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Southeastern Refurbished Class 375

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Deepgreen

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I see on the Southern Electric Group's web site that the first refurbished class 375 has emerged from the works, and it has what must surely be the clearest indication of first class in Britain today. The wheelchair-accessible area is also extremely clearly-marked with a maroon stripe, which is reminiscent of a catering section at first glance! Many other TOCs would do well to learn from this example, especially SWT and Thameslink.
 
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physics34

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I see on the Southern Electric Group's web site that the first refurbished class 375 has emerged from the works, and it has what must surely be the clearest indication of first class in Britain today. The wheelchair-accessible area is also extremely clearly-marked with a maroon stripe, which is reminiscent of a catering section at first glance! Many other TOCs would do well to learn from this example, especially SWT and Thameslink.

More overkill im afraid. The wheelchair and first class sections should be more discreet but noticeable rather than "look at me".

WOnder why the lilac has become light blue.?
 

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Out of interest is Thameslink going to design a more striking livery for the 700s or not?
 

physics34

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Out of interest is Thameslink going to design a more striking livery for the 700s or not?

nope its gonna be the light grey with white diagonal stripes at the coach ends.
 

59CosG95

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Not sure about Thameslink's livery, but SWT and GTR should definitely advertise their 1st Class and Accessible areas more vividly. Southern already do a reasonable job with the latter, i.e. red bits on the otherwise green doors
 

tsr

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More overkill im afraid. The wheelchair and first class sections should be more discreet but noticeable rather than "look at me".

WOnder why the lilac has become light blue.?

I must disagree - anything that makes it clearer to point out facilities to passengers is surely a good thing to save staff time and minimise extra dwell times which can occur due to confusion.
 

Bletchleyite

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I must disagree - anything that makes it clearer to point out facilities to passengers is surely a good thing to save staff time and minimise extra dwell times which can occur due to confusion.

Indeed. I'd go for large pictograms - possibly even the full height of the train. Different coloured doors would also be good to emphasize it.
 

Class377/5

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Out of interest is Thameslink going to design a more striking livery for the 700s or not?

GTR needs permission from DfT to do it as they will pay for it not the TOC. Unlikely to happen.

Back to the 375, it does look smart.
 

physics34

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I must disagree - anything that makes it clearer to point out facilities to passengers is surely a good thing to save staff time and minimise extra dwell times which can occur due to confusion.

on a dark blue background you surely dont need THAT much yellow, THAT much maroon.
 

jon0844

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I'm all for improving accessibility and we're all going to get old and perhaps not have the same great vision we do today.

Just as we might not all have the same level of hearing, or mobility.
 

physics34

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For those with sight problems yes you do. Remember its designed to be inclusive not satify people's whims.

when is too much too much? Why not paint the whole carriage maroon or yellow??!!!

A thick body side stripe is adequate....
 

Deepgreen

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when is too much too much? Why not paint the whole carriage maroon or yellow??!!!

A thick body side stripe is adequate....

Interestingly, the old Paris Metro stock that was still running in the 1970s had first and second class accommodation, and the entire section of the coach was painted red and green respectively. See my (blurred) photo.

8134411972_931a919d47_k.jpg
 
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ScotGG

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All painting just about complete by 2018 franchise end then (they failed on that with the networkers in the previous franchise - some still with yellow at the moment months after the planned end of the last franchise) and then a new operator can come in to paint a different colour?
 

Class377/5

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when is too much too much? Why not paint the whole carriage maroon or yellow??!!!

A thick body side stripe is adequate....

Despite your rather igorant opinions, you seem to fall to note that not everyone will see the stripe stand out. Moving vehicles can prove troubling for some so a simple stripe just doesn't cut it. Just because you can't see why is needed doesn't mean it is.

As for why isn't the whole carriage covered, I'm not sure if your just being overly dramatic or don't actually understand what the colour is there for? Simply put the marron color is over the disabled area, the whole coach isn't this area hence why is being treated as such.

Again you seem to either fall to grasp that not everyone is the same as yourself and making the railways more accessible is just going to continue, especially with much large puts of public money being funnelled into the system.

And for the record I am in good health tho I wear contacts but I rarely notice a stripe on the unit as they pull in. And i personally know of people with disabilities that you wouldn't even know they had an issue but this would benefit them.

Frankly I can't believe someone has the nerve to moan about helping thoses less fortunate than themselves and would rather make people's lives harder than required just because they want something to personally suit thier beliefs.
 

physics34

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Despite your rather igorant opinions, you seem to fall to note that not everyone will see the stripe stand out. Moving vehicles can prove troubling for some so a simple stripe just doesn't cut it. Just because you can't see why is needed doesn't mean it is.

