2020 compliant (?) EMT 158

[edwin_m]

Noticed today 158783 had the mods which I presume makes it compliant to the rules applying in 2020. Retention toilets, door opening sounders and most obviously a new internal information system. This has obviously been done without trying to sort the various minor damages since the last refurbishment, such as replacing the missing hinge covers on the armrests.

The information system has two pairs of wide but shallow screens in each saloon, similar in size to the larger ones on the 700s. However I only saw two lines of yellow text on blue, so obviously much simpler software but very readable! At present the functionality leaves something to be desired:
- No display of next calling points while the train is in a station, until it starts moving when it's too late if you boarded the wrong one.
- Went blank on the approach to Nottingham, so perhaps conveying the complicated information about the train split there is too difficult.

I guess it might improve when the whole fleet is fitted, when I guess the displays on coupled units can be controlled from the same cab.

 

[greaterwest]

It appears they are using the same TrainFX system as the Great Western Railway 158 uses:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/GWR_158956_17.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/GWR_158956_16.jpg/1280px-GWR_158956_16.jpg

As I understand it, the text doesn't even scroll on this display!

 

[Bletchleyite]

It looks very basic and cheap compared with some of the clever systems used on the Continent. The UK is behind in this kind of regard as usual!

 

[ryan125hst]

I think they're the same screens and software that has been fitted to the ePacer (144012) as well as Northern's 158752. I agree that it's not particularly great. The more simple orange LED screens as fitted to the Electrostars and Turbostars have scrolling information and seem to show information faster and more clearly, and of course most stations also have similar screen as well.

Colour screens would be fantastic if done properly- look at the information that the ones on the Class 700's can provide: from London Underground service information to passenger loading and toilet availability. It looks like they've basically programmed the Northern and EMT ones as simply as possible which is a shame.

 

[D365]

Colour screens would be fantastic if done properly- look at the information that the ones on the Class 700's can provide: from London Underground service information to passenger loading and toilet availability. It looks like they've basically programmed the Northern and EMT ones as simply as possible which is a shame.

That's if the screens are working that is

Incidentally I've just had my first trip on 144012, it's a fantastic step up from the unrefurbished state. To be honest, you won't see the information screens being made use of properly until more units have received the treatment.

 

[chubs]

It looks very basic and cheap compared with some of the clever systems used on the Continent. The UK is behind in this kind of regard as usual!

Yeah the current system on NS is amazing.

 

[387star]

Take it plug sockets haven't been fitted

Surprising this wasn't done at the last refurbishment as it was a pretty major job at the time

There is also a SWT unit or two with EMT not sure if that's for good

I guess 156s at EMT will follow but haven't heard of what is happening to any companies 153s yet..

 

[Failed Unit]

I may have got the wrong end of the stick but I understand that EMT want rid of the 153s when more 158s become available from other franchises. The but is that won't be happening before the current franchise ends. But making the 153 comply will make the routes they already operate on undesirable to use.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I may have got the wrong end of the stick but I understand that EMT want rid of the 153s when more 158s become available from other franchises. The but is that won't be happening before the current franchise ends. But making the 153 comply will make the routes they already operate on undesirable to use.

153s are unlikely to be made compliant in their present form as single cars. The 155 at Kilmarnock may offer some idea of whether reverting them to their original form is worthwhile. The loss of seats from making a single car compliant would render them of little use away from the Cardiff Bay branch. Not many operators are planning to release 158s so EMT may be waiting a while...

 

[CommuterPigeon]

Take it plug sockets haven't been fitted

Surprising this wasn't done at the last refurbishment as it was a pretty major job at the time

There is also a SWT unit or two with EMT not sure if that's for good

I guess 156s at EMT will follow but haven't heard of what is happening to any companies 153s yet..

They have added USB sockets.

According to Modern Railways they're refurbishing 25 of their 158s, as they have 26 I presume the SWT 158 may end up going back to SWT at the end of the franchise.

 

[dk1]

Take it plug sockets haven't been fitted

Surprising this wasn't done at the last refurbishment as it was a pretty major job at the time

There is also a SWT unit or two with EMT not sure if that's for good

I guess 156s at EMT will follow but haven't heard of what is happening to any companies 153s yet..

USB fitted at most seats.

 

[Mordac]

Take it plug sockets haven't been fitted

Surprising this wasn't done at the last refurbishment as it was a pretty major job at the time

There is also a SWT unit or two with EMT not sure if that's for good

I guess 156s at EMT will follow but haven't heard of what is happening to any companies 153s yet..

That's 158889, it's still with them but still subleased from SWT. We'll probably know more after the SWT new franchise award.

153s are unlikely to be made compliant in their present form as single cars. The 155 at Kilmarnock may offer some idea of whether reverting them to their original form is worthwhile. The loss of seats from making a single car compliant would render them of little use away from the Cardiff Bay branch. Not many operators are planning to release 158s so EMT may be waiting a while...

I can see the new SWT franchise replacing all their DMUs.

 

[387star]

That's 158889, it's still with them but still subleased from SWT. We'll probably know more after the SWT new franchise award.



I can see the new SWT franchise replacing all their DMUs.

Yes could well happen

would it be possible for a bi mode running off dc to basingstoke from waterloo or wherever the switchover is then changing to diesel ?

 

[swt_passenger]

That's 158889, it's still with them but still subleased from SWT. We'll probably know more after the SWT new franchise award.

The SW franchise ITT already states that the unit with EMT is not to be considered part of the SWT fleet numbers, (same with the other unit with GWR on a daily loan basis).

 

[Kneedown]

The information system has two pairs of wide but shallow screens in each saloon, similar in size to the larger ones on the 700s. However I only saw two lines of yellow text on blue, so obviously much simpler software but very readable! At present the functionality leaves something to be desired:
- No display of next calling points while the train is in a station, until it starts moving when it's too late if you boarded the wrong one.
- Went blank on the approach to Nottingham, so perhaps conveying the complicated information about the train split there is too difficult.

I guess it might improve when the whole fleet is fitted, when I guess the displays on coupled units can be controlled from the same cab.

At present it isn't possible to set up the display as the route codes for the input havn't been completed yet.