GWR Class 165/166 Modifications

hstmatt · 23 Apr 2019

Hello all,
I recently saw a photo of a GWR Class 166 at Portsmouth Harbour, with what looked to be side mounted CCTV cameras fitted? If I remember correctly, the units weren't built with these and it appears only a few have been done so far.
Any ideas what the plans are/any other modifications they're having?

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D6975 · 23 Apr 2019

They were supposed to be having 2+3 seating areas converted to 2+2, but I haven't seen any that have had this done yet. On Pompeys 2+3 is most unsuitable, the units really do need 2+2 for this route.

404250 · 23 Apr 2019

Having been on a pacer with 2+2 recently I'd rather be on that than a GWR turbo with 2+3 for any journey.

hstmatt · 23 Apr 2019

Regarding the side cameras (For DOO?) See this video

Clarence Yard · 23 Apr 2019

D6975 said:
They were supposed to be having 2+3 seating areas converted to 2+2, but I haven't seen any that have had this done yet. On Pompeys 2+3 is most unsuitable, the units really do need 2+2 for this route.

The DfT have canned that mod for now as it lost too many seats for their liking.

cactustwirly · 23 Apr 2019

404250 said:
Having been on a pacer with 2+2 recently I'd rather be on that than a GWR turbo with 2+3 for any journey.

As someone who used to regularly travel on turbos, I'd take a turbo over a pacer/150 any day of the week!

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

cactustwirly said:
As someone who used to regularly travel on turbos, I'd take a turbo over a pacer/150 any day of the week!

I don't like 166s, but certainly an upgrade over a Pacer! (Well anything is really!!!)

D6975 said:

They were supposed to be having 2+3 seating areas converted to 2+2, but I haven't seen any that have had this done yet. On Pompeys 2+3 is most unsuitable, the units really do need 2+2 for this route.

Click to expand...

Does it really matter if they don't get the 2+2 seating? Aren't 150s with 2+3 seating used on this route relatively frequently?

cactustwirly · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I don't like 166s, but certainly an upgrade over a Pacer! (Well anything is really!!!)

Does it really matter if they don't get the 2+2 seating? Aren't 150s with 2+3 seating used on this route relatively frequently?

Perhaps not suitable for Cardiff - Pompey trains, but 166s are very good units for regional services.
If they were refitted in a 2+2 formation they would be better than 170s

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

cactustwirly said:
Perhaps not suitable for Cardiff - Pompey trains, but 166s are very good units for regional services.
If they were refitted in a 2+2 formation they would be better than 170s

I think I'd prefer a 170! :lol:

Are the 166s replacing 150s or 158s, or both?

Trainfan061193 · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I think I'd prefer a 170!

Are the 166s replacing 150s or 158s, or both?

They’re replacing both. Cardiff-Portsmouth services can’t go 100% yet until SPM gets more Turbos which are finally freed up from the Bedwyn services also they’re still in the process of having their mods done.

cactustwirly · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I think I'd prefer a 170!

Are the 166s replacing 150s or 158s, or both?

150s on all routes, bar the Pompey route, which is 158s

cactustwirly · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I think I'd prefer a 170!

Are the 166s replacing 150s or 158s, or both?

Really? The 166s have a quieter engines, better suspension, and of course they don't have rattles

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

Trainfan061193 said:
They’re replacing both. Cardiff-Portsmouth services can’t go 100% yet until SPM gets more Turbos which are finally freed up from the Bedwyn services also they’re still in he process of having their mods done.

Should keep the 158s, much better than Turbos.

cactustwirly said:
150s on all routes, bar the Pompey route, which is 158s

Thanks.

D6975 · 23 Apr 2019

Both. All the 150/1s have already gone North having been replaced by turbos. When the Pompeys go over fully to turbos, the 158s are going down west for services such as Exeter-Plymouth and Plymouth Penzance etc.

ps Pompeys are going to 5 car sets 166+165 (2 car)

pps the 158s down west release 150/2s which will enable the elimination of 153s and 143s.

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

cactustwirly said:
Really? The 166s have a quieter engines, better suspension, and of course they don't have rattles

Well they ride slightly better than a 170 perhaps, that's all I'll say in their favour.

Though 158s are better.