As for why isn't the whole carriage covered, I'm not sure if your just being overly dramatic or don't actually understand what the colour is there for? Simply put the marron color is over the disabled area, the whole coach isn't this area hence why is being treated as such.

Again you seem to either fall to grasp that not everyone is the same as yourself and making the railways more accessible is just going to continue, especially with much large puts of public money being funnelled into the system.

And for the record I am in good health tho I wear contacts but I rarely notice a stripe on the unit as they pull in. And i personally know of people with disabilities that you wouldn't even know they had an issue but this would benefit them.

Frankly I can't believe someone has the nerve to moan about helping thoses less fortunate than themselves and would rather make people's lives harder than required just because they want something to personally suit thier beliefs.

Ha ha, you can get off your soap box now. Its just my opinion. Is it ok to have my own opinion without being talked-down too, as you tend to do to other posters on here from time to time... who don't agree with yours?

Get over yourself, at no point have i tried to insult or degrade "people less fortunately than myself".

I was being over dramatic, yes, but just to prove a point.

I once again state that i am a rail enthusiast who wants to see sleek liveries on our trains unspoilt by over-the-top visual distractions....... advertising liveries are another one.

Im only stating what I'D LIKE there to be, not what there has to be or what the regulations are as i am not qualified and i am not poorly sighted. OK?
 

Class377/5

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Ha ha, you can get off your soap box now. Its just my opinion. Is it ok to have my own opinion without being talked-down too, as you tend to do to other posters on here from time to time... who don't agree with yours?

Get over yourself, at no point have i tried to insult or degrade "people less fortunately than myself".

I was being over dramatic, yes, but just to prove a point.

I once again state that i am a rail enthusiast who wants to see sleek liveries on our trains unspoilt by over-the-top visual distractions....... advertising liveries are another one.

Im only stating what I'D LIKE there to be, not what there has to be or what the regulations are as i am not qualified and i am not poorly sighted. OK?

It says it all really. Not worth replying to such a disgustingly selfish person. And yes I do find such behaviour disgusting.
 

jon0844

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I once again state that i am a rail enthusiast who wants to see sleek liveries on our trains unspoilt by over-the-top visual distractions....... advertising liveries are another one.

Im only stating what I'D LIKE there to be, not what there has to be or what the regulations are as i am not qualified and i am not poorly sighted. OK?

You can of course give an opinion, but it's crazy to think that anyone would think it acceptable to have a sleek livery over something that helps people who need that extra bit of help. That's my opinion.

You will clearly be very disappointed in the coming years, as there are far higher priorities than making a train look all pretty for a rail enthusiast that no doubt knows where everything is, and can look for other signs (such as which way the pantograph is pointing to tell where FC is on a 317/1, or which end has FC because of a symbol on the cab, or how long a train is etc etc).

The railway is actually for non-enthusiasts. So just be happy you aren't poorly sighted, and that this never changes.
 

physics34

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It says it all really. Not worth replying to such a disgustingly selfish person. And yes I do find such behaviour disgusting.

Im sorry if you find me disgusting and selfish, just for expressing a livery preference.
 

Deepgreen

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The other extreme to the 375/3s is Southern's 377/6 and 7 sub-classes, which have FC in a variety of positions (and times, according to which route they are working!) and no obvious identification until you can actually make out the tiny stickers on the windows.
 

physics34

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You can of course give an opinion, but it's crazy to think that anyone would think it acceptable to have a sleek livery over something that helps people who need that extra bit of help. That's my opinion.

You will clearly be very disappointed in the coming years, as there are far higher priorities than making a train look all pretty for a rail enthusiast that no doubt knows where everything is, and can look for other signs (such as which way the pantograph is pointing to tell where FC is on a 317/1, or which end has FC because of a symbol on the cab, or how long a train is etc etc).

The railway is actually for non-enthusiasts. So just be happy you aren't poorly sighted, and that this never changes.

Of course a visual reference for first class and any disabled facilities is essential, i just find this on the 375 to be over the top. You sort of wonder why they ever bothered coming up with a new livery at all.

I dont wanna carry this debate on too far but on a slightly different slant, should a person so poorly sighted that they cannot make out a door or a thick coloured stripe be "on their own" on a station platform... a VERY dangerous place.

How i long for the days of NSE or Intercity swallow livery to come back :D
 

Islineclear3_1

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For those with sight problems yes you do. Remember its designed to be inclusive not satify people's whims.

