377 Refurbishment

[Deepgreen]

http://www.southernrailway.com/southern/news/southerns-class-377-refurbishment-programme-completes/

"Southern has just completed the refurbishment of its Class 377 Electrostar fleet. The programme, which started in July 2011, saw a total of 182 trains (700 carriages in all) upgraded. And as a result, Southern’s passengers are now enjoying trains that are as good as new."

The above is an extract from Southern's news release today. I find it hard to square the claim that we now enjoy trains "that are as good as new" with the daily reality of refurbished units' inoperable internal doors, failed dot matrix indicators, upholstery that is already fraying, various information stickers crudely placed at odd angles, fluorescent light tube failures, etc. My train last night was a 377/4 (didn't note the number) and it certainly wasn't "as good as new"!

 

[GodAtum]

I was surprised by their false claim too. Last night and this morning the seat and carpet was dirty.

 

[387star]

The most notable difference is the fitting of carpeting throughout the train including vestibules as well as a different upholstery for priority seats and new side panelling

That's about it
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The flip down seats are still incredibly squeaky which is a shame although I think they have been tightened

 

[GatwickDepress]

The airline tables on the older 377s are horrendous. They're stiff and screech like nails on a blackboard.

 

[physics34]

The ones that were refreshed first are now as dirty as the last ones were to get refreshed so it almost needs to be started again like the Forth Bridge.

They had an opportunity to improve the seating configuration during this work and they wasted it. Also they could've changed to a better seat cover as the current "sandpaper - heavy duty" material actually seems to be worse concerning wear and tear than normal material.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yeah, it doesn't seem as hard-wearing as that on the 350s, though that is starting to get a bit threadbare - I think the 350/1s might well join the others in getting green seats at some point...

Neil

 

[387star]

Yes why do they insist on that material ? Am I right the 317/8 is fitted with a similar material?

Presumably it is meant to be vandal proof etc

I think it wasn't possible to fit new first class compartment doors to those without but the seating could have been addressed three different layouts with different hand grabs is interesting although the 2 and 2 throughout is welcome

The side panelling doesn't match either due to a mistake so on some units is dark blue others light blue though I do prefer it to the old grey

Why do those flip down tables squeak so much I'm not a mechanic but guessing the angle in which they flip up and down is far too tight with not enough in the way of support for the mechanism

 

[cjmillsnun]

Why do those flip down tables squeak so much I'm not a mechanic but guessing the angle in which they flip up and down is far too tight with not enough in the way of support for the mechanism

Or they may need lubrication.