Great Western Livery

[Parallel]

I was on 150243 this morning, and it seems to have different automated announcements to the rest of the 150/2s GWR have. The Ruth safety announcement was slightly different, and there was a second female autoannouncer giving a "security announcement" who I have only heard on ATW's 175s warning passengers to be vigilant throughout their journey etc. Is there any reason for why this unit seems to be different to the rest?

 

[fgwrich]

I was on 150243 this morning, and it seems to have different automated announcements to the rest of the 150/2s GWR have. The Ruth safety announcement was slightly different, and there was a second female autoannouncer giving a "security announcement" who I have only heard on ATW's 175s warning passengers to be vigilant throughout their journey etc. Is there any reason for why this unit seems to be different to the rest?

I've noticed Ruth has disappeared on the recently refurbished units - instead being replaced by someone who seems virtually un-audible at times, and has some very odd station pronunciations - far worse than Atoc Annie's awful Lastwithel/Lostwithel/Lostwitheal versions*. While the Turbo Fleet has also had their announcements updated as well. Unfortunately these seem to suffer from varying audio levels as well, but more annoyingly appear to make everything sound like a rhetorical question - for example, it now seems to sound more like '' Welcome aboard this Great Western Railway? service to, Reading? We will be calling at Bramley?, Mortimer? Reading West and, Reading?''

*I've noticed SWT has started to correct some of theirs at last, Micheldever is now pronounced Micheldever not Micheldeaver as it has been for some time.

 

[Parallel]

I've noticed Ruth has disappeared on the recently refurbished units - instead being replaced by someone who seems virtually un-audible at times, and has some very odd station pronunciations - far worse than Atoc Annie's awful Lastwithel/Lostwithel/Lostwitheal versions*. While the Turbo Fleet has also had their announcements updated as well. Unfortunately these seem to suffer from varying audio levels as well, but more annoyingly appear to make everything sound like a rhetorical question - for example, it now seems to sound more like '' Welcome aboard this Great Western Railway? service to, Reading? We will be calling at Bramley?, Mortimer? Reading West and, Reading?''

Don't get me started with the new PIS audio on the 150/2s. Very very poor, and they could have at least got the same person recording the station names. I also don't like the "Please do not attempt to board or alight from the train when the doors are closing" announcement. Anyone attempting to board wouldn't hear that until after they boarded, and it probably wouldn't stop someone from trying to leave if they were in danger of missing their stop.

150243 took me by surprise this morning as I have not heard those announcements on any other (unrefreshed) GWR 150/2. The usual safety announcement begins with "Welcome aboard. Please listen to the following announcements for your safety. Please familiarise yourself with the safety information provided on posters displayed in the passenger saloons..." but 150243 says "Welcome aboard. Please listen to the following announcements for your safety. Please familiarise yourself with the safety information displayed on posters mounted between saloon windows..." Followed by the second (different) voice not in use on any other GWR unit. Very odd.

On the subject of strange FGW/GWR autoannouncements, last year on a 158 I heard another Ruth announcement that says something along the lines of "Can I have your attention please. The train conductor will shortly be carrying out a full ticket check. Please ensure you have all tickets and railcards ready for inspection" or words to that effect. Not heard it since, maybe there was a button in the back cab somewhere!

 

[fgwrich]

Don't get me started with the new PIS audio on the 150/2s. Very very poor, and they could have at least got the same person recording the station names. I also don't like the "Please do not attempt to board or alight from the train when the doors are closing" announcement. Anyone attempting to board wouldn't hear that until after they boarded, and it probably wouldn't stop someone from trying to leave if they were in danger of missing their stop.

150243 took me by surprise this morning as I have not heard those announcements on any other (unrefreshed) GWR 150/2. The usual safety announcement begins with "Welcome aboard. Please listen to the following announcements for your safety. Please familiarise yourself with the safety information provided on posters displayed in the passenger saloons..." but 150243 says "Welcome aboard. Please listen to the following announcements for your safety. Please familiarise yourself with the safety information displayed on posters mounted between saloon windows..." Followed by the second (different) voice not in use on any other GWR unit. Very odd.

On the subject of strange FGW/GWR autoannouncements, last year on a 158 I heard another Ruth announcement that says something along the lines of "Can I have your attention please. The train conductor will shortly be carrying out a full ticket check. Please ensure you have all tickets and railcards ready for inspection" or words to that effect. Not heard it since, maybe there was a button in the back cab somewhere!

