1st EMT class 158 refurbished

[P156KWJ]

158783 has nearly been completed on East Midlands Trains refurbishment programme, and will be out in service by early October. The unit has oddly recieved East Midlands Trains mainline livery, as opposed to connect livery, despite the units not being used on Mainline branded routes. The trains now have the following additional features:
- CCTV
- New decor including carpets and seats
- New exterior design
- Passenger counting device fitted
- New toilet area
- LED headlights
some features perhaps not welcome:
- Reduced number of tables to facilitate erection of more seats
- Reduced legroom for the same reason
- New seats similar to those currently in refurbished FGW HSTs

I am in mixed thoughts about the refurbishment programme. I feel that it is a bit of a missed oppourtunity not to include extra features, such as LED displays and WiFi. however, I will have to wait 'til I travel on one to give my full verdict. I seem at the moment to prefer to go on a refurbished 170 to Derby and a good old classic HST up to Sheffield, even if it is a little longer than going direct, so maybe the refurbishment will encourage me not to any more?

Do you think it's a waste of money refurbishing units or should they be encouraging the government to invest in new rolling stock for neglected areas of the country?

BBC East Midlands today video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7621471.stm

 

[devon_metro]

Fitting LED destination displays is pointless as unless you are in an isle seat, you can't see anything apart from the seat in front.

 

[Galvanize]

FGW HST seats? Oh for Smegs sake! Though the decor is quite nice! Can't see how just cramming a few more slim seats will ease the problem in the long term :roll:

 

[me123]

I love how, in the video, the train wasn't exactly overcrowded

Although, if what the commuters are saying is true, that's pretty bad overcrowding indeed. More than I've ever experienced. 20 seats per train could make a big difference. But hopefully they'll still go for a long term solution; these 20 seats won't help for long and certainly if EMT just sit back and expect the problem to fix itself now, the situation will just get worse.

It's a step in the right direction for EMT, as long as they know that this isn't going to fix the problem and that they need to push for more trains/carriages/something just to make it desirable to go over this route by train.

 

[Coxster]

...as long as they know that this isn't going to fix the problem

Well clearly they do know this. In the video you can hear Chris Elliott of EMT say himself "certainly it won't solve the overcrowding issues" and that getting more trains on the routes is something that needs to be addressed.

 

[me123]

Yeah, but he would say that wouldn't he :razz: he's not going to say that 20 seats would solve the problem; anyone with half an ounce of common sense could see that.

What I meant was that I hope they don't just take it easy for a while; they still need to push for more capacity but it would be an easy option for them to relax now, and I hope they don't for the sake of all who use the services. Let's hope they stick to their word.

 

[Coradia]

The ones that get the Liverpool-Norwich runs, the passenger counting system will go bazeerk .

 

[Aureol]

The ones that get the Liverpool-Norwich runs, the passenger counting system will go bazeerk .

It bloody well would!

 

[Yank 119]

Every time I read something like this I question as to why everything has to be multiple units. What ever happened to a locomotive and coaches?

Need more seats?

Add another coach.

 

[Donny Dave]

Just wondering here ....

You've already got several threads that cover the repainting of EMT units, was there any need to start this one as well? :?

 

[me123]

Every time I read something like this I question as to why everything has to be multiple units. What ever happened to a locomotive and coaches?

Need more seats?

Add another coach.

That's where 156s, 158s and even 153s should have been useful. Being able to drive without changing locos can reduce dwell times in stations. Having 2 and even single car units should mean that you can still add to services without a major problem, and with the 158s you could even form a 3-car unit if necessary.

It should have worked really well, but it's only resulted in short and overcrowded trains that really should have more carriages.

 

[P156KWJ]

Just wondering here ....

You've already got several threads that cover the repainting of EMT units, was there any need to start this one as well? :?

we have a graand total of 1 thread covering the repainting. This is a refurbishment thread and it was also gathering opinions, whereas the database of liveries is more of a reference.

It bloody well would!

I second that

That's where 156s, 158s and even 153s should have been useful. Being able to drive without changing locos can reduce dwell times in stations. Having 2 and even single car units should mean that you can still add to services without a major problem, and with the 158s you could even form a 3-car unit if necessary.

It should have worked really well, but it's only resulted in short and overcrowded trains that really should have more carriages.

'tis odd they still have loads of 3 car units (156+153) on Nottingham-Skegness at this time of year, when you could easily get away with a 156, or even a 153 maybe. Then put the 153 on the 158. And before anyone says, I have thought about this... I know it's odd having a 153 on that line, but it's better than no train at all, and actually, 153s are comfier than 158s, and have proper aircon (ie windows that open!)

