Class 185 refurbishment for TPE.

[boyaloud]

Is there a refurbished unit from Leeds to Manchester tonight? Tia.

 

[L+Y]

Is there a refurbished unit from Leeds to Manchester tonight? Tia.

I'll repeat this question but vice versa for tomorrow afternoon - any chance of a return between Manchester and Leeds tomorrow between 2 and 6 ish?

Cheers in advance!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Is there a refurbished unit from Leeds to Manchester tonight? Tia.

There was one on the 1852 (@Dewsbury) to Piccadilly, but not sure if you'll have got it. No free seats in the middle car anyway!

 

[YorkshireBear]

The refurbished units are growing on me. The seats are nicer now they had new padding in them, the lighting is way better.

But i am really really enjoying the Extream service for watching TV and movies through the app. The connection is great and the wifi is pretty good too. Really good addition to the trains and I am gladly using it at the moment on my commutes. The refurbished units seem to be spending an awful lot of time on the HUL-MAN Diagrams.

 

[johntea]

Very impressed compared to Northern’s efforts. Especially the fact they seem to have installed plug sockets at seats without tables so plenty for everybody now!

 

[gimmea50anyday]

185103 has developed an effluent tank leak. It will therefore be the next to go in for refurb today so the tank can be repaired once the interior is ripped out.

 

[Chester1]

I have not used a refurbished 185 yet. Are any currently running on Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes services?

 

[greyman42]

I have not used a refurbished 185 yet. Are any currently running on Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes services?

The only refurbs I have been on are on the Northern TPE route.

 

[Max]

The refurbished units are growing on me. The seats are nicer now they had new padding in them, the lighting is way better.

But i am really really enjoying the Extream service for watching TV and movies through the app. The connection is great and the wifi is pretty good too. Really good addition to the trains and I am gladly using it at the moment on my commutes. The refurbished units seem to be spending an awful lot of time on the HUL-MAN Diagrams.

Only the best for the City of Culture! Talking of this, I'm currently on 185142 on the 0735 HUL-MAN and I share your opinion entirely, this refurb is a vast improvement.

 

[Philip]

I have not used a refurbished 185 yet. Are any currently running on Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes services?

I don't think any of them are confined to specific routes or kept away from other routes, even for the North West services. I guess it'll just be down to diagramming as to when one ends up on the South route.

 

[Philip]

Slightly off topic but still related to 185...what is the potential danger (apart from the signalling aspect) if a driver decided to ignore the speed restriction for 185s, for example on the Hope Valley between Cowburn and Totley tunnels, and continue to drive the train at 90mph? I know the restriction is because of their weight, but what is the possible danger of ignoring it?

 

[Tracked]

I have not used a refurbished 185 yet. Are any currently running on Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes services?

There was one on the 06:25 from Doncaster yesterday morning, and one on the 18:12 from Sheffield tonight. They look nicer than the unrefurb'd ones, but I found the seats felt a bit too hard even for a 25 minute ride.

 

[Chester1]

I have now used them twice on south TPE. Overall I am impressed but I do think the wood panels and table tops will age badly. Free Wifi for all passangers, onboard entertainment app and one socket plus one usb port per two seats. All of those boost the passenger experience but only if there are enough seats. Once all South TPE are double 185s between the airport and Sheffield they should attract more passengers. Is there an indication of when capacity will be increased? My understanding is the two Mark III sets will be introduced in January and the Mark V in August. Theoretically that would mean two extra 185s could be allocated to South TPE in January and as many as necessary in August. Or is that too much to expect with refurbishment works and South TPE will be crush loaded for another year or so?

 

[clagmonster]

Are the second class headrests real leather or synthetic? I do hope the latter.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The wood panels aren't actual wood, they're printed sticky backed plastic. The similar designs on the 158s lasted pretty well.

 

[Philip]

I saw 185111 at Manchester yesterday, it's looking rather ghostly at the cab ends in those special R.B.L vinyls!

 

[yorksrob]

Have now managed to enjoy one for a reasonable length journey in not too crowded conditions.

My first impressions of it being a very nice job have been confirmed. Very pleasant decor - light and airey with nice pastel shades.

