Pendolino Refurbishment/Modernisation

[richardio123]

Alstom has been awarded a contract worth over 12 million euros by Virgin to modernize its entire Pendolino fleet (56 trains). The contract includes the refurbishment of the interiors, bar, kitchen facilities and toilets. The work is being undertaken at two Alstom Traincare Centres, Oxley (Wolverhampton) and Longsight (Manchester) in the United Kingdom, and will be performed over a period of eight months.

http://www.alstom.com/press-centre/2013/10/alstom-to-modernize-virgins-pendolino-in-the-uk/

 

[387star]

Blimey tight time frame glad virgin are still investing I hear toilets will be improved will we see new moquette
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Toilet smell to be treated.

Voyagers will also be worked on.
Exciting changes ahead. Change in livery? The difference between virgin and cross country will become even more acute
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http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2013/west-coast-main-line-gets-busier-as-trains-get-a-makeover/

 

[D365]

According to the article posted directly above, it seems the 'Pretendolino' is getting a makeover too:

Virgin also uses a loco hauled set of Mark 3 carriages which carry the same livery as a Pendolino and these will be fitted with refurbished vestibules, toilets, First Class saloons and The Shop.

I'm guessing that means its immediate future is secure. [Article digresses towards the end without warning...]

 

[387star]

When is the first unit due out?

Toilets getting the most work and improved first class armrests

 

[CJ]

Is the 'Fly Virgin Trains' logo going to be used throughout the fleet? I've noticed a few Pendolinos have that new logo now.

 

[Class83]

Any info on whether they're putting sockets at airline seats in standard? Wasn't really a big thing when they were built, fairly major omission for long distance trains now.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

At first sight this looks like only a subset of what VT were going to do if they won the 15-year franchise.
There's no mention of a new wi-fi system, or seating changes.
It's probably all the DfT would authorise in the short term.

 

[MCR247]

I'm not expecting too much if it is expected to be done in 8 months

 

[hstmatt]

I was on 390127 today and it looks like it has had some improvement work done on it. Blue lights have now been fitted above the luggage racks and the lighting has been replaced overall. There is also a new carpet in the vestibules but apart from this not much has changed, I hope they plan to do more in terms of a refurbishment.

 

[DarloRich]

I'm not expecting too much if it is expected to be done in 8 months

this - 8 months is nothing in terms of time
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I hope they plan to do more in terms of a refurbishment.

Why - they are in decent nick - wash and brush up needed, nothing more

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I was on 390127 today and it looks like it has had some improvement work done on it. Blue lights have now been fitted above the luggage racks and the lighting has been replaced overall. There is also a new carpet in the vestibules but apart from this not much has changed, I hope they plan to do more in terms of a refurbishment.

If that vestibule picture is anything to go by, we're going to need to wear sunglasses on board!

 

[shaun]

Not going to do anything about the awful legroom and seats then as First were planning?

 

[dk1]

Not going to do anything about the awful legroom and seats then as First were planning?

Will happen with time no doubt. They're not really that bad now in my opinion.

 

[plastictaffy]

I'd rather a Pendolino than a Voyager..............

 

[Peter Sarf]

I am hoping the rather loud air conditioning in the Pendolinos can be tamed. It was always rather tedious putting up with that continuous high pitched sound. I always thought in summer they could let the temp rise a bit more as it was rather unnecessarily cool when you stepped in wearing your summer clothes.

I have not travelled on a Pendolino for a while and the last time I did not notice the noise. Trying to think whether the outside temperature and/or weather meant the air conditioning did not have to work so hard. Perhaps they have calmed the aircon down already ?.

I have long legs but I don't recall the legroom on a Pendolino being a problem btw. So hopefully they wont mess that up !.

 

[rebmcr]

I am hoping the rather loud air conditioning in the Pendolinos can be tamed. It was always rather tedious putting up with that continuous high pitched sound.

Yeah, it's particularly noticeable when you get 10 seconds of quiet bliss when passing neutral sections.

