I thought the 153s were not being done. The FGW interior 153s were refurbed to a higher standard than the London Midland interior other than the screen on the ceilings. Are these not the 153s in advertising livery?I’ve not seen a GWR interior ‘refresh’ 153 either. Are we sure it’s been done? There are still two ex-London Midland 153s running about. One with green LM seat covers.
I thought the 153s were not being done. The FGW interior 153s were refurbed to a higher standard than the London Midland interior other than the screen on the ceilings. Are these not the 153s in advertising livery?
With Northern supposedly changing the seats in their 158s, could some of the original 158 seats taken out be used by GWR to get rid of the Richmond seats on the 158s? I dont have a problem with these, but it would stop the inconsistency of 2 different types of seat in one unit. When the 158/9s were made up, why didn't they break up units with the same seats to add the carriage?
With the rumoured swap of 150209 for 150207 with Northern which has Chapman seats, will this refurbed into a standard GWR 150/2 interior with 2x2 seating and tables? these are far nicer than 3x3 and stops having a 1 of unit of the subclass.
Just was on a GWR class 158 that was still in local lines livery and unrefurbished inside.
That's why I said 'which I've been refurbished. I still haven't got on a green 158, when I have caught the train and one turned up it has been blue. Still haven't been put for one yet and a 166 has turned up.Just was on a GWR class 158 that was still in local lines livery and unrefurbished inside.

143617 has just ran ECS from Laira to Exeter TMD from where it was having it's C6 overhaul so a refurbished pacer for GWR will be around from tomorrow![]()

617 didn't have a lot done to it lol.143603 ran down ECS on Sunday to Laira replacing 143617 which has returned back to Exeter and is in service again (was with 143619 yesterday). So I suspect 603 will be receiving a C6 overhaul now as well; however as only 143617/8/9 are franchise assets 603 may not get as much work done to it than 617 received![]()
Exactly, they should have been tackled first and are the poor relation at the moment to the GWR 150/2s. However, they are still better than some of the 150/1s they replaced.Surely then if that’s the case they should have trained staff up for them and then only introduced them after their refurbishment, otherwise they’re just ‘London’s old tat’ which is surely going to upset them more
Surely then if that’s the case they should have trained staff up for them and then only introduced them after their refurbishment, otherwise they’re just ‘London’s old tat’ which is surely going to upset them more
And keep the 150/1s in use even longer? I'm sure that idea would have gone down well with GWR passengers and Northern alike. Not.
I doubt passengers around Bristol who now have a better chance of getting a seat on their commute care over-much about what colour the seating material and interior trim are.
With the Turbos gradually going through Wolverton to have disabled toilets fitted and get a coat of paint, while keeping services going out of Paddington until the 387s took over, there simply wasn't the time to start doing work on all the interiors as well.
If they had rushed to do them using the same seating material tried out on the 166 that was given a makeover, there would be an awful lot of tatty-looking seats out there now, as it wasn't up to the job.

It's simple use whatever was used on the seats on the 150s and 158s on the seats, that seems to be wearing OK and up to the job.And keep the 150/1s in use even longer? I'm sure that idea would have gone down well with GWR passengers and Northern alike. Not.
I doubt passengers around Bristol who now have a better chance of getting a seat on their commute care over-much about what colour the seating material and interior trim are.
With the Turbos gradually going through Wolverton to have disabled toilets fitted and get a coat of paint, while keeping services going out of Paddington until the 387s took over, there simply wasn't the time to start doing work on all the interiors as well.
If they had rushed to do them using the same seating material tried out on the 166 that was given a makeover, there would be an awful lot of tatty-looking seats out there now, as it wasn't up to the job.
Exactly, they should have been tackled first and are the poor relation at the moment to the GWR 150/2s. However, they are still better than some of the 150/1s they replaced.
Each time I have got on one of these, which was previously a 150/1 apart from one night 2 x 153, I have managed to sit in one of the declassified First Class sections which has been nearly empty and tatty. With these swapping between Bristol and Reading, if one of these turned up with First Class in force and I had a First Class ticket I wouldn't be happy.
Whilst most of the 166s I've seen round Bristol has been GWR green, I did actually see a FGW blue one the other night at Worle heading towards Bristol. The site of FGW blue and Dynamic Lines is decreasing around here now, apart from the HSTs, 150/1s and 158s.
Not so much a livery update as such, but this should be of interest for any future GWR DMU allocations... https://www.globalrailnews.com/2018/01/22/hochtief-to-build-new-gwr-depot-in-exeter/

Laira most likely, given that there are less HSTs to be stored there...Whilst this is happening, where will all the units that are currently stored at Exeter TMD at night go? Would there still be space... Also with the 158s due soon (once they have all had a repaint to the GWR livery) it obviously allows them more space![]()
5V65 Wolverton Reading today - 2 x 2 car 165's in green.
All this moving about seems to be causing lots of problems at Paddington with problems to the overhead lines. The peak time 8 carriage electrostar services have been reduced to 2 carriage turbos!