Appears a new gangway has been fitted
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150219 accessibility modifications
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edwin_m
Veteran Member
Maybe so, but if it is then it demonstates my point that an extra door may not solve the problem.
yeh fair enough, but i mean, when you leave the toilet and take the smell with you, lol.
Not pleasant for people sitting around.
The design of the toilet is not going to change that. A Mk3 toilet dumping on the tracks will smell just as bad as a retention tank toilet just after its been used.
I tend to find the worst smells come after someone has used it and flushed it so "opened" the retention tanks allowing some gas out. 170s seem the worst for that.
Blindtraveler
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Interesting point Re the 170s, I had noticed this eggy gassy post flush smell but only on Scotrails units. Does it happen to others also?
yeh happens on southern 171s aswell
Blindtraveler
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And given they are, to all intents and purposes the same, I assume theres a design thing with those particular units
bramling
Veteran Member
It's certainly poor planning that we have ended up in a situation where passenger numbers continue to rise, whilst seat numbers and standing standing space are being reduced (assuming people don't end up having to stand in the toilet).
In the next few years I thought the plan was for the 143s and some 150s to go off-lease from FGW? It's a shame the industry has failed to plan so that this coincided with the need for the 150s being modified. It's not like the 2020 deadline has only just been sprung on the industry. If the dates can't be made to coincide, could a derogation be sought for these units?
In general I support the need for these alterations, however in the specific case of the 150s losing such a large amount of a 2-car train is not satisfactory.
When are the first FGW Sprinters or Pacers currently expected to go off-lease?
It's obviously great for disabled passengers to have a suitable toilet on 150s finally. The current ones must be a pain to use, what with location, access and size of the cubicle. This modification will no doubt, help many.
As others say, there looks to be many seats which have gone, as well as standing room. In the short term I'm thinking it's going to get worse before it gets better as many peak time journeys around Bristol (using Sprinters) are already very crowded, especially if anything such as 1 train is running late. I saw 150219 (when it broke down the other day, ironically) at Temple Meads doing a Taunton - Cardiff service, and it was full and standing and it was only 16:24 on a Wednesday!
I can't help thinking that reduced capacity is going to make more people stand and block the area around the toilet. Glad to hear the plan is to double 150s up on the Devon Metro in the future.
I appreciate the 150s need to start having modification work now in time for the 2020 deadline, but if lots more are planned before the Thames Valley cascades happen, the lack of passenger seating/standing room is going to add up before long, making overcrowded services even worse. Especially as some peak services are currently worked by 1x150 with no extra stock to strengthen.
As others say, there looks to be many seats which have gone, as well as standing room. In the short term I'm thinking it's going to get worse before it gets better as many peak time journeys around Bristol (using Sprinters) are already very crowded, especially if anything such as 1 train is running late. I saw 150219 (when it broke down the other day, ironically) at Temple Meads doing a Taunton - Cardiff service, and it was full and standing and it was only 16:24 on a Wednesday!
I can't help thinking that reduced capacity is going to make more people stand and block the area around the toilet. Glad to hear the plan is to double 150s up on the Devon Metro in the future.
I appreciate the 150s need to start having modification work now in time for the 2020 deadline, but if lots more are planned before the Thames Valley cascades happen, the lack of passenger seating/standing room is going to add up before long, making overcrowded services even worse. Especially as some peak services are currently worked by 1x150 with no extra stock to strengthen.
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SpacePhoenix
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The Voyagers could probably do with an extractor fan in the bogs (or a stronger one if they've already got extractor fans)
Poor planning on who's part?
Government are responsible for the funding the trains and the Leasing Companies are responsible for getting their trains compliant with the regs!
All FGW do is hire in the trains the Government tell them they can have.
FGWs franchise runs out in 2015, why would they be interested/care about the need to get the trains compliant for 2020?
You can postulate all you like but it is Government and the stupid franchising system which has landed us in this mess!
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bramling
Veteran Member
Agree with that totally, it's a mess from the government downwards.