I'm pleased I'm not the only one to notice them then! Yes, I'd noticed how annoying those "Please do not attempt to board or alight from the train when the doors are closing" announcements were, Especially as the system presumably, like the Desiro PIS, has a limitation in the amount of memory it can have for each announcement and scrambles two together resulting in an announcement on the lines of ''Welcome Aboard This Great Western Railway Service to Exeter St Davids Please do not attempt to board or alight from the train when the doors are closing"

I think I have heard the Ticket Checking announcement by Ruth before, that would more than likely indicate it was an ex Wessex unit you were in then! Actually, thinking about it I wish they'd bring Ruth back. Since the days of Wessex, I've rather grown to like her voice - it always reminds me of being down there again!

 

[BestWestern]

On the subject of strange FGW/GWR autoannouncements, last year on a 158 I heard another Ruth announcement that says something along the lines of "Can I have your attention please. The train conductor will shortly be carrying out a full ticket check. Please ensure you have all tickets and railcards ready for inspection" or words to that effect. Not heard it since, maybe there was a button in the back cab somewhere!

There certainly is! The auto announcer unit, which also generates the safety announcement, still has the full range of ancient announcements available. Others include general welcome speeches for Wales & West Alphaline and, I think, Wales & Borders services! The wacky hilarity can be furthered still by adding Blackpool Pleasure Beach/Manchester United Football Ground/Kyle of Localsh etc to the destination display...

 

[83G/84D]

I have noticed at least two GWR 150/2's with electronic destination displays replacing the traditional blinds. 150219 & 150238 have been observed so far.

 

[MatthewRead]

Are the other units going to get a GWR interior like the 166 units?

 

[superalbs]

I have noticed at least two GWR 150/2's with electronic destination displays replacing the traditional blinds. 150219 & 150238 have been observed so far.

They were the ones that recieved a DDA refresh, before the GWR brand came into place. They have the disabled toilet and other things that 150232 has as well.

 

[83G/84D]

They were the ones that recieved a DDA refresh, before the GWR brand came into place. They have the disabled toilet and other things that 150232 has as well.

Interesting, thanks.

 

[Tw99]

I've just seen an HST go past with two green power cars and a set of normal blue coaches. 1A04, I think. Have they mixed up the original green set, or have they painted some more power cars green ?

 

[JonathanH]

Are the other units going to get a GWR interior like the 166 units?

Only 166205 got the GWR interior and some people have suggested that it isn't wearing well. The other 166s have come back with the FGW interior still in place.

 

[59CosG95]

I've just seen an HST go past with two green power cars and a set of normal blue coaches. 1A04, I think. Have they mixed up the original green set, or have they painted some more power cars green ?

I think LA15 is in for repairs, so the 2 existing GWR powercars (43187/188) have been drafted onto a blue set. Oh Horror!

 

[Emblematic]

Please excuse my complete lack of shock at this development.

 

[fgwrich]

Please excuse my complete lack of shock at this development.

It's was bound to happen sooner or later. It did appear recently with one blue PC on one end and Green on the other, but this certainly is the first time probably since the Night Riviera that Blue and Green have been seen together!

 

[leomartin125]

A GWR Class 165/166 in FGW colours went passed Watford the other day looking rather odd among the London Midland and Virgin electric stock heading to Wolverton, presumably for a repaint?

 

[Defiance149]

A GWR Class 165/166 in FGW colours went passed Watford the other day looking rather odd among the London Midland and Virgin electric stock heading to Wolverton, presumably for a repaint?

166216 to Wolverton, 166214 emerged in green the same day.

 

[387star]

when is the first refurbished 158 due out?

 

[PHILIPE]

when is the first refurbished 158 due out?

Didn't know anything had been started on them.

 

[Defiance149]

158956 is receiving C6, PRM mods and relivery at Barton Hill. Will be a while yet.

 

[59CosG95]

