Merseyrail reveals refub interiors

[jamesst]

I doubt the windows have ever opened any more than they do already, else people would get head injuries. The windows are bog standard hopper windows and open as much as any window I've ever seen on a unit (bar the slide open type of days long gone by).

I think the cause of heat is more likely to be heating turned on high (probably first thing) and left on, or left on too long, combined with periods of underground running where you can have all the windows you like open but it won't help to cool the train down. This would also explain why on some trains on the same day the ambient temperature is acceptable, and on others it is not. It's 1970s technology in use on trains in 2015.

The Windows did used to open more than now,you defo had to watch your head if you stood too close!
Sadly the local populations obsession at the time with throwing the seats out meant a stopper was put in them

 

[Camden]

The Windows did used to open more than now,you defo had to watch your head if you stood too close!
Sadly the local populations obsession at the time with throwing the seats out meant a stopper was put in them

I see. I don't recall seeing any such class of train with windows that open any wider (class 313s for example) but I guess I'm mistaken.

I do still think the matter of the heaters being left on/too high will have more to do with the heat though, having experienced the hairdryer in your face effect on previous occasion. There's only so much little windows can achieve, especially when a train goes underground.

 

[michael74]

Indeed they did used to open more, if you look you will see the wedge of metal riveted into into the frame to stop it from opening further as the previous poster mentioned, you would see plenty of seats on the lineside. As for the heating, one word..... thermostat?

 

[danbarnstall]

Merseyrail passengers could see new trains on the network within five years, if the authorities give the go-ahead.

Transport body Merseytravel has been considering its options for the current rolling stock which, at 37 years old, is among the oldest in the UK.

Carriages underwent a £32m refurbishment in 2002 and the 59-train fleet was ‘refreshed’ last year at a cost of £8.5m.

And while engineers are managing to improve the efficiency of the current fleet, which still manages to provide one of the most punctual services in the country, Merseytravel has spent more than a year looking into the best options for the region’s train network.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseyside-set-new-fleet-trains-8653733

 

[RMTGuard]

I doubt the windows have ever opened any more than they do already, else people would get head injuries. The windows are bog standard hopper windows and open as much as any window I've ever seen on a unit (bar the slide open type of days long gone by).

I think the cause of heat is more likely to be heating turned on high (probably first thing) and left on, or left on too long, combined with periods of underground running where you can have all the windows you like open but it won't help to cool the train down. This would also explain why on some trains on the same day the ambient temperature is acceptable, and on others it is not. It's 1970s technology in use on trains in 2015.

Hi Camden,


The train heating issue is infortunately down to a fault with the themostat on board the trains. The heating should only work when the temperature drops below a certain level to try to regulate at a normal temp. Unfortunately when this is malfunctionaling it can cause excessively hot or cold trains.

 

[prod_pep]

The first internally refreshed unit, 507029, entered service today on peak time duties on the Ormskirk line.

Work includes a new, improved seat trim and fully repainted panelwork, eliminating the purple colour completely from the interior. Doors have been repainted and given an orange warning strip, litter bins have been fitted and signage has been renewed throughout, marking the wheelchair and cycle spaces more clearly.

It's surprising just how much fresher the interior of this unit is compared with the rest of the fleet. The interiors are looking very tired indeed on some units and this refresh is a real improvement. The colours used brighten things up a lot, and it's great to see the dismal purple panels have all been repainted better shades.

A few photos showing 507029's new look interior:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/prodpep/sets/72157648942059693/.

 

[martynbristow]

The first internally refreshed unit, 507029, entered service today on peak time duties on the Ormskirk line.

Work includes a new, improved seat trim and fully repainted panelwork, eliminating the purple colour completely from the interior. Doors have been repainted and given an orange warning strip, litter bins have been fitted and signage has been renewed throughout, marking the wheelchair and cycle spaces more clearly.

It's surprising just how much fresher the interior of this unit is compared with the rest of the fleet. The interiors are looking very tired indeed on some units and this refresh is a real improvement. The colours used brighten things up a lot, and it's great to see the dismal purple panels have all been repainted better shades.

