• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

EMR Regional and Connect refurbishments

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
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.
I've always thought the ex GA 170s were the least knackered internally of the hand me down fleet EMR have. Refurbishment I mean

Actually I was surprised to find some of the Scotrail 170s I used in Scotland recently not much better than the very tired ones they handed over to EMR
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Kite159

Veteran Member
Joined
27 Jan 2014
Messages
22,709
Location
West of Andover
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!
I would imagine the 2+1 seats will be removed and it will be similar to the 170/5s & the XC sets
 

fbm99

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2025
Messages
18
Location
Lincoln
I've always thought the ex GA 170s were the least knackered internally of the hand me down fleet EMR have. Refurbishment I mean

Actually I was surprised to find some of the Scotrail 170s I used in Scotland recently not much better than the very tired ones they handed over to EMR
To be fair I was a little surprised too, maybe the heat has caused a lot of things to fail at once.
 

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
That will be a shame if it happens I quite enjoy the seats currently on
I gave up on an EMR ex Scotrail declassified 1st class seat it was so knackered that std was more comfortable. Recliner mech on all of them broken so you are forced into fully recline method whether desired or not.

I would imagine the ex GA ones are OK though.

WMR / LMR didn't have any 1st class IIRC

ex southern ones seem to be 'partially knackered'

I'd sure they will all be removed - my expectation anyway
 

fgwrich

Established Member
Joined
15 Apr 2009
Messages
10,609
Location
Hampshire
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.
The former McSouthern 170s (and Southerns native 171s) do have a small openable window hoppers for emergency ventilation so it can be fitted. They are guard locked / unlocked as well and have 2 on each side.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

ex southern ones seem to be 'partially knackered'
Partially knackered is a good description - the Southern refresh only saw their Moquette covers placed over the top of the NX ScotRail ones. Feel the centre of the headrest and you’ll feel the purple leather oval!
 

Merle Haggard

Established Member
Joined
20 Oct 2019
Messages
3,850
Location
Northampton
Meanwhile the refurbished 360 still hasn't re-entered service.
And the un-refurnsihed ones fail - 360114 & 119 on 7th, standing on the down fast at Wellingborough for four hours - a 'problem with the traction equipment' made a change from the ones that can't even manage to leave their originating station due to the same reason, or because of 'a problem with the doors'.
 

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
Partially knackered is a good description - the Southern refresh only saw their Moquette covers placed over the top of the NX ScotRail ones. Feel the centre of the headrest and you’ll feel the purple leather oval!
never knew that!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Meanwhile the refurbished 360 still hasn't re-entered service.
no need to rush these things ;)
 

fgwrich

Established Member
Joined
15 Apr 2009
Messages
10,609
Location
Hampshire
never knew that!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


no need to rush these things ;)
Few photos from inside 402 (424) from 2022.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3333.jpeg
    IMG_3333.jpeg
    3.6 MB · Views: 156
  • IMG_3297.jpeg
    IMG_3297.jpeg
    3.9 MB · Views: 154
  • IMG_3295.jpeg
    IMG_3295.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 151
  • IMG_7774.jpeg
    IMG_7774.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 156

Mordac

Established Member
Joined
5 Mar 2016
Messages
2,386
Location
Birmingham
Speaking of the Southern units is 171201 still meant to transfer over and be reconverted to a 170?
 

tsyxa

Member
Joined
12 Jul 2022
Messages
56
Location
Leicester
Originally yes. But now, who knows if anything beyond the 170/5 fleet gets done with the transition to GBR.
Is this just a sly comment about GBR, or one with actual reason? As a contract has been signed on the refurbishment of all units, and I don’t exactly see the DaFT spending on an early cancellation fee of a much needed mid-life refurb purely because ‘the colour schemes don’t match’, with no plan to reboot it.
 

bunnahabhain

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2005
Messages
2,271
Is this just a sly comment about GBR, or one with actual reason? As a contract has been signed on the refurbishment of all units, and I don’t exactly see the DaFT spending on an early cancellation fee of a much needed mid-life refurb purely because ‘the colour schemes don’t match’, with no plan to reboot it.
It's an actual comment on what is the current situation with the refurb.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

To add further context, all I know is the /5 fleet is being done, and anything beyond that isn't certain anymore. I don't believe the contacts are all the same either given the different ROSCOs involved with the 170 fleet. Look at the 158 fleet for the two different approaches there.
 