And bringing the list up to date for 2/3/16:
LOCOS
Class 43 powercars:
002-FGW livery.
003 "ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL"-FGW livery.
004- "First for the future/First ar gyfer y dyfodol"-FGW livery.
005-FGW livery.
009-FGW livery.
010-FGW livery.
012-Advertising livery: BRISTOL 2015 European Green Capital
015-FGW livery.
016-FGW livery.
017 "Hannahs discoverhannahs.org"-FGW livery.
018-FGW livery.
020 "MTU Power. Passion. Partnership."-FGW livery.
021 "David Austin-Cartoonist"-FGW livery.
022 "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Anniversary 1956-2016"-FGW Livery
023 "SQN LDR Harold Starr One of the Few"-FGW livery.
024 "Great Western Society 1961-2011 Didcot Railway Centre"-FGW livery.
025 "The Institute of Railway Operators 2000-2010 TEN YEARS OF PROMOTING OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE"-FGW livery.
026 "Michael Eavis"-FGW livery.
027 "Glorious Devon"-FGW livery.
028-FGW livery.
029-FGW livery.
030 "Christian Lewis Trust"-FGW livery.
031-FGW livery.
032-FGW livery.
033 "Driver Brian Cooper 15th June 1947-5th October 1999"-FGW livery.
034 "TravelWatch South West"-FGW livery.
035-FGW livery.
036-FGW livery.
037 "Penydarren"-FGW livery.
040 "Bristol St. Philip's Marsh-FGW livery.
041 "Meningitis Trust Support For Life"-FGW livery.
042-FGW livery.
053 "University of Worcester"-FGW livery.
056 "The Royal British Legion"-FGW livery.
063-FGW livery.
069-FGW livery.
070 "The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers"-FGW livery.
071-FGW livery.
078-FGW livery.
079-FGW livery.
086-FGW livery.
087 "11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment Royal Logistics Corps"-FGW livery.
088-FGW livery.
091-FGW livery.
092-FGW livery.
093-FGW livery.
094-FGW livery.
097 "Environment Agency"-FGW livery.
098-FGW livery.
122-FGW livery.
124-FGW livery.
126-Advertising livery: BRISTOL 2015 European Green Capital
127 "Sir Peter Parker 1924-2002 Cotswold Line 150"-FGW livery.
128-FGW livery.
129-FGW livery.
130-FGW livery.
131-FGW livery.
132 "We Save the Children-will you?"-FGW livery.
133-FGW livery.
134-FGW livery.
135-FGW livery.
136-FGW livery.
137 "Newton Abbott 150"-FGW livery.
138-FGW livery.
139 "Driver Stan Martin 25 June 1950-6 November 2004"-FGW livery.
140 "Depo Diesel Glandŵr 1963 Dathlu 50 Mlynedd 2013/Landore Diesel Depot 1963 Celebrating 50 Years 2013"-FGW livery.
141-FGW livery.
142 "Reading Panel Signal Box 1965-2010"-FGW livery.
143 "Stroud 700"-FGW livery.
144-Advertising livery: BUILDING A GREATER WEST (countryside images)
145-FGW livery.
146-Advertising livery: BUILDING A GREATER WEST (coastal images)
147 "Royal Marines Celebrating 350 Years"-FGW livery.
148-Advertising livery: BRISTOL 2015 European Green Capital
149 "University of Plymouth"-FGW livery.
150-FGW livery.
151-FGW livery.
152-FGW livery.
153-FGW livery.
154-FGW livery.
155 "The Red Arrows 50 Seasons of Excellence"-FGW livery.
156 "Dartington International Summer School"-FGW livery.
158-FGW livery.
159-FGW livery.
160 "Sir Moir Lockhead OBE"-FGW livery.
161-FGW livery.
162-FGW livery.
163-Advertising livery: Visit Plymouth
164-FGW livery.
165 "Prince Michael of Kent"-FGW livery.
168-FGW livery.
169 "THE NATIONAL TRUST"-FGW livery.
170-FGW livery.
171-FGW livery.
172 "Harry Patch The Last survivor of the trenches"-Black & orange commemorative livery. FGW logo still present.
174-FGW livery.
175 "GWR-175th Anniversary"-FGW livery.
176-FGW livery.
177-FGW livery.
179 "Pride of Laira"-FGW livery.
180-FGW livery.
181-FGW livery.
182-FGW livery.
183-FGW livery.
185 "Great Western"-FGW livery.
186-FGW livery.
187-New GWR livery.
188-New GWR livery.
189 "RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST"-FGW livery.
190-FGW livery.
191-FGW livery.
192-Advertising livery: BRISTOL 2015 European Green Capital
193-FGW livery.
194-FGW livery.
195-FGW livery.
196-FGW livery.
197-FGW livery.
198 "Oxfordshire 2007"-FGW livery.

Class 57 sleeper/crank-ex locos:
57602 "Restormel Castle"-GWR (new) livery.
57603 "Tintagel Castle"-GWR (new) livery.
57604 "PENDENNIS CASTLE"-GWR (traditional) livery.
57605 "Totnes Castle"-GWR (new) livery.