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

D6975 said:
Both. All the 150/1s have already gone North having been replaced by turbos. When the Pompeys go over fully to turbos, the 158s are going down west for services such as Exeter-Plymouth and Plymouth Penzance etc.

ps Pompeys are going to 5 car sets 166+165 (2 car)

I assume the First Class is being removed?

PHILIPE · 23 Apr 2019

D6975 said:
Both. All the 150/1s have already gone North having been replaced by turbos. When the Pompeys go over fully to turbos, the 158s are going down west for services such as Exeter-Plymouth and Plymouth Penzance etc.

ps Pompeys are going to 5 car sets 166+165 (2 car)

pps the 158s down west release 150/2s which will enable the elimination of 153s and 143s.

GWR 158s have been working to Penzance again since last May and their last 153s have recently transferred to TFW

Kite159 · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I assume the First Class is being removed?

On the 2coach 165s its been replaced with a mega cycle rack (which gets ignored by some cyclists). The 166s have the seated areas still in place but it wouldn't surprise me if they get ripped out with 3+2 seating added to add an extra 4 seats per unit

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

Kite159 said:
On the 2coach 165s its been replaced with a mega cycle rack (which gets ignored by some cyclists). The 166s have the seated areas still in place but it wouldn't surprise me if they get ripped out with 3+2 seating added to add an extra 4 seats per unit

The entire former 165 First Class?

Probably in due course, unless they do convert to 2+2 seating, in which case it might as well remain.

Kite159 · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
The entire former 165 First Class?

Probably in due course, unless they do convert to 2+2 seating, in which case it might as well remain.

165s only had first class one end of the train.

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

Kite159 said:
165s only had first class one end of the train.

I know, I meant does the cycle rack take up the entire First Class section or are there some seats still there?

Kite159 · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I know, I meant does the cycle rack take up the entire First Class section or are there some seats still there?

One side (with two seats by the door), other side is seating

hexagon789 · 23 Apr 2019

Kite159 said:
One side (with two seats by the door), other side is seating

Thank you.

pdeaves · 23 Apr 2019

hstmatt said:
Regarding the side cameras (For DOO?) See this video

What are we looking for? The bits that look like black letter boxes (when video viewed at small scale) above some windows?

JonathanH · 23 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
I know, I meant does the cycle rack take up the entire First Class section or are there some seats still there?

They actually converted the first class area to standard class and put the bike rack in the end which was already standard class.

hstmatt · 23 Apr 2019

pdeaves said:
What are we looking for? The bits that look like black letter boxes (when video viewed at small scale) above some windows?

There is one per coach, they're like boxes that stick out. I'm presuming they're CCTV screens unless someone knows better?

Parallel · 24 Apr 2019

hexagon789 said:
Does it really matter if they don't get the 2+2 seating? Aren't 150s with 2+3 seating used on this route relatively frequently?

The route has been 158s for years, but due to stock shortages 150/1s, 150/0s and 150/9s have covered (But were unpopular, still better than a cancelled train though). Problem is services are busy and the seats are too small, even for slim people and you end up squeezed in giving a not very comfortable journey.

jamieP · 24 Apr 2019

Parallel said:
The route has been 158s for years, but due to stock shortages 150/1s, 150/0s and 150/9s have covered (But were unpopular, still better than a cancelled train though). Problem is services are busy and the seats are too small, even for slim people and you end up squeezed in giving a not very comfortable journey.

Look like DOO cameras.

Clarence Yard · 24 Apr 2019

They should be for the ASDO, not DOO. DOO is not planned for any of the West local services.

hexagon789 · 24 Apr 2019

JonathanH said:
They actually converted the first class area to standard class and put the bike rack in the end which was already standard class.

So they increased the standard clssd seating by fitting standard class seats, then reduced it by fitting a cycle rack! Interesting way of doing things.

Parallel said:
The route has been 158s for years, but due to stock shortages 150/1s, 150/0s and 150/9s have covered (But were unpopular, still better than a cancelled train though). Problem is services are busy and the seats are too small, even for slim people and you end up squeezed in giving a not very comfortable journey.

Oh I didn't intend to imply I thought 150s were suitable for such a route, I don't think they are really.

GWR Class 165/166 Modifications

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