Something in the Solent area - Southampton to Fawley with Hastings diesel

[whole diary]

[stuving]

A what??? Closer examination shows that it started from Hastings, which provides an explanation, but only if it's really a DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit). Does labelling it an EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) have no effect at all?

It's both - a diesel electric multiple unit.  Diesel engine generates the electricity which then runs the motors to drive the wheels around.

So it's got an electric transmission, so what? We don't talk about DHMUs, or (if you can find one) DMMUs. A DEMU^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) should at least be bi-mode, shouldn't it?

[ChrisB]

There are already DEMUs^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) that have been in service, so you can't really redefine them.

[stuving]

There are already DEMUs^▸ (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) that have been in service, so you can't really redefine them.

Why not? I'm only ignoring a historical anomaly. In any case, the question was more about why it was shortened to EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) in the pathing instruction.

On its return it's "Timed for 75mph max/Pathed as Class 150/153/155/156 (Sprinter) DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit)". Maybe that's why it was early when it went past just now. More seriously, I vaguely remember that the only simple way to set up a one-off oddity like this is to copy something that already runs in the area it starts from. That may be the real, if more prosaic, reason.

[grahame]

... a one-off oddity like this ...

Oh please - that's no oddity; I was brought up on those.  Last of the line, graceful old lady, yes.   Oddity - no, and you 'll hurt her feelings 

That wonderful change in tone as they pass through the fast platform at Orpington having slowed down for the permanent way speed limit and put on full power for the climb to Knockholt summit ... ah, those were the days ....

[CyclingSid]

I noticed this both ways on a trip to Eastbourne. EMU^▸ (Electric Multiple Unit) struck me as an odd description as we passed on unelectrified sections of the North Downs Line.
The trip also reminded me how lucky we are in GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) territory (don't laugh). On the Southern service beyond Haywards Heath the ride quality is pretty awful. On the return journey about Lewes people we almost thrown out of their seats. It is not exactly a backwater, about 5 million passengers a year at Eastbourne, most of them probably paying fairly hefty season ticket prices.