Fgw 158961

[ValleyLines142]

158961 was on the booked 158 diagram on the Cardiff to Taunton circuit yesterday (on the diagram starting with the 0648 BRI - WSM). This (along with 158952) has Richmond seating but it has got new seat pads which are firmer!

Normally these examples have seats which slant down slightly and your bum just falls off! Coach C on all other 158s have these seats which can't be very comfortable if you're travelling long distances such as Cardiff to Portsmouth or Great Malvern to Brighton!

 

[387star]

Terrible seats I agree wonder how Scottish folk endure it

798 has the original seating throughout there may be a hybrid that does as well a blessing if you catch it as 798 also has four toilets and four bicycle spaces as well as looking 'normal' from the outside without the hideous blackened driving cab sandwiched inbetween

 

[TEW]

None of the 3-car hybrids have all original seating. All 3-cars have a 2-car ex-TPE unit then the 'extra' coach is an ex-Wessex unit. All the ex-Wessex units received Richmond seating, the majority of ex-TPE units retain the original seats. If 158763 and 158766 were formed in 158952 and 158961 instead of 158762 and 158767 they'd all have 2 carriages of original seating and one of Richmond.

 

[ValleyLines142]

True. Some of the 153s (153318 and 153380 spring to mind) also have Richmond seating too! Think FGW need to put new seat pads on them too!

 

[34D]

Terrible seats I agree wonder how Scottish folk endure it

798 has the original seating throughout there may be a hybrid that does as well a blessing if you catch it as 798 also has four toilets and four bicycle spaces as well as looking 'normal' from the outside without the hideous blackened driving cab sandwiched inbetween

158798 was one of the original Trans Pennine 3 car sets IIRC.

Is this the only centre car that isn't with Northern or an SWT 159?

 

[CC 72100]

True. Some of the 153s (153318 and 153380 spring to mind) also have Richmond seating too! Think FGW need to put new seat pads on them too!

After a good hour on 318 the other afternoon, I can only agree. Not sure how much 'padding' was left in the seat, felt more like 'metal base hard'. Still, they've probably got more important priorities awaiting attention!

 

[Jim]

158798 was one of the original Trans Pennine 3 car sets IIRC.

Is this the only centre car that isn't with Northern or an SWT 159?

Also correct me if i'm wrong, but 798 is the only one left it original TPE 3 car formation now isn't it - as the ones that went to SWT got shuffled around and have been renumbered anyway, and the Northern ones were shuffled as well.

 

[158722]

Also correct me if i'm wrong, but 798 is the only one left it original TPE 3 car formation now isn't it - as the ones that went to SWT got shuffled around and have been renumbered anyway, and the Northern ones were shuffled as well.

The 159/1s are in original formations still, apart from some temporary swapping around if any one car is bust... Correct on the Northern ones and 798.
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None of the 3-car hybrids have all original seating. All 3-cars have a 2-car ex-TPE unit then the 'extra' coach is an ex-Wessex unit. All the ex-Wessex units received Richmond seating, the majority of ex-TPE units retain the original seats. If 158763 and 158766 were formed in 158952 and 158961 instead of 158762 and 158767 they'd all have 2 carriages of original seating and one of Richmond.

You've lost me as to what saying about those 4 units as they are all ex-TPE.

You're right on the two original and one Richmond with one exception, set 953, formed of 52745 and 158750 - unless I'm mistaken and 750 had them changed whilst at TPE for a short while. Wasn't this the last remaining Express livery one?

 

[TEW]

You've lost me as to what saying about those 4 units as they are all ex-TPE.

You're right on the two original and one Richmond with one exception, set 953, formed of 52745 and 158750 - unless I'm mistaken and 750 had them changed whilst at TPE for a short while. Wasn't this the last remaining Express livery one?

They're all ex-TPE but 158762 and 158767 have Richmond seats fitted whilst 158763 and 158766 have original seats still. If those two units were swapped all the 3-car would have two carriages of original seats and one of Richmond.

158953 is one carriage of Richmond and two of original seats. 158750 has original seats fitted through in Standard Class but had different seats fitted in First Class to the rest of the TPE fleet, the same seats as originally fitted in 159 First Class. It was the last unit in Express livery, albeit with TPE branding added.
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True. Some of the 153s (153318 and 153380 spring to mind) also have Richmond seating too! Think FGW need to put new seat pads on them too!

All the Angel Trains owned 153s have Richmond seating. The Porterbrook owned units (325, 329, 333, 361, 369) have Chapman seating.

