LM150 internal refurb in progress

[DarloRich]

As an off shoot form this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=89697

Here is a twitter link to the LM page showing the internal refurb of their 150's has begun:

https://twitter.com/LondonMidland/status/382543438593273857/photo/1

Any one able to add any further details as twitter simply says the 3+2 seating will remain.

 

[387star]

321s need to be done too

 

[northernrailer]

im sure the 321s will be done after the 150s as there is only 3 of them, I would think that what ever seat covers they use for the 150s will be same as they put in the 321s as the class 150 and 321s have the same ashbourne seating.

In the twitter repsonses people are saying they hope they loose the 3+2 seating, but why when the 150 that works out of bham in the evening is full and standing! Yes it maybe cramped to get 3 people on all seats but its a seat I can never understand why people would want a reduction in seats on a train, id rather be squashed that have to stand.

 

[tom1649]

Nice to see the original BR Ashbourne seating being retained. I know most other people don't like them though.

 

[bronzeonion]

Dissapointed they are retaining the absolutely awful seating layout. A refurb like the ATW 150's with proper height seats in a good layout would have been brilliant!

 

[DarloRich]

Dissapointed they are retaining the absolutely awful seating layout. A refurb like the ATW 150's with proper height seats in a good layout would have been brilliant!

Having thought about it I am surprised they are even bothering with an internal refurb what with the franchise not having a great deal of time to run.

 

[Class172]

Having thought about it I am surprised they are even bothering with an internal refurb what with the franchise not having a great deal of time to run.

What, another 4 years? It doesn't seem that short a time.

 

[nathanclass323]

4 years isn't particularly short to be honest. I for one hope that they retain the franchise anyway

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Well the three 150s that remained with LM certainly needed some internal TLC.
As for the overall strategy, who knows is the refresh a ROSCO contract obligation? and they are going to be needed on the Marston Vale line until the line upgrades as a result of "East West" or "Electric Spine"

 

[387star]

was on a fgw 150/1 today to basingstoke

shame they didn't repaint the seat backs is this not possible? the floor was also rather dirty but it may have been time of day

I don't hate the units but the seating sure makes them feel their age!

 

[DarloRich]

What, another 4 years? It doesn't seem that short a time.

is it 4 years? Wow - i thought it was 2!

Well the three 150s that remained with LM certainly needed some internal TLC.
As for the overall strategy, who knows is the refresh a ROSCO contract obligation? and they are going to be needed on the Marston Vale line until the line upgrades as a result of "East West" or "Electric Spine"

Yes we will be seeing them down here for some time - i would prefer us to have 2x150's on the Marston Vale services.

 

[Manchester77]

is it 4 years? Wow - i thought it was 2!

Extended now; https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa..._data/file/170565/rail-franchise-schedule.pdf

 

[Old Hill Bank]

is it 4 years? Wow - i thought it was 2!



Yes we will be seeing them down here for some time - i would prefer us to have 2x150's on the Marston Vale services.

You would be most welcome to them, (all three) but the logistics involved with providing rolling stock to that line is one of the industry's odballs until the line gets some second hand investment.
It would make good sense to me if the maintanence of the "LM Three" were to be contracted to Willesden who have previous experience of the units.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It would make good sense to me if the maintanence of the "LM Three" were to be contracted to Willesden who have previous experience of the units.

The problem there would be finding paths for 75mph units on the WCML. Would be easier in the late evenings or on Sundays I suppose, but such restrictions might not fit in with when the units need to be sent there. Besides, Tyseley will have more recent experience with them than Willesden will.

 

[WillPS]

I agree with others who would have preferred a proper refit, like ATW units have. It's clear these units are going to be expected to live in service at least another 10 years, probably over 20.

 

[Class172]

Although they appear to be retaining the original seating layout, will they be installing PIS like they did on the class 153s. In addition, I think it would be good if they installed those half-tables that are on 165/166s into the bays, a they would be appreciated by passengers.

 

[sprinterguy]

I've heard that it's just a refresh, similar to Northern's refresh of its ex-LM 150s: Fresh paint throughout and new seat covers. I'm not aware that any new features are going to be added.

 

[387star]

Fgw ripped the 165 tables out

 

[fgwrich]

Fgw ripped the 165 tables out

Took rather than ripped, although the reason why they were taken out is because they were being ripped out by vandals, damaged and usually left in a bad way. Made sense really for what is effectively a commuter train (certainly the two car 165s anyway)

 

[DarloRich]

As the only person on here who uses these trains on a regular basis i would say the seats are fine, in fact they are really nice on our line as you get lots of space! They need re springing and reupholstering

You would be most welcome to them, (all three) but the logistics involved with providing rolling stock to that line is one of the industry's odballs until the line gets some second hand investment.
It would make good sense to me if the maintanence of the "LM Three" were to be contracted to Willesden who have previous experience of the units.

There is a decent depot at Bletchley doing nothing

The problem there would be finding paths for 75mph units on the WCML. Would be easier in the late evenings or on Sundays I suppose, but such restrictions might not fit in with when the units need to be sent there. Besides, Tyseley will have more recent experience with them than Willesden will.