A few photos showing 507029's new look interior:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/prodpep/sets/72157648942059693/.

Very swish, I'm impressed.
Although .... it seems the cycle straps have been stolen, or maybe they still can't be bothered with them. Its a shame as bikes become a hazard without them. Although its good they've stated clearly its: 1) Bike Store, 2) maybe a pram.
The lack of the accessible bike storage pushed me off taking my bike on the train.

 

[Starmill]

Anyone else had a ride? I'm particularly happy about this Now there's actually somewhere to put your rubbish! Will be looking out for them next time I'm in scouse Any news of more complete?

Oh, and also the door scratches are gone, lets see how long that lasts for. Some existing trains are in an awful condition on the bottom of the doors, due to opening them all at every station! I'd love to see figures for what gets spent on 507/508 door maintenance. Why no passenger door controls...

 

[martynbristow]

Anyone else had a ride? I'm particularly happy about this Now there's actually somewhere to put your rubbish! Will be looking out for them next time I'm in scouse Any news of more complete?

Oh, and also the door scratches are gone, lets see how long that lasts for. Some existing trains are in an awful condition on the bottom of the doors, due to opening them all at every station! I'd love to see figures for what gets spent on 507/508 door maintenance. Why no passenger door controls...

Have they worked out how to use them yet ... the bins that is

I have always wondered about door controls, given the high passenger loadings its probably not worth it, and theres no where on the exterior to mount then easily is there.

It took them long enough to get the current door panels mounted in I seem to recall. Was it Arriva that had those fitted

 

[Wolfie]

Have they worked out how to use them yet ... the bins that is

I have always wondered about door controls, given the high passenger loadings its probably not worth it, and theres no where on the exterior to mount then easily is there.

It took them long enough to get the current door panels mounted in I seem to recall. Was it Arriva that had those fitted

my bold

In much the same way as individual door controls have been completely deactivated and are being plated over on the London Underground....

 

[Bletchleyite]

I have always wondered about door controls, given the high passenger loadings its probably not worth it, and theres no where on the exterior to mount then easily is there.

It took them long enough to get the current door panels mounted in I seem to recall. Was it Arriva that had those fitted

Depends if you're talking 507s or 508s. 508s as built had passenger door controls - they were plated over on going to Merseyside. As these were on both sides of the door, it looks like they took some of the control boxes off the 508s and fitted to the 507s for the staff control boxes that came later (and were indeed Arriva fitted).

508s should still have the plated over "open" button panel on the outside.

Neil
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

my bold

In much the same way as individual door controls have been completely deactivated and are being plated over on the London Underground....

Merseyrail is a busy little network, but it's nowhere near as busy as LUL.

I'd expect any new stock to have door open buttons and probably a feature autoclosing the door after a few minutes of non-use for termini, particularly if, as is likely, any new stock is air-conditioned. The LUL S-stock has such a feature.

Neil

 

[Starmill]

South West Trains have fitted new door buttons into a 455 with the coaches from a 508, so clearly it is possible. Looks right weird though compared to the buttons in the 'real' 455 coaches... much like the whole thing about that coach being in there really haha

 

[martynbristow]

my bold

In much the same way as individual door controls have been completely deactivated and are being plated over on the London Underground....

It is interesting, at some stations I think it could be worthwhile but not worth the costs.
I think I keep catching 508's in the morning, either that or I'm really tired.
Maybe its something that could be included on new stock.
I'll have a look tonight when I'm heading home

 

[507 001]

508s had passenger door controls originally. These were plated over upon transfer to Merseyrail and removed completely upon refurbishment.

 

[northwichcat]

More of a refresh than a refurb - they're the same seats.

It's new seat covers and a repaint.

I travelled on two Merseyrail trains today. The first one hadn't been refreshed and the seat covers were looking worn out. The second one had been refreshed - on the cheap - the new seat covers don't look to have been fitted as well as the old ones and the vinyl flooring was bubbling up on that train, so they obviously left the old vinyls even where it's worn out.

