Northern Unit Refurbishments and depot allocations.

[xotGD]

Is 150142 pretty much the example of how Northern's 150s will look once completed? If so, based on a short hop earlier (Mirfield to Dewsbury on the heavily delayed Victoria to Leeds service) they'll be... adequate. The seats are reasonably comfortable and the lack of airline 3s mean it feels open and welcoming. The white walls help with that so they'll need keeping clean!

Overall, the best refurbishment of the awkward 1970s/1980s 20m with "suburban" doors design I've seen since the Merseyrail heavy overhauls in the early 2000s.

I was on 150142 this morning. Looked smart, and the new seats, while firmer than the normal 150 seats, were comfortable enough - certainly better than 333 seats.

 

[northwichcat]

I was on 150142 this morning. Looked smart, and the new seats, while firmer than the normal 150 seats, were comfortable enough - certainly better than 333 seats.

Don't believe the Northern claims. Those seats were fitted by First North Western in the late 90s, Northern have repainted them, fitted replacement seat cushions and new seat covers.

 

[175001]

Two movements here on Sunday:
0930 Crewe C.S. to Newton Heath T.M.D. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P81001/2018/01/28/advanced

1332 Newton Heath T.M.D. to Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P81000/2018/01/28/advanced

Any ideas which units they are?

Those are the weekly paths I'm afraid. No guarantee if they'll run unless activated

 

[jcc]

Don't believe the Northern claims. Those seats were fitted by First North Western in the late 90s, Northern have repainted them, fitted replacement seat cushions and new seat covers.

What happened to your ASA complaint?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Don't believe the Northern claims. Those seats were fitted by First North Western in the late 90s, Northern have repainted them, fitted replacement seat cushions and new seat covers.

Just goes to show just how high quality a refurb the FNW one was, though admittedly it left the 150/2s in the original layout suitable only for the vertically challenged. Just need to remove the sickly pinky purply colour as Northern are doing

 

[hibtastic]

I was heading down to London on Monday morning and we passed a Northern 323 in the Rugby area. Why would it be that far south?

 

[507 001]

There was a 319 at Manchester Airport yesterday with ‘Northern Class 319’ scrolling across its destination blind.

So, seeing as the displays are clearly capable of scrolling, why do we have such destinations as ‘ManchesterAir’, ‘ManchesterORd’ and ‘LiverpoolLSt’? Y’know, because they’re abundantly clear....

 

[sd0733]

I was heading down to London on Monday morning and we passed a Northern 323 in the Rugby area. Why would it be that far south?

They visit wolverton works fairly regularly for various work. Not sure what if I'm honest, just see them in the reception siding there

 

[northwichcat]

What happened to your ASA complaint?

In their view if a train is 33 years old and the seats are less than 33 years old then they don't have an issue with the term new seats being used.

 

[LOL The Irony]

In their view if a train is 33 years old and the seats are less than 33 years old then they don't have an issue with the term new seats being used.

The term "new" to me implies less than 6 months old.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Don't believe the Northern claims. Those seats were fitted by First North Western in the late 90s, Northern have repainted them, fitted replacement seat cushions and new seat covers.

If the only parts of the seat I interact with have been replaced with new parts, it seems rather petty to whine because the frame underneath (which I only know is there because I know how gravity works) is older. If it looks and feels new, then it's as good as new... or better, if new seats on most new trains are anything to go by!

 

[northwichcat]

If the only parts of the seat I interact with have been replaced with new parts, it seems rather petty to whine because the frame underneath (which I only know is there because I know how gravity works) is older.

So the height of the seat, whether there's a curved seat back or a straight one and the amount of leg room are irrelevant as far as you're concerned? Those are all things the Northern refurbishment hasn't taken in to consideration - they've all been left the way FNW had them.

 

[Loop & Link]

I think you need to escalate this further, the reply from ASA was not acceptable.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

So the height of the seat, whether there's a curved seat back or a straight one and the amount of leg room are irrelevant as far as you're concerned? Those are all things the Northern refurbishment hasn't taken in to consideration - they've all been left the way FNW had them.

I'll have my own preferences in those areas, but I'm just one person. The refurbished FNW seats are absolutely fine for the journeys 150s will be used on in the long-term (less so at the moment until they're cascaded down the pecking order) and issues like firmness or shape of seats are subjective anyway. Legroom I agree is an issue, but that was a point I made whine I first mentioned 150142: in the toilet car, there were NO airline seats and the bays didn't seem to be overly cramped.
What's irrelevant is the AGE of the seat or seat components, IF the seat is adequate. Being old (or rather, the hidden metal bracket underneath being old) shouldn't disqualify for the sake of it.

