SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

[TEW]

It's the small things that would make a huge difference to the finished product, as you say they certainly don't feel fully refurbished at the moment. The toilets could really have done with a spruce up too, they aren't in great condition. All that seems to have been done is fitting a bit of sticky back plastic on the wall with some faint SWR stripes on.

 

[MatthewRead]

What were you expecting?

I was expecting a more thorough refurbishment.

 

[envirommc]

Just seen 450081 at Northam with first class at both ends.

 

[Benjy3000]

The whole refurbishment programme seems to be a rushed mess. There's no consistency with each unit they're doing and with the doorways the same it just looks like they haven't bothered. And definitely agree that the toilets could do with some work. I'm sure a staff member on the SWR forum said that the toilets were supposed to be refurbished.

Seems to be the same with the 158's and 159's, zero consistency with the livery and only a small number of units with interior refresh.

I'm interested to see what effort SWR have put into the class 442's as last time I saw a sneak into one they looked the same as when they were with GX without seat covers.

 

[Goldfish62]

If they’ve set a cap on the overall refurbishment cost it might be the optional extra, is what I’m thinking.

Ah right, yes I don't disagree with that, especially given SWR's financial position.

 

[MotorcycleAlan]

Travelling on a refurbished 444 yesterday (I neither know or care what number it was), I used the very quiet "downgraded" section next to the smaller First Class area, which still had "FIRST CLASS" in capital letters on the windows. How difficult is it to either remove that from 4 windows, or at the very least cover it with something? Needless to say, as the train got busier towards Waterloo people kept asking "Is this really First Class?" No, that is through that door, and for your extra money you get a slightly higher-backed leather seat, a reading lamp and curtains. Hardly worth it from now on. Progress?

 

[swt_passenger]

Travelling on a refurbished 444 yesterday (I neither know or care what number it was), I used the very quiet "downgraded" section next to the smaller First Class area, which still had "FIRST CLASS" in capital letters on the windows. How difficult is it to either remove that from 4 windows, or at the very least cover it with something? Needless to say, as the train got busier towards Waterloo people kept asking "Is this really First Class?" No, that is through that door, and for your extra money you get a slightly higher-backed leather seat, a reading lamp and curtains. Hardly worth it from now on. Progress?

Exact situation as I reported on the 12th, (post 1340). That was 444019.

 

[samuelmorris]

Seems a bit daft - if you can't remove the etching from the glass, just put a sticker over it!

 

[MotorcycleAlan]

Exact situation as I reported on the 12th, (post 1340). That was 444019.

My apologies for not going back that far.

 

[swt_passenger]

My apologies for not going back that far.

No criticism intended. There’s clearly separate and unaligned interior and exterior programmes going on. Interestingly, it rather disproves the regular suggestion that people are quick to sit in badly marked First Class if they ever get the chance, as you noted on your trip most passengers on my train were also reluctant to sit there. Maybe the average passenger really is aware of the rules...

 

[Helvellyn]

Seems to be the same with the 158's and 159's, zero consistency with the livery and only a small number of units with interior refresh.

To be fair to them the 158/159 fleet was mid-way through refurbishment so they had to negotiate new seat covers,etc., from what would have been ordered to SWT specifications. Plus the diesels are to go through another refurbishment when they get a densified seating layout (less tables; smaller 2+2 First Class).

Where there is a mess is the variety of liveries on each SWR unit. Though they seem to have settled on one now.

 

[387star]

Has 159001 lost its city of Exeter nameplate?

 

[spark001uk]

In all honesty, I much prefer this livery without the stripes. It especially sits well on the 159s. The 442s look good as well. I also wonder when they’re going to start repainting the 444s/450s.

I agree 100%, the striping was not good. Plain white/dark blue is much better. Whether they'll change the already striped units to conform remains to be seen. My initial guess is no.

 

[Chiltern006]

Is 450 552 refurbed as I watched a video yesterday which was filmed on the 22nd December 2018 and it showed 552 minutes in the SWT livery. If it is refurbed, then can I see some photos

 

[TEW]

AFAIK none of the 450/5s have had any work done yet.

 

[Goldfish62]

I agree 100%, the striping was not good. Plain white/dark blue is much better. Whether they'll change the already striped units to conform remains to be seen. My initial guess is no.

It's stated in Modern Railways that they'll receive the stripeless livery.

