Autumn refresh for GWR Class 165/166 Turbos

[bramling]

3+2 isn't bad for leisure, families love the groups of 6, and you can fill it to 3 across before you are squashed against someone.

It seems people just can't make their mind up on this. 3+2 is rubbish when the train is loaded to the point of most or all seats taken, which will of course mean most commuter services (pre-2020 at any rate), and explains why the Portsmouth Line commuters hate the 450s. However at other times it's much less clear-cut - you can have three people sitting in a bay of six without anyone having to sit directly next to or opposite anyone, with a spare seat each for bags, which in many ways makes it preferable. I seem to remember changing the 317/2s from 3+2 to 2+2 was actually not well received for this very reason - the train felt crowded because you were more likely to have to sit close to someone else. On that basis, I don't think 3+2 should be automatically dismissed as bad. The trusty old 323 seems to offer a decent compromise.

 

[The exile]

It seems people just can't make their mind up on this. 3+2 is rubbish when the train is loaded to the point of most or all seats taken, which will of course mean most commuter services (pre-2020 at any rate), and explains why the Portsmouth Line commuters hate the 450s. However at other times it's much less clear-cut - you can have three people sitting in a bay of six without anyone having to sit directly next to or opposite anyone, with a spare seat each for bags, which in many ways makes it preferable. I seem to remember changing the 317/2s from 3+2 to 2+2 was actually not well received for this very reason - the train felt crowded because you were more likely to have to sit close to someone else. On that basis, I don't think 3+2 should be automatically dismissed as bad. The trusty old 323 seems to offer a decent compromise.

Had my first 323 rides for ages yesterday and yes, the 3 + 2 layout there seems much less cramped. The aisles didn’t seem to be quite so ludicrously narrow either - but it may just be a matter of familiarity with turbos breeding contempt

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not much good for those trying to work or with foot and drink to eat. At the very least new 2+2 seats should be fitted to the carriage ends - as Chiltern did

I have eaten and drank on a 350/2 loads of times. Add folding tables and it'd be fine.

Other than the 1 side single seats in 1st, all seating is compromised in some way if the train is full.

 

[py_megapixel]

Had my first 323 rides for ages yesterday and yes, the 3 + 2 layout there seems much less cramped. The aisles didn’t seem to be quite so ludicrously narrow either - but it may just be a matter of familiarity with turbos breeding contempt

I don't think there's that much difference between them to be honest. The seats themselves are extremely similar.

Being electric and recently refreshed inside helps with the ambience too, of course.

 

[RPI]

I find the aisles in Turbos quite wide, I'm hardly anorexic and I find it easier walking through a Turbo than I do an IET!

 

[superalbs]

I find the aisles in Turbos quite wide, I'm hardly anorexic and I find it easier walking through a Turbo than I do an IET!

To be fair, that's probably because they shake around so much, lol.

 

[CR165022]

any news as to when 165123 will be back (that is if it isnt back already?)
and is 122 a bristol/exeter based unit or still a reading based unit?

 

[FGW_DID]

any news as to when 165123 will be back (that is if it isnt back already?)
and is 122 a bristol/exeter based unit or still a reading based unit?

165123 is almost done (due completion next week) and is due back soon.
165126 is next in line IIRC
165122 is still a Reading unit.
Turbo’s are only based at Reading or St Phillips Marsh.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

165123 is almost done (if not finished) and is due back soon.
165126 is next in line IIRC
165122 is still a Reading unit.
Turbo’s are only based at Reading or St Phillips Marsh.

From December it becomes a bit simpler with the turbo allocations:

2 car 165s and 166s Bristol allox
3 car 165s Reading allox

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are there still no pictures available?

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

Sorry that was a mistake - I meant to reply but for some reason clicked 'Post Reply'.

Sounds like they've got on with the first 2 Turbos pretty quickly but looking nice !

 

[Towers]

Are there still no pictures available?

There we are!

