I wonder if they are waiting to find out the outcome of the hybrid trail as this will influence future rolling stock strategy. If it is successful then the 166s will get refurbished at the same time as being hybridtised and have the extra network trailers added.I have no idea but the 165/166 fleet as a whole is in dire need of refurbishment. Living in the Westbury area, it was certainly irritating having our lovely newly refurbished 150s and 158s get sent away and being replaced with Reading's crusty Turbo fleet, none of which are pleasant to ride at all!
I am afraid I can only agree. After travelling on the 165/166’s yesterday on both the North Downs line and the Portsmouth to Cardiff route, it became crystal clear to me that the turbos are in dire need of refurbishment, and are unsuitable for the many of the routes they serve. The interiors are falling to pieces, and in many ways the green carpet added to the 166 fleet makes the matter worse, as the already questionable colour scheme of blue, pink and purple is now clashing with GWR green carpets.I have no idea but the 165/166 fleet as a whole is in dire need of refurbishment. Living in the Westbury area, it was certainly irritating having our lovely newly refurbished 150s and 158s get sent away and being replaced with Reading's crusty Turbo fleet, none of which are pleasant to ride at all!
I know the argument has been done to death elsewhere, but there aren't enough 158's to run mostly 5 cars on the Cardiff Portsmouth, so would you rather be rammed into a "comfortable" 3 car 158 or have a lot more space on a less comfortable turbo?I am afraid I can only agree. After travelling on the 165/166’s yesterday on both the North Downs line and the Portsmouth to Cardiff route, it became crystal clear to me that the turbos are in Dior need of refurbishment, and are unsuitable for the many of the routes they serve. The interiors are falling to pieces, and in many ways the green carpet added to the 166 fleet makes the matter worse, as the already questionable colour scheme of blue, pink and purple is now clashing with GWR green carpets.
Although in a very sorry state, at least the fleet on the north downs will be displaced soon with 769’s. However, putting some of the most dated trains on the GWR network refurbishment wise on a service previously operated by refurbished 158’s seems ludicrous. After all, the 158’s were conceived and designed for routes like the Portsmouth to Cardiff - longer distance services with lower demand. And without gangways, there can’t be a trolley service either.
Yes, I do see what you mean. My service yesterday was a 5 car, and was not too busy, but I can imagine at peak times that would be different, especially in a 3 car unit. Hopefully the Flex units can displace some 158’s as well on partly electrified routes, bringing them down onto this route.I know the argument has been done to death elsewhere, but there aren't enough 158's to run mostly 5 cars on the Cardiff Portsmouth, so would you rather be rammed into a "comfortable" 3 car 158 or have a lot more space on a less comfortable turbo?
I think that getting the refurbishment done by Dior might be somewhat too expensive.After travelling on the 165/166’s yesterday on both the North Downs line and the Portsmouth to Cardiff route, it became crystal clear to me that the turbos are in Dior need of refurbishment, and are unsuitable for the many of the routes they serve.
Sorry about that one! I meant dire.I think that getting the refurbishment done by Dior might be somewhat too expensive.
I'll see myself out.
Neither of those options are acceptable really; people should be encouraged to use rail not put off by unsuitable trains.I know the argument has been done to death elsewhere, but there aren't enough 158's to run mostly 5 cars on the Cardiff Portsmouth, so would you rather be rammed into a "comfortable" 3 car 158 or have a lot more space on a less comfortable turbo?
As we seem to be moving into speculative ideas territory, I have created a new topic in the appropriate section and replied there.
Many thanks for doing thisAs we seem to be moving into speculative ideas territory, I have created a new topic in the appropriate section and replied there.
387301 got done yesterday tooAs reported elsewhere on railforums, the (ex-)c2c units with GWR are getting GWR branding on the c2c white base. 387302 has been treated so far.
166s will be done when refurbishedi know its probably been mentioned already but are the remaining blue 150s & 166s due for a repaint any time soon? id imagine that the 166s will be done alongside their interiors though
Well, Avanti is a joint First / Trenitalia company, and South Western is a joint First / MTR Company so who knows387301 got done yesterday too
Although amusingly, some still have Trenitalia logos along with the GWR logo. So I don't know if I missed some memo about Trenitalia taking over the company
These were rumoured to be 150219 and 150238 going up to be repainted but 150202 went up instead for some reason.Interesting FL operated STPs 19/02
0625 Exeter - Wolverton
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K01039/2022-02-19/detailed
0945 Exeter - Wolverton
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K01038/2022-02-19/detailed