 

[158722]

They're all ex-TPE but 158762 and 158767 have Richmond seats fitted whilst 158763 and 158766 have original seats still. If those two units were swapped all the 3-car would have two carriages of original seats and one of Richmond.

158953 is one carriage of Richmond and two of original seats. 158750 has original seats fitted through in Standard Class but had different seats fitted in First Class to the rest of the TPE fleet, the same seats as originally fitted in 159 First Class. It was the last unit in Express livery, albeit with TPE branding added.
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All the Angel Trains owned 153s have Richmond seating. The Porterbrook owned units (325, 329, 333, 361, 369) have Chapman seating.

Ok, thanks for clarifying!

 

[ValleyLines142]

All the Angel Trains owned 153s have Richmond seating. The Porterbrook owned units (325, 329, 333, 361, 369) have Chapman seating.

Which ones are Chapman seating? Are they the ones that ATW and FGW 143s have?

 

[TEW]

Yes, and the ex-Wessex 150/2s also have Chapman seating.

 

[387star]

Yes, and the ex-Wessex 150/2s also have Chapman seating.

The ex Wessex units are a right state at the moment...

Holes in the bodywork
.flooring coming up (a common problem for FGW)
Hazard tape everywhere
Lights being held up with newspaper
Glass on doors missing
On one unit the door open button has been screwed in upside down
Missing seat numbers

 

[WelshBluebird]

On one unit the door open button has been screwed in upside down

That unit seems to be stalking me!

 

[TEW]

The ex Wessex units are a right state at the moment...

Holes in the bodywork
.flooring coming up (a common problem for FGW)
Hazard tape everywhere
Lights being held up with newspaper
Glass on doors missing
On one unit the door open button has been screwed in upside down
Missing seat numbers

Still far better than any of the 150/1s though. Missing seat numbers has been a problem since they were first refurbished. As with the 153s and 158s they are starting to be in need of another refurbishment. They were refurbished between 6 and 7 years ago now and haven't really had any interior work done since.

 

[CC 72100]

Still far better than any of the 150/1s though. Missing seat numbers has been a problem since they were first refurbished. As with the 153s and 158s they are starting to be in need of another refurbishment. They were refurbished between 6 and 7 years ago now and haven't really had any interior work done since.

I must confess, with the 150s, I was under the impression that they have never had seat numbers, as they are never normally on reserved services? I've certainly never seen one WITH seat numbers!

As for their condition - indeed, they are worked hard, and they need a high fleet availability on the West fleet, hence why some a starting to look a little tired in places.

 

[TEW]

They did originally have seat numbers above each seat, in the plastic grand handle moulding. They aren't used on a services with reservations at the moment but there were quite a few 150 worked services that used to carry reservations. They still can carry reservations if they substitute for a 158 on Cardiff-Portsmouth or Brighton services.

 

[ValleyLines142]

They still can carry reservations if they substitute for a 158 on Cardiff-Portsmouth or Brighton services.

I don't understand how that's possible though as the seating arrangement is completely different to the layout of a 158.

 

[CC 72100]

They did originally have seat numbers above each seat, in the plastic grand handle moulding. They aren't used on a services with reservations at the moment but there were quite a few 150 worked services that used to carry reservations. They still can carry reservations if they substitute for a 158 on Cardiff-Portsmouth or Brighton services.

Ah ok - as I said, I'd never seen them with a seat number in, thought it was standard that they didn't have them!

 

[91103eastcoast]

I don't understand how that's possible though as the seating arrangement is completely different to the layout of a 158.

The reservations probably end up in all the "wrong" places, similar to when a HST substitutes for a 91 on the East Coast route, and seats booked as tables end up as airline seats.

 

[TEW]

Yep, I believe they just end up all over the place. Normally if a 150/1 or /9 us used then no reservations are placed at all even. If if a 150/2 is used they don't always place reservations.

 

[ValleyLines142]

From experience, if a 150 substitutes for a 158 then no reservations are put into place, probably because of the different seating arrangement.

Funnilly enough I was on 158961 TWICE today! (1030 Cardiff to Temple Meads, 1654 return) with it's lovely big cushions!

 

[Parallel]

From experience, if a 150 substitutes for a 158 then no reservations are put into place, probably because of the different seating arrangement.

