WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[Pete_uk]

The inter carriage gangway looks wide

 

[atsf_fT]

196 101 pauses at Hall green with 5Z21 08 29 am test run from Stratford back to Tysley LMD

These front light are Extremely bright 'no need for a yellow front ' they are dazzling ' heaven knows what they be like at night.

The old ' and the future

 

[Meerkat]

My word that’s ugly. Orange isn’t a great choice and they picked a horrible shade of orange!
it looks like an orange stormtrooper or transformers reject

 

[atsf_fT]

The orange look nice in real life 'make the 172s look drab' and they have much cleaner lines and coach ends than the 172 'a bit like a 350 coach end but with out all the cables

Off he goes again ' 101 pauses at shirley with the 1038 am 5Z22 to Stratford
The units are very Quiet '

 

[Domh245]

heaven knows what they be like at night.

Much like all the other fleets that are fitted with these sort of headlamps (pretty much anything introduced in the last 5 years) I would imagine. The lights are dimmable to be less retina-burning at night

My word that’s ugly. Orange isn’t a great choice and they picked a horrible shade of orange!

I don't understand why they've got for a different shade compared to the current units! The more golden colour is far nicer IMO

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don't understand why they've got for a different shade compared to the current units! The more golden colour is far nicer IMO

Is that just paint vs. vinyl? I find vinyl looks nicer myself - it's a more matt, less reflective look.

The "transition diamonds" seem to be in the old colour, which is a bit silly

The other upside of the gold is like the diamonds it's a nod to Birmingham's jewellery past (and present).

 

[Domh245]

Is that just paint vs. vinyl? I find vinyl looks nicer myself - it's a more matt, less reflective look.

The "transition diamonds" seem to be in the old colour, which is a bit silly

The other upside of the gold is like the diamonds it's a nod to Birmingham's jewellery past (and present).

No, they're completely different hues. The 196s (and 730s) would seem to match the corporate (bright) orange used on the website and other WMR branding. The 172s and other 'legacy' fleets used a much more subdued golden orange colour. The transition diamonds seem to be the same hue as the bright orange on the 196, but more faded, definitely not the same colour on the legacy fleets

 

[HSTEd]

Couldn't they have offset the international numbers so the identical unit designations ended up directly over each other?

 

[james60059]

The front of the Class 196 reminds me of a cross between something from the Fisher-Price line and the face of an Asian Hornet

 

[Bletchleyite]

Couldn't they have offset the international numbers so the identical unit designations ended up directly over each other?

Given that they can't even be bothered to format the international numbers correctly on any UK CAF stock, goodness knows.

It's supposed to be formatted something like:

95-70-0196101-5

First number is traction type (95 is DMU), second one is country code (70 is UK), then 7 digit unit number (underlining the local identifier), the last one is a check digit (I made that up so it probably isn't correct, well it has 1 in 10 chance of being).

Though I don't quite get why the new CAF kit has that numbering, most other new stock doesn't. Indeed I can't actually see it anywhere on the 196s pictured?

 

[HSTEd]

Given that they can't even be bothered to format the international numbers correctly on any UK CAF stock, goodness knows.

It's supposed to be formatted something like:

95-70-0196101-5

First number is traction type (95 is DMU), second one is country code (70 is UK), then 7 digit unit number (underlining the local identifier), the last one is a check digit (I made that up so it probably isn't correct, well it has 1 in 10 chance of being).

Though I don't quite get why the new CAF kit has that numbering, most other new stock doesn't. Indeed I can't actually see it anywhere on the 196s pictured?

Post 375 of this thread

 

[Bletchleyite]

Post 375 of this thread

Thanks. That really does look absolutely awful.

Mind you, that's the care CAF take. There is, or was, one of the TPE units knocking around with an upside down 6 deputising for a 9 (or vice versa), and it looked really obvious.

95-70-0122104-4 is how that should be formatted, and then you wouldn't need the other line!

Indeed, the spacing on that doesn't even look consistent - looks like someone has stuck it on without even measuring the correct kerning! Whack it on, it's tea break time!

 

[the sniper]

I thought that was the phone number to get the fitter back home in Spain...

 

[43096]

Thanks. That really does look absolutely awful.

Mind you, that's the care CAF take. There is, or was, one of the TPE units knocking around with an upside down 6 deputising for a 9 (or vice versa), and it looked really obvious.

