Trivia: BR era stock closest to its original condition

[superjohn]

What do we think is the BR era stock, still in mainline service, that is closest to its original state?

I’ll nominate my inspiration for starting this thread, the Greater Anglia class 317/5 units. The various class 317 subclasses have been subject to varying degrees of internal refurbishment but I believe the /5 has had the most superficial of changes. The seats and seating layout are original, as is the panelling and lighting. The ‘press and hold’ rubber door buttons have even survived to this day despite newer designs having been replaced on other stock. It would really only take restoration of the tartan seat fabric and large tubular metal grab handles between the seats to closely recreate their interior at entry to service, at least as I remember it when they started being used out of King’s Cross.

I believe there is also one former LO class 313 with low backed seats still soldiering on with Great Northern. That might be in with a look as well.

 

[Saperstein]

On the outside 313201 in BR blue livery working West and East coastway on Southern?


Saperstein.

 

[Mikey C]

Other than the Brush examples being fitted with Hitachi equipment, the Networkers are still pretty original, the same seating (other than the 1st class installed on the 465/9), the steamed up windows, the peeling floors...

The 466s will probably be most original, as they are GEC powered and don't have many of the PRM mods either

 

[SeanG]

Pacers with the bench seats seem pretty original

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Pacers with the bench seats seem pretty original

The ones that were stored for a period after the Oldham Loop closed (and IIRC went to FGW for a while) still have the original (or close to it) seating layout, I think with only the end sections having some of the longitudinal seats removed to create space for bikes. Oh, and the rearmost-but-one pair of seats in the non-toilet cars being flipped so there isn't a facing bay unlike on the 144s. Most of the bus-seated ones had extra luggage racks fitted in NWT/FNW days though.
At the start of the previous Northern (Serco/NedRail) franchise, there were a few 150/2s that still had their seats covered in the original moquette from when they were new in the 1980s.

 

[bramling]

What do we think is the BR era stock, still in mainline service, that is closest to its original state?

I’ll nominate my inspiration for starting this thread, the Greater Anglia class 317/5 units. The various class 317 subclasses have been subject to varying degrees of internal refurbishment but I believe the /5 has had the most superficial of changes. The seats and seating layout are original, as is the panelling and lighting. The ‘press and hold’ rubber door buttons have even survived to this day despite newer designs having been replaced on other stock. It would really only take restoration of the tartan seat fabric and large tubular metal grab handles between the seats to closely recreate their interior at entry to service, at least as I remember it when they started being used out of King’s Cross.

I believe there is also one former LO class 313 with low backed seats still soldiering on with Great Northern. That might be in with a look as well.

I’d say the following:
- the two remaining FCC 313/1s whose interior is largely original (particularly the seats). Nonetheless they were refurbished by Silverlink with a few changes like extra grab rails.
- 317337-348 are pretty much original bar things like seat cushions and some interior colours. On the outside they had a few mods like electronic destination indicators, LED door hazard lights et cetera
- how about some of the low-numbered 319s? Not been on any of these for a while. I’m guessing any with original interior may well be the stored ones?

321s I think can be ruled out as they’ve had a few changes like carpets and new lighting.

465s and 323s aren’t massively changed bar paint scheme and seat covers - although that will change as PRM takes hold.

On the diesel front any 150 or 142 with original seating may well qualify, also if there’s any 156s or 158s with original seating (Scotrail / Northern respectively). The SWT 159s retain original seating but have had quite a few mods.

 

[hexagon789]

314s? Other than the seat moquette and livery I don't think they've changed much in 40 years.

 

[Fleetwood Boy]

314 gets my vote. A few external repaints and new moquette is about all that’s changed. Even got the original destination blinds I believe.

 

[yorksrob]

At the start of the previous Northern (Serco/NedRail) franchise, there were a few 150/2s that still had their seats covered in the original moquette from when they were new in the 1980s.

Yes, blue, orange and red stripe as I recall.

 

[GrimShady]

314

There are some very poor Northern 158s going about with original open/close controls in the toilets. Some look like they haven't been cleaned since 1990.

 

[urpert]

The 319/0s were basically untouched from NSE days when they left Thameslink. They still had their Eddie Ponds too.