Marston Vale 150s condition

[Ribbleman]

From my trip on Monday - seats are kinda dirty but not the worst. Floor wasn't very clean and window was filthy. Could barely see out of it.

The brown, greasy marks at the top of the seats in the photo are typical of many Northern units too. I wonder if using hand held steam cleaners would improve matters.

 

[danielnez1]

I wouldn't be surpassed if Northern sent over their grubbiest 150 units in the first place. That seemed to happen during the Secro/Abellio days when some Northern Class 156s were transferred to EMT.

 

[Towers]

The brown, greasy marks at the top of the seats in the photo are typical of many Northern units too. I wonder if using hand held steam cleaners would improve matters.

It’s immediately apparent that those who designed and sanctioned the seat moquette on Northern’s trains were lacking in practical experience or common sense; having the pattern turn to a lighter shade just where passengers’ heads will be is only ever going to result in filthy brown stains! I suspect the majority of seat coverings are similarly grubby across the rail network, they just mostly manage to hide it better!

 

[D365]

So if the line is not being upgraded till a target of 2030 according to

https://eastwestrail.co.uk/news/latest-stories/oxford-to-bedford-services-accelerated-as-part-of-spring-budget-investment

Time to buy new trains, presumably more 196s for though working, so the 150s will have to last another 5 years?

As discussed recently on one or more of the relevant EWR ”latest news” threads, it won’t be additional 196s for EWR. The 6 two car units are an interim measure as a result of the decision to not electrify Oxford to Bletchley. The 196/0s just happened to be ’tacked on’ as the WMT order was the most appropriate, and will most likely go back to them for service expansion in the West Midlands region.

The intention for EWR to Bedford [and onwards to Cambridge] is to procure battery-electric multiple units in conjunction with discontinuous electrification. What will replace the 150s is not currently known, however, as this depends on exactly how many of the current Marston Vale stations are consolidated.

 

[fgwrich]

It’s immediately apparent that those who designed and sanctioned the seat moquette on Northern’s trains were lacking in practical experience or common sense; having the pattern turn to a lighter shade just where passengers’ heads will be is only ever going to result in filthy brown stains! I suspect the majority of seat coverings are similarly grubby across the rail network, they just mostly manage to hide it better!

This is why Moquette design and practicality is important, as several operators who switched over to Flat Cloth has somewhat found to their cost over the years. And I still despise the current trend of having leather headrests as the ones on SWR (and the former GWR HSTs) often are filthy and noticeable about some of the previous users hygiene levels.

On a side note, I’ve had 150232 for the last few days, and despite looking a little faded, the FGW Moquette is still holding up well in that. So it really shows how a similar class can just as heavily be used but still kept reasonably well - and that Moquette is older than the Northern one used in the 150s discussed here!

 

[Bletchleyite]

This is why Moquette design and practicality is important, as several operators who switched over to Flat Cloth has somewhat found to their cost over the years. And I still despise the current trend of having leather headrests as the ones on SWR (and the former GWR HSTs) often are filthy and noticeable about some of the previous users hygiene levels.

Reply here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/should-trains-have-full-partial-leather-seats.285177/

 

[47434]

Recently ish. As Northern's cleaning standards are rather lacking they have got very grubby.

The last few Northern units I have been on have been spotless. It doesn't take long for trains to look grim and the white floors really don't help.

 

[Russel]

The last few Northern units I have been on have been spotless. It doesn't take long for trains to look grim and the white floors really don't help.

A wood effect vinyl floor would have looked nicer and hid the dirt better.

 

[Spartacus]

The toilets seem to be quite dodgy on at least one of the units. On a recent trip, the toilet door lock opened the door when attempting to lock it which was rather counter intuitive. 150137 was the offending unit I believe.

I thought that was more or less a standard feature on original toilets?