Current FGW 158 formations

[142]

158748 has been reformed to a 2 car set again

158954 is also running around as a 2 car set

 

[BestWestern]

Much chopping and changing as ever! Today's Avis Rent-a-Train units included 158884 from SWT and, I think, 150245 from ATW - complete with ancient door buttons which I though had gone donkeys years ago!

 

[Ivo]

I think, 150245 from ATW - complete with ancient door buttons which I though had gone donkeys years ago!

My Fishguard unit!

 

[142]

Much chopping and changing as ever! Today's Avis Rent-a-Train units included 158884 from SWT and, I think, 150245 from ATW - complete with ancient door buttons which I though had gone donkeys years ago!

158884 was indeed the SWT hire in

150245 & 150256 were the Awful urm... Arriva 150s which both ran ECS to GLoucester last night.

 

[BestWestern]

I thought all these units had the current rubbery style of door buttons fitted yonks ago! Is it just me who thinks Arriva's choice of luminous green and pruple chevron seat moquette is hideous??!

 

[fgwrich]

I thought all these units had the current rubbery style of door buttons fitted yonks ago! Is it just me who thinks Arriva's choice of luminous green and pruple chevron seat moquette is hideous??!

Nope, It's Hideous! Purple & Green do not mix at all!

 

[387star]

Arn't the old door controls the ex Wessex units which still have Wessex purple grab holders? Or perhaps ex Anglia or ScoRail though I thought these were all refurbished?

175s/153s on refurbishment have a nicer grey and blue

 

[BestWestern]

Indeed, the purple reminds me of the awful orange and purple striped moquette the 150's had years ago, remember that?! Not nice at all!!

Are the ATW 150 sets with the 'Landscape' scenic images on the saloon bulkheads the refurbed ones? I ask as I thought that FGW's sub-leased five or so units were being chopped and swapped towards the end of the arrangement as ATW were doing them up. Not much of a change though, really

 

[northernrailer]

Just got back from Cardiff, On Monday the ATW Hire in 150 was 150241 and the SWT Hire in was 158885.

158954 is now reformed to a 3 car set, and 150245 still has the old type open door buttons on outside as well as inside, travelled on this unit today.

ATW 153 Refurb:
153362 - refitted / refurb with Chapman seats out of ATW 158`s.
153320 - refurb.
153323 - refurb.
153312 - un-refurbished.

 

[142]

158953 back as 2 car yesterday

 

[obrut165]

the FGW 158 3 cars are being split up as the are going for C4 work in there 2 car sets and also going through a mods program at SPM!!

 

[142]

158952 back as 2 car today

 

[thelem]

153362 - refitted / refurb with Chapman seats out of ATW 158`s.

Do you mean that they replaced these seats:

with these?:

If so, why? The first type are really comfortable and have been in decent condition on the stock I have travelled on.

 

[BestWestern]

Those 'new' seats have appeared on the Class 153 units and on some of the Class 158 vehicles put through the FGW refurb. I understand that they are second hand and came fron Scotrail. Not all of the 158 coaches have them though. The reason I presume is simply that they are newer and perhaps considered to be better seats, although many would suggest they are actually less comfortable than the original design!

 

[TEW]

The reason that some sets got the newer, ex-Scotrail Richmond seating is that there weren't enough original 158 seats to go round all the sets. The seating that used to be fitted to FGW and some ATW 153s, is the original 158 seating, but in the FGW sets the seats were effectively ruined, and you couldn't see out the window. Most the FGW 153s have the uncomfortable Richmond seating fitted. The two 153s refurbished by Wessex, and the one ex FNW 153, which had the Chapman seating as pictured above have retained the Chapman seats, they are much more comfortable.

 

[BestWestern]

The only benefit of the newer seating is that a seat-back table is provided, where as it's hit and miss with the original seating. However this is, allegedly, being rectified.