Also need to add 390114 Which went to Widnes on 15/10/22
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Avanti West Coast Rolling Stock Updates
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RailUK Forums
Had my first ride onboard a refurbished 390 earlier today.
I'm quite split on it to be honest. Standard class is definitely an improvement - more leg room, more luggage space, and better provisions for facilities such as plugs, extendable fold-down tables, USBs, and wireless charging.
First class (and Standard Premium by extension), however, is a dissapointment. They look smart and snazzy in refurbishment photographs, but the seats themselves are firmer (not in a good way like the IEPs - which at least numb you into comfort!), the table legs have been offset from the centre such that the window seats virtually have no legroom, and the fridges have a constant whirring noise that deafens the coach. The old first class with the new standard class would have made a decent combination.
The harsh lighting doesn't help either, though in standard class it's an improvement somewhat - contributing to the illusion of space in what must be the narrowest vehicle in the UK rail network. But in first class it cheapens the vibe (as somebody sitting next to me had told me).
Definitely a mixed bag I would say.
I'm quite split on it to be honest. Standard class is definitely an improvement - more leg room, more luggage space, and better provisions for facilities such as plugs, extendable fold-down tables, USBs, and wireless charging.
First class (and Standard Premium by extension), however, is a dissapointment. They look smart and snazzy in refurbishment photographs, but the seats themselves are firmer (not in a good way like the IEPs - which at least numb you into comfort!), the table legs have been offset from the centre such that the window seats virtually have no legroom, and the fridges have a constant whirring noise that deafens the coach. The old first class with the new standard class would have made a decent combination.
The harsh lighting doesn't help either, though in standard class it's an improvement somewhat - contributing to the illusion of space in what must be the narrowest vehicle in the UK rail network. But in first class it cheapens the vibe (as somebody sitting next to me had told me).
Definitely a mixed bag I would say.
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Pinus contorta
Member
I havent seen the shop, but the 'behind the glass' would be the same as the supermarkets having their fridges with doors as a requirement to reduce energy wastage would it not?
The old setup was multiple full height fridges with doors and a shelf of crisps/snacks next to the counter. The new setup is a half height counter.
Pinus contorta
Member
Oh I see. My misunderstanding sorry!
Personally, after about 10 trips in first class on the refurbs, I haven’t noticed the seats being firmer, nor the table legs (despite always taking a window seat) and definitely not the fridge noise. If anything I’d say there were many fewer rattles etc which makes the trip noticeably quieter.
william.martin
On Moderation
Got a un- refurbished 390 today, unless 137 has been done?
Is the cop 26 390 refurbed as I might get that instead?
Is the cop 26 390 refurbed as I might get that instead?
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No, still running around unrefurbed.
william.martin
On Moderation
Guys, is the Avanti relief train 1z69 today?
That looks like a rail tour or private charter, is it goes on to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway after.
SuperLuke2334
Established Member
As far as I am aware, there are no more Avanti relief trains. LSL ended their Friday Charter at the beginning of October.
william.martin
On Moderation
Oh ok, I thought it was still running,
Ah yes, didn't notice that on RTT
Halish Railway
Established Member
From that video it looks like most of the seats in the intermediate carriages are set round tables AND align with the windows! The Coach D experience lives on!
TheHovisKid
Member
But, are the vestibules any nicer to stand in? Asking for a friend.....
First trip on a refurbed 390 today. Very impressed with standard class. No longer are people scrumming for table seats to get charging points. I like the green theme and the seat was fine.
Not so impressed with the hourly off peak timetable from Manchester - the train was absolutely rammed and the WiFi was hit and miss. At seat food ordering didn’t work either.
Not so impressed with the hourly off peak timetable from Manchester - the train was absolutely rammed and the WiFi was hit and miss. At seat food ordering didn’t work either.
SansHache
Member
Latest status 15 trains completed;
| Refurb. No. | Train | Return to Service |
| 1 | 390125 | 25-Apr-22 |
| 2 | 390123 | 06-May-22 |
| 3 | 390148 | 14-May-22 |
| 4 | 390155 | 20-May-22 |
| 5 | 390156 | 25-May-22 |
| 6 | 390154 | 12-Jun-22 |
| 7 | 390157 | 25-Jun-22 |
| 8 | 390131 | 16-Jul-22 |
| 9 | 390124 | 30-Jul-22 |
| 10 | 390104 | 26-Aug-22 |
| 11 | 390119 | 20-Sep-22 |
| 12 | 390128 | 17-Sep-22 |
| 13 | 390103 | 06-Oct-22 |
| 14 | 390115 | 05-Nov-22 |
| 15 | 390114 | 12-Nov-22 |
| 16 | 390127 | At Widnes |
| 17 | 390129 | At Widnes |
Thanks
TT-ONR-NRN
Established Member
Halfway through the 11 car sets then.
