Class 185 refurbishment for TPE.

[_toommm_]

Had the pleasure of being in First Class on a ride on the 19:00 Meadowhall to Piccadilly on Christmas Eve. While I didn't book First Class for the provisions (it was the last service of the night heading to Piccadilly until 27th December), I booked it for the comfier seats and guarantee of just that, and it turned out to be 185137 which was refurbished, and it certainly was an enjoyable journey with the area to myself. The seat was comfy (especially in the relaxed position) and the noise insulation worked like a charm.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Having for the first time in a while sat on an unrefurbished example today it simply reinforced how good the refurbishment has been. In my opinion.

Just wish they would update the content on ExStream more often!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Having for the first time in a while sat on an unrefurbished example today it simply reinforced how good the refurbishment has been. In my opinion.

Just wish they would update the content on ExStream more often!

I'm still not convinced (though to be fair I'm unlikely ever to be) that the ExStream thing and similar services are any good. I know technology has moved on since then, but those VoloTV or whatever they were called on FGW were rubbish as well as being expensive to use. Much like the audio system on Voyagers and Pendolinos I predict that it won't last and it'll be shelved by this time next year.

 

[Agent_Squash]

I'm still not convinced (though to be fair I'm unlikely ever to be) that the ExStream thing and similar services are any good. I know technology has moved on since then, but those VoloTV or whatever they were called on FGW were rubbish as well as being expensive to use. Much like the audio system on Voyagers and Pendolinos I predict that it won't last and it'll be shelved by this time next year.

VT do put a lot of effort into advertising BEAM, and from my journeys I’ve seen a lot of people (in both first and standard) using it. And besides, if you’ve got the capability to provide such a service, why not?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

VT do put a lot of effort into advertising BEAM, and from my journeys I’ve seen a lot of people (in both first and standard) using it. And besides, if you’ve got the capability to provide such a service, why not?

Well, I'm prepared to be proved wrong... it just strikes me as a bit unnecessary. No harm in it though, probably increases the uptake of the charged-for WiFi too, I suppose.

 

[43096]

Well, I'm prepared to be proved wrong... it just strikes me as a bit unnecessary. No harm in it though, probably increases the uptake of the charged-for WiFi too, I suppose.

VTEC have been advertising it as being similar to in-flight entertainment, which is probably a good way of promoting it. Certainly better than the volo:TV thing on FGW which completely missed the mark, coming out just as tablet devices became commonplace.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

VTEC have been advertising it as being similar to in-flight entertainment, which is probably a good way of promoting it. Certainly better than the volo:TV thing on FGW which completely missed the mark, coming out just as tablet devices became commonplace.

Showing my bias here, but that strikes me as typical Beardy: "Look, it's like being on a plane! Planes are cool!"

Anyway, I've led us off-topic so I'll stop. Apologies.

 

[507021]

Are the Class 185s still being named? I read on here 185144 was to be named Gracie, but I haven't heard anything since.

 

[JaJaWa]

Well, I'm prepared to be proved wrong... it just strikes me as a bit unnecessary. No harm in it though, probably increases the uptake of the charged-for WiFi too, I suppose.

It’s more of a cost-saving measure for the TOC - they are becoming obligated to offer free WiFi and it benefits them if passengers use their streaming services as it doesn’t use up the WiFi capacity (as videos are stored on an onboard server).

 

[Liverpool 507]

I had the pleasure of having 185135 on the 08:13 from Liverpool Lime Street to York this morning, the refurb is phenomenal compared to unrefurbished 185110 this evening on my return to Liverpool. How many units have been refurbished now?

 

[Goldie]

Six cars on Scarborough - Liverpool on Saturday. Felt quite spoiled.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

Are the Class 185s still being named? I read on here 185144 was to be named Gracie, but I haven't heard anything since.

neither have we internally, but the "Name the Fleet" initiative generated the brand name Nova. Lets just saystaff are less than enthusiastic.....

 

[darylyates17]

How many units have been refurbished as of now as its been a while since the last update

 

[gimmea50anyday]

company propaganda says we are now half way through the interior refit. The new style Catering cupboards however have not yet started to be fitted although the design has now been revealed

 

[Bletchleyite]

neither have we internally, but the "Name the Fleet" initiative generated the brand name Nova. Lets just saystaff are less than enthusiastic.....

So what of the name of the Class 185 fleet once all done? Chevette? Victor?

 

[humbersidejim]

Cavalier!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Cavalier!

I thought about that, but it kind-of implies a lackadaisical ("cavalier") attitude to the refurb, which it is anything but, it is of very high quality (even if it does hark a bit back to East German compartment stock in terms of colour scheme).

