The different internal state of 158s

[anti-pacer]

One trick to watch out for, any 158 cars that have only been refreshed since leaving ATN's original Transpennine Express fleet will have comfier seats (original seats with extra padding). This includes the centre cars with Northern. Ex-CT units should be avoided where possible, it was a 2hr nightmare when they turned up on the Cambrian prior to ATW's excellent refurbishment. Though back then, the former 'Alphaline' units weren't much better!

I've noticed differences in seat comfort on NT's 158's. Perhaps this explains why.

 

[dk1]

I use EMTs frequently from Norwich & it's so hard to believe they are the same units used by Central Trains. The fact they only ever renewed the runner carpet said it all as the trains where dreadful under & beside seats. The up keep is also in stark contrast as cleanliness & General condition are mostly of a high standard.

 

[driver9000]

You've got that the wrong way round: The centre cars in the 3-car units are ex-Transpennine Express (the only operation that had 3-car 158s). The majority of Northern's 2-car 158s are ex-Central Trains units, which were in an absolutely woeful condition when they were transferred to Northern in the first place.

Although jcollins is right when he says the ex FNW 158s are the ones which gained the centre cars.
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I seem to remember that some EMT 158s had signs in them for a while apologising for the condition of the toilets, saying that units were recently received from another TOC with lower standards (to paraphrase)

That was the 4 former ATN 156s gained from Northern and referred to the whole unit not just the toilets!

 

[yorkie]

I was watching our friend Michael on "catch-up" last night, sat on an EMT 158, and from what I saw internally, it could have passed for a new train.

Contrast that to the dark and gloomy NT 158 I'm on now....

.... I'm sorry but there's no excuse for it.

That's odd because in another thread you gave an excuse for it

...Maybe there's a reason we get shabby trains up here. Would new trains be looked after? I doubt it.

Didn't take you long to change your mind!

 

[cjmillsnun]

That's odd because in another thread you gave an excuse for it

Didn't take you long to change your mind!

There's a solution to this. Make every train anti-pacer has to get on, a bouncy Leyland based 14x

 

[anti-pacer]

There's a solution to this. Make every train anti-pacer has to get on, a bouncy Leyland based 14x

I was speaking about many (not all) of my fellow passengers not treating the trains they travel on with respect.

Yes, I would like new trains, but when I see the amount of crap left on them by other people, I suggested that maybe new trains would be wasted on these uncouth people. It was a tongue in cheek comment!

Enlighten me, why would you like to make every train I travel on a 14x? Come on, I'm all ears?
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That's odd because in another thread you gave an excuse for it

Didn't take you long to change your mind!

As above, it was a tongue in cheek comment. I still think we need new trains, I just question how some of Northern's delightful passengers would look after them.

 

[LowLevel]

There's 2 kinds of ex CT shed - the ones CT kept for the duration which weren't that bad inside and the truly dreadful ones that went to Wales and Borders, stayed green and in some cases ended back with Central at the end of the franchise - they had no care for a long time and were disgusting.

 

[BananaRepublic]

Travelling between Southampton Central and Salisbury, there's a choice of SWT or FGW 158's.
What a contrast between the bright and clean SWT trains and the dingy dark and worn looking FGW equivalents.

Some details on the Wabtec refurb that they did for SWT, on their 158's and 159's....

http://wabtecgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/Profiles/Wabtec_SWT.pdf

 

[45022]

After having just finished a Severn & Solent Ranger, my view is as follows:

1st - SWT 158/159 - clean bright interior
2nd - ATW 158 - comfortable, but 820 was certainly in need of a deep clean
3rd - FGW 158 - Dull inside and removal of tables makes them feel less airy

 

[Scotrail84]

Last summer I sat in the first class bit upon leaving wick but soon realised that with the curtains you could hardly see anything and so moved back into the proper part of the train.

I think one reason they have first class is that they travel to Edinburgh/Glasgow

They operate on routes with first class all the time.

 

[Parallel]

My views:

ATW 158s - Really good refit. I remember what they were like before and as I used to study in Aberystwyth, I did use the Cambrian line a few times a year. The addition of PIS was a good choice, though they often get confused when services from/to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli join/split at Machynlleth. But on the whole, light and a pleasure to travel on.

SWT 158s - You can tell these are well looked after, and the seating is in great condition.

FGW 158s - They are worked very hard. The carpets are in need of replacing sooner rather than later and the new bases on the Richmond seating do seem to be having problems and become detached from the frame. I think improved lighting is needed as well, but as others have said I can't see any more work being done, at least until if FGW get awarded a longer term franchise. They do need some work, but they are still okay to travel on.

I have never used East Midland Trains, Northern Rail or ScotRail's 158s.