EMR Regional and Connect refurbishments

[RacsoMoquette]

October/November 2024- Any referbishement updates? I personally think that the Connect Class 360s should take priority, as their very neglected and cramped 3-2 seating arrangement is ghastly on a Intercity style journey from St Pancras to Corby! Also the lack of plug sockets is rather strange, and foreign travelers from Luton Airport will not have a good introduction to UK trains. Even worse, if I may add if they take Thameslink instead on a 700!

 

[LowLevel]

October/November 2024- Any referbishement updates? I personally think that the Connect Class 360s should take priority, as their very neglected and cramped 3-2 seating arrangement is ghastly on a Intercity style journey from St Pancras to Corby! Also the lack of plug sockets is rather strange, and foreign travelers from Luton Airport will not have a good introduction to UK trains. Even worse, if I may add if they take Thameslink instead on a 700!

158847 has moved to Bristol to be done, a 170 (reputedly 501) will be going soon and the first 360 in the first month or two of 2025 I think.

 

[43055]

170501 has gone to Crewe to be refurbished.

Realtime Trains | 5K72 1253 Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. | 10/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5K72 1253 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. on 10/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Class 158:
158770 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158773 - EMR outgoing livery + PRIDE 'swoosh'
158774 - EMR outgoing livery
158777 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158780 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158783 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158785 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158788 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158799 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158806 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158810 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158812 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158813 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158846 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158847 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'Lincoln Castle Explorer' - (at Bristol to be refurbished)
158852 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158854 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'The Station Volunteer'
158856 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158857 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158858 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158862 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158863 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158864 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158865 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158866 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158889 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo

Class 170:
170201 - Full EMR Regional
170202 - Full EMR Regional
170203 - Full EMR Regional
170204 - Full EMR Regional
170205 - Full EMR Regional
170206 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170207 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170208 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo

170270 - Full EMR Regional
170271 - Full EMR Regional
170272 - Full EMR Regional
170273 - Full EMR Regional

170416 - Full EMR Regional
170417 - Full EMR Regional - 'the key worker'
170418 - Full EMR Regional
170419 - Full EMR Regional
170420 - Full EMR Regional
170422 - Full EMR Regional
170423 - Full EMR Regional
170424 - Full EMR Regional

170501 - Full EMR Regional + PRIDE 'swoosh' (at Crewe to be refurbished)
170502 - Full EMR Regional
170503 - Full EMR Regional
170504 - Full EMR Regional
170505 - Full EMR Regional
170506 - Full EMR Regional
170507 - Full EMR Regional
170508 - Full EMR Regional
170509 - Full EMR Regional
170510 - Full EMR Regional
170511 - Full EMR Regional
170512 - Full EMR Regional
170513 - Full EMR Regional
170514 - Full EMR Regional
170515 - Full EMR Regional
170516 - Full EMR Regional
170517 - Full EMR Regional
170530 - Full EMR Regional
170531 - Full EMR Regional - Low Emissions Train branding (Ad Blue trial)
170532 - Full EMR Regional
170533 - Full EMR Regional
170534 - Full EMR Regional
170535 - Full EMR Regional

Class 360:
360101 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360102 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360103 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360104 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360105 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360106 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360107 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360108 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360109 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360110 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360111 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360112 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360113 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360114 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360115 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360116 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360117 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360118 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360119 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360120 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360121 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding

 

[fgwrich]

170501 has gone to Crewe to be refurbished.

