The Class 185: A Review
19 10 2006
0600 Hull Paragon - Manchester Piccadilly - Liverpool Lime Street
After nearly two years of using Stalybridge station as a commuter rather than a leisure traveller, I found myself surprised to see one of First Transpennine’s new Class 185 diesel units on the 0748 to Liverpool Lime Street.
For nearly a year, these new DMUs have been plying their trade on services to Hull Paragon and Middlesbrough from Manchester Piccadilly. In recent months, these have included the service from Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes.
Now, it is the turn of the Scarborough to Liverpool routes.
Boarding the 0748 at platform 2 of Stalybridge station, the train pulled in some three minutes earlier than its actual departure time.
The ascent from the platform to carriage was two thirds higher than that of the more regular Class 158s. Only the earlier Class 101 or Class 110 Calder Valley DMUs - and the Mark II carriages - had a drop as high as this. Thankfully, the doors are twice the width of these Heritage DMUs - and a third longer than the Class 158s. Elsewhere within Stalybridge station are posters detailing the engineering works. I hope this includes raising the height of the platforms. Till then, I shall invest in a decent walking pole or get my boots on.
Once inside the train, acceleration is akin to an electric train. The legroom is greater than the Class 158s, and the ride quality is slightly smoother. One notable function is the inclusion of electronic information displays and announcements, in tones similar to the Connie character of the AOL adverts fame. Another first is the inclusion of a digital clock - ideal for calculating how long your train will be stuck at Ardwick junction for!
Sadly, the Class 185 has some imperfections. One is the lab rat style lighting (not very good for persons with sensory impairments), compared with the more relaxed levels on the Class 158s. The other is the positioning of the doors. Positioned a third and two thirds way of each carriage, it gives the impression of the train being suited for suburban medium distance workings, rather than medium-long distance inter-city journeys (which is the sector best suited to the Transpennine lines from Liverpool to Newcastle/Scarborough/Hull/Middlesbrough). Despite that, the positioning also allows for faster entry and exit. The only other quibble I have are the seat cushions. Though ideal for a short journey to Manchester Piccadilly, I would say the cushions would be a bit hard if I used the same station for a journey to Scarborough or Newcastle.
Other than that, the three car units are an improvement on most of the rolling stock that has appeared on the Transpennine line. Designed by Siemens, the units are reminiscent of their Class 350 EMUs, which I have had the pleasure of travelling on earlier this year from Crewe to Birmingham New Street. Unlike the 1988 Class 158s, there seems to be improved noise insulation.
My journey arrived at Manchester Piccadilly on time, though at Oxford Road, the train arrived two minutes late, due to the non technical issue of awaiting the guard for the Manchester Piccadilly - Liverpool Lime Street section.
- Ambience: Lab rat style lighting a slight distraction, suburban style door positioning (78%);
- Sound insulation: Much quieter than the Class 158s (82%);
- Ride quality: Very good over continuously welded rail, though not properly tested due to the slow line speeds on this section [Stalybridge - Manchester Oxford Road] (80%);
- Comfort: Slightly hard seats but excellent legroom (84%).
Overall rating: 82%: Not the ultimate train for the Transpennine line, though not far off. Corridor ends rather than sealed cabs would have been much better for workings with greater than three carriages.
Categories : Stalybridge, Tameside, Trains
