I worked for regional railways northwest when the 158 came out, it was a step change from what we had had beforehand to be sure. My funniest story one of our drivers was going to Blackpool(I think)and he was going into Preston and at Preston the guard comes up to him and tells him to slow the hell up.....he had forgotten he had a 142 trailing and was heading down the WCML at 90mph with a 142 rocking along at the rear!
The Centre carriage of the 158 (3 car) or 159, it's one of the most comfortable and quite seats on the train network. I almost always was asleep before I left Waterloo. Sometimes I'd wait for a Salisbury or Exeter train, rather than take a 444 or 450 with their harder and in the case of the 450 more cramped seats.
That is very interesting. I much prefer sleeping on a 444 myself and I’m not keen on diesel trains anyway. I can tell why you find the bulk head seats easier to sleep on
@Chris Green Hi, I've just been back and checked. At this time point Ruairidh notes that some of the class 158s were 3 car, th-cam.com/video/NDgh4X1IFtc/w-d-xo.html "Overall 182 class 158 sets were constructed by the time production ended in 1992. 165 sets being 2 car while 17 were 3 car, as well as 22 class 159s". Either way, the seats were comfortable and I normally managed a snooze on the train during my homeward commute.
And now people bound for Exeter are likely taking this slower service from Waterloo to avoid the rock hard, upright seats on the new GWR trains on the faster from Paddington
As a Driver at Manchester Piccadilly we had the 158's on Sheffield's, Blackpool's and Barrow, Windermere's and as far as Crewe on the Cardiff's. I never broke down once. Step One on the Brake was really only for holding the train at a Station stop but Steps 2 and 3 were powerful from 90mph down to about 20mph. I was an Instructor on them and we were sorry to lose them.
@@rodneyhull9764 Sorry about that you are the first in 7 months to notice my 'Senior Moment'....However I do recall several times when driving doing that speed to make a connection..before the 'Black Boxes ' were fitted.
I remember back in 2007 first time I travelled on a scotrail 158 and you could hear the incredible braking on them and you could really feel the acceleration too! I’m gonna miss the super sprinters they were a great little train
As an occasional user of Waterloo-Exeter services, I thought the 159's were a huge improvement over the loco-hauled services they replaced. Much as I enjoyed the romance of 50's and 33's, it was game over for them, run up the white flag and take a bow as you leave chaps.
Thank you, Ruairidh! I would be interested in a corresponding documentary on the GTW/FLIRT/KISS family of trains (by Stadler from Switzerland) that have reversed downward trends to upward on many lines on the Continent, at least here in the Netherlands, mainly with Arriva. There are many driver's eye videos to be found here on TH-cam, ranging from the narrow-nosed GTW DMUs to the polycurrent FLIRT EMUs in the Netherlands to a GTW EMU in Greece reaching 160 km/h (100 mph) on a stopping service. From idle GTW DMUs on the Greek narrow-gauge lines to the rural commuter FLIRT EMUs on the scenic Bergen line in Norway.
I have been a train driver in Holland from 92 untill 2001. The 158 and 153 were always my favourites in the UK. I loved driving them diesels back then.
Fantastic exhaustive presentation as usual well done I love it. Guess can't help being struck with a weird coincidence of growing up in Andover in the diesel-hauled era (33s), which is now served by 158s, and now living in Thailand where 158s are still a common sight on the main line network to all regions of Thailand. a reminder of the not-so-distant times when Britain made world-beating trains. Their overall disposal today has become that niche of the last mile branch line. It's also worth noting that liveries may come and go but 158s go on forever.
They're certainly pretty comfortable and very much a step up from a 156 or the horrible 155, but still this fixation with 2-car sets. They should all have been three car at the very least.
Really enjoyed the East Midlands 158 services from Manchester Piccadilly to Lime Street during my time in uni, well worth waiting a little longer over the pacers, 150s & 185s back. So comfy and good to hear Northern has a bunch of refurbed 158s to replace the pacers now.
These were fantastic on the Birmingham Cardiff route before XC took over. Just the sound of the gear changes & the turbo kicking in at speed in the Tewkesbury area was fantastic.
Excellent video. I've enjoyed 158s on the Shrewsbury-Macynlleth services during which the hilly terrain ensured a pleasantly growly NT855 soundtrack and some decent pushed-back-into-seat acceleration on the lightly-loaded services. Thanks for sharing :-)
I worked briefly at B.R.E.L. Derby as a contractor when the Thai units were being completed. I well remember their being tested up and down a short section of meter-gauge track temporarily laid in the yard outside.
2:39 - the type has a massive following and only recently retired in November 2020 after an incredible 40 plus years in service. Now, you won't know this but a strange quirk has appeared in the 158/9s as built for the routes in and out of West Yorkshire - their air conditioning was built with the use of CFCs as with the rest of the class. However, with the refurbishment by other operators, the /9s still have the original aircon fitted but without the gas. This has led to, on exceptionally hot days, the smell of the old musty CFC pipes being blown into the saloon. This has led to the local instruction for all /9s to have their windows opened when in service
They were a massive improvement on went before but, compared with the turbo stars, feel rather cramped and certainly have longer dwell times on busy routes. I suspect a few more seats were crammed in as capacity became an issue in many instances of their use. Latterly, though, the biggest issue has become the air con on the 158s - there are not infrequent occasions now when you see the hopper windows opened because the air con has failed.