Should be fine on a Sunday night but then one 150 would sit O/S in London all week - best to run them off Tysley and use the spare to offer more capacity in Birmingham - especially as at present you need to move a 153 down for the other diagram

 

[Old Hill Bank]

LM only use two out of the three in passenger service at any time, the third is either on mtce or waiting to do a set swop. I understand that the only reason that one of them is on a New Street-Hereford diagram Mon-Fri is so Worcester drivers keep the traction knowledge as they are required for the Bletchley-Tyseley weekly set swop, Bletchley drivers not signing the road from New Street to Tyseley. If they were to go to Willesden that nuisance would be removed. A pair of 153s would be a far more attractive proposition for the passenger on a Brum-Hereford than the 150 if a 170 could not be diagramed.

 

[sprinterguy]

The first refurbished unit (150105) has debuted on the usual Hereford diagram today.

Despite the same 3+2 seating being retained, it's amazing how much more appealing the fresh paint and new seat covers have made the trains seem!

http://www.londonmidland.com/about-us/latest-news/passenger-trains-get-a-major-facelift/

Passenger trains get a major facelift
Date: 09 Oct 2013
London Midland has invested £72,000 in improving the look and feel of its Class 150 trains. That’s great news for passengers travelling on services between Birmingham and Hereford and Bletchley and Bedford.

The improvement works, which include the refurbishment and reupholstery of all seats, a thorough repainting of internal walls and surfaces and new brighter lighting, will significantly improve the overall journey experience for hundreds of passengers – a key priority for London Midland.

Neil Bamford, London Midland’s engineering director said, “Passenger feedback is really important to us and we were keen to act on comments about the deteriorating condition of the trains. I am confident that passengers will see a marked improvement which takes us a step closer to our aim of creating quality journeys for everyone”.

“London Midland's Class 150 trains currently have 'best in class' reliability. They were given a new external livery last year so it's great to now finish the job by investing in a fresh new interior as well.”

The majority of the refresh works were carried out by London Midland staff based at Birmingham’s Tyseley depot. The first unit was completed in just three weeks and will make its first journey on the Birmingham – Hereford route on Wednesday 9 October.

Work will now commence on two further units which are expected to reach completion in six weeks’ time.

 

[Manchester77]

Any pics of the new interior?

 

[387star]

As the only person on here who uses these trains on a regular basis i would say the seats are fine, in fact they are really nice on our line as you get lots of space! They need re springing and reupholstering



Space? If they are like the 150/1s they are lacking in that regard
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wow 72 k that seems steep
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have they repainted the black seat backs?

 

[Class172]

Interesting, anyone know what the current diagram for BHM-HFD is? Since I last found out it seems to have changed. I'll try to get a ride on them at some point; bit disappointed that PIS wasn't installed - that would have really made the units perfect.

 

[sprinterguy]

Interesting, anyone know what the current diagram for BHM-HFD is? Since I last found out it seems to have changed.

07:34 Hereford – Birmingham New Street
10:49 Birmingham New Street – Hereford
12:40 Hereford – Birmingham New Street
14:49 Birmingham New Street – Hereford
16:40 Hereford – Birmingham New Street
18:19 Birmingham New Street – Worcester Shrub Hill

 

[MK Tom]

As the only person on here who uses these trains on a regular basis i would say the seats are fine, in fact they are really nice on our line as you get lots of space! They need re springing and reupholstering

As someone who's made considerable use of the Marston Vale line over the last two decades or so (and not someone who automatically prefers old to new) I personally found the 150s to be a big comedown from the comfort of the 117s/121s, and I also find the 153s to be quite an improvement over the 150s. The 150s have totally knackered seating, manky interiors and often smell of wee. I'm hoping this refurb significantly improves all of those things, and isn't just a cosmetic job like the 321s were. From what we've heard it looks good, but I'd like to see some pictures!

 

[387star]

As someone who's made considerable use of the Marston Vale line over the last two decades or so (and not someone who automatically prefers old to new) I personally found the 150s to be a big comedown from the comfort of the 117s/121s, and I also find the 153s to be quite an improvement over the 150s. The 150s have totally knackered seating, manky interiors and often smell of wee. I'm hoping this refurb significantly improves all of those things, and isn't just a cosmetic job like the 321s were. From what we've heard it looks good, but I'd like to see some pictures!

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/interior-refurbishment-for-london-midland-class-150s

Looks great

 

[nathanclass323]

Have they had a PIS installed?

 

[northwichcat]

I've heard that it's just a refresh, similar to Northern's refresh of its ex-LM 150s: Fresh paint throughout and new seat covers. I'm not aware that any new features are going to be added.

Emm the ex-LM 150s at Northern that I've travelled on have only had an exterior repaint, new seat covers and a deep clean they retain the original paint internally. Northern do have some ex-ATN 150s which retain the original layout and have had what the ex-LM ones have had but additionally also an internal repaint and replace floor vinyl and that extra bit makes quite a big difference to how good the trains look. A number of the ex-LM 150s at Northern have had vandals carving in to the seat backs which is less of an issue on the ex-ATN 150s.
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As someone who's made considerable use of the Marston Vale line over the last two decades or so (and not someone who automatically prefers old to new) I personally found the 150s to be a big comedown from the comfort of the 117s/121s, and I also find the 153s to be quite an improvement over the 150s. The 150s have totally knackered seating, manky interiors and often smell of wee. I'm hoping this refurb significantly improves all of those things, and isn't just a cosmetic job like the 321s were. From what we've heard it looks good, but I'd like to see some pictures!

Being in your part of the country recently I observed that the 150s on Marston Vale run between Bletchley, which is a station where every other train serving it is a modern EMU and Bedford, where every other service is either an EMU or a modern DEMU. So however modern you make the 150s look they are going to seem noisy and rattly compared to the other traction in the area.