rode a new CAF built train on TfW, and it was junk in comparison - noisy, cheaply finished, horrid lighting and we had to decamp onto a 158 at Chester as it broke down!
Used to be some of the most comfortable seats in the country BR/SWT 159s. Although I've retired now I was gutted when SWR refurbished them and put firm seats in instead of just changing the moquette material. At least the 1st is still same (I believe), but I still preferred the old BR 1st with the red seats.
On the Night Exeters we used to pull out the red 1st seat squabs to beds on the floor to have a kip in the siding before working the 5.10am back to Salisbury.
Another great video! Thank you! There was a "spin-off" from this class. B.R.E.L. in Derby, where these were built, procured an export order to Thailand Railways for very similar sets, based upon the Class 158 and built, of course, to their metre-guage. There was a short section of metre-guage track laid at Derby Carriage Works for testing prior to shipment.
Pretty sure that, and correct me if I'm wrong, those were sometimes referred to as "Class 158/T"
Thanks for the info!
@@TrainsTrainsTrains You are very welcome! I really enjoy your videos!
The Class 158 is still the best diesel multiple unit passenger train in the UK. And are mainly used in Scotland, Wales, Northern England, Southwest England, East Midlands and West Midlands. As well as serving parts of the East of England.
The train I grew up seeing passing my grandmothers tower block window out of queen street station seen all the Scotrail liveries they had
I've driven 400s (57 & 63 stock), 442s, 170s, 450s 🤮 444s 🤮 but by far my favourite are the 158/159s. The only thing that really lets them down in my book, from a driver's point of view, they are freezing in the cab in winter 🥶 and like a greenhouse in summer 🥵 because the aircon can't cope if it gets above about 25 degrees outside.
I drove them from 1999 pre automatic sanders, just the one shot emergency sand available. I didn't mind leaf fall though because it tests your skills.
Don't know why this popped up for me but, I do remember the Alpha line out of Waterloo to visit Family in Wiltshire and a nice comfy journey with service from the Trolley Dolly.
Alpha line? West of England line.
Class 60 killer.
Totally agree they've been some of the best DMUs built but sadly many TOCs only use them as 2 or 4 car sets although GWR did create 3 car sets but the capacity was/is inadequate for the routes used. I used to find this with Southampton-Bristol and now find it with Liverpool-Norwich services
If the Pacer saved routes from closure, these were the trains that enhanced routes. I have to say, rather like the MK3 coach, they come from a golden period in rail design and manufacture in the UK. It'll be interesting to see how long a lifespan our shiney new trains have in comparison....
-Could you open the window please? It's a bit stuffy in here.
-If I opened the window it would upset the air conditioning.
-If the air conditioning worked I wouldn't be asking you to open the window...
I wouldn't be surprised if these unit where still in service 20/30 plus years in future maybe rebuilt from diesel to hydrogen power
SWR should purchase all the class 68 locos from TPE (Transport Pennine Express), and use them on the Waterloo to Exeter (via Salisbury) route; as the 158's must be getting on abit now - being over 30 years old.
TPE have not long got rid of all their class 68 locos. I can't understand why SWR haven't bought them from TPE to use alongside the 158's (initially) with a view to eventually replacing them?
If this route isn't going to be electrified anytime soon - then I would have thought that SWR need to be thinking about the eventual replacement of the 158's with newer stock - such as the 68 loco, and accompanying carriages.
Surely it's something that SWR need to be thinking about fairly soon. How long can the 158's keep going for? ...sure they've been great, solid workhorses, but the trains are looking a little shabby and dated these days.
I would really love that
@@johnbuoy1401 It would be great I agree! ...and would see Diesel locos return to Waterloo for the first time since the old days of the 33's and 50's.
It would make more sense to electrify to Salisbury and run the route the same way as Waterloo Weymouth was operated between 1967 and 1988.
Salisbury to Exeter is the kind of lighly trafficked route for which modern steam would be suitable. It is cleaner, cheaper and more efficient than diesel electric locomotives. The trains are normally 3 cars which is well with the capability of a small steam locomotive around the siza of a BR Standard Class 4.
@@physiocrat7143 Agree, but the money simply isn't there to do this. SWR would need to negotiate with Network Rail over this, as it's a track issue. I doubt the government would agree..... certainly not at this point in time.
Electrification if this line is probably years away. Certainly it won't happen before 2030. So you're looking at sometime in the 2030's....or worse case scenario - the 2040's!
@@physiocrat7143 Also, it's not a 'high volume' line, and although relatively popular; is mainly used by those travelling as far as Salisbury. The section after this - Salisbury to Exeter is less used.....hence the train frequency, and the fact that some of the stations are single line, single platform ones.
The government are probably likely prioritising the electrification of higher volume un-elecfrified lines.... especially those heavier used ones in South Wales.
Nearly 35 years of service, British built... (no doubt will last another 35 years too) 🙂
British built doesn't always mean 'best' though, does it?
@@robtyman4281In this case it does. Ours at Salisbury won many 'Golden Spanner' awards during service with SWT. Most reliable ex British Rail diesel fleet in the country.
Why were they built Tapered?? Interior space feels a little claustrophobic as a result
I often wondered this!
Strange, I worked on them for 20 years as a driver and never found them claustrophobic. I don't like the Pendalinos because they really curve in and cramp you in the window seats.
Yer but there not like the class 101's E.T.C. where I get a drivers view