Even before the days of the sHitachi 800 series on the GWR services, the 159s from Waterloo were my preferred method of getting to Exeter. I've noticed since First took over that the SWR 158s are quite common on the Salisbury and Exeters. In SWT days 158s rarely strayed off the Salisbury-Romsey-Eastleigh services. Love watching the 9 car (3×159) or 10 car (2×158 + 2×159) formations belting through Surbiton. Did the Norwich to Liverpool in 2019 on a 158, lovely journey. Northern have 3 car 158s which are regulars on services from Yorkshire to Blackpool.
@@paulmasterson386 Yes. Speed isn't everything. Travelling isn't always about the destination, but how you get there. The journey via Salisbury is a lovely scenic route.
Loco haulage from Liverpool / Manchester to Leeds York and Newcastle Transpennine Express was originally replaced by 2 or 3 Class 150 / 2 sets in multiple for new in 1987 ish. It was wonderful getting a hot drink off the Rightline refreshments trolley and have no table or drop-down table to put in on, just the floor. 150/2 were cascading to local duties when the Class 158 replaced them on Transpennine Express.
Someone's probably already commented this but, 18:49 if only they did that... Yes, the line runs 4-car trains between Liverpool and Nottingham, but the whole leg from Nottingham to Norwich runs 2-car
Very good video! I'm an American railfan who doesn't really care (or know) about the UK's rail network. Your video somehow pulled me in! The class 158 series seems a lot to me like our SD40s and SD70s (yes I know those are freight and these are passenger). A locomotive perfect for both high density mainlines and low density branchlines. God-teir engineering Indeed. Amtrak and American commuter railroads would be very wise to adapt a similar design.
My favourite DMUs of all time most comfortable trains I’ve travelled on smooth ride and very quiet Speed style and comfort is all I expect from trains And when they finally get replaced I expect the same quality from the new trains or in fact improvements from 158s and 159s I don’t want to see 2 step backwards which is what happened to the HSTs
This has been fascinating I'd never thought why when I get on the train at Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, it feels so much nicer, a calming and more relaxed and spacious feeling. Than the 185 and eclectic number of different trains I've got on to get up to Manchester Picadilly
I remember in Hull going from Class 101's to Class 141, then on to Class 142's, then 156's, and to 158's in my area. We felt blessed when we got 158's here on the Bridlington to Manchester Airport via Hull services.
I'm sure many will be preserved not only are they diesel Which makes them great for heritage lines but also they are really important for the network and are a British staple, one of the greatest trains ever made Given that the class 142s had many units preserved and they are one of the worst trains ever made I assume that many 158s one of the best units ever made, Will be highly preserved
We live right by the Sals-Ex line just East of YVJ and the time-keeping is remarkably good (bit strange since Mar 2020 onwards as you can imagine) I've always found them very comfy and pleasant to ride.
Nice video. I always thought the old BR Scotrail livery looked especially good on the 158s. And I’d forgotten that the West Country line was operated by Network South East in sector days. (Btw, have you done a video on the Voyager/Super Voyager/Meridian DMU sets? They produce very mixed responses. A video about them would be interesting.)
They can get very mixed responses even from the same person! I was a big fan of the Pioneer sets on Hull Trains, and very disappointed when they were replaced by the Coradias but I know that extra capacity was needed - the Pioneers were really nice trains to travel on, as well as looking fantastic. And yet the CrossCountry Voyagers, despite being essentially the same train, are neither as aesthetically pleasing nor anywhere near as pleasant to ride in. I really hope that when EMR upgrades its fleet, the Meridian/Pioneer sets get transferred to CrossCountry for the Yorkshire-Birmingham services and I don't have to ride on Voyagers again!
@@stevieinselby Vomiters have bags of installed horsepower that makes them run like shit off a shovel, but for me that's where the joy ends. CrossCountry Trains at least have never properly sorted out their smell of shit; their gruff noisy engines rattle seats and other fittings. Still, Branson thought Voyagers were a great idea at the time, but some rail passengers still have no other choice of train long after he handed back the keys.
Very good informative video, thanks. These super-sprinters indeed were refreshingly more refined than 15X that came before and even today feel more relaxing for long journeys than some more modern units. Maintained to Salisbury's excellent standard, the 159s are still very reliable and (usually) well turned-out; they've always been a cut above the 158s for accommodation if only because cash shortage forced BR to give well-heeled LSWR passengers these instead of what they'd originally intended!
As a French person, I do not understand the delay that the United Kingdom has taken for its electrification. Especially on important lines. Seeing those noisy and polluting diesels seems so obsolete today!