Jamesrob637
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Aug 2016
- Messages
- 5,325
Stands me in good stead for having a refurbished unit when I travel to London in the New Year.
I note 390127 is now out in service as of today.
Does anyone know which set has replaced it in Widnes?
Does anyone know which set has replaced it in Widnes?
Chris F3
New Member
Hi, doing some research into British manufacturing content in UK rolling stock, does anyone know if the original 390 traction motors were made in the UK? All I can find online is that they are part of Alsthom's "Onix" family, but it's unclear where they were actually manufactured for the UK order. I know their former plant at Preston made traction motors but since that seemed to have been run down long before final closure I wouldn't be surprised if the motors had been made in Italy or France.
The Widnes plant isn't engaged in any manufacturing either, from what i gather.
The Widnes plant isn't engaged in any manufacturing either, from what i gather.
TT-ONR-NRN
Established Member
This thread may be of help:
Alstom ONIX traction system
I've always wondered where the ONIX traction system used in the Junipers and 1995 Northern Line stock was designed. Is it a British GEC design or from France? I would have thought it was a French system seeing the last traction equipment (as far as I know) designed in the UK was for the Networkers.
www.railforums.co.uk
SansHache
Member
The initial design of the Class 390 Traction Motor was undertaken at Alstom's Preston site and the first two prototype machines were manufactured at Preston (these were "specials" for use on the Combined Test facility). Unfortunately the decision was taken to wind down (pardon the pun) motor manufacturing in the UK and the production build was transferred to the Alstom centre of excellence in Ornans, eastern France.
Ornans manufactured all the motors (more than 770 in total) for the original build and additional cars contracts.
Alstom Preston retained the facility to perform repairs and overhauls, with the entire fleet already overhauled twice at Preston. The next motor overhaul will be performed at the former Bombardier facility in Crewe, starting in summer 2023. Widnes has limited facilities for traction motor repairs and was not suited for the throughput required to support the Class 390 programme.
Ornans is the most unlikely location to find a major railway manufacturing facility, with the village a major tourist location nestling in the Loue valley in the foothills of the Jura mountains.
The factory originally belonged to Oerlikon, who supplied the electrical equipment for the Metropolitan Carriage & Wagon trains introduced on LNWR London suburban routes from 1915 onwards. Hence, Ornans traction motors have a proud heritage on Metro Cammell trains operating out of London Euston, dating back more than 100 years!
Histoire et patrimoine - Ville d'Ornans
L’industrie ornanaise, une histoire riche qui débute dès le Moyen-Âge Ornans est un bassin industriel qui regroupe des entreprises à ampleur nationale, voire internationale dans des domaines pointus avec des savoir-faire d’excellences : outillage...
www.ornans.fr
London & North Western Railway motor coach | Science Museum Group Collection
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Back on topic, 390129 will be the next (17th) refurbished unit out of Widnes. I will update on the following trains once confirmed.
390129 (17th refurbished unit) is back in service today (11th December). It has been replaced at Widnes by 390141.
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SansHache
Member
Exactly half-way through the 11-car fleet with 17 refurbished trains in service and 390141 under refurbishment at Widnes.
| Refurb. No. | Train | Return to Service |
| 1 | 390125 | 25-Apr-22 |
| 2 | 390123 | 06-May-22 |
| 3 | 390148 | 14-May-22 |
| 4 | 390155 | 20-May-22 |
| 5 | 390156 | 25-May-22 |
| 6 | 390154 | 12-Jun-22 |
| 7 | 390157 | 25-Jun-22 |
| 8 | 390131 | 16-Jul-22 |
| 9 | 390124 | 30-Jul-22 |
| 10 | 390104 | 26-Aug-22 |
| 11 | 390119 | 20-Sep-22 |
| 12 | 390128 | 17-Sep-22 |
| 13 | 390103 | 06-Oct-22 |
| 14 | 390115 | 05-Nov-22 |
| 15 | 390114 | 12-Nov-22 |
| 16 | 390127 | 29-Nov-22 |
| 17 | 390129 | 11-Dec-22 |
| 18 | 390141 | At Widnes |
I'm still amazed that a TOC managed to pull off an upgrade without ruining the passenger experience. I was fully expecting one of the following:
Looking forward to a >50% chance of catching a refurb. I seem to have been unlucky on most trips so far.
- ironing board seats
- more seats crammed in
- all the 2nd class tables removed
- lighting borrowed from the local hospital/morgue installed
- just changing the seat covers/carpets and calling it an upgrade
Looking forward to a >50% chance of catching a refurb. I seem to have been unlucky on most trips so far.
gabrielhj07
Member
The new seats, while a bit low to the deck, really contribute to the sense of space in what is quite a small carriage. The new luggage racks are also wonderful.