FANTASY: You're in charge of refurbishing a train

[318266]

What train would you refurbish, and what would you do to it.

I would take the Class 314 and add garbage bins, a toilet and WiFi

 

[class387]

Class 700s to the same layout of a 387 with Scotrail style cushions.

 

[AlterEgo]

390 Pendolinos:

Coach K to be refurbished along the lines of Frecciarossa Executive Class and sold at a premium.

Staff will not be allowed to sit there - and if they do need a break, two seats in Coach J to be denoted as Staff Only with red antimacassars for their use.

 

[318266]

Class 700s to the same layout of a 387 with Scotrail style cushions.

Okay, now where did I put the ironing boards...

 

[Bletchleyite]

Pendolino (and indeed any long distance unit) - Grammer IC3000 seats as much aligned to windows as feasible on spacing similar to the present.

Could be tempted to suggest adding an intermediate "business class" in coach U with 2+2 Grammer IC3000 seats but at First Class spacing with recliners. About half would be full tables and the other half airline style "mini tables" like Coach K has for those wanting privacy. Sockets throughout. Fixed fee to upgrade rather than a separate fare range.

Standard maybe consider some areas of 3+1 seating instead of 2+2, the groups of 6 facing seats would be popular with groups and the single seats (airline style) with solo travellers.

 

[RLBH]

My wife's answer for her commute: rip out the 2+3 seating on Class 318s and replace it with longitudinal bench seating 'like on the Underground'. I'm not entirely sold on this approach.

 

[Warwick]

Applies to any train. Put in nice comfortable seats.
Applies to any train. Give us some legroom.
Those trains from Exeter to Woking are impossible to sit in properly in the airline type seats for me. I'm not really that tall at 6' 2".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Class 150/2. Remove one row from each section and space out.

 

[RichJF]

Southern Class 377 (as it's the only EMU on my line outside peaks):
2+2 seating throughout & narrow 3+2 seating removed.
Seats to align with windows.
Luggage racks/foldable cycle space installed where the seats leave an odd gap.
Table seats to have a double plug/USB installed at the window level on tables.
Wifi installed throughout.
Inter-coach sensor doors replaced with handle operated doors.
Class 700 style first class compartment to properly separate 1st class from standard class.
LED lights internally & on unit ends (marker/headlight).
Units repainted into overall green (excluding doors obv) to evoke old Southern livery.
Number 1 painted on doors where 1st class is located.
Fit pantographs to make future cascade easier.

 

[bussnapperwm]

WM 172s

Add WiFi, USB charging points, more "bay seating" in the non toilet coach, plus a luggage rack in coach c

 

[507021]

Northern Class 319s:

Replace the 2+3 seating (where possible) with 2+2 seating and tables with USB charging points.
Install Wi-Fi, air conditioning and LED lighting.
Install luggage racks.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Class 150/2. Remove one row from each section and space out.

That approach would apply equally to the 155s...

As this is a fantasy thread:
The soon-to-be displaced 315s/317s/319s/321s (whichever are in better condition).

• Install diesel engines in the sections between each cab and the closest set of doors. Battery packs also an option.
• Interiors completely gutted and replaced with the better Fainsa seats from Northern's sham roadshow in 2+2 formation split 50/50 between bays and airline arrangement.
• The spaces where the door-pockets mean no windows fitted alternately with luggage stacks and single longitudinal priority seats.
• Disabled loo in the inner end of the centre trailer, with tip-up seats in the area surrounding, including a pull-out table as seen in the "ballroom" of the 185s.
• Traction motors replaced with modern AC motors.
• Air-conditioning fitted, with lockable hoppers on alternate windows in case of failure.
• Mini-tables (CIG/CEP-style) at facing bays. Pull-down tray tables and cup holders at airline seats.
• Free WiFi fitted including the ability to work in tunnels, and each pair of seats given one 3-pin plug and 2 USB ports.
• AC capability retained, and 3rd-rail capability also retained where applicable.

There you have it, a reasonable bi-mode unit for regional and stopping services!

 

[Bletchleyite]

There you have it, a reasonable bi-mode unit for regional and stopping services!