We still have the 156s on the West Highland Line,refurbished with power points and wifi now. Scotrail mooted cascading the 158s to us from the Far North Line (Wick/Thurso that you mentioned in the video) but said they hadn't been route tested - they never tried to test them on our route (Oban/Fort William/Mallaig)
I worked for regional railways but alas wasnt trained for 158s , we worked 141/142/144/150s 155s and 156s back then 158s only did the Transpennine express which we never did because Leeds didnt want Huddersfield pinching their routes, ironically 2 years or so later Huddersfield did get a couple of express turns and we did get 158 trained
My memories are they were used on some Cross Country services instead of 47s or HSTs where they were actually too short. i realise a 4 car Voyager isn't much better but travelling on the Birmingham Reading line could be pot luck whether one could get.on I had the same experience on the Leeds Liverpool corridor. For lightly used lines they were okay though,
Some great memories of travelling on class 158 trains on the Transpennine routes to and from Manchester Piccadilly when I was at uni. They were fast, spacious and comfortable.
I used to get the Central Trains service from Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street. Boarding at 08:37 At Manchester Piccadilly, arriving Liverpool Lime Street at 09:37. I used that service mon-fri for two years in 1997 - 1999. Clean, Quiet, Comfortable and reliable and as mentioned they really did accelerate rapidly.
What station is at about 3:58 with the slightly snowy mountain in the background? Great video. An improvement (if you know each) would be to include the timestamp and each station lcoation in your video summary, or (second best) in a caption on the video.
Excellent review of superb trains. Only one thing marred enjoyment, the grinding mispronunciation of Llandudno and Pwllheli.
4 ปีที่แล้ว +1
I can assure you that they were not popular on the Edinburgh and Glasgow shuttle. Two units (4 Car) in place of 5 MK3 plus the DBSO. Noisey, cramped with AC that never once worked due to CFC banning they were a blight on previously comfortable loco hauled journeys. The E&G timetable was also slower due to these units not faster. They could not match the speed or acceleration of the Class 47/7s. The Turbostar introduction on the same route was much better. RR Express livery was pretty good looking though.
Unfortunately, the first thing I think of when one of these turns up is 'that'll be standing room only then'. And whilst they were undoubtedly streets ahead of what they replaced, they did provide a tick box and helped turn the spotlight away from linking the provincial towns and smaller cities when in reality these lines should be electrified with bigger trains. Too often the 158/156s are simply slotted in and passengers have to make do, rather than a more strategic look and a more comprehensive upgrade is required.
18:40 What was the reason given by the DfT for that weird piece of meddling? - The supposed advantage of privatisation was that the operating companies would be able to innovate and respond to customer demand.
The problem with the franchise system is the Government are basically the one's dictating what the operators can and can't do. So whilst it's private operators actually running the service, it's the Government that tells them which services then can run and how they can run them. Which is a dumb way that the railways were privatised.
The old Sprinter units - used on the Stranraer, Girvan, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle and Newcastle service. Invariably packed like sardines between Dumfries and Newcastle, it took a day to recover from the journey. As for the Pacer units, they have only just disappeared from the North East. Journeys were akin to being massaged by a lump hammer.
Another good video from this wizzard of information! By the way, the Sector was known as Provincial for several year before it became Regional Railways. Regarding the 1950's DMU's - Ruairidh desrcibed them as "toxic" - well as I commuted in them to and from work in North Yorkshire daily for 15 years I'm obviously lucky to be still alive! Raise the glass!
Quite possibly Britain's most popular DMU. Made a commute between Preston and Leeds when I was finishing university quite enjoyable. A trip on the Kyle of lochalsh or Thurso/Wick service is also very enjoyable, if ScotRail would reintroduce a trolley serve. Nearly 4 hours without a cup of tea up to Thurso last September wasn't great. The only thing that could be improved about the 158 would be plug sockets, unless it's a class 170, ScotRail DMU stock never have working plugs.
The class 158 and 159s remain the best dmu ever built in the uk in my opinion. When refurbished well they are still the best units inside and outside. They are a joy to ride on. They easily beat anything built since. Amazing units.
I was a guard on these units in the north west. Their air conditioning was notoriously unreliable hence the fitting of emergency ventilation windows (which were never required on HSTs). According to Modern Railways the firm that installed air conditioning in previous BR trains took one look at the specifications for the 158 and decided not to tender for the job. I definitely thought that they were an improvement over the 156 though.
Can you imagine the uproar, if the Salisbury line HAD actually been closed, all them years ago.?!🧐😲🤬!?. And, what a beautiful stretch would have been lossed.!
The Class 158 is my favourite DMU along with the 156 as they are my local trains from Grantham and I have travelled on them quite often to Skeg or Notts
Yes, these 10 sets were payed for with West Yorkshire council tax money to solely work most of their duties in West Yorkshire. They only had one toilet from new with the 57 units having extra space for bicycles / passengers. The original order after the 155s was to buy Class 156, by time the money was authorised, by the PTA, the jigs had been dismantled at Metrocammel.
The Class 158's and 159's did save Regional Railways, but the Gallopin' Geese did the same on the Rio Grande Southern, until it's abandonment in 1952, hopefully we can see a video of that someday.
Would you consider creating a video of the BR Class 210 DEMU mentioned in this video as the 2 units had a interesting career, not to mention that BRCW is currently planning to build a replica from existing vehicles if they can raise enough funds.