Realtime Trains | 5K72 1253 Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. | 10/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5K72 1253 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. on 10/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Class 158:
158770 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158773 - EMR outgoing livery + PRIDE 'swoosh'
158774 - EMR outgoing livery
158777 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158780 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158783 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158785 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158788 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158799 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158806 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158810 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158812 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158813 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158846 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158847 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'Lincoln Castle Explorer' - (at Bristol to be refurbished)
158852 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158854 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'The Station Volunteer'
158856 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158857 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158858 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158862 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158863 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158864 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158865 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158866 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158889 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo

Class 170:
170201 - Full EMR Regional
170202 - Full EMR Regional
170203 - Full EMR Regional
170204 - Full EMR Regional
170205 - Full EMR Regional
170206 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170207 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170208 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo

170270 - Full EMR Regional
170271 - Full EMR Regional
170272 - Full EMR Regional
170273 - Full EMR Regional

170416 - Full EMR Regional
170417 - Full EMR Regional - 'the key worker'
170418 - Full EMR Regional
170419 - Full EMR Regional
170420 - Full EMR Regional
170422 - Full EMR Regional
170423 - Full EMR Regional
170424 - Full EMR Regional

170501 - Full EMR Regional + PRIDE 'swoosh' (at Crewe to be refurbished)
170502 - Full EMR Regional
170503 - Full EMR Regional
170504 - Full EMR Regional
170505 - Full EMR Regional
170506 - Full EMR Regional
170507 - Full EMR Regional
170508 - Full EMR Regional
170509 - Full EMR Regional
170510 - Full EMR Regional
170511 - Full EMR Regional
170512 - Full EMR Regional
170513 - Full EMR Regional
170514 - Full EMR Regional
170515 - Full EMR Regional
170516 - Full EMR Regional
170517 - Full EMR Regional
170530 - Full EMR Regional
170531 - Full EMR Regional - Low Emissions Train branding (Ad Blue trial)
170532 - Full EMR Regional
170533 - Full EMR Regional
170534 - Full EMR Regional
170535 - Full EMR Regional

Class 360:
360101 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360102 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360103 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360104 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360105 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360106 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360107 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360108 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360109 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360110 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360111 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360112 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360113 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360114 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360115 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360116 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360117 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360118 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360119 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360120 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360121 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding

Good to see some progress with the Turbostar fleet at long last, though I’m a little surprised it’s an ex LM example over one of the very shabby Scottish examples (aware that both are internally scruffy!).

 

[The_Train]

Are these refurbishments all about the inside of the train or is there an expected livery change as well?

 

[Bletchleyite]

October/November 2024- Any referbishement updates? I personally think that the Connect Class 360s should take priority, as their very neglected and cramped 3-2 seating arrangement is ghastly on a Intercity style journey from St Pancras to Corby! Also the lack of plug sockets is rather strange, and foreign travelers from Luton Airport will not have a good introduction to UK trains. Even worse, if I may add if they take Thameslink instead on a 700!

I don't think this is true at all. At a city airport they just expect an S-bahn style train, and that's what both are.

Corby to be fair is more suitable for something like a 350/1 which is how they will look.

 

[Trainman40083]

Are these refurbishments all about the inside of the train or is there an expected livery change as well?

The ex WM 170s were painted before transfer to EMR, so they shouldn't need doing for a while.

 

[driverd]

170501 has gone to Crewe to be refurbished.

Realtime Trains | 5K72 1253 Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. | 10/11/2024

Real-time train running information for 5K72 1253 departure from Etches Park Sdgs to Crewe C.S. on 10/11/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Class 158:
158770 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158773 - EMR outgoing livery + PRIDE 'swoosh'
158774 - EMR outgoing livery
158777 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158780 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158783 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158785 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158788 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158799 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158806 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158810 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158812 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158813 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158846 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158847 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'Lincoln Castle Explorer' - (at Bristol to be refurbished)
158852 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158854 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo - 'The Station Volunteer'
158856 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158857 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158858 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158862 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158863 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158864 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158865 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158866 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo
158889 - EMT intercity white with EMR Regional logo

Class 170:
170201 - Full EMR Regional
170202 - Full EMR Regional
170203 - Full EMR Regional
170204 - Full EMR Regional
170205 - Full EMR Regional
170206 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170207 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo
170208 - Greater Anglia white with EMR Regional logo

170270 - Full EMR Regional
170271 - Full EMR Regional
170272 - Full EMR Regional
170273 - Full EMR Regional