 

[wimbledonpete]

I'd let them use whatever colours they want if they'd turn the heating down. I believe it isn't possible.

Have very limited experience of MerseyRail - went up to Liverpool last week to visit various outlets in Chester, Birkenhead and Southport and they were some of the hottest trains I've ever been on. No-one had opened any windows, either, so maybe that's how people like them!

Apart from that the seats were fine to me and I enjoyed being able to travel on completely new routes for me. In common with all PEP stock you really have to pick your seat if you want more than a sliver of window though.

 

[northwichcat]

Have very limited experience of MerseyRail - went up to Liverpool last week to visit various outlets in Chester, Birkenhead and Southport and they were some of the hottest trains I've ever been on. No-one had opened any windows, either, so maybe that's how people like them!

Last week it wasn't particularly warm outside so I imagine the people sat closest to the doors wouldn't have felt that hot with all the doors opening at every station. Then some others aren't on the train for that long.

Hottest train I've ever been on is a 158 with failed air conditioning. That was easily 30oC with very few windows that could be opened to allow the train to cool down.

 

[martynbristow]

Last week it wasn't particularly warm outside so I imagine the people sat closest to the doors wouldn't have felt that hot with all the doors opening at every station. Then some others aren't on the train for that long.

Hottest train I've ever been on is a 158 with failed air conditioning. That was easily 30oC with very few windows that could be opened to allow the train to cool down.

Air conditioning would be nicer on the new trains.
To clarify the windows are shut because they do *my* and everyone else's head in on the loop. The curves are soo tight they squeal round the corners and having the windows open doesn't block the sound :/
They'll have been shut on the loop and not reopened.

 

[Skie]

The heating on them must get it's power directly from some infernal pit, they can really dump out a lot of hot air. Plus the hoppers are pretty useless since the major refurb stopped them from opening more than an inch, but even before that an open hopper would only serve to cool the people in the next row, not those under the hopper.

 

[hassaanhc]

Last week it wasn't particularly warm outside so I imagine the people sat closest to the doors wouldn't have felt that hot with all the doors opening at every station. Then some others aren't on the train for that long.

Hottest train I've ever been on is a 158 with failed air conditioning. That was easily 30oC with very few windows that could be opened to allow the train to cool down.

Often failed air conditioning can mean that the vents are throwing out warm / hot air, which makes it worse than on a train not fitted with a system.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The heating on them must get it's power directly from some infernal pit, they can really dump out a lot of hot air. Plus the hoppers are pretty useless since the major refurb stopped them from opening more than an inch, but even before that an open hopper would only serve to cool the people in the next row, not those under the hopper.

That is standard with window hoppers on any vehicle.

 

[prod_pep]

Sorry to bring back an old thread, but just wanted to add to a few previously discussed points.

Fitting passenger door controls to the 507s was considered in the early 1980s as the first 508s were transferred from the Southern. Costs were estimated as £200,000 to fit the 507s with door controls against £50,000 to convert the 508s to guard-opened doors. Not surprisingly given the difference in cost, they opted for the latter.

The catches fitted to the window hoppers to prevent them from opening fully were installed as part of the 2002-05 refurb. They also replaced the old pull catches on the windows with a sort of 'button' which you press before pulling them open. I think the 313s now have this as well.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Hottest train I've ever been on is a 158 with failed air conditioning. That was easily 30oC with very few windows that could be opened to allow the train to cool down.

Try a fGW 166 in hot weather - there is allegedly aircon, but it plain doesn't work (I have NEVER been on a 166 with an acceptable interior temperature in summer on fGW). And the windows are locked, and because it's DOO good luck getting them opened.

In summer, I play 165-hunting if I have to go on fGW.

 

[playboy81]

I think the interior refresh looks good. Why though have they not replaced the floors with something that stands up to inconsistent cleaning. I don't believe that they're cleaned every night. I've used the first train of the day to find them absolutely filthy. They look awful. I think it's a shame as it lets the rest of the carriage down.