Well what wonderful piece of filming history of a class that was dispised on their arrival to a class that has carved a unique and ever increasing number of followers, one of the true greats to come out of Litchurch Lane, Derby.... I like many enthusiasts the passing of those loco hauled, 31’s, 33’s & 37’s but time moves on. 1600 miles before refuelling, services every 13,000 intervals, these are certainly the dmu’s which saved regional railways from a managed decline to year on year growth.... Yes, they had there faults , but I’d have a 158/159 over any of this 3rd generation stuff. It all what wrong for me from Voyager’s to 185’s then just down hill, so we best make the most of these fine units as Tspt for Wales looks to replace them all by 2023, so enjoy guys & girls , I’m sure they’ll be around for a while yet
So if a railway provides fast, comfortable and reliable service its patronage goes up. Who knew? 😉 Excellent video. Very interesting. BR gets lambasted in popular consciousness for its failure (like the Pacer) but grudging appreciation for its successes like IC125s and, obviously, the 158/159s. It would be interesting to know the effect on cancellations given their reliability. Also the reduction in cost (increased utilisation) with a near 80% increase in kilometres between major service.
Class 158s and Class 159s deserve to stay in service for years from now on. In fact, I think some of the sprinters from each Classes, probably especially 158s and 159s can last in regular passenger service up until 2050.
It looks as if some of the same philosophies manifesting themselves in the class 158 and 159 as in the flex-liners that debuted in Denmark in the late 80'ies and later found their way to Sweden, Spain and Israel. With the major difference being the cab layout and the different technique used to make a gangway through the cab when two units are coupled together.
One correction - not all of the twenty-two 400hp/car 3-car sets that became Class 159 were destined for Yorkshire. BR also had a mind to a new cross-country flow from Anglia/Peterborough to Bristol and the South West, via Stamford, Leicester, Bedford, Oxford and Swindon. It was a little-remembered early attempt to use the east-west rail concept and I believe got as far as producing draft diagrams and costings before the early 1990s recession put paid to it, as RR were suddenly forced into a significant cost-cutting exercise to maintain its ‘value and attractiveness’ ahead of privatisation. The 158s were lost to NSE (who had originally had their eye on surplus HST sets) and other RR routes such as Middlesbrough-Whitby, Leeds-Morecambe, the Cumbrian Coast, etc, had their services cut right back to the bone and RR-managed infrastructure rationalised and downgraded, with maintenance reduced to minimal levels to maintain service.
I worked for regional railways northwest when the 158 came out, it was a step change from what we had had beforehand to be sure. My funniest story one of our drivers was going to Blackpool(I think)and he was going into Preston and at Preston the guard comes up to him and tells him to slow the hell up.....he had forgotten he had a 142 trailing and was heading down the WCML at 90mph with a 142 rocking along at the rear!
I can confirm that saw it happen. I'd love to of been on the pacer was my first thought👍
Haha!
@@vincitveritas3872 I'd love to be on that pacer too
We need to put a 142 behind a hst at 125mph
U can't have a pacer behind a hst cuz they ain't coupling compatable
The Centre carriage of the 158 (3 car) or 159, it's one of the most comfortable and quite seats on the train network. I almost always was asleep before I left Waterloo. Sometimes I'd wait for a Salisbury or Exeter train, rather than take a 444 or 450 with their harder and in the case of the 450 more cramped seats.
That is very interesting. I much prefer sleeping on a 444 myself and I’m not keen on diesel trains anyway. I can tell why you find the bulk head seats easier to sleep on
@Chris Green Hi, I've just been back and checked. At this time point Ruairidh notes that some of the class 158s were 3 car, th-cam.com/video/NDgh4X1IFtc/w-d-xo.html
"Overall 182 class 158 sets were constructed by the time production ended in 1992. 165 sets being 2 car while 17 were 3 car, as well as 22 class 159s".
Either way, the seats were comfortable and I normally managed a snooze on the train during my homeward commute.
And now people bound for Exeter are likely taking this slower service from Waterloo to avoid the rock hard, upright seats on the new GWR trains on the faster from Paddington
Except on those very hot days, when the aircon is most critical and is guaranteed to fail.
Had some hot sweaty journeys from WAT to HON.
@@AymanTravelTransport not the intercity express project more like the intercity hemnaroid project lol
As a Driver at Manchester Piccadilly we had the 158's on Sheffield's, Blackpool's and Barrow, Windermere's and as far as Crewe on the Cardiff's. I never broke down once. Step One on the Brake was really only for holding the train at a Station stop but Steps 2 and 3 were powerful from 90mph down to about 20mph. I was an Instructor on them and we were sorry to lose them.
you mean 90mph surely?
@@rodneyhull9764 Sorry about that you are the first in 7 months to notice my 'Senior Moment'....However I do recall several times when driving doing that speed to make a connection..before the 'Black Boxes ' were fitted.
Transport for Wales are apparently retiring theirs next year . I'm going to be very sad to see them go absolutely love riding them
This is one of my favourite history videos on this channel, I love the work you do so keep it up!!