 

[Waverley125]

EMT needs to look at things. Their most overcrowded non-MML service is the norwich-liverpool route. Recently EMT has been using unrefurbished 4-car sets on this route, which is ood, but not enough. Hopefully we can get refurbished sets on soon, or even better replace the Meridians on the MML with HSTs and use the 222s.

 

[class 313]

...or even better replace the Meridians on the MML with HSTs and use the 222s.

That won't happen. If anything, you will get the 222s from HT.

 

[P156KWJ]

I doubt it - as HT really only want to keep the adelantes for a while whilst they overhaul their 222s. This is because 180s don't have the facilities that 222s do in the way of catering, power etc.

 

[Craig]

I doubt it - as HT really only want to keep the adelantes for a while whilst they overhaul their 222s. This is because 180s don't have the facilities that 222s do in the way of catering, power etc.

We are using this interim period to assess the trains suitability for longer-term use on our Hull-London services, particularly in view of the increased seating capacity, as the majority of our services already achieve a very high occupancy of over 80% on average.

With this in mind, we are developing plans to give the trains a makeover, with full internal refit including:

New carpets, upholstery and curtains
Power sockets
Wi-fi
Improved on-board catering facilities
Additional waste bins to facilitate recycling of packaging
Some new seating
In the meantime, please bear with us whilst we complete our refurbishment specification and undertake some short-term work. All being well, we expect to have at least one of the trains refurbished by early 2009.

Veg.

 

[class 313]

I was going to say, not in so much detail but the latest I knew of it is that HT are going to have the 180s and EMT will have the 222s.

 

[P156KWJ]

Veg.

sorry lol

So the 222s are coming over here are they? Cos a few months ago everyone was saying that was froth. The DafT say that EMT will recieve a whopping 3 extra carriages by the end of the franchise.

 

[Max]

sorry lol

So the 222s are coming over here are they? Cos a few months ago everyone was saying that was froth. The DafT say that EMT will recieve a whopping 3 extra carriages by the end of the franchise.

It's certainly not confirmed. Previous documentation supplied from HT to the Dft specified the use of 180s and 222s in a joint pool between HT and Harrogate Trains (if it gets approved)!

 

[class 313]

Lets hope so, keep the 222s away from EMT! (MML side anyway)

 

[Pumbaa]

Why? EMT badly need extra capaicty, even if it means cascading 222s onto Liverpool - Norwich whatever.

 

[class 313]

Why? EMT badly need extra capaicty, even if it means cascading 222s onto Liverpool - Norwich whatever.

From the MML side...

Mainly cos then it would displace more HSTs

 

[Galvanize]

From the MML side...

Mainly cos then it would displace more HSTs

Veg

 

[P156KWJ]

It's certainly not confirmed. Previous documentation supplied from HT to the Dft specified the use of 180s and 222s in a joint pool between HT and Harrogate Trains (if it gets approved)!

I doubt Harrogate Trains will ever be confirmed, or at least for a long while. I don't like the idea of open-access operators. Instead I'd much rather see existing TOCs on the main route operate extra services, for example: instead of Grand Central; NXEC run in to Sunderland too, as with Harrogate and Hull Trains.

 

[class 313]

Veg

Better experience

 

[djw1981]

From the MML side...

Mainly cos then it would displace more HSTs

HST Liverpool to Norwich anyone.......short formed project Challenger style?

 

[P156KWJ]

HST Liverpool to Norwich anyone.......short formed project Challenger style?

Veg.

 

[LilLoaf]

I'm so glad that i do not travel on EMT very often. Seems to me that the company is a joke. Although to be fare its ALL the DFT fault. When the manager found out that he was to get an extra 3 trains apparently he said "i hope they don't all come at ones".

As far as i can 153's a good for nothing anymore apart from the Stourbridge shuttle and very late night services. If it was London it would never happen. I've seen trains in London go around half empty and they are 12 couches long. If only MP's and the DFT could think outside the M25 we'd be all better off.

As far as 153's are concerned they might aswell cancel the train and put a bus on the route. At least everyone would get a seat.

I really do feel sorry for people who travel EMT regally.

 

[Max]

To be honest, I actually quite like the ex-TPE 158s, they still seem to be of a decent standard internally and the seats are comfortable enough to make the journey pretty pleasant. I feel pretty sorry for EMT, especially as their customer service has been very good from my experience. The overcrowding is not their fault, and in my opinion, only the Dft can be blamed.

 

[Aureol]

With Max about the ex-TPE 158s, they are quite comfy and I always try to get a seat in the declassified first class compartment, they're great 8)
Same when we get the SWT ones, I always go for the declassified first class, not failed to do so once yet