FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

CAF-built Class 196 finally made it into passenger service on October 17, (see Headline News, p9). Shortly before,

Rail Express had the opportunity to sample a return journey between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. After our last poke around a static No. 196112 in the summer (see First Impressions, August issue) this was a chance to sample ride quality and assess noise levels. We deliberately sat ourselves over a bogie, though our location opposite the second (non-PRM) WC was coincidental.

As we pulled smoothly away from Wolverhampton, the roar of second and even third generation DMU engines was curiously absent. With no sound level meter to hand we weren’t able to measure db(A), but we can tell you it was pleasantly quiet. Certainly, you will be able to hear the smartphone conversation of the person opposite you in crystal clear detail. Ride quality was more difficult to determine.

On plain track there was very little bounce in the reasonably comfortable seats, but moving over pointwork was less smooth. To what extent the state of the permanent way played a part in this was impossible for us to know, but overall we found ride quality to be good. Are these units a step up from the Class 170s they are replacing? Certainly – let’s just hope they can achieve a high level of availability once they have been in regular use for some time. Watch this space…