SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

[SWRtrainfan]

Slightly off-topic, but I just travelled on a 458 (didn't get the number, sorry) and the first-class seats had been replaced with the standard class ones, and different tables in FC. Are most 458s like this now?

 

[Goldfish62]

Slightly off-topic, but I just travelled on a 458 (didn't get the number, sorry) and the first-class seats had been replaced with the standard class ones, and different tables in FC. Are most 458s like this now?

That would be one of 458531-36, which are former Class 460s.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

That would be one of 458531-36, which are former Class 460s.

Ah right.

 

[Bigfoot]

Slightly off-topic, but I just travelled on a 458 (didn't get the number, sorry) and the first-class seats had been replaced with the standard class ones, and different tables in FC. Are most 458s like this now?

They've only been like this for pushing 4 years after conversion from 460s...

 

[SWRtrainfan]

I went on a 159 after a long time today, in the new SWR livery (which I do quite like), but one of the doors at the end of the train was out of use. Is this also the case with the SWT-liveried 159s? Why are they out of use?

 

[pompeyfan]

I went on a 159 after a long time today, in the new SWR livery (which I do quite like), but one of the doors at the end of the train was out of use. Is this also the case with the SWT-liveried 159s? Why are they out of use?

The leading door on 158, 159 and 442 stock operated by SWT and SWR is locked out of use to make sure passengers don’t congregate in the leading vestibule. This is because if the driver needs to get out on to the track passengers are not at risk of falling out the train and then juicing themselves.

 

[swt_passenger]

I went on a 159 after a long time today, in the new SWR livery (which I do quite like), but one of the doors at the end of the train was out of use. Is this also the case with the SWT-liveried 159s? Why are they out of use?

To add to pompeyfan’s earlier reply, the 159/0s have been like that since new, and the 159/1s and 158s since shortly after arriving on SWT.

 

[moley]

Any idea why it’s acceptable for GWR 158s to have the front door in use then?

 

[Bigfoot]

Any idea why it’s acceptable for GWR 158s to have the front door in use then?

Because they spend the majority of the time away from 3rd rail land.

 

[387star]

Fratton and Rowland castle have been repainted many others? Quite smart with the blue bands

 

[moley]

Because they spend the majority of the time away from 3rd rail land.

But surely either it’s safe over 3rd rail to have the leading internal door open or it’s not. I don’t see how the operator influences the safety case here.

What difference is there between a GWR 158 getting stuck, say, outside Fareham compared to a SWR 158?

 

[swt_passenger]

But surely either it’s safe over 3rd rail to have the leading internal door open or it’s not. I don’t see how the operator influences the safety case here.

What difference is there between a GWR 158 getting stuck, say, outside Fareham compared to a SWR 158?

I read in a previous discussion that the risk assessment was more to do with the 8 track railway near Waterloo, than the wider network.

 

[pompeyfan]

Great western 158s only go over Redbridge - Brighton, the majority of that is 2 track. The SWML is 4 track or more all the way from Worting to Waterloo, something about ASLEF BR WESSEX sticks in my head too.

 

[lewisf]

Fratton and Rowland castle have been repainted many others? Quite smart with the blue bands

Raynes Park has been done too

 

[SWRtrainfan]

SWR Desiro Refurbishment

NB: SWR Desiro refurbishment is currently being done at a slower rate due to class 442 delay

Unrefurbished 444s:

001, 002, 004, 011*, 012, 016, 017, 018, 021, 023, 024, 026, 028, 030, 031, 032, 036, 037, 043 (19 units)

The other 26 444s are refurbished.

Unrefurbished 450s:

Units 544-570 and

004, 009, 017, 021, 022, 023, 029, 034, 039, 042, 071, 072, 077, 088, 089*, 090, 096, 098, 101, 104, 107, 108, 116, 118, 120, 127 (53 units)

17 other 450s are partly refurbished.
57 other 450s are fully refurbished.

*currently being done to fully refurbished state

Let me know if any more trains have been refurbished and I will edit this post regularly

 

[lsdghasu]

Fratton and Rowland castle have been repainted many others? Quite smart with the blue bands

Farnborough & Camberley have been done. Farnbro has been done differently as where the blue bands are.

 

[winks]

How long will the blue bands (sticky tape) last at Fratton ? Lol

 

[K.o.R]

How long will the blue bands (sticky tape) last at Fratton ? Lol

I noticed that too. "Hang on, this isn't paint."

Fratton footbridge appears to be getting some big refurbishment done too. Hopefully it fixes those deathtrap stairs, crazy that they got into that state.

 

[pompeyfan]

I noticed that too. "Hang on, this isn't paint."

Fratton footbridge appears to be getting some big refurbishment done too. Hopefully it fixes those deathtrap stairs, crazy that they got into that state.

Fratton and Fareham both getting the same treatment with funds released from NR, let to believe it was a combination of gritting salt, and the south coast salty air corroding the steps. Hopefully the new surface they receive will be a long term fix considering the bridge is only about 10 years old.