That includes colour blindness too...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I dont wanna carry this debate on too far but on a slightly different slant, should a person so poorly sighted that they cannot make out a door or a thick coloured stripe be "on their own" on a station platform... a VERY dangerous place.

Some partially sighted/blind people live very independant lives and refuse to be treated as "disabled". As another example, there are young people with syndromes (i.e. Usher's) where partial sight/blindness (and deafness) is part of who they are - why should they not be encouraged to live independant lives if they so wish.

The railway (amongst other industries) has to reduce risk as much as possible and although I don't agree with the nanny state, we are being conditioned to live in fear and society is very litiginous.
 

AM9

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Despite your rather igorant opinions, you seem to fall to note that not everyone will see the stripe stand out. Moving vehicles can prove troubling for some so a simple stripe just doesn't cut it. Just because you can't see why is needed doesn't mean it is.

As for why isn't the whole carriage covered, I'm not sure if your just being overly dramatic or don't actually understand what the colour is there for? Simply put the marron color is over the disabled area, the whole coach isn't this area hence why is being treated as such.

Again you seem to either fall to grasp that not everyone is the same as yourself and making the railways more accessible is just going to continue, especially with much large puts of public money being funnelled into the system.

And for the record I am in good health tho I wear contacts but I rarely notice a stripe on the unit as they pull in. And i personally know of people with disabilities that you wouldn't even know they had an issue but this would benefit them.

Frankly I can't believe someone has the nerve to moan about helping thoses less fortunate than themselves and would rather make people's lives harder than required just because they want something to personally suit thier beliefs.

Maybe he doesn't realise that the yellow stripe is there so that he won't think it looks nice and get caught with standard class tickets, and the maroon is so that he doesn't jump into the space and then get offended by the sight of wheelchair user(s).
 

Blindtraveler

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On a slightly different slant, should a person so poorly sighted that they cannot make out a door or a thick coloured stripe be "on their own" on a station platform... a VERY dangerous place.

From someone who I believe to be a TOC Employee this statement shocks me. It would shock me anyway but given how much we hear about Rail Staff being bashed by the public, enthusiast forums and media alike and how much they hate it, I am quite frankly amazed that someone who relies on the railways for his living could make such a sweeping generalisation! Whilst you might have only been sharing your opinion which your entitled too, passengers are the meat and drink of the railway and partly through legislation and partly through good customer care the railway has made a great effort to include as many potential travelers as possible, something which as a railwayman (or indeed Woman) you are doubtless aware of? People with visual impairments come in many types and kinds and whilst I can't personally identify the door on a unit unless its equipped with a sounder, theres plenty who can and do on a daily basis! Just think how many more staff would be sharing your bonuses and railway pensions if Every VIP no matter how able they were had to be assisted? Theres precious few staff (TFL Services being the acception) to assist those of us needing it as it is!

Another poster has already outlined some of the types of visual challenges people live with so I shant do so but whilst I thank you for your concern for our safety and accept we live in a H and S Fear of Legal Action nannystate, we, the Visually Impaired Communitty as a whole are a little sick of assumptions that we cant use our brains and common sense to help us determine if a bus stop, a branch of Lidl, a paid job we've dreamed of for years or a station platform is safe and suitable for us as individuals. Im not sure for certain what position your in at your TOC but if your ever given the opportunitty to do your companies equalitty and awareness training I think youl find it facinating. I have tried to be polite here as education is key in situations like this but do go ahead and report me if you feel the need. In piece.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Now back to topic - other than the (controversial) paint job, what else has been done? Just new seat covers etc or anything major?
 

387star

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All painting just about complete by 2018 franchise end then (they failed on that with the networkers in the previous franchise - some still with yellow at the moment months after the planned end of the last franchise) and then a new operator can come in to paint a different colour?

Let us hope it is kept

I have liked every one of govia's liveries and this is no exception
 

fgwrich

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Rather surprised that the whole unit has been repainted blue - Sides Roof and all. With the light blue doors, it somewhat ironically, matches the DRS 57 Hauling it - DRS SouthEastern Electrostar anyone?

As for the Yellow / Maroon band debate, while I whish to stay as much out of it as possible - Keeping it as a thick band above the window line I can understand and like, I just find the big block of colour a little odd when it stretches just under the window - A bit like a different coloured Lego brick has been placed there on a lego built train. But anything like this has to be better than both Stagecoach's rather odd Dot set up and Southern's stickers on the doors effort.
 
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