"Astra" might genuinely be a good one as it fits the theme, though Vauxhall may object.

 

[fowler9]

I thought about that, but it kind-of implies a lackadaisical ("cavalier") attitude to the refurb, which it is anything but, it is of very high quality (even if it does hark a bit back to East German compartment stock in terms of colour scheme).

"Astra" might genuinely be a good one as it fits the theme, though Vauxhall may object.

Well why not Cavalier then. Nova means doesn't go in Spanish. Ha ha. (Alright, two separate words). I agree with you though, have been on a few and really like the refurb, can't wait to try First class.

As an aside I once read an article about brand names that don't work abroad. If I remember correctly in China they use characters so the name sounds the same as in the West. Apparently Pepsi Cola meant "Brings Esteemed Relatives Back To Life". Also my mum used to shorten my dads name to Mal. I can only imagine what the locals were thinking when she was calling his name out in a French supermarket.

 

[507021]

So what of the name of the Class 185 fleet once all done? Chevette? Victor?

I'd go for Chevette.

 

[Mordac]

Well why not Cavalier then. Nova means doesn't go in Spanish. Ha ha. (Alright, two separate words). I agree with you though, have been on a few and really like the refurb, can't wait to try First class.

As an aside I once read an article about brand names that don't work abroad. If I remember correctly in China they use characters so the name sounds the same as in the West. Apparently Pepsi Cola meant "Brings Esteemed Relatives Back To Life". Also my mum used to shorten my dads name to Mal. I can only imagine what the locals were thinking when she was calling his name out in a French supermarket.

Not to mention the Kia Provo... Didn't go down very well here.

 

[ValleyLines142]

How many units have been internally refurbished now? Saw 185126 at Oxenholme on Monday but couldn't see whether it was done or not.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

How many units have been internally refurbished now? Saw 185126 at Oxenholme on Monday but couldn't see whether it was done or not.

Still a fair few that haven't been refurbished but they're getting rarer. Saw 108 (one of the first repaints) at Dewsbury earlier and it was still purple inside. As was the unit I got minutes later, though I didn't note the number of that one.

 

[Starmill]

It’s more of a cost-saving measure for the TOC - they are becoming obligated to offer free WiFi and it benefits them if passengers use their streaming services as it doesn’t use up the WiFi capacity (as videos are stored on an onboard server).

I think Spotify might be blocked by TransPennine's wifi. This is understandable, but a surprise as it is permitted by Virgin Trains', and more surprisingly Chiltern and Grand Central's. It's probably not blocked on others too, as TransPennine is the only palce I've noticed it.

I can see why the likes of Netflix and BBC IPlayer ought to be blocked, I assume they are in general, but have never tried watching them over train wifi.

 

[Halish Railway]

I think Spotify might be blocked by TransPennine's wifi. This is understandable, but a surprise as it is permitted by Virgin Trains', and more surprisingly Chiltern and Grand Central's. It's probably not blocked on others too, as TransPennine is the only palce I've noticed it.

I've had Spotify work on TPE wifi a couple of months ago before so it might be a recent thing. Oddly Spotify and Snapchat work on Northern Class 333 wifi but only when only a few people are using wifi.

 

[gimmea50anyday]

some tablet based games that require an online connection are blocked too (Forge of Empires for one)

theres only so much bandwidth available and potentially shared between up to 180 people (unlikely I know) thats a lot of data being transmitted across the 3G network trying to triangulate a train moving at 100mph!

 

[gimmea50anyday]

the last official report stated they were half way - this was easter - but problems with supply means some will be going back in again for 1st class flip tables, plug sockets and retrofitting of the new catering cupboards. Quality contol will also see some units recalled

 

[61653 HTAFC]

the last official report stated they were half way - this was easter - but problems with supply means some will be going back in again for 1st class flip tables, plug sockets and retrofitting of the new catering cupboards. Quality contol will also see some units recalled

Can't say I'd noticed any quality issues, but then I'm usually only on for ten minutes at a time, and almost always in the ballroom or a vestibule!

 

[gimmea50anyday]

It's mainly attention to detail stuff, seat numbers incorrect, paint overstay or not painted, reservation label holders not cleared of jammed in paper , fablon poorly applied. Seat covers are also splitting and leather stitching coming undone. Also this is only an interior refurbishment and none of the trains systems or mechanics that have been troublesome over the years are being dealt with.

An improvement it still is, however it could have been done a lot better

 

[Philip]

Can anyone provide an updated list of the refurbished units please? Can confirm as of today that '104 is still in the old garb.

 

[Crossforth]

185118 was released into traffic yesterday having been refurbished.