Northern Rail 3 car 158s

[railrambler]

A few years ago Northern refurbished all their 158s with the two car sets having the notorious “hard seats”. However two or more three car sets were fitted with what I can describe as having “first class upholstery” These units appear to be dedicated to the S & C. So my question is how many sets were refurbished and why so few ?
If you want to experience 1st class travel on a Northern train then get onboard !!!

 

[Mollman]

From my understanding all the 3-car sets were refurbished first and had their existing seats re-padded. I seem to recall the idea was that they would get new seats after all the 2-car sets were done but then it was cancelled, could be wrong on that though.

 

[skyhigh]

However two or more three car sets were fitted with what I can describe as having “first class upholstery” These units appear to be dedicated to the S & C.

All the 3 car sets retained the original seating. Only the 2 car sets had new seats fitted. They are definitely not dedicated to the S&C, they turn up on plenty of lines including Leeds-Wigan and Hull-Halifax.

So my question is how many sets were refurbished and why so few ?

Different vehicle owner to the other 158s and Porterbrook wanted to retain the original seating.

 

[danielnez1]

One of the many "joys" of Privatisation

 

[trawler]

Northern's 3-car 158 are planned to be re-allocated to Hull BG once the additional work to the depot has been completed in the coming months. As stated they do tend to turn-up on Hull - Halifax runs although looking today only a couple on.

 

[M60lad]

With the plans for 3 car 158s to go to Hull what's going to replace them as currently 3 cars normally turn up on Leeds-Wigan via Brighouse services and also Leeds-Morecambe/Carlisle services from what I can gather?

 

[skyhigh]

With the plans for 3 car 158s to go to Hull what's going to replace them as currently 3 cars normally turn up on Leeds-Wigan via Brighouse services and also Leeds-Morecambe/Carlisle services from what I can gather?

I'm guessing that they'll still work the same routes but just be maintained at Hull - in a similar way to 170s still working the Harrogate line since they transferred over.

 

[trawler]

Yes the 170s on the Harrogate line roster back to Hull on several York to Hull services. They could do the same on the Hull to Halifax service.

 

[Yorkshire09876]

A few years ago Northern refurbished all their 158s with the two car sets having the notorious “hard seats”. However two or more three car sets were fitted with what I can describe as having “first class upholstery” These units appear to be dedicated to the S & C. So my question is how many sets were refurbished and why so few ?
If you want to experience 1st class travel on a Northern train then get onboard !!!

The new seats on the 2-car sets are actually OK - extra padding compared to normal ironing boards.

The three car sets (owned by a different ROSCO to the 2-car ones) simply retained their original seats with new upholstery. They really aren't 'first class' and are extremely unpleasant for anyone who is tall as there is nowhere near enough leg room.

 

[Bletchleyite]

A few years ago Northern refurbished all their 158s with the two car sets having the notorious “hard seats”. However two or more three car sets were fitted with what I can describe as having “first class upholstery”

I think you may have accidentally mistyped "seat cushions so thick that there's basically no legroom and you can't get your legs under the table". Like the GWR units these units are properly awful.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Aug 2025 ==

The new seats on the 2-car sets are actually OK - extra padding compared to normal ironing boards.

Those ones are quite good. The interior is basically the same as a 195 and the legroom is good.

 

[xotGD]

The three cars are luxury compared to the two cars. I am always delighted when I drop onto one of them. Indeed I am hoping for one on a trip over the S&C next week.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The three cars are luxury compared to the two cars. I am always delighted when I drop onto one of them. Indeed I am hoping for one on a trip over the S&C next week.

Anyone who thinks that must be fairly short in stature, or have a disproportionately short upper leg!

 

[xotGD]

Anyone who thinks that must be fairly short in stature, or have a disproportionately short upper leg!

Six foot one, and no abnormal proportions!

The seats are so much more comfortable than on the two car sets.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I'm fine with either of the 158s' seating arrangements, although I have to do a lot more shuffling to fit into the seats on the 3 cars.

 

[skyhigh]

They are okay if you nab one of the priority seating rows with extra legroom. The rest are very tight.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

They are okay if you nab one of the priority seating rows with extra legroom. The rest are very tight.

Indeed, fortunately my usual commuting train is quiet enough I can get a table or priority seat pair to myself