158 887
 

This 158 is now on loan to East Midlands Trains from there Sister Company South West Trains as i spotted it in Liverpool LIme Street yeterday woring the 16.52 to Nottingham.

I expect that it is in place of 158 856 that was involved in the crash the other week.

It just goes to show that there are no flies on Stagcoach when it comes to replacing a damaged train which is pretty good for buisnes.

As if it was Northern they would probably Just use what ever they can dig up like the dirtyist oldest noiseyist 156 in the fleet.

SWTs had two spare 158s (as they received 11 158s in exchange for 9 170s). The two spare units are supposed to eventually strengthen services in the South West but have been loaned to EMTs as cover while some work on EMT's 158s is carried out (I'm not sure exactly what the 'work' is.)

I find it strange then whenever Northern are able to source a replacement for a faulty unit it is often a 156, when there are often many overcrowded 142s and 150s in service and a 156 is obviously sitting at a depot out of service.

Out of curosity what routes did FNW use 156s on? There certainly weren't a common site at Manchester Piccadilly until the FNW 158s were transferred to Leeds. (Obviously there are now a lot of former ATN 156s in the North West which have been sent across the Pennines as more 158s have been introduced in Yorkshire and the North East.)

156's Where used on North West Express routes Blckpool-Liverpool-Manchester Airport and probably other express work which they were built for.

I remember at one stage (just before Northern took over) FNW used 156s on the express Manchester Airport-Liverpool services during the week but on Saturdays, they brought in the blue 158s.

Yes that was when they continued the route to London on a Saturday also dou you remeber when the Virgin 158 units operated from Liverpool to Edinbourough Via St.Helens Ctl once a day there and one a day back think it was about 7am from L/Pool and 17:15 from St.Helens Ctl back.

Just goes to show how well worked / traveled 158's really are just a pitty that Northern are keeping them to them selfs in Yorkshire as thats where there Offices are so they don't whant to see the Old taty 156's.

Ps.. It was this 158 / 887 that i traveled on back from Manchester to L/pool Last Saturday very nice it ewas too thogh only one fault that was it should have been a three carige unit in reallity.

"cant see why Stagecoach didnt like them" ?

From the trains I've caught I don't think the 156s are unsuitable for local services. The fact that the carriages are longer means there's less likely to be people standing near the doors when other people are trying to alight or board and I don't think that 4 single doors makes much difference compared to 3 double doors on a 142. On uncrowded trains the 150s are probably the best for boarding and alighting with two double doors per carriage and a single step, unlike the 142s with a double step which makes some less mobile passengers alight very slowly. Although if a door jams...

Actually 142's give the better access because the step is lower to the platform then 150's or 156's you try getting a bike on or off a 156 whith out bashing it or it falling on you !

Also try getting off at RAINHILLor BRYN on a wet or icy moring weven if they put grit down its no better the entrance on 150's and 156's is far too high.

Ive herd losts of pennioners who have heart there legs on the high step on a 156 and 150.

"BAN the 156":mad: