SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

[RealTrains07]

159019 is en route from Salisbury to Loughborough for its C6 - which, as established, includes repaint, bodywork repair and new interior.

Its great how they have been able to do the exterior work on the 158s and 159s and interior work at the same time but cant with the 450s and 444s

 

[59CosG95]

Its great how they have been able to do the exterior work on the 158s and 159s and interior work at the same time but cant with the 450s and 444s

Different contract. The 450s and 444s aren't getting a C6, so don't need to be rubbed down for bodywork repairs - after which they would need a repaint.
Besides, the 159/1s and 5 of the 158/8s have already had their C6, when SWT still ran the show - they got repainted into SWT Revised livery. 158887, 158888 & 158890 all got SWR colours, only because the franchise changed hands when they were being overhauled. They, and the first handful of 159/0s, still have SWT interiors.

 

[swt_passenger]

Its great how they have been able to do the exterior work on the 158s and 159s and interior work at the same time but cant with the 450s and 444s

The different types of trains are on completely different life cycles. It should be expected that the maintenance periodicities of BR ERA DMUs and post privatisation EMUs are not directly comparable. Interior items, exterior, engines where fitted and bogies (some motored) are all maintained separately, some on hours run and some on calendar years since new. So just because a few trains have their C6 overhaul and interior refurbishment coinciding, that will be the exception.

The 450s and 444s were going through bogie overhauls for the few years prior to the franchise change anyway.

 

[TEW]

Saw mention recently that SWR have got the contract from Siemens for the Desiro repaint, so presumably that work will be taking place at Bournemouth once the interior refit is finished.

 

[swt_passenger]

Saw mention recently that SWR have got the contract from Siemens for the Desiro repaint, so presumably that work will be taking place at Bournemouth once the interior refit is finished.

Am I right in thinking the updated paint facility at Bournemouth was going to complete the 455 fleet, then the 442s, and only then start on the Desiros? Presumably it was a fairly easy decision for Siemens, as there’s not that many competing facilities?

 

[TEW]

Am I right in thinking the updated paint facility at Bournemouth was going to complete the 455 fleet, then the 442s, and only then start on the Desiros? Presumably it was a fairly easy decision for Siemens, as there’s not that many competing facilities?

I wouldn't have thought it was too difficult a decision, but it was only last week that I saw it mentioned that the work was actually going to be done by SWR. I believe the 455s were the first fleet repainted in the new facilities.

 

[59CosG95]

Am I right in thinking the updated paint facility at Bournemouth was going to complete the 455 fleet, then the 442s, and only then start on the Desiros? Presumably it was a fairly easy decision for Siemens, as there’s not that many competing facilities?

The 442s are pretty much all done as it stands (bar a couple which haven't reared their heads onto the mainline since 2017).

 

[RealTrains07]

Travelling on a ‘fully refurbished’ 444
New seats and blue grips, posters and updated information is all good and all but the old orange looks really ugly when matched against the old blue, any plans for the poles near the doors to be repainted into blue, i heard the door buttons are meant to be yellow to match the colour on the exterior

 

[swt_passenger]

Travelling on a ‘fully refurbished’ 444
New seats and blue grips, posters and updated information is all good and all but the old orange looks really ugly when matched against the old blue, any plans for the poles near the doors to be repainted into blue, i heard the door buttons are meant to be yellow to match the colour on the exterior

I think we are unaware of plans to replace the poles and grab rails, as has been discussed many times already.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

Its great how they have been able to do the exterior work on the 158s and 159s and interior work at the same time but cant with the 450s and 444s

I don't think the SWR 158s have had any interior refurbishment yet or have they?

 

[59CosG95]

I don't think the SWR 158s have had any interior refurbishment yet or have they?

They haven't yet, no. Nor have the 159/1s. Only the 159/0s have had interior refurbishments.

 

[TEW]

The 159/0s have not had the full refurbishment either, that is to come later. Presumably the 158s and 159/1s will be done at the same time.

 

[swt_passenger]

The 159/0s have not had the full refurbishment either, that is to come later. Presumably the 158s and 159/1s will be done at the same time.

In fact (having now checked it) the franchise agreement shows the 158 and 159 interior changes being due in Dec 2020. So they could actually spend all of next year on them, once the Desiros are finished, and still be on time...

 

[59CosG95]

The 159/0s have not had the full refurbishment either, that is to come later. Presumably the 158s and 159/1s will be done at the same time.

Indeed - all the 159/0s have had is a change of upholstery. I eagerly await the full refurb, with plug sockets and all the other goodness SWR has planned.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

All that's changed with the semi-refurbished 159s is the standard class seat covers and carpets.

 

[pompeyfan]

Still sat here waiting for the updated all singing all dancing PIS that was promised on the desiros. As it stands the ASDO announcements are also incorrect, especially on 9 car hybrid sets.