170416 - Full EMR Regional
170417 - Full EMR Regional - 'the key worker'
170418 - Full EMR Regional
170419 - Full EMR Regional
170420 - Full EMR Regional
170422 - Full EMR Regional
170423 - Full EMR Regional
170424 - Full EMR Regional

170501 - Full EMR Regional + PRIDE 'swoosh' (at Crewe to be refurbished)
170502 - Full EMR Regional
170503 - Full EMR Regional
170504 - Full EMR Regional
170505 - Full EMR Regional
170506 - Full EMR Regional
170507 - Full EMR Regional
170508 - Full EMR Regional
170509 - Full EMR Regional
170510 - Full EMR Regional
170511 - Full EMR Regional
170512 - Full EMR Regional
170513 - Full EMR Regional
170514 - Full EMR Regional
170515 - Full EMR Regional
170516 - Full EMR Regional
170517 - Full EMR Regional
170530 - Full EMR Regional
170531 - Full EMR Regional - Low Emissions Train branding (Ad Blue trial)
170532 - Full EMR Regional
170533 - Full EMR Regional
170534 - Full EMR Regional
170535 - Full EMR Regional

Class 360:
360101 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360102 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360103 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360104 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360105 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360106 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360107 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360108 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360109 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360110 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360111 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360112 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360113 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360114 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360115 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360116 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360117 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360118 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360119 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360120 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding
360121 - Full EMR Connect with Luton Airport Express branding

Don't suppose you could add refurb status to the list?

 

[43055]

Don't suppose you could add refurb status to the list?

158847 and 170501 are the first to go for refurbishment. When they return and the next units go I plan to update.

 

[Discuss223]

The PA systems on the connect and regional fleets are dire! They are so quiet, I can barely hear them, I can't hear them at all in some cases. The problem seems to have arose since the auto-announcements came in to effect. It seems to be worse when travelling through a tunnel. It's a problem I've noticed on both Turbostars and 158s. Stagecoach always kept the fleet in tip top condition, it's such a shame that the Connect fleet seems to have deteriorated back to National Express Central days' standards.

 

[transportphoto]

The PA systems on the connect and regional fleets are dire! They are so quiet, I can barely hear them, I can't hear them at all in some cases…

I agree with you on the 158 fleet. My experience of the 170 fleet is that the problem isn’t quite as prevalent.

That being said reading your other posts on a similar topic, I’d suggest you’d rather no public address systems at all…

What really annoys me as well is Senior Conductors & Train Managers doing announcements after the automated announcer has already told us the same thing. It just adds to noise pollution.

 

[Discuss223]

I agree with you on the 158 fleet. My experience of the 170 fleet is that the problem isn’t quite as prevalent.

That being said reading your other posts on a similar topic, I’d suggest you’d rather no public address systems at all…

I do think it's rather unfair to quote my post in an abstract context such as that. My full message on that thread said that there are several important messages that need to be announced but that the incessant See It Say It Sorted et al is frustrating. If an auto-announcer is malfunctioning or not loud enough, I have no objection to a member of staff making a manual announcement. The 158 that I travelled on with EMR recently had both SC and automated announcements and both were difficult to hear due to the low volume and muffled effect, which suggests to me that the refurbishment team perhaps ought to improve the quality of the speakers.

 

[reecestrains]

158847 and 170501 are the first to go for refurbishment. When they return and the next units go I plan to update.

If I may chip in here, are the PIS systems getting replaced to something different if anyone happens to know here? I did see something that they might be getting changed and looks like Bombardier screens in the concepts.

I was going to ask when they'd be out but probably too early to tell at this stage.

 

[londonmidland]

If I may chip in here, are the PIS systems getting replaced to something different if anyone happens to know here? I did see something that they might be getting changed and looks like Bombardier screens in the concepts.

I was going to ask when they'd be out but probably too early to tell at this stage.