I remember back in 2007 first time I travelled on a scotrail 158 and you could hear the incredible braking on them and you could really feel the acceleration too! I’m gonna miss the super sprinters they were a great little train
hear hear
There’s still going by me with the class 166 but class 166 is starting to replace
The 158’s are great machines, love catching one from my local station
Nice selection this had to be one of the nicest liveries shame they aren't like this now mate
Nice paint, sure, but anything reliable just has to be ugly, doesn't it? Murphy's law I guess.
@@alan6832 Just like partners, am i right?!
@@annother3350 Yes, but with partners the reason is clearer, relating to the law of supply and demand, where machines can be mass produced.
@@annother3350 o u c h !
6:52
Yes, we always got everyone else's cast offs !!
As an occasional user of Waterloo-Exeter services, I thought the 159's were a huge improvement over the loco-hauled services they replaced. Much as I enjoyed the romance of 50's and 33's, it was game over for them, run up the white flag and take a bow as you leave chaps.
Thank you, Ruairidh! I would be interested in a corresponding documentary on the GTW/FLIRT/KISS family of trains (by Stadler from Switzerland) that have reversed downward trends to upward on many lines on the Continent, at least here in the Netherlands, mainly with Arriva.
There are many driver's eye videos to be found here on TH-cam, ranging from the narrow-nosed GTW DMUs to the polycurrent FLIRT EMUs in the Netherlands to a GTW EMU in Greece reaching 160 km/h (100 mph) on a stopping service. From idle GTW DMUs on the Greek narrow-gauge lines to the rural commuter FLIRT EMUs on the scenic Bergen line in Norway.
Rode on one out of Temple Meads recently and they are just as comfortable as ever
Thoroughly absorbing and comprehensive history of my absolute favourite DMUs. Great pace and variety too, so well done to RM.
I have been a train driver in Holland from 92 untill 2001. The 158 and 153 were always my favourites in the UK. I loved driving them diesels back then.
Fantastic exhaustive presentation as usual well done I love it. Guess can't help being struck with a weird coincidence of growing up in Andover in the diesel-hauled era (33s), which is now served by 158s, and now living in Thailand where 158s are still a common sight on the main line network to all regions of Thailand. a reminder of the not-so-distant times when Britain made world-beating trains. Their overall disposal today has become that niche of the last mile branch line. It's also worth noting that liveries may come and go but 158s go on forever.
Glad to see this video back up
They're certainly pretty comfortable and very much a step up from a 156 or the horrible 155, but still this fixation with 2-car sets. They should all have been three car at the very least.
Used to ride on 158 from Dorchester to Bristol about 2 years ago. Didn't realise they were so old!
Really enjoyed the East Midlands 158 services from Manchester Piccadilly to Lime Street during my time in uni, well worth waiting a little longer over the pacers, 150s & 185s back. So comfy and good to hear Northern has a bunch of refurbed 158s to replace the pacers now.
The Regional Rail branding was really nice , simple but elegant. Love the two tone blue.
Interesting stuff. I'd like to see a similar history someday of the turbos running out of Marylebone!
These were fantastic on the Birmingham Cardiff route before XC took over. Just the sound of the gear changes & the turbo kicking in at speed in the Tewkesbury area was fantastic.
More fabulous content. Thank you buddy.
Excellent video. I've enjoyed 158s on the Shrewsbury-Macynlleth services during which the hilly terrain ensured a pleasantly growly NT855 soundtrack and some decent pushed-back-into-seat acceleration on the lightly-loaded services. Thanks for sharing :-)
Welsh 158s are perkins though
@@lewis4171 That would explain the mechanical-sounding pump advance curve! Thanks for the info :-)
I worked briefly at B.R.E.L. Derby as a contractor when the Thai units were being completed. I well remember their being tested up and down a short section of meter-gauge track temporarily laid in the yard outside.
2:39 - the type has a massive following and only recently retired in November 2020 after an incredible 40 plus years in service.
Now, you won't know this but a strange quirk has appeared in the 158/9s as built for the routes in and out of West Yorkshire - their air conditioning was built with the use of CFCs as with the rest of the class. However, with the refurbishment by other operators, the /9s still have the original aircon fitted but without the gas. This has led to, on exceptionally hot days, the smell of the old musty CFC pipes being blown into the saloon. This has led to the local instruction for all /9s to have their windows opened when in service
I love the Class 158 and Class 159 with the old livery
That go-livery picture at Derby works is my picture you will find on Flickr.
Great and very informative video. A real pity BR didn't buy more of the outstanding class 158 DMU
They were a massive improvement on went before but, compared with the turbo stars, feel rather cramped and certainly have longer dwell times on busy routes. I suspect a few more seats were crammed in as capacity became an issue in many instances of their use. Latterly, though, the biggest issue has become the air con on the 158s - there are not infrequent occasions now when you see the hopper windows opened because the air con has failed.
I remember these as kid passing my home town in chepstow around the 2000s, don’t ever see them now.