For now, one day a passenger gets a 150/2 turn up and they get a seat. Next day 150219 turns up and they can't. Elsewhere they may not be able to get on the train, or may have to stand in the toilet.
In the longer term, we'll see 4-car 2x150 trains with two large toilets when one would have been adequate. In a better world, perhaps it would have been better modifying the 150/1s and using the 150/2s as centre cars, making up either 3 or 4 car trains as required.
Perhaps I've got it wrong, but this feels like a purely ROSCO-led move to get the trains compliant, everyone closing their eyes to the capacity issues it will cause. Considering how long this deadline has been in place, the situation is a mess. Evidently the privatised railway couldn't care if a few passengers have to travel in the toilet. Might be some awkward publicity if a wheelchair user soils themselves because the train is too crowded and they can't get to the toilet though!
I'm sure I remember hearing at the time how the privatised railway was supposed to be customer-led?
I'm sure I remember hearing at the time how the privatised railway was supposed to be customer-led?
Yeah read that too, I spat my Sugar Puffs all over my keyboard!
A Privatised Industry is primarily about making money, end of!
bramling
Veteran Member
Yeah read that too, I spat my Sugar Puffs all over my keyboard!
A Privatised Industry is primarily about making money, end of!
No idea about other industries, but the privatised railway also has a habit of wasting money too - albeit unintentionally.
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I hope it's been put together better than 150124s has - I was quite surprised to be passing through the corridor the other day to be greeted by a Mind the Step Up/Down sticker on the window glass, as a fault when reattaching both cars together seemed to have left an Inch + Height difference for some reason. Saw it again later than day on the PNZ-PLY shuttles and was still surprised to see it out like that!
Dennis
Established Member
I thought they were designed with all that space to provide extra room for fare dodgers.
This toilet module has also been fitted on a 365... Takes up far more room than the old one yet seems to be a massive waste of space inside it and has resulted in the smallest gap imaginable to pass between it and the single row of seats alongside it. Add to that there is no longer a "close door" button on the outside so if it stinks anyone sitting near by now has no choice but to put up with it until the door decides to shut and then bang on about not being locked!
So much for progress...!
So much for progress...!
WillPS
Established Member
Can you not reach inside for the shut button?
I got my first ride on 150219 today!
It was on the 08:45 Westbury - Gloucester, and then should've ran 10:41 Gloucester - Weymouth, 15:08 Weymouth - Gloucester then 18:41 Gloucester - Frome.
It was coupled with a 153 which was surprising as this service is usually 1x150 only.
It's weird seeing the new toilet that's landed in the middle of where the gangway used to be! Looking past the toilet, the refurb has been good, and there has been work to the exterior and interior doors and the floor is spotless. The CIS boards weren't in use on this service but I overheard that they have been previously. The lighting has used LED bulbs in the existing fixtures (newer fixtures to the ones in Arriva's units) and the windows have been given a deep clean. I'd say that this 150 along with FGW's 143s are in a better internal condition than the 158s.
My only complaint is the new automatic "BING BONG" before the guard makes an announcement is excessively loud.
I hope they keep this unit away from Weymouth during the summer holidays/weekends or I doubt it'd stay nice for long.
It was on the 08:45 Westbury - Gloucester, and then should've ran 10:41 Gloucester - Weymouth, 15:08 Weymouth - Gloucester then 18:41 Gloucester - Frome.
It was coupled with a 153 which was surprising as this service is usually 1x150 only.
It's weird seeing the new toilet that's landed in the middle of where the gangway used to be! Looking past the toilet, the refurb has been good, and there has been work to the exterior and interior doors and the floor is spotless. The CIS boards weren't in use on this service but I overheard that they have been previously. The lighting has used LED bulbs in the existing fixtures (newer fixtures to the ones in Arriva's units) and the windows have been given a deep clean. I'd say that this 150 along with FGW's 143s are in a better internal condition than the 158s.
My only complaint is the new automatic "BING BONG" before the guard makes an announcement is excessively loud.
I hope they keep this unit away from Weymouth during the summer holidays/weekends or I doubt it'd stay nice for long.