I think the 170s are to get a brand new PIS system. The 158s, I believe, are staying unchanged with their TrainFX system.

 

[reecestrains]

I think the 170s are to get a brand new PIS system. The 158s, I believe, are staying unchanged with their TrainFX system.

Thanks for the reply, I guess we'll find out what the new system will be. I know Northern went for TrainFX so I don't know which direction they'll be taking the 170's.

 

[LowLevel]

The 170s are getting an upgraded version of the original system with new hardware for it and will remain incompatible with the 158s which are getting an upgraded version of TrainFX and mods which will fingers crossed resolve the issues with the announcements being less audible than a mouse with a sore throat on some units when coupled.

Amongst other things it means the EMR 170s will be able to retain the saloon PA handsets lost on the Northern 170s which are useful with the number of short platforms etc served.

 

[reecestrains]

The 170s are getting an upgraded version of the original system with new hardware for it and will remain incompatible with the 158s which are getting an upgraded version of TrainFX and mods which will fingers crossed resolve the issues with the announcements being less audible than a mouse with a sore throat on some units when coupled.

Amongst other things it means the EMR 170s will be able to retain the saloon PA handsets lost on the Northern 170s which are useful with the number of short platforms etc served.

Oh that's interesting! I wonder if replacement screens will be installed or the original ones being used on the newer software.

It would make sense to install new ones though.

 

[LowLevel]

Oh that's interesting! I wonder if replacement screens will be installed or the original ones being used on the newer software.

It would make sense to install new ones though.

Replacement screens.

 

[reecestrains]

Thanks for the info, we'll see what these are like once they are installed.

 

[Discuss223]

158847 - Away for refurbishment.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Replacement screens.

Not the same rubbish ones the 172s have received, hopefully.

 

[reecestrains]

Not the same rubbish ones the 172s have received, hopefully.

I don't think they will be, they scroll too slowly. I prefer orange dot matrix personally.

From the concept images released by EMR of the refurbishment, they seem to have orange/yellow dot matrix with EMR Regional Class 170 displaying without a destination set.

 

[Doomotron]

I prefer orange dot matrix personally.

I don't really get the point of having colour screens in trains. Rarely have I found the extra information shown useful, and the graphic design will age pretty quickly compared to a dot matrix which will never. The glare on the screens can be an issue too.

 

[Discuss223]

I don't really get the point of having colour screens in trains. Rarely have I found the extra information shown useful, and the graphic design will age pretty quickly compared to a dot matrix which will never. The glare on the screens can be an issue too.

The penguin logo on the PIS screens of EMR Connect 158 services looks very dated and cheap. It makes it look like a 1990s computer game.

 

[liamf656]

The penguin logo on the PIS screens of EMR Connect 158 services looks very dated and cheap. It makes it look like a 1990s computer game.

I'm pretty sure it's only there because the screens run on Linux software

 

[skyhigh]

The penguin logo on the PIS screens of EMR Connect 158 services looks very dated and cheap. It makes it look like a 1990s computer game.

You're never supposed to see it, it's only when the software has crashed. And as said above, it's the logo of the base software.

 

[Mollman]

I don't really get the point of having colour screens in trains. Rarely have I found the extra information shown useful, and the graphic design will age pretty quickly compared to a dot matrix which will never. The glare on the screens can be an issue too.

I think the issue is what information you show. Being able to colour code coaches to show level of occupancy or show which toilets are in use is quite useful on longer trains like the 700s but I get that it isn't that useful on a two or three coach train you can easily walk through.

 

[Discuss223]

Can anybody tell me please will the ex-Southern units be losing their hopper windows as part of the refurbishment process, to make them uniform with the other Turbostars?

 

[Doomotron]

Can anybody tell me please will the ex-Southern units be losing their hopper windows as part of the refurbishment process, to make them uniform with the other Turbostars?

Not going to happen.

 

[fgwrich]

Not going to happen.

Indeed, cannot see the point of why you’d want to remove them.