 

[swissrailpassion]

They've done a very good job. I like the carpets and the choice of colours for the seats. I was on the 2221 Leeds to Hull yesterday which was 33 late and is the last train! It was packed, all seats taken and around 200 standing.

 

[wellhouse]

I notice that the refurbished units have no First Class signs within the compartments, although there are signs on the outside of the glass partitions in the vestibules.

This is the same as the unrefurbished units, but they do also have 'First Class' on the antimacassars on each seat.

I wonder if this has caused any confusion?

 

[185143]

I notice that the refurbished units have no First Class signs within the compartments, although there are signs on the outside of the glass partitions in the vestibules.

This is the same as the unrefurbished units, but they do also have 'First Class' on the antimacassars on each seat.

I wonder if this has caused any confusion?

According to an RPI, people have indeed been pulling the 'where does it say First Class?' Card when caught in there on standard tickets...

 

[BMIFlyer]

I notice that the refurbished units have no First Class signs within the compartments, although there are signs on the outside of the glass partitions in the vestibules.

This is the same as the unrefurbished units, but they do also have 'First Class' on the antimacassars on each seat.

I wonder if this has caused any confusion?

According to an RPI, people have indeed been pulling the 'where does it say First Class?' Card when caught in there on standard tickets...

The next unit to exit should have signs added (stickers on the walls) if they are manufactured in time. If not it will happen soon. Don't worry the lack of signage has been noted and acted upon.

As for the excuses, there is not an argument really - the signs on the glass and the bigger seats are a real giveaway that you aren't in standard class!

 

[Bantamzen]

I notice that the refurbished units have no First Class signs within the compartments, although there are signs on the outside of the glass partitions in the vestibules.

This is the same as the unrefurbished units, but they do also have 'First Class' on the antimacassars on each seat.

I wonder if this has caused any confusion?

Yep, a couple of weeks ago I was on a refurbished unit in First Class and at least two people with standard tickets had "mistook" the area as standard.

 

[yorksrob]

One thing I've noticed is that the plug sockets on the new train seem to work a lot better than the old ones which used to be great at warming up my plug adaptor but rubbish at actually charging anything into my phone.

I don't know whether it's because they have a USB socket one can plug directly into, or whether they've done something with the voltage, but I can actually get some charge !

 

[Halish Railway]

I have seen the "I thought that this was Standard Class" excuse pulled on the non-refurbished units despite the antimacassers clearly saying "First Class".

Are TPE just refurbishing the 185's that they will keep?

Finally, what seats would be put in the Mk5a's? I wonder what they would look like with the much lighter moquette, instead of the darker moquette as seen in the concept drawings.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I have seen the "I thought that this was Standard Class" excuse pulled on the non-refurbished units despite the antimacassers clearly saying "First Class".

Are TPE just refurbishing the 185's that they will keep?

Finally, what seats would be put in the Mk5a's? I wonder what they would look like with the much lighter moquette, instead of the darker moquette as seen in the concept drawings.

It was mentioned on here that all 185s will be refurbished. Those plans may well have changed though.

 

[BurtonM]

I've found the on-train wifi to interfere with my mobile signal. The wi-fi itself is also not the best connection, but hey, it's there, free and works reasonably well.

 

[BMIFlyer]

It was mentioned on here that all 185s will be refurbished. Those plans may well have changed though.

The full fleet is being done - the 14th unit is now underway.

 

[ainsworth74]

The full fleet is being done - the 14th unit is now underway.

Which is good news as it's an excellent refurbishment so will serve them well wherever the balance of the fleet ends up!

How long is taking to turn round the units now that they're well into their stride?

 

[BMIFlyer]

Which is good news as it's an excellent refurbishment so will serve them well wherever the balance of the fleet ends up!

How long is taking to turn round the units now that they're well into their stride?

Roughly every 9 days.

The plan is to do two units at once when the temporary MK3’s start passenger service - with the ultimate aim to have all 185’s looking the same inside before the first MK5 set enters traffic late next year.

 

[Goldie]

Refurbished 185144 was looking very spruce on the Scarborough - Liverpool service today. The refurb makes the 185s feel a bit more plush and comfortable, even though the changes are basically cosmetic.