Class 159 WiFi?

[superalbs]

My friend just got off of 159020, which apparently has WiFi fitted. Can anyone confirm whether the Class 159s have WiFi?

 

[rebmcr]

Your friend?

 

[superalbs]

Yes. My friend.

 

[MrB]

My friend just got off of 159020, which apparently has WiFi fitted. Can anyone confirm whether the Class 159s have WiFi?

I would guess they do if he connected to it!

 

[Kite159]

SWT kept that quiet.

*Makes a note to check on Sunday*

 

[D1009]

Isn't it one of the new franchise commitments?

 

[ainsworth74]

Isn't it one of the new franchise commitments?

What new franchise? The competition is currently running!

 

[D1009]

What was in my mind was that Stagecoach expect to win the franchise, and I'd have thought that wifi provision is probably expected by the Dft. Sorry I didn't post properly.

 

[ainsworth74]

Ah, I understand now! No worries!

 

[swt_passenger]

In the 'SWT wifi' thread that was running back in mid February TEW posted that the 159s would be getting wifi during the current franchise, but would probably be the last - so possibly after the 458/5s?

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2467601&postcount=6

I have assumed (perhaps wrongly) that the 455s aren't being done.

SWT themselves have stated that the 444 and 450 fleets are complete already.

 

[TEW]

The answers keep changing in every webchat. The current line is that 158 and 159 fitment is being done now. 458/5s by the end of the year and the 455s and 456s aren't being done in the current franchise. The last webchat said there were techincal issues which caused issues fitting the diesel fleet, they've clearly been overcome.

 

[swt_passenger]

The answers keep changing in every webchat. The current line is that 158 and 159 fitment is being done now. 458/5s by the end of the year and the 455s and 456s aren't being done in the current franchise. The last webchat said there were techincal issues which caused issues fitting the diesel fleet, they've clearly been overcome.

Thanks for another update. I did see an SWT 158 at Southampton the other day with a few extra bits on the roof, looked very like three aerial boxes connected by solid electrical conduit - I'll have to try and get a picture from above. Didn't get the unit ID unfortunately.

 

[Kite159]

159022 has WiFi fitted (with little stickers saying it's available), however I can't seem to get pass the "obtaining IP address" stage when I try to connect.

 

[Via Bank]

159022 has WiFi fitted (with little stickers saying it's available), however I can't seem to get pass the "obtaining IP address" stage when I try to connect.

Hey, all they offer is free Wi-Fi. No promises about also getting free DHCP.

 

[WarrenTManager]

They don't normally advertise until all are fitted. Which I don't think they are yet

 

[TEW]

On the 450s and 444s the WiFi generally wasn't switched on, or you weren't able to connect until they'd all been fitted.

 

[Kite159]

It be working on 159019 & 018. Even in the deepest darkest backlands of north Hampshire

 

[Parallel]

158881 was advertised as having wifi on a GWR service I took today. I didn't try to connect though.

 

[theironroad]

What was in my mind was that Stagecoach expect to win the franchise, and I'd have thought that wifi provision is probably expected by the Dft. Sorry I didn't post properly.

I bet first group expect to win it as well, having sent millions £ bidding for it.

 

[swt_passenger]

As promised a photo of the roof of carriage 57772 in 158884, showing what looks like three aerials. I also saw 158881 with the same aerials this afternoon, as mentioned previously in Parallel's post he'd seen wifi on that unit.

 

[swt_passenger]

Further update, and assuming these things in the photo are definitely the wifi aerials; then 885, 887 and 890 are also fitted.

 

[superalbs]

Posting this from 159016, seems to be working fine!

 

[TEW]

I couldn't connect on 158886 or 159021 yesterday despite them both having the WiFi stickers. Still seems to be a bit hit and miss.

 

[superalbs]

It's a pretty wretched photo, but GWR have seemingly fitted WiFi to their 158798, seen here at Exeter St Davids. Unsure on connectivity status, as I was off to London.

 

[fandroid]

I regularly use the WiFi on 444s. I didn't realise that the 450s are now fitted too. I have found it to work on at least one 159, but that's still an exception. Now that universal free WiFi is here on SWT, they will have to fit some power sockets! If Stagecoach can manage it on Winchester buses(usb sockets) with all journey times sub 30 mins, they can do it on trains.Whoops, that's another thread, and one where the protagonists are grabbing each other by the throats!

 

[swt_passenger]

SWT announcement dated last week: http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/FreeWifiOnAllWoETrains.aspx

Refers to 110 carriages (So 30 x 3 car 159 and 10 x 2 car 158) which most likely means the EMT sub-leased 158 isn't included, but the daily GW hire is because it changes on a day to day basis.

 

[Kite159]

I've found it reliable, although with that announcement means more passengers are aware that it exists so the speed suffers at times (mainly those times between Woking & Waterloo)

Although saying that it wouldn't connect onto 159102 last night, wouldn't load up the log-in page.