Class 185 refurbishment for TPE.

[YorkshireBear]

I actually don't mind the seats on the 185s. True, they're a bit hard, but they have really good lateral support (unlike the ironing boards and those on the NIR units), which was really my complaint with the CAF ones. The way they make you sit upright actually helps your posture, which in turn helps your comfort even if it feels odd initially. But as always, seat comfort is subjective.

I find them comfortable enough to sleep in twice a day.

 

[capital12]

Not sure about the FC seat colour - hope they're up for the challenge of keeping it clean?!

 

[Bornin1980s]

This is all that has been passed on, and these are "real" pictures apparently rather than artists impressions.

Thanks. A vast improvement on the old colour scheme.

 

[BMIFlyer]

Looks great doesn't it. I'm sure the larger tables will prove popular

 

[ash39]

Standard looks dreadful. Blue and grey with the original pink metal seat frames? Clashes horribly.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Standard looks dreadful. Blue and grey with the original pink metal seat frames? Clashes horribly.

I'm not a fan of the colour scheme, but I prefer darker colours. Do like the wood effect though.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Video released of 185101 in refurbished condition

https://vimeo.com/225550986/03b678e358

 

[IanXC]

Standard looks dreadful. Blue and grey with the original pink metal seat frames? Clashes horribly.

Is it just me that doesn't seen any pink?

Pale mauve perhaps, but that hardly clashes!

 

[ash39]

Must admit the clash doesn't look as bad on the video. Good that they appear to have sockets at airline seats now too.

 

[Darandio]

Standard looks dreadful. Blue and grey with the original pink metal seat frames? Clashes horribly.

Am I colourblind? They're silver aren't they? hock:

 

[ash39]

They are a pink/lilac shade (which looked good with the original purple seats) They they don't appear to have been painted from the photos/video. I'd have expected them to have been painted grey or something neutral to fit in with the rest of the colour scheme, especially as they most likely needed painting as part of the refurb to cover scrapes and scratches from over the years.

Having said that it doesn't look too bad in the video so I'll wait until I see it in service.

 

[Philip]

How are the repaints coming on? Any others been done this last week?

 

[MarcusL1]

Am I colourblind? They're silver aren't they? hock:

There appears to be a lilac tint to the seat frame, but it's hardly noticeable

 

[Halish Railway]

What do people think of the wood effect on the wall at the drivers end?

 

[Bornin1980s]

Nice touch, but I would love to see it replaced by see-through glass!

 

[BMIFlyer]

Nice touch, but I would love to see it replaced by see-through glass!

You wouldn't see much however - equipment cabinets are on the other side

The wood effect is on all former walls except the window ones. The wood effect includes the exhaust ports as well. It actually looks rather good.

The integrated table lamps in 1st class also look a whole lot better than the original lamps.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Appologies, as my username suggests Im visually impaired, what cullor are the wall pannels under the windows if not wood effect? And are the new additional sockets 3 pin or USB?

Looking forward also to finding out once back in service if the replumb job on the bogs improves reliability any.

 

[superalbs]

Appologies, as my username suggests Im visually impaired, what cullor are the wall pannels under the windows if not wood effect? And are the new additional sockets 3 pin or USB?

Looking forward also to finding out once back in service if the replumb job on the bogs improves reliability any.

The wall underneath the window is all-white, as on all other Desiro units.

The new sockets are actually both funnily enough, with both 3-pin and USB being on the same module. I wonder if they'll both be able to function at the same time, because if they can, then that's effectively one powerpoint per seat.

 

[185143]

The wall underneath the window is all-white, as on all other Desiro units.

The new sockets are actually both funnily enough, with both 3-pin and USB being on the same module. I wonder if they'll both be able to function at the same time, because if they can, then that's effectively one powerpoint per seat.

They just need some power points for the many standees now! (I say that semi-seriously-they really should!)

 

[driver9000]

Nice touch, but I would love to see it replaced by see-through glass!

Why? On the other side of the wall is cupboards full of electrical gear. It's really not that interesting to look at.

 

[hibtastic]

As someone who travels on the 185s every day, I am impressed by what I have seen of the refurbishment so far. The train looks fantastic. Now we just need them doubled up more often and they will be a very pleasant train to travel on.

 

[Bletchleyite]

As someone who travels on the 185s every day, I am impressed by what I have seen of the refurbishment so far. The train looks fantastic. Now we just need them doubled up more often and they will be a very pleasant train to travel on.

Indeed.

As I see it there are only 2 major issues with the 185.

1. The cack-handed design isolating the wheelchair space and large bog away from Standard.

2. The fact that they are two coaches too short.

I doubt they will resolve 1, sadly, but 2 at least will be resolved by permanent doubling up.

 

[humbersidejim]

Video released of 185101 in refurbished condition

https://vimeo.com/225550986/03b678e358

There had better be some serious scotchguard protecting that cream leather! How long will that look fresh for?

Overall though, it looks like a really decent refurb.

If only Northern aspired to similar standards.

 

[Darandio]

If only Northern aspired to similar standards.

Serious comment? hock:

 

[humbersidejim]

Serious comment? hock:

Yes. By my judgement their 158 refurbs are, by comparison to the job other operators (eg ATW, EMT) have done, poor.

I realise comparing a refurbed 185 to a 158 is like comparing apples and oranges of different generations, but Northern's examples so far fall short of the 'like new' promise in the franchise spec.

I realise this takes the thread OT. As a Hull commuter I'm impressed by the effort TPE have made here, when regularly doubled up, we'll have a very good on board product.

 

[Starmill]

Northern's trains are 20+ years old and are in little better condition than they were when they were new after refurbishment. These trains are only 11 years old and they'll have significant improvements over when they were new.

This is not to say that Northern cannot or will not achieve better, but the evidence of any actual increases in fleet quality has yet to materialise.

 

[Jamesrob637]

How are the repaints coming on? Any others been done this last week?

Definitely at least one still in old livery as of 10 minutes ago at Manchester Piccadilly!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Northern's trains are 20+ years old and are in little better condition than they were when they were new after refurbishment. These trains are only 11 years old and they'll have significant improvements over when they were new.

This is not to say that Northern cannot or will not achieve better, but the evidence of any actual increases in fleet quality has yet to materialise.

EMT and ATW have demonstrated how you can refurbish a Class 158 to a level of quality. ATW in particular is not a well-off railway company.

Northern kick out the usual lightly polished turd and expect passengers to buy it.

Yet they're both Arriva TOCs.

 

[hibtastic]

I am sure someone mentioned that "the ballroom" in Coach C was also getting some love and attention to make it more welcoming. I wonder what has been done there.

It is where I spend most of my time on the 185s, crammed in with the rest of the commuters from Stalybridge.

 

[darylyates17]

What is the latest on terms of units repainted how many units are still in the Dynamic Lines livery or have they all been done now