Nope, reservations do definitely show up on 150 replacements about half the time on the Cardiff - Portsmouth route. Saw it on a three car 150/1 (150/9) the other day, they had put the reservation cards in between the seat padding and the plastic seat backing and bent it up, looked a right mess and have seen this done before a few times! About half of the time they don't bother though. Although the sprinters could do with a refresh (the carpet on the 158 I was on earlier was grim), I find the 150/2s a lot nicer than ATW's 150/2s which just feel properly run down IMO. I'm not a fan of the lighting on 150/1s, since FGW replaced the T12 tubes with LED alternatives, the lighting is dim, and many seem to flicker, not work or be missing completely!

--

I really appreciate the new padding on some trains that have a carriage of Richmond seating. I find them now actually quite comfortable. Usually if I'm doing a short journey I prefer the softer original seats, but I find it gives me bad back posture for longer journeys so I try and sit in the Richmond seating for that. Usually the two carriages of original seating are the ones that have reservation cards.

 

[TEW]

Whilst I haven't been on any FGW units with extra padding fitted yet I have always found the Richmond seating fitted in several Northern fleets, which have much more generously padded seat bases, more comfortable. Unfortunately those seats still suffered from the common problems I find with Richmond seats; seat bases that slope forwards and a lack of legroom. Poor legroom is a common feature with 15x units though.

 

[387star]

One 150/9 has some of the original flooring replaced with part new flooring looks awful

Wasn't aware the ATW units were a state internally
(The 150s) as I believe all were given brand new interiors save for the original valley units

The Anglia units ha the cluttered 3 and 2 replaced with low density 2 and 2 and the ScotRail units had totally new seating fitted not so long ago... I guess most refreshes only last so long. There are of course exceptions like SWT 159s which have always remained great

 

[TEW]

The ex-Wessex units have barely been touched by ATW either. They've been fitted with ATW seat covers but that's it. Grab handles are still in Wessex pink, and the toilets are still disgusting. The FGW 150/0s have been given new flooring throughout and look much better for it when compared with the LM green flooring still fitted to the ex-LM units.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Nope, reservations do definitely show up on 150 replacements about half the time on the Cardiff - Portsmouth route. Saw it on a three car 150/1 (150/9) the other day, they had put the reservation cards in between the seat padding and the plastic seat backing and bent it up, looked a right mess and have seen this done before a few times! About half of the time they don't bother though. Although the sprinters could do with a refresh (the carpet on the 158 I was on earlier was grim), I find the 150/2s a lot nicer than ATW's 150/2s which just feel properly run down IMO. I'm not a fan of the lighting on 150/1s, since FGW replaced the T12 tubes with LED alternatives, the lighting is dim, and many seem to flicker, not work or be missing completely!

Well I've never seen seat reservations so I'll have to look out for them next time!

I was on a Cardiff to Portsmouth which was a pair of 150s a few months back and there were no seat reservations. The conductor said it was just a case of sitting anywhere.

The ex-Wessex units have barely been touched by ATW either. They've been fitted with ATW seat covers but that's it. Grab handles are still in Wessex pink, and the toilets are still disgusting. The FGW 150/0s have been given new flooring throughout and look much better for it when compared with the LM green flooring still fitted to the ex-LM units.

Indeed so. The non ex-Wessex units are a lot nicer internally (i.e. 150208/213/217/229/231/235/237/245/250/252/255/256/257/258/259/260/262/264/283/285).

 

[fgwrich]

The ex-Wessex units have barely been touched by ATW either. They've been fitted with ATW seat covers but that's it. Grab handles are still in Wessex pink, and the toilets are still disgusting. The FGW 150/0s have been given new flooring throughout and look much better for it when compared with the LM green flooring still fitted to the ex-LM units.

And I some of Cantons units the internal doors between cars have been ripped - literally - out and not been replaced. I saw one last year running around with a Wessex seat base and ATW Seat back.

Our 150/0s are rather nice inside - both floor, seats and LED lighting wise, something that hasn't worked very well on the ex LOROL 150/1s creating a rather dingy interior with shadows, doesn't look too bad on the ex LM units save for the colour clashing green flooring but seems to work rather nicely with a good refurbishment on the refurbished 150/0s on Basingstoke - Reading.

But, despite it's slightly worn interiors on the west fleet, I would still say that FGW Have created some of the most impressive and smartest looking fleet interiors around - especially with the bright white lighting on the 150s and 153s. Although I completely agree with you TEW on the Richmond seats in the 158s too.

 

[thelongestroad]

I was wandering why they haven't sorted the London Midland 153s yet which are still in the green livery and retain the London Midland interior. Is it possible they're returning to LM at some point? They've been around for what, 2 or 3 years now?