95-70-0122104-4 is how that should be formatted, and then you wouldn't need the other line!

Indeed, the spacing on that doesn't even look consistent - looks like someone has stuck it on without even measuring the correct kerning! Whack it on, it's tea break time!

It’s nowhere near being compliant. Apart from what you’ve said, it should also have the Vehicle Keeper Marking of GB-WMR (or whatever).

 

[atsf_fT]

It's amazing how critizium there is for this unit ' yet non of you have seen of head up close !
Guess they should of designed like 1st gen Dmu ' but then again theres always a few who would have said they look horrible too .
This just looks like 172 with a new front end '
and it doesn't need a yellow front ' because the front lights are so dam bright you proberbly could see 5 miles away if were possible .
I've never seen so much criticism on any other subject has Train ' and especially on this site you just a bunch of old finger pointers at ever single detail . Me ' I like em there modern nice seats quiet ' and distinctive ' I've cource I've seen up close and just a photo to pick at .
I will not post any more photos ' you'll have go moan at another thread.

 

[py_megapixel]

It's amazing how critizium there is for this unit ' yet non of you have seen of head up close !
Guess they should of designed like 1st gen Dmu ' but then again theres always a few who would have said they look horrible too .
This just looks like 172 with a new front end '
and it doesn't need a yellow front ' because the front lights are so dam bright you proberbly could see 5 miles away if were possible .
I've never seen so much criticism on any other subject has Train ' and especially on this site you just a bunch of old finger pointers at ever single detail . Me ' I like em there modern nice seats quiet ' and distinctive ' I've cource I've seen up close and just a photo to pick at .
I will not post any more photos ' you'll have go moan at another thread.

It's not just you - I really don't have a problem with them. Being sister units to the 195 I imagine they'll be a very bumpy ride, but yes I think overall I will like them. As for the front I'd probably prefer yellow but I don't really care that much; there are more important things about a train than the colour of the front.

 

[The_Train]

It's amazing how critizium there is for this unit ' yet non of you have seen of head up close !
Guess they should of designed like 1st gen Dmu ' but then again theres always a few who would have said they look horrible too .
This just looks like 172 with a new front end '
and it doesn't need a yellow front ' because the front lights are so dam bright you proberbly could see 5 miles away if were possible .
I've never seen so much criticism on any other subject has Train ' and especially on this site you just a bunch of old finger pointers at ever single detail . Me ' I like em there modern nice seats quiet ' and distinctive ' I've cource I've seen up close and just a photo to pick at .
I will not post any more photos ' you'll have go moan at another thread.

It's not just these units either, there are people literally just waiting to moan about everything unfortunately. I suspect some would only be happy if we had a network full of plain white trains (although maybe then they would moan about everything being plain and boring....). Just check the Avanti rebrand thread and you'll see some familiar names popping up in there as well

As I have said many times, these units look great and the orange colour scheme suits them perfectly. As you say, it is a massive improvement on what we see on the 172s which look very tired and faded. Would be a shame for you to stop posting your pictures as some of us do appreciate seeing these units

 

[Doveymain158]

I wonder when 196102 & 196103 will have a run out

 

[greatvoyager]

It's amazing how critizium there is for this unit ' yet non of you have seen of head up close !
Guess they should of designed like 1st gen Dmu ' but then again theres always a few who would have said they look horrible too .
This just looks like 172 with a new front end '
and it doesn't need a yellow front ' because the front lights are so dam bright you proberbly could see 5 miles away if were possible .
I've never seen so much criticism on any other subject has Train ' and especially on this site you just a bunch of old finger pointers at ever single detail . Me ' I like em there modern nice seats quiet ' and distinctive ' I've cource I've seen up close and just a photo to pick at .
I will not post any more photos ' you'll have go moan at another thread.

I quite like them, they look very striking in the bright orange. I hope you will post more photos.

 

[ABB125]

Personally I prefer the gold on the class 172s, but I haven't yet actually seen one so I may have to change my mind! However, the orange does look rather garish, perhaps it would look better if the rest of the unit was a different colour to purple?
For good measure (!) I don't think the black on the end doors looks right either, but I'm not sure what should replace it.
I'm looking forward to actually seeing one though!

