EMR Regional and Connect refurbishments

[liamf656]

In which case, why not just say no? My bold comes across as irritatingly sanctimonious.

I'm glad you said that, it's not the first time these smug comments have been made!

Hopefully the rest of the refurbishment will go quicker now that the first unit is nearly done and the team have some experience.

This is definitely expected for both the 158/170 fleets. I'm not sure if it was mentioned in here but the issue with 170501 was to do with the floor, which should hopefully be prevented on the rest of the 170s. The 360s are having slight issues with their PIS systems delaying the start to their refurbishment but hopefully that'll pick up too

 

[bunnahabhain]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

 

[fgwrich]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Now that is class. Knocks the XC refurb out of the park and really makes a difference to these ex LM units. Looking forward to when they enter service!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Looks very good indeed. Possibly even worth the long wait.

 

[trainswitheddy]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

That does look very good. Looks a lot warmer than previous designs but must say the seats look a bit thin. Have to get on one when they're out to find out!

 

[tram21]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Ooh wow that looks absolutely amazing!!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Looks classy, a bit half way between the Class 185 and Chiltern. However I do wish TOCs would stop using the legroom-sapping FISA LEAN - it's comfortable enough but its really thick back is incredibly wasteful of space. (The seat near the camera seems to have lots of space but I guess that's a priority row?)

Also I fear the light-coloured fabric will stain easily. Is it flat cloth? If so they will regret that soon!

Fake (presumably) leather headrests good though, they are the part of the seat that seems to get mucky easiest, between hair gel and people who can't be bothered washing their hair often enough.

 

[fgwrich]

Also I fear the light-coloured fabric will stain easily. Is it flat cloth? If so they will regret that soon!

Fake (presumably) leather headrests good though, they are the part of the seat that seems to get mucky easiest, between hair gel and people who can't be bothered washing their hair often enough.

SWR says Hello…

One reason why GWR’s LA19 HST set was pretty rank towards the end.

 

[QSK19]

I also concur that it looks fab. We’ve suffered long enough and hopefully seeing it in the flesh makes it all worth the wait.

 

[Failed Unit]

I assume that EMR not going to have a default layout at the end of all of this, with the seating plans varying depending on if the unit is a ex Anglia, Scotrail or West Midlands.

 

[43096]

However I do wish TOCs would stop using the legroom-sapping FISA LEAN - it's comfortable enough but its really thick back is incredibly wasteful of space.

The FISA LEAN is about the best seat around currently, so good to see it being used more.

 

[Discuss223]

My bold comes across as irritatingly sanctimonious.

Agreed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Wow, that's not what I was expecting.

The partition walls are still in the 1990s light grey speckled pattern.

There is a lot of discolouration visible on the plastic elements of the interior.

The lighting basin on the roof looks dirty still.

To renew the seating and leave the interior walls looking like this is a shame.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[RealTrains07]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

Surprised they went with light grey for the hand rails as the colour doesn't stand out well compared to the purple

 

[Discuss223]

There doesn't seem to be a strict adherence to the house colour schemes of the company.

I was expecting there to be more purple.

This refurbishment is similar to one that Wales & West did on their DMUs when they replaced the seats and carpets but left the walls and roof untouched.

 

[bunnahabhain]

Now that is class. Knocks the XC refurb out of the park and really makes a difference to these ex LM units. Looking forward to when they enter service!

Yes I had a conversation with somebody involved in both refurbs and he said the EMR finish is far superior to the XC finish.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

Looks classy, a bit half way between the Class 185 and Chiltern. However I do wish TOCs would stop using the legroom-sapping FISA LEAN - it's comfortable enough but its really thick back is incredibly wasteful of space. (The seat near the camera seems to have lots of space but I guess that's a priority row?)

Also I fear the light-coloured fabric will stain easily. Is it flat cloth? If so they will regret that soon!

Fake (presumably) leather headrests good though, they are the part of the seat that seems to get mucky easiest, between hair gel and people who can't be bothered washing their hair often enough.

The fabric is moquette and looks and feels like it will be very hard wearing.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

Agreed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==


Wow, that's not what I was expecting.

The partition walls are still in the 1990s light grey speckled pattern.

There is a lot of discolouration visible on the plastic elements of the interior.

The lighting basin on the roof looks dirty still.

To renew the seating and leave the interior walls looking like this is a shame.

Thank you for sharing.

It will hopefully be sorted for later units, but I can't say more than that.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

There doesn't seem to be a strict adherence to the house colour schemes of the company.

I was expecting there to be more purple.

This refurbishment is similar to one that Wales & West did on their DMUs when they replaced the seats and carpets but left the walls and roof untouched.

The saloon ends are very purple indeed, but not really visible.

 

[Liam L]

Update: None of the ECS moves took place today.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2025 ==


Yes, however they are for my eyes only.

