dk1
Veteran Member
No, they can only be released with a T-key mate.
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EMR Regional and Connect refurbishments
- Thread starter londonmidland
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Amos390
Member
Ah ok, thanks, presumed to be the case but you never know
dk1
Veteran Member
On other 15X units apart from the 159s passengers can open them but then that’s because they don’t have air-con.
Amos390
Member
I’m guessing that having the windows open does also change the effectiveness of the air con, so most the time the windows are kept closed
dk1
Veteran Member
Class 158 air-conditioning has always been ineffective on warm days. Those opening windows have been a godsend from the outset.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
It was fine in the very early days with the "full fat" CFC refrigerants, in the late 90s they were like a fridge. It was later that they became ineffective.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
The 4-per-vehicle hopper/bucket/'emergency' windows are still functional on the Transport for Wales 158s, and are usually opened/closed by the guards as appropriate (whether at their own decision or by accepted requests from passengers). This is because most of the units never got retrofitted with an air conditioning system that works with the modern gas.
I don't know if the East Midlands Railway (EMR) 158s got new air conditioning systems like I understand the Great Western Railway ones did, but as @dk1 says:
tfw756rider
On Moderation
I thought the old gas was conveniently outlawed when they entered service in the early 90s?
dk1
Veteran Member
That’s not how I remember them from new at Crown Point. Throughout the 90s they didn’t perform well and would fail day in day out.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I certainly found them better than Mk2s and Mk3s which failed more often than not (and lacked opening windows with the exception of the Virgin era Mk2 West Coast sets which had them retrofitted).
Not now though - the sign of summer is 158 windows being seen open
dk1
Veteran Member
It was a standing joke between Regional Railways/Intercity and later Central Trains/Anglia Railways over which was worse. Our MK2s or their 158s. Some improvement later came with the 170s & MK3s.
Trainman40083
Established Member
The opening windows always conveyed to me, that the Aircon was broken. But had those openers not been there, the train would have had to be cancelled.
Trainfan2019
Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2019
- Messages
- 527
Looks like 170417 is long overdue for refurbishment but at least it turned up on Saturday.
Photo below shows back of seat patched up with cardboard and cloth tape.
Photo below shows back of seat patched up with cardboard and cloth tape.
Am I right in saying the /4s and the other 3 car units are not receiving the new FISA seats the 2 car units are getting? A shame if so
westcoaster
Established Member
Saw 360107 this afternoon at Bedford, running ecs but dead in tow with another 360 with its pantograph down. Heading to Bedford Cauldwell depot.
Amos390
Member
On 158866 now, somehow my first refurb 158 so far, have to say it is very nice, however a few things stand out for me:
• An apparent lack of on-board WiFi on this u it, not sure if this is the same across all refurbed units, but is something I noticed on this one.
• No new PIS display, still uses the old blue screen with large green text, just doesn’t quite fit the new interior, to go with.
• This unit is quite dirty, with a multitude of handprints and stains all over the windows, seats and tables, with litter all over too. This could just be an issue from the depot though, or that it’s later in the service day now.
• An apparent lack of on-board WiFi on this u it, not sure if this is the same across all refurbed units, but is something I noticed on this one.
• No new PIS display, still uses the old blue screen with large green text, just doesn’t quite fit the new interior, to go with.
• This unit is quite dirty, with a multitude of handprints and stains all over the windows, seats and tables, with litter all over too. This could just be an issue from the depot though, or that it’s later in the service day now.
No EMR 158s have public WiFi and they are not planned to have it fitted either.
The PIS is upgraded but uses the same screens - when it's working it connects to Darwin for real time delay updates etc.
Cleaning is pushed at the best of times with limited downtime. They get a litter pick at Crewe and Lincoln.
Amos390
Member
Ah ok, the 170s have WiFi though?
Also just seen 158813 fresh out of Eastcroft running 5Z01 at Beeston - with smoke pouring out of the leading carriage engine. EMR staff at the station had to report it to the big boss, presume that unit will have a little more delayed introduction. I have attached a pic of the unit, picture is on my camera so isn’t the best, but you can see the smoke clear as day.
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The 170/4 and /5 sub fleets have WiFi, the /2s don't.
Amos390
Member
Ah ok, thanks, did notice on 170507 it said in the train info stickers that there was WiFi, however also found that was non-functional.
It's a refurbished set so will have 5G WiFi fitted. Might need the router resetting which the guard can do, if it's not working it can be reported.
Northerngirl
Member
New diesel/steam bi mode conversion that is
Amos390
Member
Haha that’d be brilliant, got an updated video for anyone who wants a better view on the unit, the issue was reported to the signallers as mentioned by an off-duty driver at Beeston, but the train was continued to Etches as normal where I observed it sat in the sidings outside the main shed later in the day. Here is the video, uploaded to YT:
CR165022
Established Member
Slightly annoying they've left the gangway door fully yellow on the vinyled units, as on the painted ones the purple carries across the bottom of the door. Just looks cleaner like that.
Amos390
Member
After a bit 158813 has been introduced to service today and seems to be navigating the heat OK.
Class777
Member
Will the 170s with ex First Class be getting their sections removed as part of the refurbishment? If so, do they plan to add the new seats into there or are they retaining the original seating? I particularly enjoy the ex TfW / Greateranglia ones and find the first class seating extremely comfortable so will be sad to see it go if it is being took out!
bunnahabhain
Established Member
- Joined
- 8 Jun 2005
- Messages
- 2,271
Originally yes. But now, who knows if anything beyond the 170/5 fleet gets done with the transition to GBR.
Will the air conditioning be looked at on the 170s as part of the refurbishments? Currently on a very hot 170/2 (ex GA/TFW) and pretty sure the air conditioning is not working at all in the front coach, and barely in the rear coach.
At least with the 153/156 and to a lesser extent the 158 you can open windows, but this is obviously not an option on the 170s.
At least with the 153/156 and to a lesser extent the 158 you can open windows, but this is obviously not an option on the 170s.
Trainman40083
Established Member
Well on a 158, the guard can open the window. Maybe we need something similar on the 170s.
It looks like 375s have opening hopper windows, at least according to this article, so they could possibly be retrofitted onto 170s. I guess it would be the case of who would pay for it though!
The unit I was on (170273) was in generally quite a poor condition - the disabled toilet door wasn't closing, and the AC wasn't working at all in that coach from what I could tell. Maybe not quite as bad as some of the 170/5s from London Midland but at least the one I went on yesterday was really cool inside.