Maximum DMU Length
 

Hi All. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if there is a maximum length on a DMU consist. I have seen 3 and 4 car consists and joined consists but what about forming one that was up to 15 cars long that you could access from one end to the other.
Any thoughts??
Cheers

Scott

DMUs in Passenger Service can run up to 12 cars thats with Trailer Cars (3car units) being used as well I think the maximum with non Trailer (2 acr Units) cars is a total of 9 cars ie. 3x2car units.

The Par to Newquay line used to run 9 car 118 DMUs back in 70s
They also used to take a parcel van on the back of DMUs on the Barnstaple line,
ccmmick

Thanks for the feedback Gents. That's great. Do you happen to know what the limiting factors would be to going longer?

A general 'rule of thumb' is that, owing to platform lengths at many stations. the maximum length would be 10 cars (2 X 5 car units), or 12 cars (3 X 4 car units); these and other combinations may exceed this, but if you see longer formations, they would more than likely be either: A) failed units being rescued by other unit(s) already in service, or B) empty coaching stock workings, which have no need to call at stations, hence the relaxation of rules. I'm reliably informed by a driver friend that the former accounts for most instances of overlong trains.

Thats very true indeed but yet other issues include cost of runing ie..viable or not viable for a service to be formed of a certain ammount of cariages / units plus the fact that TOCs theesedays like to make as much money as possible and that to save money on running costs at the same time in what ever way they can ie..Arriva are very keen on saving money on fuel by means of encouraging economic driving.

If you take alook the skegness service in the summer and the use of the HST set on this route it is if im right formed of 9 cariages and from my experence of it it is always packed out therefore being viable for EMT to run as is also with the maximum lenghth as notibley this only calls at certain stations en route.

If they where to use say 4x class 158sor 156s making eight cariages and the runing of eight engines which efectivley would cost more money as there is more fuel being used compared to using a HST set with only two engines being used though much bigger engines there is still less fule being consumed therefore viable for EMT to run a HST set and not DMUs on this extra service.

Thanks so much for that feedback. The reason I ask is that I'm involved in a study that is looking at the replacement of a large loco hauled sleeper & sitter consists of up to 23 carriages with other more modern configurations. The platform length would not be a problem but I'm definately interested in the fuel consumption comments. We have also started to investigate noise issues with DMU's in relation to sleeper. The feedback we have so far is that the new generation DMU's are now much quieter. Any comment on that please?

In the UK, apart from at unsignalled halts, it is the signalling system that primarily determines the maximum train length that can stop at a station platform.

Chris

The idea of using a DMU for a sleeper service is just evil.

How dare you even consider it!

Even the quietest modern DMU's are surprisingly noisey and have a degree of vibration. I remember reading in a magazine that this is one of the reasons that NR here are leaning towards proper power cars for the next generation of Intercity express sets, where the contract to investigate the options was only recently signed. There will be a DMU derivative but I think its going to be for fast commuter routes only, with the longer range and Bi-modal sets having power cars when diesels are used.

Bring back engines and coaches and scrap all the voyagers and pendolinos.
ccmmick.

Thanks for your "constructive" feedback Pesmo & Axe. I will update this blog as we progress further.

Cheers

Scott

Please watch what you say about Voyagers...:)

:mad:Voyagers? Terrible!:mad: I went from Derby to Darlington (132 miles) and back with one each way.The continuous engine noise gave me a headache both ways, and as for the recycled "conditioned" air, I was glad to get out and breathe diluted diesel fumes! It'll be a long time before I use that route again, I'll get over to Grantham and travel in a mark 4 coach next time.
Cheers, 62440.:mad:

A pile of crap went to Preston a couple of years ago from St Austell i was glad to get off the dam thing.
Coming home i went via London spent the afternoon there then caught the last one home a longer journey but what the hell.
ccmmick.

Nah nowt wrong with em the engine noise is all part of there charicter and apart of the enjoyment of traveling on them well thats what I find anyway went to London from Chester on one the other week with the boss and I enjoyed every minute of it not sure if she shared the excitment though the SMR train back was even better though.

Whats wrong with them
Vibration uncomfortable and cramp for long journeys beep beep beep every now and then, i would rather ride on a class 67 and the bloke who designed them at alstom should have been shot for those who have never ridden on them its like riding on the ballast.
ccmmick.

I have to admit I have a particular distaste for Voyagers too, too noisy and uncomfortable, seats are shite, they shake too much. DMU's are just wrong for long distances.

Mk3 / Mk4 stock any day of the week for me. Or even a Pendo.

Here Here i cant agree with you enought.
ccmmick.

If I'm travelling I don't pay out good money to be suffering for the rest of the day with headaches! The vibration can be relentless at certain speeds, some of 'em are starting to show their age and rattles are appearing from loose fittings which when you suffer from partial hearing loss as I'm starting to makes holding conversations difficult and the engine note in the background don't help in that respect. Mk3 or 4 stock for me any day. Even the old Mk1's are quieter as we found last Saturday.
Cheers, 62440.

Now I love to trainspot.
Mostly steam, but if that isnt trundling around on a particaular day then I want a decent diesel.
A voyager is not very pleasant to spot and neither is a pendolino.
For one thing their numbers are so small you cannot take them, not that I would want to.
I would even go as far to say that a leyland pacer is better looking, and thats a bus.

I spot on the mid cheshire and at stockport occasionally, and this is not a DMU I want to see.
They are not long enough for their money if you ask me.
So what have we got, bad seats bad air, bad noise, bad vibration and may I say bad doors.
You could guide in aircraft with those!

I agree with you 62440, although you did have a proper engine attached to the Mk 1's last week-end, even the right colour for the route it was operating as well.:D

Davat, believe me, the right sort of noises were being made up the front end. And plenty of 'em! The grin hasn't left my face yet, despite visiting the mother-in-law this afternoon!
Cheers, 62440.

Scott V you would do well to investigate the very mixed opinions on Voyagers as they are a fast modern DMU but they do have a reputation for being noisy as others have suggested. I wouldn't want to sleep on one thats for sure.

Im off to London next week to stay with my Daughter for a few day thank god they dont run to Paddington if they did i think i would rather go by National Express Bus.
ccmmick.

Youtube has some onboard film. While not deafening the drone does get to you after a couple of hours or so, Credit to video47 for posting it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubIBW...eature=related

So has anyone travelled on the new (2006 >2008) Irish Rail 22000 class DMU?