Even before the days of the sHitachi 800 series on the GWR services, the 159s from Waterloo were my preferred method of getting to Exeter. I've noticed since First took over that the SWR 158s are quite common on the Salisbury and Exeters. In SWT days 158s rarely strayed off the Salisbury-Romsey-Eastleigh services. Love watching the 9 car (3×159) or 10 car (2×158 + 2×159) formations belting through Surbiton. Did the Norwich to Liverpool in 2019 on a 158, lovely journey. Northern have 3 car 158s which are regulars on services from Yorkshire to Blackpool.
You would rather have traveled by snail rail from Waterloo than an HST from Paddington?
@@paulmasterson386
Yes. Speed isn't everything. Travelling isn't always about the destination, but how you get there. The journey via Salisbury is a lovely scenic route.
Loco haulage from Liverpool / Manchester to Leeds York and Newcastle Transpennine Express was originally replaced by 2 or 3 Class 150 / 2 sets in multiple for new in 1987 ish. It was wonderful getting a hot drink off the Rightline refreshments trolley and have no table or drop-down table to put in on, just the floor. 150/2 were cascading to local duties when the Class 158 replaced them on Transpennine Express.
Very informative and very interesting! Thank you for your effort
This is the third time I have watched this the 158 is the best train ever. And the 170
Someone's probably already commented this but,
18:49 if only they did that... Yes, the line runs 4-car trains between Liverpool and Nottingham, but the whole leg from Nottingham to Norwich runs 2-car
Very good video! I'm an American railfan who doesn't really care (or know) about the UK's rail network. Your video somehow pulled me in! The class 158 series seems a lot to me like our SD40s and SD70s (yes I know those are freight and these are passenger). A locomotive perfect for both high density mainlines and low density branchlines. God-teir engineering Indeed. Amtrak and American commuter railroads would be very wise to adapt a similar design.
My favourite DMUs of all time most comfortable trains I’ve travelled on smooth ride and very quiet
Speed style and comfort is all I expect from trains
And when they finally get replaced I expect the same quality from the new trains or in fact improvements from 158s and 159s I don’t want to see 2 step backwards which is what happened to the HSTs
How is the Class 800 a step back compared to those old diesels. The HSTs are loud, dirty and unsafe compared to any modern EMU.
@@MrJimheerenhe’s talking about the carriages, not the locos that power them.
This has been fascinating I'd never thought why when I get on the train at Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, it feels so much nicer, a calming and more relaxed and spacious feeling. Than the 185 and eclectic number of different trains I've got on to get up to Manchester Picadilly
this is my favorite class of British DMUs. Thank you for posting this. It was very interesting.
Mine too...
I remember in Hull going from Class 101's to Class 141, then on to Class 142's, then 156's, and to 158's in my area. We felt blessed when we got 158's here on the Bridlington to Manchester Airport via Hull services.
I will really cry when the 158s retire
Hopefully they will be kept well for a long time to come
I'm sure many will be preserved not only are they diesel Which makes them great for heritage lines but also they are really important for the network and are a British staple, one of the greatest trains ever made
Given that the class 142s had many units preserved and they are one of the worst trains ever made I assume that many 158s one of the best units ever made, Will be highly preserved
I used to love riding the class 50 hauled trains out of Axminster. There was a real character flair to them, even though they were dusty and creaky.
1:59 if you look at the bottom you can see a mouse
The footage of the Standedge Line was taken by Paul Walker, and the footage of the WHL is from British Rail.
We live right by the Sals-Ex line just East of YVJ and the time-keeping is remarkably good (bit strange since Mar 2020 onwards as you can imagine) I've always found them very comfy and pleasant to ride.
Nice video. I always thought the old BR Scotrail livery looked especially good on the 158s. And I’d forgotten that the West Country line was operated by Network South East in sector days.
(Btw, have you done a video on the Voyager/Super Voyager/Meridian DMU sets? They produce very mixed responses. A video about them would be interesting.)
They can get very mixed responses even from the same person! I was a big fan of the Pioneer sets on Hull Trains, and very disappointed when they were replaced by the Coradias but I know that extra capacity was needed - the Pioneers were really nice trains to travel on, as well as looking fantastic. And yet the CrossCountry Voyagers, despite being essentially the same train, are neither as aesthetically pleasing nor anywhere near as pleasant to ride in. I really hope that when EMR upgrades its fleet, the Meridian/Pioneer sets get transferred to CrossCountry for the Yorkshire-Birmingham services and I don't have to ride on Voyagers again!
@@stevieinselby
Vomiters have bags of installed horsepower that makes them run like shit off a shovel, but for me that's where the joy ends. CrossCountry Trains at least have never properly sorted out their smell of shit; their gruff noisy engines rattle seats and other fittings. Still, Branson thought Voyagers were a great idea at the time, but some rail passengers still have no other choice of train long after he handed back the keys.
Very good informative video, thanks. These super-sprinters indeed were refreshingly more refined than 15X that came before and even today feel more relaxing for long journeys than some more modern units. Maintained to Salisbury's excellent standard, the 159s are still very reliable and (usually) well turned-out; they've always been a cut above the 158s for accommodation if only because cash shortage forced BR to give well-heeled LSWR passengers these instead of what they'd originally intended!
As a French person, I do not understand the delay that the United Kingdom has taken for its electrification. Especially on important lines. Seeing those noisy and polluting diesels seems so obsolete today!
