61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
Can't tell if this post is serious or not, but for avoidance of doubt I'm 99.9% sure that poster was referring to unit 319373
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Northern Unit Refurbishments
- Thread starter darloscott
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jonesy3001
Established Member
I was referring to 319373.
The material stains easily and wears much quicker than moquette - there's anecdotal evidence of this on other TOCs which have used it. On the plus side, it is likely cheaper as easier to manufacture, but, that doesn't mean good value as it'll need more frequent 'maintenance', so the total cost of ownership is going to be higher.
Of course, that's not saying moquette is the ultimate solution either, but, it is considerably better in these environs, even in colours that you'd think would stain badly.
Prestige15
On Moderation
My apologies, I tought you ment class 373
Noticed on RTT that a 150 or 156 made its way down from Newton Heath depot to Crewe C.S. today (anyone catch which unit this was?):
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91471/2018/08/19/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K91471/2018/08/19/advanced
Spirit555
Member
- Joined
- 8 Oct 2017
- Messages
- 821
150146
jonesy3001
Established Member
Why do they go from Doncaster to Newton heath then crewe are northern making sure the trains don't crumble when they away for refurbishment?
superkev
Established Member
I've lost track. Anyone know which units are currently away for prm/refresh?
Thanks
Thanks
Bantamzen
Established Member
Judging by the fact that bus operators, or at least some are also moving away from moquette seems to suggest a commercial reason it not being used. I can't imagine it being moved away from unless the alternatives are at least costed to be cheaper to maintain / replace. Whether or not this proves to be the case is of course another matter.
mikemcniven
Member
150146 ran down to Crewe CS yesterday from Newton Heath on 5B42
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ews60002/43411023724/in/feed
superkev
Established Member
LOL The Irony
On Moderation
Only wifi.
155342 is at Kilmarnock for PRM refurb. Only 2 more 155s to do after that one.
So Northern’s refurbishment is lagging behind other TOC’s refurbishments yet again.
I was assuming they would they would have USB and full plug sockets as well as the wifi.
Some of our buses have plug sockets these days (notably the X10 between Middlesbrough and Newcastle - direct competition with the train, even has tables on the upper deck).
I thought the train was meant to offer a better service than the bus!
59CosG95
Established Member
Buses generally have a shorter lifespan than trains, so have had more of a chance to advance the passenger comfort level.
LOL The Irony
On Moderation
Only 158's are getting that treatment.
Quite a few refurbished buses are being fitted with Wi-Fi and USB ports too.
northernchris
Established Member
- Joined
- 24 Jul 2011
- Messages
- 1,509
Not sure if it has been mentioned, but 156466 is also now refurbished
Whattraintoday
Member
I wasn’t aware that any 150-156s were getting WiFi, certainly never come across it.
A few 158s are supposed to be getting it.
I’m on a refurbed 155 at the moment and I’m having to use 4G
modernrail
Member
- Joined
- 26 Jul 2015
- Messages
- 1,060
I travelled on a refurbished unit last week. It was fine, if that. The two biggest problems - the hideous engine noise and the material they have used on the seat coverings.
On the engines I presume we are just ignoring that in the current programme and so passengers are stuck with something that must now be one of the worst passenger experiences in the EU in that regard until these units are sent for scrap? I travelled on a reasonably new local DMU in Denmark yesterday and the difference in experience is crazy - hopefully a good sign for the new stock. Can anything be done at a sensible cost to reduce the noise of existing engines?
On the seat covers, so frustrating. They have pretty much nailed the style/pattern as far as I am concerned. However, the material is dreadful and the cleaning of it even worse. Most seats already had stains across them and the seats themselves were filthy in the crevices - clearly from lack of general cleaning rather than from the day itself.
I really feel people on here who care about the Northern experience should bombard TfN on this point. I doubt they will get it by themselves as they are too inexperienced at this point as a new body. Whatever various people have been promised by various other people is not the reality. Seats installed in the South Western stock are looking better than these new seat covers more than a decade after they were installed. Northern needs to discontinue use of this material immediately and switch to the far better product, the main manufacturer for which is in Huddersfield. It is bloody typical that London buses get the best Huddersfield can produce whilst the trains in Huddersfield are fobbed off with this second rate rubbish.
On the engines I presume we are just ignoring that in the current programme and so passengers are stuck with something that must now be one of the worst passenger experiences in the EU in that regard until these units are sent for scrap? I travelled on a reasonably new local DMU in Denmark yesterday and the difference in experience is crazy - hopefully a good sign for the new stock. Can anything be done at a sensible cost to reduce the noise of existing engines?
On the seat covers, so frustrating. They have pretty much nailed the style/pattern as far as I am concerned. However, the material is dreadful and the cleaning of it even worse. Most seats already had stains across them and the seats themselves were filthy in the crevices - clearly from lack of general cleaning rather than from the day itself.
I really feel people on here who care about the Northern experience should bombard TfN on this point. I doubt they will get it by themselves as they are too inexperienced at this point as a new body. Whatever various people have been promised by various other people is not the reality. Seats installed in the South Western stock are looking better than these new seat covers more than a decade after they were installed. Northern needs to discontinue use of this material immediately and switch to the far better product, the main manufacturer for which is in Huddersfield. It is bloody typical that London buses get the best Huddersfield can produce whilst the trains in Huddersfield are fobbed off with this second rate rubbish.
LOL The Irony
On Moderation
Wifi is supposedly coming according to this picture on Northern's website.
https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/corporate/wearelistening
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Which Northern sprinters currently have WiFi? I'm only aware of the 158 that was fitted with it as a trial under the previous franchise, which I don't think works any longer.
I have seen some images of 158845 undergoing work and it did look good - certainly more thorough work than anything seen to date at Northern or on a 158.
I have seen some images of 158845 undergoing work and it did look good - certainly more thorough work than anything seen to date at Northern or on a 158.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
When the Northern franchise was announced, we were all pleasantly surprised by all the new units after so long without anything other than the 333s with their very limited operating area... however since then lots of new franchises have included more new stock, even the Wales franchise which was previously considered even more of a basket case than Northern.
Once again, the North has (for the most part) been sold a pup.
That being said, I've just attempted to use the WiFi on a TPE 185 (AIUI this hasn't yet been officially launched) and it's absolutely useless. Better off with 4G anyway.
Once again, the North has (for the most part) been sold a pup.
That being said, I've just attempted to use the WiFi on a TPE 185 (AIUI this hasn't yet been officially launched) and it's absolutely useless. Better off with 4G anyway.
The issue was that it was the last of the 'make do and mend' franchises. Greater Anglia was the one that shook the industry with the 100% fleet replacement. Whilst that wouldn't be wise for Northern I think the disappointment really is the fact that they appear stuck with 150s, 155s and 319s that are past their best when newer units are now coming available. The refurbs also appear to be less than other manage (just compare a GWR 150 to that on Northern) and add to the feeling of under-investment.
But a train should be refurbished throughout its lifetime (with improvements people actually want).