 

[northwichcat]

I'll have my own preferences in those areas, but I'm just one person. The refurbished FNW seats are absolutely fine for the journeys 150s will be used on in the long-term (less so at the moment until they're cascaded down the pecking order) and issues like firmness or shape of seats are subjective anyway. Legroom I agree is an issue, but that was a point I made whine I first mentioned 150142: in the toilet car, there were NO airline seats and the bays didn't seem to be overly cramped.
What's irrelevant is the AGE of the seat or seat components, IF the seat is adequate. Being old (or rather, the hidden metal bracket underneath being old) shouldn't disqualify for the sake of it.

I mentioned the other parts because you made it sound like the frame was unimportant as far as passenger comfort is concerned.

Personally I think the refurbishment of the ex-FNW 150s is adequate and does meet the 'like new' specification once the CIS is operational and provided the required wifi and LED lighting gets done at a later date. However, I think it's wrong for Northern to claim they are new seats, 'like new' seats, upcycled seats or refurbished seats would all be fine. It's especially misleading for Yorkshire passengers who would be more used to the Ashbourne seating in 150s and may think Northern have ripped out Ashbourne seating and put in new seats, when they haven't.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Sure, they're not technically "new" seats... but all this talk of reporting Northern to the ASA must be a joke, right?

 

[LOL The Irony]

Sure, they're not technically "new" seats... but all this talk of reporting Northern to the ASA must be a joke, right?

Well its false advertising and the ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY should give a better answer than "they wern't originally fitted to it 33 years ago so therefore can be called new"

 

[tom1649]

The ASA are as useless as a chocolate fire guard. The worst they can to do is tell someone not to do it again. They have precisely no power to fine anyone.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Well its false advertising and the ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY should give a better answer than "they wern't originally fitted to it 33 years ago so therefore can be called new"

Technically it is... but why bother? I'm sure the ASA are busy with more severe and more harmful breaches than a small technicality about a train seat.
Besides, they didn't do anything about the notorious Brexit Bus, so they're not going to do much about this.

 

[stu99]

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P32823/2018/01/27/advanced
0633 Glasgow Works to Heaton T&R.S.M.D.
Could anyone tell me what 156s are on this move please, it was one old livery and one new livery?

 

[Adam0984]

Either 156448 or 156483 or both

 

[stu99]

Either 156448 or 156483 or both

Thanks and it was both.

 

[northwichcat]

Besides, they didn't do anything about the notorious Brexit Bus, so they're not going to do much about this.

People made too much fuss about the bus: https://e3.365dm.com/16/06/1096x616/gettyimages-531883850-1-2048x1536_3490755.jpg?20160626132012

These were more of an issue:
http://nowweknow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/15297449-large.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClzGY8aWkAAk-Ev.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGEqknUXcAId8eR.jpg

 

[61653 HTAFC]

People made too much fuss about the bus: https://e3.365dm.com/16/06/1096x616/gettyimages-531883850-1-2048x1536_3490755.jpg?20160626132012

These were more of an issue:
http://nowweknow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/15297449-large.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ClzGY8aWkAAk-Ev.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DGEqknUXcAId8eR.jpg

I meant the statement/message in general, but the bus was the most well-known example of it. Anyway, we're off-topic now.

 

[mikemcniven]

Had a chance for a visit to Newton Heath TMD today and had a look at the refurbishment onboard 150124 and it's amazing, the seats are comfy and look really nice with the new covering


Inside Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

And cause I can here's a couple of creative shots externally of 124

Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

 

[northwichcat]

Had a chance for a visit to Newton Heath TMD today and had a look at the refurbishment onboard 150124 and it's amazing, the seats are comfy and look really nice with the new covering

To avoid confusion 150142, which was being discussed just above your post, has a different style interior. Based on your photos it seems at least some of the 150s with Ashbourne seats are to retain them.

Have any 156s had their seats touched? I wonder if Northern still plan to replace the Chapman seating if it isn't going to go in to 150s instead.

 

[DJH1971]

I can confirm that 319450 is now in the new Northern livery.

On it currently on the 1740 MIA to LIV service

 

[507021]

I can confirm that 319450 is now in the new Northern livery.

On it currently on the 1740 MIA to LIV service

I mentioned this a week ago, but it's good to hear it's back out in service again. Has the interior been modified?

 

[DJH1971]

I mentioned this a week ago, but it's good to hear it's back out in service again. Has the interior been modified?

Nope, the interior has not been modified and still has the declassified first class section seats.

Surprised these haven't been taken out, likewise with the other 350/4's with Northern.

 

[Halish Railway]

Had a chance for a visit to Newton Heath TMD today and had a look at the refurbishment onboard 150124 and it's amazing, the seats are comfy and look really nice with the new covering


Inside Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

And cause I can here's a couple of creative shots externally of 124

Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


Northern 150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr


150124 by Mike McNiven, on Flickr

Great shots! It's annoying that you couldn't get a shot with the lights on.

Does it still retain the controversial airline style seats?