UK management is so short sighted, complete joke.
We still have the 156s on the West Highland Line,refurbished with power points and wifi now. Scotrail mooted cascading the 158s to us from the Far North Line (Wick/Thurso that you mentioned in the video) but said they hadn't been route tested - they never tried to test them on our route (Oban/Fort William/Mallaig)
On the Tarka line, here in North Devon. We only got the 158's in 2019. Replacing Sprinters and Pacers. Both of which were really showing their age.
I worked for regional railways but alas wasnt trained for 158s , we worked 141/142/144/150s 155s and 156s back then 158s only did the Transpennine express which we never did because Leeds didnt want Huddersfield pinching their routes, ironically 2 years or so later Huddersfield did get a couple of express turns and we did get 158 trained
My memories are they were used on some Cross Country services instead of 47s or HSTs where they were actually too short. i realise a 4 car Voyager isn't much better but travelling on the Birmingham Reading line could be pot luck whether one could get.on I had the same experience on the Leeds Liverpool corridor. For lightly used lines they were okay though,
my dad once told me that he once got a rammed 158 on the birmingham to liverpool service in the peak
Nice video. In the video there is a video of 158787 I have been on that set nearly one year ago on the Penistone line it is also my profile picture
Really well put together piece - super enjoyed that !
Some great memories of travelling on class 158 trains on the Transpennine routes to and from Manchester Piccadilly when I was at uni. They were fast, spacious and comfortable.
I used to get the Central Trains service from Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street. Boarding at 08:37 At Manchester Piccadilly, arriving Liverpool Lime Street at 09:37. I used that service mon-fri for two years in 1997 - 1999. Clean, Quiet, Comfortable and reliable and as mentioned they really did accelerate rapidly.
In the last couple of years the North East has just started getting Sprinters to replace Pacers. We’re only 35 ish years behind!
Amazing learning the story of a train I've frequently used
What station is at about 3:58 with the slightly snowy mountain in the background? Great video.
An improvement (if you know each) would be to include the timestamp and each station lcoation in your video summary, or (second best) in a caption on the video.
It's Banavie with Ben Nevis in the background.
18:09 mystery excursion!
Another great documentary, rhanks very much
Do a motion history on the HST and class 166
I remember the first time I saw an 158 ..... it was so futuristic
The interior shots greatly resemble something I rode from Glasgow to Fort William in 1995.
That would be a Class 156 ‘Super Sprinter’ still used to this day.
Excellent review of superb trains. Only one thing marred enjoyment, the grinding mispronunciation of Llandudno and Pwllheli.
I can assure you that they were not popular on the Edinburgh and Glasgow shuttle. Two units (4 Car) in place of 5 MK3 plus the DBSO. Noisey, cramped with AC that never once worked due to CFC banning they were a blight on previously comfortable loco hauled journeys. The E&G timetable was also slower due to these units not faster. They could not match the speed or acceleration of the Class 47/7s.
The Turbostar introduction on the same route was much better. RR Express livery was pretty good looking though.
Unfortunately, the first thing I think of when one of these turns up is 'that'll be standing room only then'. And whilst they were undoubtedly streets ahead of what they replaced, they did provide a tick box and helped turn the spotlight away from linking the provincial towns and smaller cities when in reality these lines should be electrified with bigger trains. Too often the 158/156s are simply slotted in and passengers have to make do, rather than a more strategic look and a more comprehensive upgrade is required.
I remember back in October when I rode one of these (Orrell to Salford Crescent) and it was absolutely brilliant
18:40 What was the reason given by the DfT for that weird piece of meddling? - The supposed advantage of privatisation was that the operating companies would be able to innovate and respond to customer demand.
The problem with the franchise system is the Government are basically the one's dictating what the operators can and can't do. So whilst it's private operators actually running the service, it's the Government that tells them which services then can run and how they can run them. Which is a dumb way that the railways were privatised.
The old Sprinter units - used on the Stranraer, Girvan, Kilmarnock, Dumfries, Carlisle and Newcastle service. Invariably packed like sardines between Dumfries and Newcastle, it took a day to recover from the journey.
As for the Pacer units, they have only just disappeared from the North East. Journeys were akin to being massaged by a lump hammer.
4mins the mention of the settle and Carlisle like yet the route shown is the west highland line north of fort William.
Excellent video!
158s and 159s are trully great DMUs. Very comfortable and fast...
The class 158 is my favourite train
Another good video from this wizzard of information! By the way, the Sector was known as Provincial for several year before it became Regional Railways. Regarding the 1950's DMU's - Ruairidh desrcibed them as "toxic" - well as I commuted in them to and from work in North Yorkshire daily for 15 years I'm obviously lucky to be still alive! Raise the glass!
Will the regional Eurostar video ever be uploaded?
Who knows? 🤔
Quite possibly Britain's most popular DMU. Made a commute between Preston and Leeds when I was finishing university quite enjoyable.
A trip on the Kyle of lochalsh or Thurso/Wick service is also very enjoyable, if ScotRail would reintroduce a trolley serve. Nearly 4 hours without a cup of tea up to Thurso last September wasn't great. The only thing that could be improved about the 158 would be plug sockets, unless it's a class 170, ScotRail DMU stock never have working plugs.