 

[DBNR]

It's amazing how critizium there is for this unit ' yet non of you have seen of head up close !
Guess they should of designed like 1st gen Dmu ' but then again theres always a few who would have said they look horrible too .
This just looks like 172 with a new front end '
and it doesn't need a yellow front ' because the front lights are so dam bright you proberbly could see 5 miles away if were possible .
I've never seen so much criticism on any other subject has Train ' and especially on this site you just a bunch of old finger pointers at ever single detail . Me ' I like em there modern nice seats quiet ' and distinctive ' I've cource I've seen up close and just a photo to pick at .
I will not post any more photos ' you'll have go moan at another thread.

That's a shame as I've genuinely appreciated seeing some detailed and up close shots of these new units. I think over all a better execution of the Civity design than the 195s (even if they may suffer the same ride issues) but they look good, and as I said a few posts up, I think the striking livery works well.

In terms of looks (exlcuding livery of course!) how much different is there between a 196 and a 197 for TfW?

 

[Bletchleyite]

That's a shame as I've genuinely appreciated seeing some detailed and up close shots of these new units. I think over all a better execution of the Civity design than the 195s

I'd agree with this. A better layout with window alignment and better seats plus gangways. I suspect Northern had the "base model" and WMT paid a little more to upgrade.

 

[Doveymain158]

That's a shame as I've genuinely appreciated seeing some detailed and up close shots of these new units. I think over all a better execution of the Civity design than the 195s (even if they may suffer the same ride issues) but they look good, and as I said a few posts up, I think the striking livery works well.

In terms of looks (exlcuding livery of course!) how much different is there between a 196 and a 197 for TfW?

TfW 197s has bigger windows, bodyside passenger info display in the window plus some of thd 3 car units fitted with First Class

 

[Bletchleyite]

TfW 197s has bigger windows, bodyside passenger info display in the window plus some of thd 3 car units fitted with First Class

TfW has the same "base model" window layout as Northern, and similarly rubbish window alignment. And "topped off" (!) with a terrible seat.

 

[DBNR]

TfW 197s has bigger windows, bodyside passenger info display in the window plus some of thd 3 car units fitted with First Class

Thanks for the reply - interesting that they've moved the passenger info - I quite like the Mk5a style display on the 196

 

[Wyrleybart]

Personally I prefer the gold on the class 172s, but I haven't yet actually seen one so I may have to change my mind! However, the orange does look rather garish, perhaps it would look better if the rest of the unit was a different colour to purple?
For good measure (!) I don't think the black on the end doors looks right either, but I'm not sure what should replace it.
I'm looking forward to actually seeing one though!

I think the livery applied to the 196 is modern, bold and noticably different to current liveries allowing punters to recognise the new trains. What I am not sure of is whether the 730s are going to get the "diamond fade" which the 196s have. The orange ends abruptly into the purple just past the end of the saloon window which looks like poor design. If the "diamonds" are going to blend the orange into the purple like ton the 196s it would be better. Best wait and see I suppose.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

I think the livery applied to the 196 is modern, bold and noticably different to current liveries allowing punters to recognise the new trains. What I am not sure of is whether the 730s are going to get the "diamond fade" which the 196s have. The orange ends abruptly into the purple just past the end of the saloon window which looks like poor design. If the "diamonds" are going to blend the orange into the purple like ton the 196s it would be better. Best wait and see I suppose.

Here’s one of the 730s...

 

[Bletchleyite]

I really like the look of those. I think the same-sized windows, thick window frames and long vehicles look good, and the front end even looks good despite having a gangway (unlike anything CAF or Hitachi have made).

 

[Domh245]

What I am not sure of is whether the 730s are going to get the "diamond fade" which the 196s have. The orange ends abruptly into the purple just past the end of the saloon window which looks like poor design. If the "diamonds" are going to blend the orange into the purple like ton the 196s it would be better. Best wait and see I suppose.

Various publicity material shows them with the diamonds, it'd be surprising if they didn't. The 'in-the-flesh' pictures of the 730s are without the vinyls applied, that's one of the 'finishing' jobs

Here’s one of the 730s...

Wrong 730!

 

[ABB125]

Here’s one of the 730s...

View attachment 83701

The front end of this definitely looks like it will be better. It's amazing how different something that is built to the exact same standards can look, depending on the manufacturer.
I think the class 195 ends look good (ie no gangway!).