'for my eyes only'

A simple No would of been enough here instead your making yourself sound abit arrogant in my opinion.

 

[Pippy1505]

170501 will move Crewe - Etches Park as 5D74 at 0914 on Wed 19/03/2025 with 170503 moving Etches Park - Crewe at 1342 as 5K74 on the same day.

 

[swinny1990]

I do like the black on the back of the seats the interior looks warm cosy

 

[43102EMR]

I have plenty of my own but I can't share publically, but I can share this from internal comms.

That looks fantastic, all the more better considering this refurbishment almost never happened. Looking forward to trying it out!

 

[QSK19]

Yes, however they are for my eyes only.

I know you’re getting a bit of a kicking here; however, I do agree that the extension to your comment does raise an eyebrow. No doubt many on here are eagerly awaiting the refurbishment; however to dangle a carrot over them with no chance of reaching it isn’t good.

All the info you (like other “insiders”) do give is much appreciated, however.

 

[driverd]

The lighting basin on the roof looks dirty still.

If we can avoid LED lighting that emits more lumens than the sun, I'm all here for it.

To renew the seating and leave the interior walls looking like this is a shame.

Agree here if accurate - but it doesn't detract much from the overall look, the picture above looks superb!

 

[dk1]

If we can avoid LED lighting that emits more lumens than the sun, I'm all here for it.

I don’t think that’s permissible these days.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don’t think that’s permissible these days.

Avanti's 80x would like to disagree. The 397s aren't excessive either.

 

[Discuss223]

If we can avoid LED lighting that emits more lumens than the sun, I'm all here for it.

You can get warm LED lighting.

It doesn't need to be clinical.

That said, I don't mind the lighting shown in the picture of the refurbishment.

Perhaps a good clean of the shades and a respray of the discoloured plastic surround to brighten it up would help.

Agree here if accurate - but it doesn't detract much from the overall look, the picture above looks superb!

It's a matter of personal opinion but I think it's very underwhelming.

The seats look good and the PI screens look good but it makes the un-touched areas stand out more.

The East Midlands franchisees in the past have done more radical refurbishments on mid-life stock, such as the Class 158s, which were totally transformed by Stagecoach.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

I know you’re getting a bit of a kicking here; however, I do agree that the extension to your comment does raise an eyebrow. No doubt many on here are eagerly awaiting the refurbishment; however to dangle a carrot over them with no chance of reaching it isn’t good.

All the info you (like other “insiders”) do give is much appreciated, however.

Basically I don't want to get told off or into trouble for sharing photos that shouldn't be on social media. Anything I do take at work I don't share anyway due to the nature of my workplace.

Yeah I do try and keep folk updated with what's going on when I see progress of the refurbishment project.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

'for my eyes only'

A simple No would of been enough here instead your making yourself sound abit arrogant in my opinion.

I don't want to get told off or into trouble.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

170501 will move Crewe - Etches Park as 5D74 at 0914 on Wed 19/03/2025 with 170503 moving Etches Park - Crewe at 1342 as 5K74 on the same day.

Thank you for the information

 

[liamf656]

I don't want to get told off or into trouble.

A simple "no" would have sufficed then, but let's move on

 

[QSK19]

Basically I don't want to get told off or into trouble for sharing photos that shouldn't be on social media. Anything I do take at work I don't share anyway due to the nature of my workplace.

Yeah I do try and keep folk updated with what's going on when I see progress of the refurbishment project.

Yep fully get that and it’s always better to be cautious in these scenarios. It’s tempting to share pics/info with your fellow community members; but it’s just not worth the risk when it comes to your job. Fully understandable.

As others have said, it’s been dealt with, no hard feelings and we move on. No doubt we all look forward to more developments

 

[SolomonSouth]

I imagine that the 360 refurbishment will be well received. 2+3 seating is not good for long journeys.

 

[Failed Unit]

It will be interesting to see what is done here, I haven’t even seen any mock ups. I wouldn‘t say the time is too long for 3+2 seating, it is just the market these sets are on that doesn’t work. If you look at other Similar distances Huntingdon has worth stock (Class 700s) but Cambridge, Kings Lynn and Northampton much better.

Hopefully these will be re-seated to a intercity standard with lots of space for the baggage heading to Luton Airport (which they are marketing the service for) -However an airport service does seem to work without baggage storage when you look at the Elizabeth Line

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 5D74 0914 Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) to Etches Park Sdgs | 19/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5D74 0914 departure from Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) to Etches Park Sdgs on 19/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

170501

Realtime Trains | 5K74 1342 Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) | 19/03/2025

Real-time train running information for 5K74 1342 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) on 19/03/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

170503

170501 will move Crewe - Etches Park as 5D74 at 0914 on Wed 19/03/2025 with 170503 moving Etches Park - Crewe at 1342 as 5K74 on the same day.

The paths are now in if people want to photograph/video the movements tomorrow