 

[Deepgreen]

I made a journey via Guildford to Woking and back yesterday. I saw numerous 450s, and not one had any exterior identification of the first class areas at all. This included re-liveried examples. Old blue units had had their blue dots removed and nothing applied at the unit end sections where the first class has been moved to. They didn't even have a '1' on the doors or bodysides. This is a scandalous failure to provide basic passenger information, equally for those wishing to use or avoid first class. I simply don't believe that the process of moving first class accommodation could not include the relatively tiny time consumption of applying a yellow stripe and a '1'! Shambolic.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

I made a journey via Guildford to Woking and back yesterday. I saw numerous 450s, and not one had any exterior identification of the first class areas at all. This included re-liveried examples. Old blue units had had their blue dots removed and nothing applied at the unit end sections where the first class has been moved to. They didn't even have a '1' on the doors or bodysides. This is a scandalous failure to provide basic passenger information, equally for those wishing to use or avoid first class. I simply don't believe that the process of moving first class accommodation could not include the relatively tiny time consumption of applying a yellow stripe and a '1'! Shambolic.

The lastest refurbished 450s don't have any blue dots by the relocated first class, I have no idea why SWR haven't done that; it's a very easy task. They do have internal and external stickers saying "First Class", but they're fairly small and a bit hard to read.

 

[moley]

I made a journey via Guildford to Woking and back yesterday. I saw numerous 450s, and not one had any exterior identification of the first class areas at all. This included re-liveried examples. Old blue units had had their blue dots removed and nothing applied at the unit end sections where the first class has been moved to. They didn't even have a '1' on the doors or bodysides. This is a scandalous failure to provide basic passenger information, equally for those wishing to use or avoid first class. I simply don't believe that the process of moving first class accommodation could not include the relatively tiny time consumption of applying a yellow stripe and a '1'! Shambolic.

Markings on the outside of trains was necessary in the era of no passenger information systems. Not just does every SWR station now have PIS, but it should also be updated to inform passengers of train length and first class locations.

Therefore external markings on trains shouldn't be necessary.

Internal markings are require to inform a passenger that they are entering a premium ticket area.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

Not just does every SWR station now have PIS, but it should also be updated to inform passengers of train length and first class locations.
Therefore external markings on trains shouldn't be necessary.

Yes, I've noticed that SWR never provide information on location of First Class at stations in announcements/in the CIS like other operators, any idea why?

 

[moley]

Yes, I've noticed that SWR never provide information on location of First Class at stations in announcements/in the CIS like other operators, any idea why?

I think it’s at the mercy of the origin station. Often I’m at Fratton and first class location follows train length.

 

[Deepgreen]

Markings on the outside of trains was necessary in the era of no passenger information systems. Not just does every SWR station now have PIS, but it should also be updated to inform passengers of train length and first class locations.

Therefore external markings on trains shouldn't be necessary.

Internal markings are require to inform a passenger that they are entering a premium ticket area.

You are joking, I assume?! Apart from the legal requirements for many external markings, it is naive to assume that any PIS will be anywhere near reliable enough to replace physical markings, or that passengers who don't have sight of a PIS (all-too-likely given the poor siting of so many!) should be able to guess where first class, bike space, etc., are.

 

[Deepgreen]

The lastest refurbished 450s don't have any blue dots by the relocated first class, I have no idea why SWR haven't done that; it's a very easy task. They do have internal and external stickers saying "First Class", but they're fairly small and a bit hard to read.

Better still, simply apply the traditional yellow stripe, as they have with the 159s and 442s. Really easy and quick to apply and hugely more visible than the stupid blue dots!

 

[Monty]

Better still, simply apply the traditional yellow stripe, as they have with the 159s and 442s. Really easy and quick to apply and hugely more visible than the stupid blue dots!

Probably waiting to have the units repainted before wasting vinyl labels on them. I imagine they have ceased using SWT 'blue dots' because they have run out.

 

[nuts & bolts]

Better still, simply apply the traditional yellow stripe, as they have with the 159s and 442s. Really easy and quick to apply and hugely more visible than the stupid blue dots!

Once all the 450's have been fully refurbed, units will be returned to have the yellow stripes applied above the 1st class areas.

 

[moley]

You are joking, I assume?! Apart from the legal requirements for many external markings, it is naive to assume that any PIS will be anywhere near reliable enough to replace physical markings, or that passengers who don't have sight of a PIS (all-too-likely given the poor siting of so many!) should be able to guess where first class, bike space, etc., are.

No joking at all. The day where a yellow stripe and a 1 in the window was the only way to identify 1st class are over.

In fact, when I used to travel first class on slam door stock, I was never told by ticket sales staff to look out for a yellow stripe. Nor was this information on timetables.

So while a yellow stripe mighty be great for staff and enthusiasts, to the average person buying a first class ticket (especially for the first time), it’s no use because it doesn’t mean anything.

 

[Ethano92]

This included re-liveried examples.

As far as I'm aware, no desiros have been painted in the revised livery (no stripes) and so no desiros' exteriors are complete. Yellow stripes will likely come about when the Desiros are repainted from next year