 

[Goldfish62]

There's a major article in Modern Railways about the refurb programme.

The Desiros are due for completion in May 2019, with repaints also starting next year and taking three years to complete. All 442s should be refurbished by May. While the Chapman seats (incorrectly states as Grammer in the article) are being retained they are having new Transcal bases. The units are being converted from DOO to guard operation.

Of the diesels, while the 1st Class will be getting 2+2 FISA seats, in Standard class the current seats and layout are being retained.

All units to receive the stripeless version of the livery.

 

[winks]

strip-y design is the best! The 442 currently berthed at Fratton looks a bit unfinished and I’m sure the interior hadnt been done. By unfinished I mean the livery looked crap !

 

[samuelmorris]

That's good to hear - I'm quite happy with the standard interior on the 159s.

 

[Bigfoot]

That's good to hear - I'm quite happy with the standard interior on the 159s.

Which has an atrocious seat pitch for anyone above 5 foot 8. Give me a 444 any day.

 

[samuelmorris]

<shrug> I'm 5'11 and don't remember finding it an issue.

 

[Silverlink]

This whole franchise is a mess! They should have just painted their trains with Dark blue all over and just has grey/blue doors! I reckon by the time the franchise ends SWT will be back painting their units back

 

[Kite159]

2+2 seating in first class on the diesels will mean less folk willing to upgrade at weekends and it will be only used by those commuters who have 1st class season tickets as a way to increase the chances of a seat, or whose who aim for a single seat so they can do more private work

Makes sense on the 444s as it increases standard class seats, but if standard class on the 159s remains the same then seems pointless. (Personally I would make the 158s standard class only)

 

[TEW]

Presumably the size of the First Class compartment will shrink when converted to 2+2, with extra Standard seating installed. Would seem rather pointless otherwise.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which has an atrocious seat pitch for anyone above 5 foot 8. Give me a 444 any day.

It’s not the pitch, it’s the excessively thick seat backs with thick supports where your knees go. Swap them for Grammers in the same layout and it’d be fine, or with ironing boards positively generous.

 

[Bletchleyite]

2+2 seating in first class on the diesels will mean less folk willing to upgrade at weekends and it will be only used by those commuters who have 1st class season tickets as a way to increase the chances of a seat, or whose who aim for a single seat so they can do more private work

I only travel 1st for a seat that is both window and aisle. Without that I am not interested.

 

[Bletchleyite]

<shrug> I'm 5'11 and don't remember finding it an issue.

The issue is never purely height, it’s more relative upper leg length. If your height is mostly in your body and lower leg it’s less of an issue.

 

[Goldfish62]

2+2 seating in first class on the diesels will mean less folk willing to upgrade at weekends and it will be only used by those commuters who have 1st class season tickets as a way to increase the chances of a seat, or whose who aim for a single seat so they can do more private work

Makes sense on the 444s as it increases standard class seats, but if standard class on the 159s remains the same then seems pointless. (Personally I would make the 158s standard class only)

The article stated that the number of 1st Class seats would be unchanged, but standard class would increase. I quoted that the LAYOUT would remain unchanged. A pedant would of course point out that this isn't strictly possible if additional seats are being added in one section, but they'd better take that up with the Modern Railways editorial team.

 

[samuelmorris]

The issue is never purely height, it’s more relative upper leg length. If your height is mostly in your body and lower leg it’s less of an issue.

True, but I physically don't fit in Northern's 150s and I can't sit straight on Thameslink 700s due to the seat pitch, so I don't think I'm short in that department either. I just never noticed it on 159s. The legroom isn't great, but it was enough for me and the rest of the seat I found very comfortable.

 

[Goldfish62]

This whole franchise is a mess! They should have just painted their trains with Dark blue all over and just has grey/blue doors! I reckon by the time the franchise ends SWT will be back painting their units back

I think you're going to be disappointed Its highly likely that the name and livery will carry forward into the next franchise as per DfT policy.

Remember that SWT went through two logos before settling on the third, and it was at least 10 years before the last 455 was painted red. Prior to refurbishment there were Stagecoach liveried units with NSE seat moquette and NSE liveried units with SWT moquette. Then there were the 458s which hadn't all entered service before it was decided that the "white" livery would be for main line units only. It wasn't until 2016 that they finally received their "correct" livery.