Great Western Coffee Shop

Caught the 1906 Penzance to Exeter 150 unit yesterday.On arrival at Truro I noticed a 153 in the up side siding which I had seen there on my downward journey earlier.All the passengers were then asked to de-train while our 150 ran empty to the siding in an attempt to couple to it.It soon became apparent that there was a problem with the 153 as the two units never actually physically coupled and the rescue attempt was eventually aborted.The 150 left the 153 in the siding at Truro and after picking up some puzzled passengers proceeded on its way.Anyone know what the problem was/is. 

370 in sidings has oil pressure problems so will not run,as such the air bags will be lower than the 150 so unable to couple up.best bet is to drop the air bags on rescue set so it can couple and start to transfer air through.

Just to translate in case anyone's not familiar with DMUs, since the engine on the 153 won't run the compressor for the air system won't run either. So the air suspension will be a bit deflated meaning that the 153 will be sitting slightly low on its wheels. That means that a unit with fully charged suspension will have its coupler a bit higher up than the ailing 153 and because of the difference in coupler heights they won't actually engage!

I understand but that's not going to cut any ice with passengers.
I cannot believe it's that near the knuckle. The Maritime seems to work well when I have been there, but surely there must be a back up...air suspension notwithstanding.

You can't plan for low air pressure, couplers need to be at similar heights in order couple correctly. If you planned for situation then you'd need a DMU where air pressure was controllable where since the compressor runs off the engine this isn't possible. What's needed is a fleet of DMUs that doesn't leak air pressure!!

2C45 EXD to PNZ should of dropped its class 153 at Truro today to try again....