Arriva Trains Wales New 153 Seats

[Greenback]

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but this morning I was on an ATW 153 which appeared to have brand new seats installed. They even smelled new! After pinching myself several times, I decided I wasn't dreaming! I'd like to know if this is just a one off, or whether ATW actually intend to spend more money by replacing the seats in other units?!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

yep refurbs have started I heard on the grapevine that it's 153's, 158's and 175's in line for a refurb. Really freshens up the 153

 

[Greenback]

It does indeed, I almost forgot I was on a 153!

 

[asylumxl]

OMG! ATW stock being refurbed?!

 

[tbtc]

I checked to see whether this thread was started on the First of April!

 

[Greenback]

I checked to see whether this thread was started on the First of April!

I didn't really believe it myself. I was dazed for 20 minutes...

 

[Pumbaa]

Oh dear, Merlodilw isn't going to be able to sleep for a while...

Seriously though, about bloody time!

 

[90019]

Oh dear, Merlodilw isn't going to be able to sleep for a while...

But by refurbing them, they'll have some trains out of service, so they'll have less stock whilst it's going on and there'll be overcrowding!!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

well i've noticed on sundays there seems to be shed loads of 150's and 153s running full and standing, even I'll admit that is a shambles.
It's nice to finally see some refurbishment going on, it's been a long time coming, might have to done into db colours soon though lol

 

[krus_aragon]

But by refurbing them, they'll have some trains out of service, so they'll have less stock whilst it's going on and there'll be overcrowding!!

At a guess, have they started now because the ERTMS fitting on the 158s is done, and the pool is back up to strength?

 

[tbtc]

From what I hear, a refurbished 153 should be perfect for the WAG express, and free up the locohauled stock for a line that is actually busy (like Merthyr)!

(removes tongue from cheek)

 

[northwichcat]

might have to done into db colours soon though lol

DB will want the trains to have red fronts and rears rather than yellow.

 

[WillPS]

I'm sure they'll just deal with red everywhere else, as with DBS.

 

[Techniquest]

Shocked to hear work on the 153s has finally begun, taken long enough!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I'm sure they'll just deal with red everywhere else, as with DBS.

mind you how many DB engines have seen a repaint? lol
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Shocked to hear work on the 153s has finally begun, taken long enough!

I liked them how they were!

 

[Fincra5]

I reckon DB will keep they Arriva Branding for a while. Its not like Chiltern is red all over

 

[Bakers1970]

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but this morning I was on an ATW 153 which appeared to have brand new seats installed. They even smelled new! After pinching myself several, I decided I wasn't dreaming! I'd like to know if this is just a one off, or whether ATW actually intend to spend more money by replacing the seats in other units?
Yes ATW will be refurbing all of their fleet of 153's.......

 

[387star]

Am I missing something... is ATW being taken over by DB? Crosscountry>?

 

[jopsuk]

See General folder- Arriva being bought by DB

 

[northwichcat]

Any pictures of the refurb?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I reckon DB will keep they Arriva Branding for a while. Its not like Chiltern is red all over

Depends if they keep the same approach. National Express didn't used NE branding with Wales & Borders and Central Trains, but when they took over East Coast it was NX this and NX that.

 

[Pumbaa]

Db have stated the Arriva brand will remain. So no change.

 

[tbtc]

Db have stated the Arriva brand will remain. So no change.

That'll stop some of the speculation we've had

Would be better to keep things as they are for the duration of this franchise, and concentrate on a rolling programe of unit refurbishments, not changing the livery again

 

[TDK]

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but this morning I was on an ATW 153 which appeared to have brand new seats installed. They even smelled new! After pinching myself several, I decided I wasn't dreaming! I'd like to know if this is just a one off, or whether ATW actually intend to spend more money by replacing the seats in othe runits?!

Sorry to be a humbug but changing seats is not a refurb? To be honest 153's should be decommisioned as they are a pile of ****, they are too heavy, too slow, a nightmare to drive as they have no WSP and if the engine fails you are out of service, 150's should replace all 153 diagrams or 153's should be run in multiple

 

[Greenback]

I'm just happy they've got new seats! They are more comfortable than the old ones!

 

[merlodlliw]

I'm just happy they've got new seats! They are more comfortable than the onld ones!

Good morning Greenback.

I agree with TDK new seats are not a refurb, however it is a pleasant change
to see ATW trying to make these awful trains more comfortable, and concentrate on its franchise. I travelled on one last week between Crewe & Chester, 20 minutes seemed like 40.

 

[TDK]

Good morning Greenback.

I agree with TDK new seats are not a refurb, however it is a pleasant change
to see ATW trying to make these awful trains more comfortable, and concentrate on its franchise. I travelled on one last week between Crewe & Chester, 20 minutes seemed like 40.

They could have refurbed a lot more if they hadn't wasted their cash on the London bid, to be fair they took the franchise on a shoestring and they knew then they would not be funded for any new stock or refurbishment like many other TOC's but when WAG money is wasted on bubble cars, the London bid and training for Class 50's you tend to thing the whole thing has been very poorly managed!

 

[northwichcat]

Good morning Greenback.

I agree with TDK new seats are not a refurb, however it is a pleasant change
to see ATW trying to make these awful trains more comfortable, and concentrate on its franchise. I travelled on one last week between Crewe & Chester, 20 minutes seemed like 40.

The ATW Sprinters aren't in brilliant condition but you're lucky you weren't on a Northern unit.

With 150/153s on Chester-Crewe it does seem a bit weird as the train is doing top speed from the near the start to near the finish of the journey and no intermediate stops, which doesn't happen on many services run by 150s and 153s.

 

[TDK]

The ATW Sprinters aren't in brilliant condition but you're lucky you weren't on a Northern unit.

With 150/153s on Chester-Crewe it does seem a bit weird as the train is doing top speed from the near the start to near the finish of the journey and no intermediate stops, which doesn't happen on many services run by 150s and 153s.

Leaving Chester you will be lucky to make 75mph (153 top speed) for 5 miles, heap of rubbish I say, they should be restricted to the HOW line only

 

[175001]

I'm pretty sure I saw a 153 with Greyish seats last week when we past it in the Loop at Llandrindod on the HoW?!

 

[Greenback]

I'm pretty sure I saw a 153 with Greyish seats last week when we past it in the Loop at Llandrindod on the HoW?!

Yes, the new seats are a dark greyish colour. Very shiny too (at the moment!)