Last edited:

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
Some very tired EMR 170 former first class seating areas today.
With good use of gaffer tape in key locations

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

But also a most welcome trolley service in each direction on the Sheffield to Norwich route.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_6939.jpeg
    IMG_6939.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 161
  • IMG_6938.jpeg
    IMG_6938.jpeg
    2.9 MB · Views: 159
  • IMG_6937.jpeg
    IMG_6937.jpeg
    2.7 MB · Views: 153
  • IMG_6948.jpeg
    IMG_6948.jpeg
    2.7 MB · Views: 150
  • IMG_6946.jpeg
    IMG_6946.jpeg
    4.5 MB · Views: 146
  • IMG_6949.jpeg
    IMG_6949.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 154

Helvellyn

Established Member
Joined
28 Aug 2009
Messages
2,563
It's an actual comment on what is the current situation with the refurb.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

To add further context, all I know is the /5 fleet is being done, and anything beyond that isn't certain anymore. I don't believe the contacts are all the same either given the different ROSCOs involved with the 170 fleet. Look at the 158 fleet for the two different approaches there.
Could be that a pause/contract variation is being looked at so the units could start adopting GBR colours but just with EMR branding. Even externally it could be to just paint them GBR dark blue and add GBR vinyls later.
 

transportphoto

Established Member
Associate Staff
Jobs & Careers
Quizmaster
Joined
21 Jan 2010
Messages
5,554
Could be that a pause/contract variation is being looked at so the units could start adopting GBR colours but just with EMR branding. Even externally it could be to just paint them GBR dark blue and add GBR vinyls later.

It could be all sorts. I’d trust @bunnahabhain - anything more would be speculation at this stage.
 

fbm99

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2025
Messages
18
Location
Lincoln
Some very tired EMR 170 former first class seating areas today.
With good use of gaffer tape in key locations

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

But also a most welcome trolley service in each direction on the Sheffield to Norwich route.
I was on 158889 on Thursday which felt similarly tatty in the ex first class areas - a lot of graffiti on the table on the single seat I was sat in, and the recline obviously wasn't working properly.

Will they try and source Grammer seats to make it consistent with the other 158s, or will it retain the original 158 seats and declassified first class?
I guess the other option is to install FISA Leans but that would still keep it inconsistent wth the rest of the fleet!
 

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
I was on 158889 on Thursday which felt similarly tatty in the ex first class areas - a lot of graffiti on the table on the single seat I was sat in, and the recline obviously wasn't working properly.

Will they try and source Grammer seats to make it consistent with the other 158s, or will it retain the original 158 seats and declassified first class?
I guess the other option is to install FISA Leans but that would still keep it inconsistent wth the rest of the fleet!
Yes. Interesting to wonder what will happen to that unit.

One thing I realised in the ex 1st clsss 170 seats was when fully reclined, which they all were as mech broken, how difficult it is to actually do anything using the table
 

fbm99

Member
Joined
8 Jun 2025
Messages
18
Location
Lincoln
Yes. Interesting to wonder what will happen to that unit.

One thing I realised in the ex 1st clsss 170 seats was when fully reclined, which they all were as mech broken, how difficult it is to actually do anything using the table
My bet at the moment is that it ends up like the ex EMT HST coaches that VTEC and LNER had, with the VTEC/LNER moquette and carpets but IC70 seats.
 

bunnahabhain

Established Member
Joined
8 Jun 2005
Messages
2,271
Could be that a pause/contract variation is being looked at so the units could start adopting GBR colours but just with EMR branding. Even externally it could be to just paint them GBR dark blue and add GBR vinyls later.
I believe it more a case of it now being in the "we don't really know" pile than anything else. Everything is uncertain.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

I was on 158889 on Thursday which felt similarly tatty in the ex first class areas - a lot of graffiti on the table on the single seat I was sat in, and the recline obviously wasn't working properly.

