Rail Users Ireland Forum - View Single Post - The Cork Dublin Express Train has entered service

MrX · 15-06-2006, 12:40

I found the ride pretty comparable to the MK3 coaches to be honest. I think the major difference is that you feel and hear the bumps more on the CDE coaches because of vastly improved sound insulation and fully-functional smoothly operating end doors.

The MK3 coaches make plenty of creaks and groans as they move along, most of which seems to come from the gangways and coupling systems. You don't hear any of that on the CDEs as the gangways seem to be far more insulated and generally a much slicker design. I suspect the tighter coupling helps that too. When that's combined with working end doors, excellent double glazing and the much more silent climate control / ventilation system you tend to hear any little bump.

The insulation levels are extreemly good. When it passed other trains at full speed and passed under bridges etc, you didn't really hear anything.

The MK3 coaches produce an acceptably good ride too but it has its downsides.

I certainly found the CDE ride different, but I wouldn't have said it was worse than the MK3s. Overall, it's a more pleasant train to be on-board. It is smoother, even if you notice the odd bump. The best description I could give is the suspension is very smooth, but perhaps a little harder.

The MK3s are excellent coaches, but they're knocking on and are no where near as highly specified. They might compare well if they had a total internal refurbishment, including new air con, end doors, seats, lighting ...

I think CAF and Design Triangle did an excellent job on these though. They are FAR nicer than the new virgin trains I've been on in the UK.

The CDE interiors just feel bright, airy, clean, comfortable and spacious. The tint used on the windows is also far more suited to the irish climate than the dark brown tint used on some of the other sets e.g. the cu na mara. It creates a daylight blue sort of ambiance inside. Some of the tinted windows I've seen in the UK make the train look dark inside and would be more suited to very sunny climates.

The seats are not quite as springy as the MK3s, they're clearly some sort of foam, more like modern airline seats, but I found them comfortable. I'm quite tall and have always found the MK3 seats absolutely horrible as they have a really weird design that pushes my back into an almost hunched position. i.e. the lower part of what should be the headrest hits me just above the shoulder blades and the rest of the seat provides no lower back support. The CDE seat design was much more back-friendly.

I also suspect that the heavily sprung seat bottoms in the MK3 masks some of the vibration.

My suspension test is the cup of coffee on the table... It didn't move/splash/vibrate and behaved very much like it does on a MK3. If you try this on the MK2s, CAF / Mitsui Commuters or Cravens you'll see the difference!!!

15-06-2006, 12:40	#89
MrX Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 585	I found the ride pretty comparable to the MK3 coaches to be honest. I think the major difference is that you feel and hear the bumps more on the CDE coaches because of vastly improved sound insulation and fully-functional smoothly operating end doors. The MK3 coaches make plenty of creaks and groans as they move along, most of which seems to come from the gangways and coupling systems. You don't hear any of that on the CDEs as the gangways seem to be far more insulated and generally a much slicker design. I suspect the tighter coupling helps that too. When that's combined with working end doors, excellent double glazing and the much more silent climate control / ventilation system you tend to hear any little bump. The insulation levels are extreemly good. When it passed other trains at full speed and passed under bridges etc, you didn't really hear anything. The MK3 coaches produce an acceptably good ride too but it has its downsides. I certainly found the CDE ride different, but I wouldn't have said it was worse than the MK3s. Overall, it's a more pleasant train to be on-board. It is smoother, even if you notice the odd bump. The best description I could give is the suspension is very smooth, but perhaps a little harder. The MK3s are excellent coaches, but they're knocking on and are no where near as highly specified. They might compare well if they had a total internal refurbishment, including new air con, end doors, seats, lighting ... I think CAF and Design Triangle did an excellent job on these though. They are FAR nicer than the new virgin trains I've been on in the UK. The CDE interiors just feel bright, airy, clean, comfortable and spacious. The tint used on the windows is also far more suited to the irish climate than the dark brown tint used on some of the other sets e.g. the cu na mara. It creates a daylight blue sort of ambiance inside. Some of the tinted windows I've seen in the UK make the train look dark inside and would be more suited to very sunny climates. The seats are not quite as springy as the MK3s, they're clearly some sort of foam, more like modern airline seats, but I found them comfortable. I'm quite tall and have always found the MK3 seats absolutely horrible as they have a really weird design that pushes my back into an almost hunched position. i.e. the lower part of what should be the headrest hits me just above the shoulder blades and the rest of the seat provides no lower back support. The CDE seat design was much more back-friendly. I also suspect that the heavily sprung seat bottoms in the MK3 masks some of the vibration. My suspension test is the cup of coffee on the table... It didn't move/splash/vibrate and behaved very much like it does on a MK3. If you try this on the MK2s, CAF / Mitsui Commuters or Cravens you'll see the difference!!!