Not unless you fancy either risking being trapped in the toilet /in the doors and even if you did press the button and get out you'll still have to put up with it shouting that you haven't locked the door as it then thinks somebody is inside.. Obviously if there was a close button on the outside there would be no need to say the door is locked.
edwin_m
Veteran Member
Long shot - does it close if you press the outside open button when it is already open? I seem to recall Turbostar toilets do this.
I got a ride on 150219 properly the other day. I have to say the refurbishment has been really good, and, along with the 143s, it shows that FGW can do a good job of getting their regional/local trains looking great. Internally, 150219 doesn't look its age at all.
The PIS was switched on last time as well, but doesn't sound right at all. It sounds like two separate people have been used for the announcements, i.e. one lady doing the generic "Welcome aboard this First Great Western service to" and another just saying the station - it sounds a bit disorientated.
I've also seen the ex-LM 153s with the electronic display boards working recently, though they don't really display much more than the terminus.
The PIS was switched on last time as well, but doesn't sound right at all. It sounds like two separate people have been used for the announcements, i.e. one lady doing the generic "Welcome aboard this First Great Western service to" and another just saying the station - it sounds a bit disorientated.
I've also seen the ex-LM 153s with the electronic display boards working recently, though they don't really display much more than the terminus.
Ah, so they now read a little more than the ever helpful 'Class 153' then?
Does 150219 still say the W&W / Wessex recorded Ruth Mitchel 'Welcome Aboard, Please listen to the following announcements for your safety' announcements - the rather oddly intermittent ones that come on occasionally? Or have they been replaced with rather pausing one from the 165s/166s who manages to say things like 'We will shortly be arriving At (pause) Reading'.
CC 72100
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Ah, so they now read a little more than the ever helpful 'Class 153' then?
Haha.
They now alternate between "This train is for Barnstaple" and "Welcome to First Great Western".
So they're now slightly useful!
The class 158/150 automatic announcement system fitted under national express also make announcements if the guard requires regarding trolley service luggage ln seats luggage in overhead racks warning of a ticket check and even the old wessex and wales and borders welcome onboard announcements... They mention baby changing facilities which have been sadly ripped out of the disabled toilets
Surprised a greater selection wasn't programmed at the time for instance security snnouncements which are a pain to have to keep making
Do you as a passenger find it helpful when a guard remonds you to take your personal belongings or do you feel it is a waste of breath? Also what do you like the guard to say. At the end of a journey? What about approaching a station?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Unclear why 261 wasn't fully worked on
When is the next unit due out?
Surprised a greater selection wasn't programmed at the time for instance security snnouncements which are a pain to have to keep making
Do you as a passenger find it helpful when a guard remonds you to take your personal belongings or do you feel it is a waste of breath? Also what do you like the guard to say. At the end of a journey? What about approaching a station?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Unclear why 261 wasn't fully worked on
When is the next unit due out?
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CC 72100
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I personally don't find it useful, but then again I'm a frequent traveller and I appreciate that many others aren't, so it is a necessary evil.
As for announcements, it is nice to hear a human voice, and so 'unscripted' announcements I personally am more fond of - a recent tendency that I have noticed is to announce connecting services, their times and booked platforms, which is more useful than "Change here for X, Y and Z". Again, that's something I only feel that a human can do.
Ah, so they now read a little more than the ever helpful 'Class 153' then?
Does 150219 still say the W&W / Wessex recorded Ruth Mitchel 'Welcome Aboard, Please listen to the following announcements for your safety' announcements - the rather oddly intermittent ones that come on occasionally? Or have they been replaced with rather pausing one from the 165s/166s who manages to say things like 'We will shortly be arriving At (pause) Reading'.
I haven't heard it on 150219 but I have only used it properly once.
A little while ago, I did get the shock of my life - On a FGW 158, another Ruth voiced announcement played that said something along the lines of "The conductor will shortly be carrying out a full ticket check, please ensure you have your tickets and railcards ready for inspection" or words to that effect. I didn't realise these units had another Ruth pre-recorded announcement!
I do wish FGW had had gone for Ruth for their new PIS systems. She has a nice and clear voice.
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