 

[swt_passenger]

Still sat here waiting for the updated all singing all dancing PIS that was promised on the desiros. As it stands the ASDO announcements are also incorrect, especially on 9 car hybrid sets.

The new PIS displays have a separate deadline in the franchise agreement of Dec 2020.

Are they likely to fix the ASDO given that 9 car sets are not normally diagrammed?

 

[Bigfoot]

Still sat here waiting for the updated all singing all dancing PIS that was promised on the desiros. As it stands the ASDO announcements are also incorrect, especially on 9 car hybrid sets.

Asdo always works on worst case scenario depending on hybrid orientation.

 

[pompeyfan]

Asdo always works on worst case scenario depending on hybrid orientation.

Having travelled in a bit that was not accommodated, the PIS announced front 8, when the system only released (correctly) the front 7. I did report it.

Thanks for the correction regarding the real-time PIS update.

 

[moley]

I think we are unaware of plans to replace the poles and grab rails, as has been discussed many times already.

In the 444 refurbishment, additional grab poles are installed in the ex-buffet carriage. These are orange. Believe the orange colour meets disability regs whereas the light blue doesn't. The grab handles on seat tops are not part of the disability regs therefore can be any colour.

 

[Dougal2345]

The new mini-first class compartments at each end of the 450 are a real boon for commuters on the 'scum line' between Pokesdown and New Milton.

All the little scrotes congregate in them to play their music, shout and throw things around, leaving the standard class sections unusually peaceful

 

[RealTrains07]

In the 444 refurbishment, additional grab poles are installed in the ex-buffet carriage. These are orange. Believe the orange colour meets disability regs whereas the light blue doesn't. The grab handles on seat tops are not part of the disability regs therefore can be any colour.

Is that all franchises? Cause ill be surprised if LNR new green poles will be compliant.

Never heard of the colour of hand rails being an issue

 

[hwl]

Is that all franchises? Cause ill be surprised if LNR new green poles will be compliant.

Never heard of the colour of hand rails being an issue

It is the contrast of the pole (or grab handles) against the background / surroundings as seen by a user that matters (i.e. variation in tonal depth) not the colour as such that matters. LU had the same issue with Victoria Line and going form the old to new stock, Light blue against a beige-ish background doesn't work if you think in black and white TV picture mode.

PS to add:
Green will be fine for LNR
As an idiot proof set of colours for hand rails the full set of IEC electrical wire insulation colours (including DC) is good place to start.

 

[swt_passenger]

It is the contrast of the pole (or grab handles) against the background / surroundings as seen by a user that matters (i.e. variation in tonal depth) not the colour as such that matters. LU had the same issue with Victoria Line and going form the old to new stock, Light blue against a beige-ish background doesn't work if you think in black and white TV picture mode.

... and there’s actually a significant amount of light blue background on a Desiro...

 

[TEW]

The orange poles are gone from the refurbished 159s though. IIRC, they are a silverly/grey colour, which is in keeping with the SWR branding. SWR yellow would have been another option. The orange just makes it look like a half job. (Not that the poles are the only thing that give that impression.)

 

[SWRtrainfan]

IIRC, they are a silverly/grey colour

I did travel on a refurbished 159 recently, the poles are dark blue by the vestibule doors, and a silver-ish colour by the doors. I wonder why they've changed on the 159s but not on the Desiros...

 

[RealTrains07]

I did travel on a refurbished 159 recently, the poles are dark blue by the vestibule doors, and a silver-ish colour by the doors. I wonder why they've changed on the 159s but not on the Desiros...

Layout?? Mabye i guess it just depends since the 159/158 and 444 have slightly more in common compared to the 450 by having end doors so less handrails and poles??

 

[RealTrains07]

The orange poles are gone from the refurbished 159s though. IIRC, they are a silverly/grey colour, which is in keeping with the SWR branding. SWR yellow would have been another option. The orange just makes it look like a half job. (Not that the poles are the only thing that give that impression.)

Yeah, yellow would be an improvement although i would still say its quite ugly since i have had desiros with yellow rails/grips and its far too bright compared to the colour scheme of that company

Interesting really cause you dont have to have different colours poles on buses as far as i know?

 

[387star]

So are the blue bands painted on at stations stuck on? A few have them torn off in that case leaving a tape mark

 

[Goldfish62]

Yeah, yellow would be an improvement although i would still say its quite ugly since i have had desiros with yellow rails/grips and its far too bright compared to the colour scheme of that company

Interesting really cause you dont have to have different colours poles on buses as far as i know?

On buses there is the requirement for colour contrasting poles, although what's defined as colour contrasting these days seems to be open to interpretation by the VCA (vehicle certification agency)! What definitely isn't allowed is bare chrome/stainless steel.