Repaint countdown for FCC, FGW and ATW

[fgwrich]

I assume these two are the LM 153s. Is it certaint that they are FGW's and not just being subleased like GA's 150280.

Yes, They came with the transfers last year, as part of FGWs Bristol 6 plan and were swapped in place of an extra 150 (which presumably would have been 150103).

 

[SprinterMan]

Yes, They came with the transfers last year, as part of FGWs Bristol 6 plan and were swapped in place of an extra 150 (which presumably would have been 150103).

I assume FGW aren't repainting them in case they lose the franchise.
Why did LM want to keep 150s, was it because the Marston Vale line can't take doubled-up 153s?

Adam

 

[fgwrich]

I assume FGW aren't repainting them in case they lose the franchise.
Why did LM want to keep 150s, was it because the Marston Vale line can't take doubled-up 153s?

Adam

I believe that is the primary reason - as the branch was trialled with 2x 153s but the local authorites opposed it as there as several schools along the route, for which the 150 is very handy for...So as a result, LM Have 1 service operating with a 153, the other is operated by the 150. Also, current platform lengths do not allow the use of the LONGER (So much for the Go anywhere sprinter replacement as promised!) 23m Class 172s.

So, 1 x 150 operates the Marston Vale services and is outbased at Bletchley during the week, 1 150 operates a service to Hereford to keep up traction knowledge (although i can't remember how many times a week this happends) and the third is kept as a spare.

As for the Exiled Dogbox twins - It's abit of an odd case, as why should they not want to repaint 2 153s with a year left on the franchise, but be happy to repaint and refresh the ex LM 150s? Not sure what work actually took place on 325 whilst it was up at Wolverton, as it was supposed to be receiving a repaint and refurb as part of it's overhaul - Instead, it seems to have back slightly less reliable...

 

[SprinterMan]

I believe that is the primary reason - as the branch was trialled with 2x 153s but the local authorites opposed it as there as several schools along the route, for which the 150 is very handy for...So as a result, LM Have 1 service operating with a 153, the other is operated by the 150. Also, current platform lengths do not allow the use of the LONGER (So much for the Go anywhere sprinter replacement as promised!) 23m Class 172s.

So, 1 x 150 operates the Marston Vale services and is outbased at Bletchley during the week, 1 150 operates a service to Hereford to keep up traction knowledge (although i can't remember how many times a week this happends) and the third is kept as a spare.

As for the Exiled Dogbox twins - It's abit of an odd case, as why should they not want to repaint 2 153s with a year left on the franchise, but be happy to repaint and refresh the ex LM 150s? Not sure what work actually took place on 325 whilst it was up at Wolverton, as it was supposed to be receiving a repaint and refurb as part of it's overhaul - Instead, it seems to have back slightly less reliable...

If a 2 car 172 can't fit a platform, then neither can 2x 153. Its a bit odd why they weren't repainted, maybe its because all the other 153s are in Dynamic lines and they don't repaint local units into that anymore. Its also odd that LM haven't repainted their 150s.
Adam

 

[TEW]

All the 150s were in Local Lines before though, they still painted those into plain blue. Nobody seems to know why nothing happened to 153325 at Wolverton.

 

[fgwrich]

Actually, the only repainted 150s in the FGW Fleet are the ex Silverlink & London Midland pairs, none of the Dynamic Lines liveried units have gone for a repaint...yet!

As for the London Midland 150s, there was talk of LM Considering giving them a light refresh involving a repaint and presumably an interior tidy up akin to the 321s.However, this all of course depends on how long the 150s are to stay with London Midland - And that's the uncertain part.

Uncertain, as Bletchley to Bedford is included in the East West Scheme - so thats potential for replacement, and there is still a as yet to be exercised option on the Class 172 contract for more, although i gather this depends on funding. But there is some mutterings of where those 150s are likely to end up...

 

[TEW]

Actually, the only repainted 150s in the FGW Fleet are the ex Silverlink & London Midland pairs, none of the Dynamic Lines liveried units have gone for a repaint...yet!

