New South Western franchise: Awarded to First/MTR

[Bletchleyite]

Surely they must be able to? A guard on my train the other day gave out his Twitter user name and said he could be tweeted directly. Maybe it's something they wish to bring in over time or maybe he was unique and doing something he hadn't been directed to do as part of his job.

Quite possibly. As another example, some VT guards use RTT to do connection announcements on a completely unofficial basis.

 

[WarrenTManager]

One thing that is poor is that the PIS on board still says SWT not SWR which surely is a fairly easy change to make?

Not that easy. PIS is on flash cards. There are two sets, one set is away being reprogrammed with SWR, but there are special ones in at the moment for the Waterloo blockade. It would have been difficult to have two sets done for the blockade and get round every train to change them around the 20th and then get the non blockade ones back in.

 

[swt_passenger]

What's the grey and yellow boxes on the posts for in that photo?

The things on the platforms? Aren't they temporary site lighting?

 

[some bloke]

I have posted an update on the SWT free passes to the dedicated thread below, where I will post further if appropriate.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=3103723#post3103723

 

[louis97]

10 car trains do start from platform 2 at Salisbury

Salisbury Platform 2 was lengthened slightly especially for it I believe. The platform is *just* long enough now, I think the front and rear cabs hang off either end.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not that easy. PIS is on flash cards. There are two sets, one set is away being reprogrammed with SWR, but there are special ones in at the moment for the Waterloo blockade. It would have been difficult to have two sets done for the blockade and get round every train to change them around the 20th and then get the non blockade ones back in.

On day one I saw a 450 with "SWR" on all the displays, though it might well have been keyed manually.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Yes that would've been a manual entry, the default code still displays South West Trains.

 

[HowardGWR]

On a completely different note, I applied to SWT for a refund on unused tickets (illness being the reason) late last month. The SWT chap was most helpful and I sent off the tickets, quoting the case number. I had not received a refund, was a bit concerned about the franchise changeover, so rang up today, this time to SWR of course. Again, most helpful response, excuses ('we changed over last week') and assurances that the refund is on its way.

I asked if he was 'tupe'd' and he said yes they all were. I proves to me that these franchise changeovers can be carried out seamlessly.

Mind, I haven't got my refund, yet!

 

[mugam4]

A 444 is having its SWT branding removed in Northam CSD currently

 

[SpacePhoenix]

A 444 is having its SWT branding removed in Northam CSD currently

How long approx does it take to replace the branding per logo (assuming that it's just the logo being replaced with a vinyl)?

 

[greaterwest]

How long approx does it take to replace the branding per logo (assuming that it's just the logo being replaced with a vinyl)?

As I understand it, this one will have more than just its logo removed

More will be revealed closer to the time but watch out on the 4th of September.

 

[pompeyfan]

Expect to see a lot more 9 cars out and about again then, Northam were with a 444 for about 7 months after a particularly nasty incident, which resulted in the same diagram repeatedly being short formed.

I'm led to believe (and this may well be Railway rumour) that some 442s may be making an early return to allow more than one 444 to be able to be done at a time. I'd assume 450s will be released by introduction of 707s.

 

[BestWestern]

Expect to see a lot more 9 cars out and about again then, Northam were with a 444 for about 7 months after a particularly nasty incident, which resulted in the same diagram repeatedly being short formed.

I'm led to believe (and this may well be Railway rumour) that some 442s may be making an early return to allow more than one 444 to be able to be done at a time. I'd assume 450s will be released by introduction of 707s.

Presumably the 442s will be subject to their refurbs first though?

 

[pompeyfan]

Presumably the 442s will be subject to their refurbs first though?

You would think so, I'm not sure if it was 2 units or 2 diagrams (4 units) but the idea (reportedly) is to run them on out and back diagrams from Portsmouth using a small pool of Fratton crew. I suppose now would be a perfect time to sneak them into some kind of facility, although the 442s will be big jobs, complete strip of interior, refresh, plug sockets at each seat, new AC traction gear and possibly new doors as I'm led to believe the current ones don't meet PRM instructions.

As I say, the above may be railway rumour, but has come from someone who knows what they're talking about usually.

 

[Monty]

The rumour I had heard was that the first units (442s) would run in service unrefurbished.

 

[387star]

You would think so, I'm not sure if it was 2 units or 2 diagrams (4 units) but the idea (reportedly) is to run them on out and back diagrams from Portsmouth using a small pool of Fratton crew. I suppose now would be a perfect time to sneak them into some kind of facility, although the 442s will be big jobs, complete strip of interior, refresh, plug sockets at each seat, new AC traction gear and possibly new doors as I'm led to believe the current ones don't meet PRM instructions.

As I say, the above may be railway rumour, but has come from someone who knows what they're talking about usually.

Let's hope they don't rush it

The Gatwick 442s had the most uncomfortable seating fitted with numerous seats with no windows as well as a peculiarly dated colour scheme

the guards van will surely go ? Or be converted into a 444 style office ? Still has swt upholstery on the flip.up seats

Will the 444 lose its buffet counter ?

 

[387star]

The rumour I had heard was that the first units (442s) would run in service unrefurbished.

Won't go down well they are dark and dingy inside !

First class is okay although at an odd location

The toilets are a nightmare to access with incredibly narrow doors although they have cool pics of London inside

 

[HH]

The rumour I had heard was that the first units (442s) would run in service unrefurbished.