Will they try and source Grammer seats to make it consistent with the other 158s, or will it retain the original 158 seats and declassified first class?
I guess the other option is to install FISA Leans but that would still keep it inconsistent wth the rest of the fleet!
It may return to Salisbury rather than be refurbished to EMR standards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Interestingly the 170/4 fleet are now undergoing their C6 (I think) but will not include refurbishment as the work is now due (or overdue). The work includes A/C overhaul/refurbishment which will be a great relief to many. The first unit is already in for attention.
 

tsyxa

Member
Joined
12 Jul 2022
Messages
56
Location
Leicester
It's an actual comment on what is the current situation with the refurb.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

To add further context, all I know is the /5 fleet is being done, and anything beyond that isn't certain anymore. I don't believe the contacts are all the same either given the different ROSCOs involved with the 170 fleet. Look at the 158 fleet for the two different approaches there.
Wow, that’s incredibly disappointing. Hopefully as @Helvellyn says, it’s just a pause to discuss branding and nothing more than that.
 

43102EMR

Established Member
Joined
28 Mar 2021
Messages
1,359
Location
UK
I was on 158889 on Thursday which felt similarly tatty in the ex first class areas - a lot of graffiti on the table on the single seat I was sat in, and the recline obviously wasn't working properly.

Will they try and source Grammer seats to make it consistent with the other 158s, or will it retain the original 158 seats and declassified first class?
I guess the other option is to install FISA Leans but that would still keep it inconsistent wth the rest of the fleet!
According to this Modern Railways article, 158889 will be receiving “a more significant refurbishment” on the count of its SWT interior: https://www.modernrailways.com/article/emr-unveils-refurbished-158
 

M60lad

Established Member
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
1,552
Any idea of when 158889 will go in for refurbishment? Will it be one of the last to be done due to it needing a more significant refurbishment?
 

Merle Haggard

Established Member
Joined
20 Oct 2019
Messages
3,850
Location
Northampton
4 and a half months after returning, still no sign of it returning to use.
Does anyone know the date it was last in passenger service?

I don't know the answer to your question, but equally mysterious is the progress on the second 360 refurbish. Both this one and '107 were in publicity photographs side by side in the workshop at Northampton last winter. Since then, an absolute silence on progress.
Meanwhile, Corby short-forms and cancellations are common. It's not just the Inter City and Regional services that are unreliable.

Perhaps the plan is for 360107 to make a single Kettering - Corby passenger journey on thn last day of UK Rail management just to prove a point.
 

STINT47

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2020
Messages
860
Location
Nottingham
The EMR fleet refurbishment does seem to be going at a speed comparable to a glacier.

The XC refurbishment seems much faster. Perhaps EMR work is being done as a lower priority?
 

LowLevel

Established Member
Joined
26 Oct 2013
Messages
8,885
The EMR fleet refurbishment does seem to be going at a speed comparable to a glacier.

The XC refurbishment seems much faster. Perhaps EMR work is being done as a lower priority?
The XC 170 work is going at the same pace as EMR. The Voyagers are obviously being done more quickly at a bigger facility.

Trains are popping in and out of works every few weeks without much fanfare. 170511 should be back soon, 158s are rotating around as well.

Can't speak for the 360s however. Not sure what is going on there.
 

WesternLancer

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Apr 2019
Messages
14,950
The XC 170 work is going at the same pace as EMR. The Voyagers are obviously being done more quickly at a bigger facility.

Trains are popping in and out of works every few weeks without much fanfare. 170511 should be back soon, 158s are rotating around as well.

Can't speak for the 360s however. Not sure what is going on there.
Yes, on my travels on EMR there is a definitely an increased probability of travel in a refurbished 170 or 158 as time goes on (it was just on the last trip I took the refurbished 2 car unit in the 5 car 170 train I was on was locked out of use :lol:)
 

Top