Indeed, I was referring to the fact that prior to the 150/1 refurbishment FGW had all the 150s in the Local Lines livery, but they put the new 150s in a different livery, don't see why it should be any different for the 153s.

 

[387star]

Is it just me or are recent ATW 158 repaints emerging with no Welsh Government branding and if so why is this?

 

[SprinterMan]

Is it just me or are recent ATW 158 repaints emerging with no Welsh Government branding and if so why is this?

They are put on later at the depot rather than by the people who do the repaint.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I don't think any of the refurbished ATW 158s have had Welsh Assembly Government branding other than the 1st and 2nd ones done (perhaps the 3rd too, but certainly haven't seen it on any others). Perhaps its because WAG decided to rebrand themselves as just 'Welsh Government' and the stickers they had ready for the 158s said 'Welsh Assembly Government'.

 

[fgwrich]

Indeed, I was referring to the fact that prior to the 150/1 refurbishment FGW had all the 150s in the Local Lines livery, but they put the new 150s in a different livery, don't see why it should be any different for the 153s.

Ah, sorry - looks like i misunderstood your post at the time.

As for Dogbox Twins, 352 & 333 are still in London Midland livery with for some reason, absolutly no apparent changes.

 

[Rhydgaled]

Indeed, I was referring to the fact that prior to the 150/1 refurbishment FGW had all the 150s in the Local Lines livery, but they put the new 150s in a different livery, don't see why it should be any different for the 153s.

But aren't all First Great Western's 150/2s in Local Lines, ie. aren't all the units which came from LM/silverlink 150/1s? That would mean all GW's 150/2s being in one livery, and all the 150/1s being in the new plain blue with pink doors. 150/1s and 150/0s look quite different to 150/2s (maybe even enough to be mistaken for a different class of unit).

 

[TEW]

150202 and 150216 are in the new blue livery having transferred from LM.

 

[CC 72100]

150202 and 150216 are in the new blue livery having transferred from LM.

What interior do they have? Is it the normal FGW 150/2 one which actually isn't too bad, or the old LM 2 + 3 one which I find really uninviting?

 

[fgwrich]

What interior do they have? Is it the normal FGW 150/2 one which actually isn't too bad, or the old LM 2 + 3 one which I find really uninviting?

It'll be the old Ex London Midland interior 'spruced up' with New seat cushions, and repainted grab handles / vestubles / interior wall panels (Unfortunatly Crysalis seemed to vary how much was carried out in each unit - so some units have had their ceilings repainted, others have just been cleaned, some have the original ex LM Green flooring, others have the new FGW - 150126 Still has the disabled ramp with 'Property of London Midland - Do Not Remove' painted onto it!)

 

[SprinterMan]

What interior do they have? Is it the normal FGW 150/2 one which actually isn't too bad, or the old LM 2 + 3 one which I find really uninviting?

They still have the miserable LM interior, along with the 150/0s and the 150/1s.
Adam

 

[CC 72100]

It'll be the old Ex London Midland interior 'spruced up' with New seat cushions, and repainted grab handles / vestubles / interior wall panels (Unfortunatly Crysalis seemed to vary how much was carried out in each unit - so some units have had their ceilings repainted, others have just been cleaned, some have the original ex LM Green flooring, others have the new FGW - 150126 Still has the disabled ramp with 'Property of London Midland - Do Not Remove' painted onto it!)

Haha. I've had a couple like that, I know a lot cannot be done about the 2+3 seating but I just find them very uninviting. Quite dark, horrible brown seat backs, just not a very inviting environment to travel in. But providing they are kept on suitable diagrams, then it isn't too much of a biggie. It's when they turn up on the Weymouth - Gloucester or Southampton - Great Malvern that it's a bit of an issue. At least send a 150/2!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

They still have the miserable LM interior, along with the 150/0s and the 150/1s.
Adam

Misreable seems to be the best way of describing it!

 

[SprinterMan]

Miserable seems to be the best way of describing it!

It's interesting how bad 3+2 seating can make some trains. There is a world of difference between FGW's 150/2s, which are pleasant and perfectly suitable for Plymouth-Penzance local services, while the 150/1s seem suitable for a new interior and heavy refurbishment :P.