That is certainly NOT the plan and not what was committed in the franchise agreement. It's always possible they might be late, but I can see no conceivable way that they will run without refurbishment.

Where did this rumour come from? Whoever your source I suggest you treat any information from them with extreme caution in future.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

How long per 442 will the replacement of the traction package probably take?

 

[Suraggu]

You would think so, I'm not sure if it was 2 units or 2 diagrams (4 units) but the idea (reportedly) is to run them on out and back diagrams from Portsmouth using a small pool of Fratton crew. I suppose now would be a perfect time to sneak them into some kind of facility, although the 442s will be big jobs, complete strip of interior, refresh, plug sockets at each seat, new AC traction gear and possibly new doors as I'm led to believe the current ones don't meet PRM instructions.

As I say, the above may be railway rumour, but has come from someone who knows what they're talking about usually.

The best one so far in regards to rumours is the entire 158 fleet being sub leased to GWR as they are struggling on fleet availability on their own 158 fleet. I laughed rather hard at that one.

 

[moley]

4 units will enter service as soon as refurbished. Staff training first then into full service on self contained diagrams.

Refurbishment is already underway with the units having been moved from storage at Ely shortly after franchise signing.

444s are to loose their buffets and the guards office, if retained, is moving opposite the standard toilet.

Also hearing that first class on 450s will move to between last door and cab at each end of the set.

 

[mugam4]

As I understand it, this one will have more than just its logo removed

More will be revealed closer to the time but watch out on the 4th of September.

The livery on this unit is being completely removed, presumably to be replaced with the SWR colours. Presumably this will be the one used at launch?
It is in the westernmost road of the depot, visible from passing trains if nothing is in the reception line

 

[Bletchleyite]

Also hearing that first class on 450s will move to between last door and cab at each end of the set.

Very sensible, though admittedly less significant on a gangwayed unit. Will someone take one, when completed, and bash the TPE management around the head with it, please? Or maybe they wouldn't recognise a sensible layout for the Class 185 even if one of these rearranged 450s was to be dropped on their heads.

 

[Monty]

That is certainly NOT the plan and not what was committed in the franchise agreement. It's always possible they might be late, but I can see no conceivable way that they will run without refurbishment.

Where did this rumour come from? Whoever your source I suggest you treat any information from them with extreme caution in future.

It's a depot rumour, I don't hold much stock in most rumours it but it's what a number of my colleages have said. Merely repeating it here, and from what I've seen in the past in this industry it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Harbouring]

If first class is placed on the seats behind the drivers cab on 450 and the two seats by the standard toilet near the buffet on 444's are converted then it eliminates probably my favourite two standard class seating positions. The leg room, drop down table and quieter area on the 450 in particular is ideal and superior to any other stand class seats on those

 

[Matt Taylor]

You would think so, I'm not sure if it was 2 units or 2 diagrams (4 units) but the idea (reportedly) is to run them on out and back diagrams from Portsmouth using a small pool of Fratton crew. I suppose now would be a perfect time to sneak them into some kind of facility, although the 442s will be big jobs, complete strip of interior, refresh, plug sockets at each seat, new AC traction gear and possibly new doors as I'm led to believe the current ones don't meet PRM instructions.

As I say, the above may be railway rumour, but has come from someone who knows what they're talking about usually.

It's more complicated than that but I'll discuss that with you when I next see you!

 

[HowardGWR]

It's more complicated than that but I'll discuss that with you when I next see you!

Tea and biscuits?

 

[moley]

If first class is placed on the seats behind the drivers cab on 450 and the two seats by the standard toilet near the buffet on 444's are converted then it eliminates probably my favourite two standard class seating positions. The leg room, drop down table and quieter area on the 450 in particular is ideal and superior to any other stand class seats on those

You replace 8 standard seats with 8 first seats around two tables. That's a reduction of 8 first seats per unit.

However there is allegedly no requirement to increase first class seats into Waterloo during the franchise therefore the first class in the extra class 442s return the number of first class to their 2017 number.

 

[swt_passenger]

You replace 8 standard seats with 8 first seats around two tables. That's a reduction of 8 first seats per unit.

However there is allegedly no requirement to increase first class seats into Waterloo during the franchise therefore the first class in the extra class 442s return the number of first class to their 2017 number.

All the ITT said about first class was to give an upper limit on the total first class seats in and out of Waterloo as follows:

Bidders must not provide more First Class seats than:
a) 690 in the AM Peak Period on the Windsor Lines
b) 990 in the PM Peak Period on the Windsor Lines
c) 3880 in the AM Peak Period on the Main Line
d) 4330 in the PM Peak Period on the Main Line

But AIUI from somewhere (perhaps a rail mag) SWR intend to remove first from the Windsor side completely when the Aventras are all in service.

 

[infobleep]

All the ITT said about first class was to give an upper limit on the total first class seats in and out of Waterloo as follows:

Bidders must not provide more First Class seats than:
a) 690 in the AM Peak Period on the Windsor Lines
b) 990 in the PM Peak Period on the Windsor Lines
c) 3880 in the AM Peak Period on the Main Line
d) 4330 in the PM Peak Period on the Main Line

But AIUI from somewhere (perhaps a rail mag) SWR intend to remove first from the Windsor side completely when the Aventras are all in service.

Will they make more money without first class on the Windsor side or is it just to standardise the rolling stock and that type won't have first class?