First ScotRail Refurbished 158's

[First ScotRail]

First ScotRail has began its 158 [Inverness] refurbishment. The first unit to be compleated was 158701 and it is now back in services on INV-ABD, INV-Wick/Thurso and INV - Kyle . The train has recieved a major interior refubishment at Springburn works:

From scot-rail wiki page, taken by class47man.


The Class 156's are also going through a re-furb at Bombardier Derby works:

Photo taken from scot-rail wiki, taken by Dysgraphyk

 

[Gizmogle]

Ugh. I do wish First would stop refurbishing things.
It does look much better overall, but I bet you could get more comfortable on an ironing board.

 

[First ScotRail]

It wasnt first's refurbishment, it was Transport Scotland's. The seats are the same as fitted to the refurbished FGW hst and are "meant" to have passenger comfort as a priority.

 

[Gizmogle]

Ah fair enough. But yeah, comfort my arse. I find 158 seats are about as comfortable as you could get. No way can a piece of material covered plastic be comfortable.

 

[First ScotRail]

ScotRail removed the original 158 seats when they had the franchise with the chapmen seats (same as northern 156's) and they were too close and bloody uncomfortable so anything is a bonus with this refubishment.

 

[Gizmogle]

Hmm, I've never used ScotRail before. Our Northern 156s have all sorts of different seats in them. All of them which I find comfortable.

Do you mean these?

 

[First ScotRail]

No the same ones which are fitted to the ex Arriva Trains Northern 156's, and thats a pic of a 150 interior.

 

[Gizmogle]

Ah indeed it is lol
Just trying to think of the "uncomfortable" seats on Northern trains lol
But yeah, think I know the ones you mean, but they really aren't uncomfortable! Maybe I'm just used to 156s

 

[Jordy]

I cant see the pics, any chance of hyperlinks?

 

[mbonwick]

http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/photo/scaled/628.jpg

http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/photo/scaled/511.jpg

http://images.fotopic.net/ymv7x6.jpg

That better Jordy?

 

[Jordy]

Much better, thanks

 

[devon_metro]

ScotRail removed the original 158 seats when they had the franchise with the chapmen seats (same as northern 156's) and they were too close and bloody uncomfortable so anything is a bonus with this refubishment.

No really, they are not.

Also to note that FC has the same seats as Standard class just with a fancy anti-massacre and a table lamp.

 

[Dennis]

...just with a fancy anti-massacre...

Do you mean antimacassar? Or are they armour plated or something?

Anyway - those FSR interiors look very smart; when they going to do the ex-Wessex ones?

 

[DJC_158]

both the 158 and 156s look very smart indeed- the last time i was in scotland which was a while ago now, their 156s interior were not looking thier best

 

[Lewisham2221]

The 158 refurb looks pretty good.

Which is far more than can be said for the 156 refurb. Looks awful IMO!

 

[Max]

That 158 refurb looks great, looks much more like an intercity train now! I really disliked those 156 style seats (shame Northern now have a few 158s with those seats!).

 

[Turbostar]

I thought the 158's were refurbished last year, or was that just on the outside? :?

Mart

 

[First ScotRail]

Last year the 158's got re-painted and had new exterior door light things. The ex wessex units will not be staying with fsr and are only at the company to cover for the units away being refubished.

Which is far more than can be said for the 156 refurb. Looks awful IMO!

The 156 refurb had less spent on it however it got:
a new disabled area
new seat covers
new carpets and enterence carpets
a complete interior repaint
repainted interior doors and vynal around the exit buttons.

FSR funded previously:
new fabric on wall pannels beside seats and at coach ends
new pis boards (franchise commitment)
exterior repaint
new table tops
CCTV fitted throughout

Expect the early 170's to go through a re-fresh soon as well:
new carpets, seat covers and a deep clean

 

[me123]

These trains don't really do FSR justice; look at a First Liveried 170, possibly some of the best units for comfort on the network.

The 156s are actually more comfortable than they look, but they definately don't look nice. The SPT ones are aesthetically better, and just as comfortable. I wouldn't like to do a long journey, but they are quite nice.

I personally find 320s even worse than 156s, though. (can't find a pic).

Whilst the 322s look nice outside with First colours:
They look hideous inside. See a pattern emerging?

 

[First ScotRail]

I have to disagree with you there, the trains once refurbished are overall more lighter inside due to the colours first group have used. The exterior livery is nice however wont be on the trains by late next year. And the seats on the FSR 156 are comfortable. Also the 320 re-furb was undertaken by ScotRail and therefore was nothing to do with fsr, however they are due a refresh later this year so expect something similar to the 318 refurb.

 

[me123]

I also fnd that the pics of FSR trains make them seem more "cluttered" than they are, just to add.

 

[First ScotRail]

well thats not exactly fsr's fault is it.

 

[me123]

well thats not exactly fsr's fault is it.

I was making the point that the trains look worse than they are, in general.

 

[Woody]

It wasnt first's refurbishment, it was Transport Scotland's. The seats are the same as fitted to the refurbished FGW hst and are "meant" to have passenger comfort as a priority.

If they are the same as those rediculously high seats fitted to FGW Refurbished HSTs then forget the view from the train and get used to the rear of the seat in front of stuck in your face for the entire journey.

 

[devon_metro]

If they are the same as those rediculously high seats fitted to FGW Refurbished HSTs then forget the view from the train and get used to the rear of the seat in front of stuck in your face for the entire journey.

Ah but FSR have found a device called a table. Perhaps FGW could get some advice?

 

[Woody]

Ah but FSR have found a device called a table. Perhaps FGW could get some advice?

Doubt they would listen, anyway the deed is done as have been their long suffering passengers.FGW seem determined to push longer distance passengers back onto the roads or into the air,or perhaps is that what the Dft want in far flung corners like Devon/Corrnwall so they can then justify why not spend on the railways this far west.It certainly starting to feel like that to me.

 

[me123]

How long has 158701 had the new style headlights? Looks good!

It's part of this refurbishment

At time of writing, 158701 is the only unit in traffic with the new features, and a few more are getting done just now. The refurbs are taking quite a long time. I think it looks quite good inside, TBH, and the headlights are very good too.

Mod edit - I've split this post from another topic, so it may not make sense. However, it does include a link to the refurb program by Scotrail. David

 

[Jordy]

Just noticed, same seating pattern as on TPE!

 

[devon_metro]

On another note: First Class isn't up to much!

 

[First ScotRail]

Just noticed, same seating pattern as on TPE!

yes, fsr will have the same seating pattern on all of its trains...given time

The 1st class is much better than previously, it now boasts table lights and power sockets.