Not all 3+2 seating is bad having said that. GA's 317/8s have 3+2 seating but are very comfortable and very nice to travel on. A Merseyrail 142 on the other hand...... :P

 

[CC 72100]

It's interesting how bad 3+2 seating can make some trains. There is a world of difference between FGW's 150/2s, which are pleasant and perfectly suitable for Plymouth-Penzance local services, while the 150/1s seem suitable for a new interior and heavy refurbishment :P.

Not all 3+2 seating is bad having said that. GA's 317/8s have 3+2 seating but are very comfortable and very nice to travel on. A Merseyrail 142 on the other hand...... :P

Can only vouch for the 150s in this case, but you're exactly spot on. I could do a couple of hours on a 150/2, a 150/1? - Bristol TM - Gloucester was easily long enough for me.

 

[SprinterMan]

Can only vouch for the 150s in this case, but you're exactly spot on. I could do a couple of hours on a 150/2, a 150/1? - Bristol TM - Gloucester was easily long enough for me.

Class 317/8s are the former High capacity Stansted Express units so are 3+2 but a very nice 3+2. The seats in the 150/1s on the other hand look worrying like 321 seats which are among the worst seats ever put in a train.

Class 317/8 interior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOhEN_UH7O0

FGW Class 150/1 interior: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/26/FGW_150131_interior.JPG

FGW Class 150/2 interior: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/FGW_Class_150.JPG

As can be seen here there is a world of difference between the /1s and the /2s.

Adam

 

[jopsuk]

Class 317/8s are the former High capacity Stansted Express units so are 3+2 but a very nice 3+2.

They're /5s with some seats replaced by luggage racks... They're OK, when quiet at least.

 

[SprinterMan]

They're /5s with some seats replaced by luggage racks... They're OK, when quiet at least.

They have different (much nicer) seat covers and a different interior colour scheme also. :P

I don't like /5s but am a fan of /8s.

 

[Rhydgaled]

I don't think any of the refurbished ATW 158s have had Welsh Assembly Government branding other than the 1st and 2nd ones done (perhaps the 3rd too, but certainly haven't seen it on any others). Perhaps its because WAG decided to rebrand themselves as just 'Welsh Government' and the stickers they had ready for the 158s said 'Welsh Assembly Government'.

Further to this, I think I saw 158840 today (the first one done) on the 11:30 from Aberystwyth and the WAG logos weren't on it anymore.

 

[PaintYourWagon]

ATW 158835 is unit 17 in the refresh and relivery program. It was a silver unit.

7 untis remain - 4 in silver and 3 in lighter blue.

 

[Rhydgaled]

ATW 158835 is unit 17 in the refresh and relivery program. It was a silver unit.

7 untis remain - 4 in silver and 3 in lighter blue.

I was hopeing they'd get the ATW standard livery ones refurbished first and leave the smarter blue & silver ones till last.

 

[PaintYourWagon]

Yahoo groups adds ATW 158830 [was unit 16] and 158836 [unit 19].

5 units remain - 2 in silver.

 

[SprinterMan]

Yahoo groups adds ATW 158830 [was unit 16] and 158836 [unit 19].

5 units remain - 2 in silver.

Good, the sooner the unrefurbished 158s are wiped out, the better. As it stand now, the refurbished 153s are far better inside than the unrefurbished 158s.

Adam

 

[Michael.Y]

Well, weirdly I saw both silver 158s yesterday at Salop - one was going to Aberystwyth, one was going to Brum. (both as parts of 4-car sets).

Those old silver sets need doing moreso than any other - in some the carpets are ripped and rubbing up, as such my trolley bumps over them.

I do wish though that they had put little fold down seats in the end vestibules though.

 

[317666]

Looks like I'm the only person who prefers the unrefurbished ATW 158s then

 

[fgwrich]

Well, keeping on the subject of ATW repaints, Pullman Rail are working on repainting and refurbishing the first set of Mk3s for ATW.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/turners_pics/7313302292/

No number yet, but as this picture was taken a few weeks ago, id expect the first few to make an appearance soon.