Gone a bit quiet on those again, has it not?

 

[driver_m]

Put the 2 original Merseyrail units back out there with insanely bright headlights so it doesn't need yellow ends. Stick the relevant gubbins in the cabs like GSM etc Stick a few pp3's in for non third rail hehe and run them as BR did as a sideline for goodwill .And do exactly the same with any other AC/DC units away from the southern region in the same manner .

 

[Hadders]

Class 700 fitted out to the same interior design as the original 365 layout.

 

[alangla]

The real life refurb(s) of the class 334 has been pretty good, adding mains power, WiFi, air con and better interior and exterior colours, the only missed tricks were not going 2+2 in the middle coach & putting tables in as per 318/320, so basically add those two things to the 334 and it would be perfect.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Talk to you accountants and lawyers - they will control your ideas.

Regrettably....

 

[Geoff DC]

On XC Voyagers convert one car to a lavatory car ( asian & euro choices)
1 or 2 cars to all standing ( 1 on a 4 car - 2 on a 5 car) 5th Class
1 car on a 5 car to be 3+2 seating 4th class
The existing 1st class to be more correctly sold as 3rd class

 

[Esker-pades]

Burn all ironing board seats.

 

[318266]

ScotRail HST. Make 1st class standard and an even more luxurious 1st class

 

[andythebrave]

Everything everywhere to have seats that align with windows. Considerably more tables. No 2 + 3. No overtall seat backs.

 

[yorksrob]

3 carriage 144.

Remove a row of seats from every carriage and move the rest down a bit. Also install seat back and window tables.

MML HST

Refresh seat coverings where necessary. That is all.

 

[Edgeley]

Seats aligned with windows - whatever the class.

 

[LOL The Irony]

Class 185
Fit Grammer IC3000's in standard and as many tables as possible. Add a massive luggage rack in coach B by in front of the toilet cubicle. First class would have VTWC first class seats. All seats will be half leather and have a 3 pin plug & 2 USB ports (one with a data transfer function). They will all be semi permanently coupled in 6 car formations.

 

[Parallel]

I’d refurbish GWR’s 165s/166s to ATW 158 standards, complete with new 2+2 seating with small head rests, new armrests, tables, better lighting and a deep clean and a repaint. And although not sorted on the ATW or GWR units, I’d also make air conditioning/cooling a priority!!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Fit Grammer IC3000

The Grammer IC3000 briefly became the standard IC seat, with variants in GWR HSTs and quite a lot of Class 158s. It needs to return, with the Government inspired Class 800 seat being dumped.

The Desiro seat (Grammer E3000) should become the regional standard.

 

[alangla]

Fit Grammer IC3000's in standard.

The Grammer IC3000 briefly became the standard IC seat, with variants in GWR HSTs and quite a lot of Class 158s. It needs to return, with the Government inspired Class 800 seat being dumped.

First poster's name is appropriate - I remember when the first Grammer fitted HSTs were coming into service, the seats were described as tombstones, the coaches were claustrophobic and clinical because the seats blocked any view of a window not directly alongside and also any view down the coach plus the lighting was left on its "eye-searing" full power, so zero view out at night. How times change...

The Scotrail 158 Grammer fit is pretty good, to be fair, but those FGW HSTs are awful compared to GNER interiors from the same era.

In 10 years time there will probably be posts on here bemoaning the loss of the 800's seats...

 

[Class465fan]

Surprised that no one has mentioned the class 442 yet so here it goes.
Remove airline seating interior in order to reform the original seating layout along with the buffet/snug area.
Remove first class area on the motor coach and move it back to driving trailers.
First class carriage would have a compartment layout like they had in the NSE/SWT days.

 

[theageofthetra]

Fit aircon modules to 376's which should have been done when introduced.

 

[DarloRich]

Take Voyager. Push over cliff. Go home.

Seriously - rip out the insides of the voyager, fit nicer seats, lighten the decor, remove at least 1 of the toilets, take out first class, fit free wifi and plugs at every seat, remove any catering provision and use every inch of space for seats.