New 196 DMUs enter service at Worcester.

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TimBrown
Posts: 1280
Joined: 05:59 Monday 4th July 2016
Location: Worcester

New 196 DMUs enter service at Worcester.

Post by TimBrown » 11:06 Wednesday 19th April 2023

Yesterday, Tuesday 18 April 2023, was the first day that Class 196 DMU units commenced working between Hereford, Great Malvern and Worcester to and from Birmingham New Street. The attached photographs show units 196005 and 196006 arriving in Worcester Shrub Hill at 08-07 from New Street this morning, then working out as the 08-08 to Great Malvern. From there it should work to New Street at 08-36, and return from New Street to Hereford if it remains on that running schedule all day.
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This picture shows 170501 and 170506 departing from Shrub Hill for New Street. Sadly these very comfortable and reliable units are being replaced by the new 196s which already have a poor reputation for reliability. I haven't sampled a ride on a 196 yet but early reports indicate that the seats are marginally more comfortable than Class 172/0 but the ride quality is jittery in common with much modern stock.
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Lastly a quick shot to show the 09-00 Great Malvern to Westbury 166 unit loading a good number of passengers - presumably patronage increased by the line closure between Oxford and Didcot and those wishing to go to Paddington by changing at Gloucester (for Kemble line) or Bristol Parkway for trains from Cardiff to the capital.
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Ridercross
Posts: 58
Joined: 12:03 Monday 11th July 2016

Re: New 196 DMUs enter service at Worcester.

Post by Ridercross » 12:34 Thursday 20th April 2023

Glad these are starting to enter service now, speaking from a Kidderminster rail users perspective:

I note that the new Snow Hill timetable from May is showing some trains running as 2, 3 or 4 carriage formations, despite earlier indications that these would all be 5 carriages. But perhaps as more 196's enter service, this will enable the 172's that appear on some Herefords to be used on Snow Hill instead to strengthen the formations.

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