COACHES
HST trailer sets:
LA01-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA02-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA03-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA04-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA05-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA06-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA07-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA08-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA09-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA10-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA11-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA12-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA13-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA14-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA15-New GWR livery.
LA16-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC30-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC31-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC32-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC33-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC34-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC35-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC36-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC37-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC38-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC40-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC41-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC42-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC43-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC44-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC45-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC46-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC47-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC48-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC49-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC50-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC51-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC52-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC53-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC54-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC55-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC56-Dynamic Lines livery.
OC57-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA60-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA61-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA62-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA63-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA64-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA71-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA72-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA73-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA74-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA75-Dynamic Lines livery.
LA spares: 40 (119, 231, 718, 811), 41 (004, 103, 116, 137, 176), 42 (049, 083, 095, 101, 102, 196, 294, 356, 381), 44 (002, 059, 083)
OO spare: 44024
PM spare: 44100

Sleeper coaches: (FGW dynamic lines unless stated as GWR silver & green)
10217, 10219 , 10225, 10232, 10532, 10534, 10563, 10584, 10589, 10590, 10594, 10596, 10601, 10612, 10616, 12100, 12142, 12161, 17173, 17174, 17175

DMUs
Class 143s, 153s and 150/1s are not included here, as they are expected to leave the franchise.
Class 150/0:
001-Repainted, but still OOS at Wabtec Doncaster for overhaul.
002-FGW livery.

Class 150/2:
202-FGW livery.
216-FGW livery.
219-FGW livery. New Dot-Matrix display on front.
221-FGW Local Lines livery.
232-New GWR livery.
233-FGW Local Lines livery.
234-FGW Local Lines livery.
238-FGW livery. New Dot-Matrix display on front.
239-FGW Local Lines livery.
243-FGW Local Lines livery.
244-FGW Local Lines livery.
246-FGW Local Lines livery.
247-New GWR livery. Also has finalised interior.
248-FGW Local Lines livery.
249-FGW Local Lines livery.
261 "The Tarka Line - The First 25 Years 1989-2014"-FGW livery.
263-FGW Local Lines livery.
265-FGW Local Lines livery.
266-FGW Local Lines livery.

Class 158
763-FGW Local Lines livery.
766-FGW Local Lines livery.
798-Advertising livery: Springboard Opportunity Group
950-FGW Local Lines livery.
951-FGW Local Lines livery.
952-FGW Local Lines livery.
953-FGW Local Lines livery.
954-FGW Local Lines livery.
955-FGW Local Lines livery.
956-At Barton Hill receiving C6, PRM mods and repaint.
957-FGW Local Lines livery.
958-FGW Local Lines livery.
959-FGW Local Lines livery.
960-FGW Local Lines livery.
961-FGW Local Lines livery.

Class 165 (All currently in FGW Dynamic Lines livery.)

Class 166
201-FGW livery.
202-FGW livery.
203-FGW livery.
204 "Norman Topsom MBE"-New GWR livery.
205-New GWR livery.
206-New GWR livery.
207-FGW livery.
208-New GWR livery.
209-FGW livery.
210-New GWR livery.
211-FGW livery.
212-New GWR livery.
213-New GWR livery.
214-New GWR livery.
215-FGW livery.
216-New GWR livery.
217-At Wolverton for repaint.
218-FGW Dynamic Lines livery.
219-FGW Dynamic Lines livery.
220-FGW Dynamic Lines livery.
221 "Reading Train Care Depot"-FGW livery.

Don't hesitate to add in any further changes; I'm sure there's a few I've missed!

 

[XCTurbostar]

Are we including 57s too?
Thanks,
Ross

Edit: Never mind.. I'm blind.

 

[Mintona]

I believe 150249 is at Wolverton at the moment, and 158956 is definitely at Barton Hill.

 

[Mintona]

Apologies for the double post some time later, but I have recently discovered that 150249 is not at Wolverton, and I'd been misinformed. Sorry!

 

[co-tr-paul]

249 was at PZ yesterday, blue !

 

[superalbs]

I think it is 150247 at Wolverton, not been sighted for over a month.

 

[Parallel]

I imagine 150247 will receive the same treatment as 232 - Green GWR exterior whilst the interior remains pink and blue...

It's strange, there are some 150/2s which I seem to see all the time out and some I rarely do - I see 150221, 150246 and 150266 a lot but hardly ever see 150263...

150232 is currently going around with yellow and black hazard tape on the door at the front of the unit - where the train couples.

 

[bnm]

Don't hesitate to add in any further changes; I'm sure there's a few I've missed!

Named on 16th March 2016:

Class 43 powercars:
022 "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Anniversary 1956-2016" -FGW Livery

 

[59CosG95]

Named on 16th March 2016:

Class 43 powercars:
022 "The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Diamond Anniversary 1956-2016" -FGW Livery

Brill-adding that into the list now.

 

[Deepgreen]

Travelled on 166205 (first class) this morning on the North Downs line, with its refitted interior (leather seats in first) - what a contrast to the Southern first class that I changed to at Redhill!

 

[59CosG95]

Travelled on 166205 (first class) this morning on the North Downs line, with its refitted interior (leather seats in first) - what a contrast to the Southern first class that I changed to at Redhill!

I'd presume that the 1st Class GWR seats are better than the Southern ones...(i'm not known for my grip on sarcasm)