 

[43102EMR]

Disappointed it isn’t 2+2, but does look like an improvement to what it was previously!

 

[adc82140]

Looks neat enough. But is this just new seat covers, new floors and a lick of paint? More refresh than refurb?

 

[Towers]

Looks neat enough. But is this just new seat covers, new floors and a lick of paint? More refresh than refurb?

I think so...

Disappointed it isn’t 2+2, but does look like an improvement to what it was previously!

This was a two car 165, I don't expect the 166s to be drastically different though.

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

There we are!

I'm well impressed with that - I'd call that a refurbishment! I've been waiting for that for a good few years. Looks like its happening!

 

[KT530]

That floor colour is optimistic!

 

[Mollman]

There we are!

Maybe it is a trick of the eyes but the isle seat on the three facing the camera doesn't look straight.

 

[Towers]

Maybe it is a trick of the eyes but the isle seat on the three facing the camera doesn't look straight.

Yes, it does look to be on the wonk! Cover not properly on, maybe?

 

[supervc-10]

The ones in that bank of three facing away look wonky too. Look at how much cushion you can see over the top of the plastic on the 'window' side!

 

[FGW_DID]

Looks neat enough. But is this just new seat covers, new floors and a lick of paint? More refresh than refurb?

it was always just a refresh not a refurb.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

There we are!

Thank you. So fresh looking!

 

[Techniquest]

Looks good to me! Much needed too, looks much lighter and pleasant than the current interior is now

 

[py_megapixel]

Looks nice to me. But they do need to keep the cleaning and maintenance up or they will quickly start to look disgusting again

 

[adc82140]

Looks nice to me. But they do need to keep the cleaning and maintenance up or they will quickly start to look disgusting again

Agreed. The last refresh into the FGW interior looked very tidy when it was first done. It doesn't seem that long since then, but it's probably pushing 10 years ago.

 

[CR165022]

From December it becomes a bit simpler with the turbo allocations:

2 car 165s and 166s Bristol allox
3 car 165s Reading allox

just wondering, how would they be able to run some of the shuttles such as the Greenford services without a 2 car 165? I thought some stations couldn't hold a 3 car

 

[REVUpminster]

From December it becomes a bit simpler with the turbo allocations:

2 car 165s and 166s Bristol allox
3 car 165s Reading allox

Does this mean as a 769 comes into service a 165 goes west presumably after a refresh?

 

[Towers]

just wondering, how would they be able to run some of the shuttles such as the Greenford services without a 2 car 165? I thought some stations couldn't hold a 3 car

Two car also required for the Marlow service.

Not impossible that all the two cars could be officially allocated to SPM but rotate to cover the Thames Valley work.

 

[JN114]

just wondering, how would they be able to run some of the shuttles such as the Greenford services without a 2 car 165? I thought some stations couldn't hold a 3 car

Allocated to a depot only means that depot holds overarching maintenance and “ownership” of that unit.

It doesn’t forbid it being outstationed at Reading for say, 2 weeks at a time and just rotating through SPM for major work every couple of weeks or so.

This is exactly how the SPM-allocated Turbos and 2+4 HSTs operate in Devon and Cornwall now - not to mention other fleets nationally that rarely visit their “home” depot.

Does this mean as a 769 comes into service a 165 goes west presumably after a refresh?

Cascade plans not yet finalised / public yet

 

[fgwrich]

Agreed. The last refresh into the FGW interior looked very tidy when it was first done. It doesn't seem that long since then, but it's probably pushing 10 years ago.

I have a horrible feeling the wheel will need re-inventing again. The FGW interior, with the dark blue flecked treadmaster and blue Moquette did well to hide the dirt. At least these are “astroturf” Moquette though, than the god awful flat cloth used in the launch 166.

Of note, that area in the first photo is the former First Class area. I’ve never understood why they chose to re-seat this end with 3+2 seating, and place the large luggage rack in the other end (the former 3+2 seated area with 3 windows).