The class 158 and 159s remain the best dmu ever built in the uk in my opinion. When refurbished well they are still the best units inside and outside. They are a joy to ride on. They easily beat anything built since. Amazing units.
Magnificent video!
👍 Good work young man... Had a little chuckle at your pronunciation of Kyle of Lochalsh 😜 Still, good job 👍
I had a few lovely first class south western trips on these.
I appreciate your brutal honesty.
Cracking little motor I thought, I got lucky enough to ride the cab a few times as a kid my father was staff and always asked nicely.
I was a guard on these units in the north west. Their air conditioning was notoriously unreliable hence the fitting of emergency ventilation windows (which were never required on HSTs). According to Modern Railways the firm that installed air conditioning in previous BR trains took one look at the specifications for the 158 and decided not to tender for the job. I definitely thought that they were an improvement over the 156 though.
Great video...give me a 37/47 with a rake of mk2s anyday of the week though!
Can you imagine the uproar, if the Salisbury line HAD actually been closed, all them years ago.?!🧐😲🤬!?. And, what a beautiful stretch would have been lossed.!
The Class 158 is my favourite DMU along with the 156 as they are my local trains from Grantham and I have travelled on them quite often to Skeg or Notts
Nice video, forgot to mention the 158/9's specifically built for WYPTE
Yes, these 10 sets were payed for with West Yorkshire council tax money to solely work most of their duties in West Yorkshire. They only had one toilet from new with the 57 units having extra space for bicycles / passengers. The original order after the 155s was to buy Class 156, by time the money was authorised, by the PTA, the jigs had been dismantled at Metrocammel.
The Class 158's and 159's did save Regional Railways, but the Gallopin' Geese did the same on the Rio Grande Southern, until it's abandonment in 1952, hopefully we can see a video of that someday.
I’d love to see a video on the class 377s, every time I took a train to London growing up it was always on one of them.
There's no such unit as a Class 337...
@@coldo121 You’re right, I meant 377. I wouldn’t have realised I screwed it up otherwise.
I have newfound respect for these two classes.
Great! Thank you.
Would you consider creating a video of the BR Class 210 DEMU mentioned in this video as the 2 units had a interesting career, not to mention that BRCW is currently planning to build a replica from existing vehicles if they can raise enough funds.
Well what wonderful piece of filming history of a class that was dispised on their arrival to a class that has carved a unique and ever increasing number of followers, one of the true greats to come out of Litchurch Lane, Derby.... I like many enthusiasts the passing of those loco hauled, 31’s, 33’s & 37’s but time moves on. 1600 miles before refuelling, services every 13,000 intervals, these are certainly the dmu’s which saved regional railways from a managed decline to year on year growth.... Yes, they had there faults , but I’d have a 158/159 over any of this 3rd generation stuff.
It all what wrong for me from Voyager’s to 185’s then just down hill, so we best make the most of these fine units as Tspt for Wales looks to replace them all by 2023, so enjoy guys & girls , I’m sure they’ll be around for a while yet
So if a railway provides fast, comfortable and reliable service its patronage goes up. Who knew? 😉
Excellent video.
Very interesting. BR gets lambasted in popular consciousness for its failure (like the Pacer) but grudging appreciation for its successes like IC125s and, obviously, the 158/159s.
It would be interesting to know the effect on cancellations given their reliability. Also the reduction in cost (increased utilisation) with a near 80% increase in kilometres between major service.
Class 158s and Class 159s deserve to stay in service for years from now on. In fact, I think some of the sprinters from each Classes, probably especially 158s and 159s can last in regular passenger service up until 2050.
They probably could last that long because they are very modular and easy to maintain.
I remember the trains from Manchester to Norwich used the 158's - after the uncomfortable 156 units - it took close to 4 hours.
16:30 158s are still common in Edinburgh, often coupled to 170s.
It looks as if some of the same philosophies manifesting themselves in the class 158 and 159 as in the flex-liners that debuted in Denmark in the late 80'ies and later found their way to Sweden, Spain and Israel. With the major difference being the cab layout and the different technique used to make a gangway through the cab when two units are coupled together.
Still one of the most comfortable trains on the network x
One correction - not all of the twenty-two 400hp/car 3-car sets that became Class 159 were destined for Yorkshire. BR also had a mind to a new cross-country flow from Anglia/Peterborough to Bristol and the South West, via Stamford, Leicester, Bedford, Oxford and Swindon. It was a little-remembered early attempt to use the east-west rail concept and I believe got as far as producing draft diagrams and costings before the early 1990s recession put paid to it, as RR were suddenly forced into a significant cost-cutting exercise to maintain its ‘value and attractiveness’ ahead of privatisation. The 158s were lost to NSE (who had originally had their eye on surplus HST sets) and other RR routes such as Middlesbrough-Whitby, Leeds-Morecambe, the Cumbrian Coast, etc, had their services cut right back to the bone and RR-managed infrastructure rationalised and downgraded, with maintenance reduced to minimal levels to maintain service.