Why are LNWR trains so dirty?

[DarloRich]

I have noticed recently that the LNWR 350's have a very brown coating on the outside. Does anyone know why? have they:

• Cut back on cleaning
• limited cleaning locations
• Lost access to wash plants
• Changed how they wash the trains

The Bletchley based 150's were VERY grubby until recently. It has been suggested they were hand cleaned. Is that true?

It is noticeable just how dirty the trains are. It isn't usual. Whilst they aren't often in concours condition you can at least see out of the windows!

 

[JLX5]

When I signed the traction we were told that they aren't allowed through the wash at Soho depot without prior permission from Siemens. Nobody ever bothered to get said permission so just turned the wash off as they went through it.
I don't know if this is the case for depots down south as I don't sign that far, but it could be a contributing factor.

 

[D1511]

I was on an utterly filthy pair of 730's on a fast Crewe yesterday - I could hardly see out of the windows. I'm wondering if there's a wash out of action or something.

 

[JLX5]

I was on an utterly filthy pair of 730's on a fast Crewe yesterday - I could hardly see out of the windows. I'm wondering if there's a wash out of action or something.

One full side of brushes on the wash at Soho depot have been out of action for a while, so only one side of the train gets washed as they are leaving.

 

[DarloRich]

Of course, the sidings at Bletchley are being fettled so maybe access to the wash plant has been cut off.

 

[AlterEgo]

Was just on a 730 which was filthy outside. Must be a wash out of action.

 

[Russel]

The livery on the 350s doesn't help, not sure why but they've looked dirty from the moment it was applied.

 

[D1511]

Of course, the sidings at Bletchley are being fettled so maybe access to the wash plant has been cut off.

Speaking of which, as I passed today, I was pleased to see a billy bunter in full IC Swallow regalia, c.1990 and 3 splendid old ex-DB VGA vans, which were part of the engineers rake the gronk was shuffling around. It was like stepping back in time ....if you ignored the bright orange 730!

 

[satisnek]

I would hazard a guess that there's a connection with this thread -

As mentioned in a much earlier thread last year, the windows were etched by a solvent in the train-wash water used by a previous franchise holder, creating pitting of the glass. I assure you that having discussed this on several occasions with WMR they are not happy with presentation of the trains. But as the remedy is to replace all exterior glazing, which would probably require completely new windows, this would be at an unacceptable cost to WMR and the Treasury.

The common link is "London Midland"...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Speaking of which, as I passed today, I was pleased to see a billy bunter in full IC Swallow regalia, c.1990 and 3 splendid old ex-DB VGA vans, which were part of the engineers rake the gronk was shuffling around. It was like stepping back in time ....if you ignored the bright orange 730!

That will be 08 822.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would hazard a guess that there's a connection with this thread -

The common link is "London Midland"...

London Midland never operated nor washed a Class 730.

 

[185143]

London Midland never operated nor washed a Class 730.

Neither have WMT by the sounds of it!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Neither have WMT by the sounds of it!

They're usually spotless. This sounds like either a washer fault or an access problem to it.

Northern and ScotRail on the other hand...

 

[185143]

They're usually spotless. This sounds like either a washer fault or an access problem to it.

Northern and ScotRail on the other hand...

Fair enough. It's not a part of the world I'm massively familiar with tbh.

But yes, Northern and ScotRail trains tend to be filthy!

 

[Bletchleyite]

But yes, Northern and ScotRail trains tend to be filthy!

I'd particularly say that trains so filthy you can't see out of the windows on the West Highland Line and the likes really do need someone's head wobbling (or perhaps better them being given a bucket and sponge and at least asked to do the platform side). Mind you the south WCML is quite nice if you can see it through the muck!

 

[DarloRich]

I would hazard a guess that there's a connection with

It cant be that - this is a recent issue and included the 730's which are new trains.

 

[vuzzeho]

The Marston Vale 150s have been dirty for a long time. You can't get a good view out of them!

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Marston Vale 150s have been dirty for a long time. You can't get a good view out of them!

You can't anyway, because there are no seats aligned to the windows!

(OK, there's maybe two by the bogs)

 

[DarloRich]

The Marston Vale 150s have been dirty for a long time. You can't get a good view out of them!

You can't anyway, because there are no seats aligned to the windows!

(OK, there's maybe two by the bogs)

you can now - they are very clean. It has been suggested they were hand cleaned and if they were someone has spent a bit of time doing it.

 

[satisnek]

It cant be that - this is a recent issue and included the 730's which are new trains.

Fair enough, the 730s weren't mentioned initially.

Dirty windows on 172s is also a recent problem (or more likely something which has built up imperceptibly to the point where it's now obvious) but the damage was done years ago. I find it ironic that the insides of the windows are covered with that sacrificial film which has so successfully stopped the etchers in their tracks but the outsides are shot to pieces!