 

[Bob Ames]

Yeah, it's particularly noticeable when you get 10 seconds of quiet bliss when passing neutral sections.

I once had 11 minutes of quiet bliss when the air-con failed in my coach and all other passengers had left (I have circulation issues, so I didn't mind the heat), only to have the TM turf me out! :cry:

 

[Peter Sarf]

Yeah, it's particularly noticeable when you get 10 seconds of quiet bliss when passing neutral sections.

Oh yes. I remember going London to Glasgow and the neutral sections were oh so short !. Each time was like having a weight lifted off your shoulders !. You ended up ignoring the sound but it was still there tensing you up - like some sort of mind destroying interrogation technique !.

That is why despite the offers we have driven a car. We flew one time as, although noisy, its over with a lot quicker. Never flown domestic before but would do it again as the noise and claustrophobia is over with quicker. The faff at the airports I can bear. Thats despite being pro rail.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I was on 390127 on the 1350 Birmingham to Euston on 24th August. Must have just missed out on the refurb!

 

[ThirdBrad]

Yeah, it's particularly noticeable when you get 10 seconds of quiet bliss when passing neutral sections.

Hi, i'm fairly new to all of this. By 'neutral' section, do you mean when all of a sudden you hear the heating/air con turn off for a few seconds randomly?
If so, could you briefly explain what this is please?

 

[Nym]

Hi, i'm fairly new to all of this. By 'neutral' section, do you mean when all of a sudden you hear the heating/air con turn off for a few seconds randomly?
If so, could you briefly explain what this is please?

Neautral Sections are where the OHLE is 'not live' so there is no traction voltage to the train, hence all the power hungry auxillaries knock off and you're on batteries for that short distance till they come back in again when the OHLE lives up.

On another note, I think Virgin / Alstom would have been better marketing these changes as a 'refresh' rather than 'refurbishment' as the latter seems to imply a lot more work than is needed (as is evident in this thread).

 

[Sheepy1209]

Step off a Northern 150 onto a Pendolino, and it still feels like a brand new train.

 

[nathanclass323]

Step off a Northern 150 onto a Pendolino, and it still feels like a brand new train.

That could be because compared to a 150, a Pendolino is a brand new train age wise.

 

[Blindtraveler]

never found pendo air con loud myself, . 170 or 158s system is worse and the big difference with me is that 390s ones actually work!

 

[Kristofferson]

I've always thought the Pendolino air con was a bit quiet/ineffective compared to the Desiros, which are like stepping into a fridge/wind tunnel.

 

[CalderRail]

I'm surprised they are doing up the pretendolino. Aren't they doing away with that when the new set of Pendolinos are built?

I'm sure I read something to that effect.

 

[Manchester77]

I'm surprised they are doing up the pretendolino. Aren't they doing away with that when the new set of Pendolinos are built?

I'm sure I read something to that effect.

No more pendolinios are planned to be built

 

[Eagle]

I'm surprised they are doing up the pretendolino. Aren't they doing away with that when the new set of Pendolinos are built?

The new lot of Pendolinos (390154 to 157) arrived over a year ago. As a result the Pretendolino is no longer used on booked services, only on charters and occasionally as a substitute.

 

[RichW1]

I have to say I was on the Pendolino back from northwest England the other day and both the trip there and return showed me how bad the Pendolino's are! There were grinding sounds from the bogie area (which I always remember) and yet they are so smooth and fast pulling out of stations! The ride was a little bumpy (poor track conditions I'm guessing). The trains were dirty and seat backs marked, the plastic from various places was rattling which is so annoying!!! Intercity used to mean the feeling of runnin on rails smoothly and a better interior than a commuter to Guildford but my experience of the Pendolino's with there bump n grinds, dirt and rattles has not left me with a good impression. I would rather a MarkIV anyday.

This is so very sad because I think they look great from the outside and look like inside they should be a smooth sleek passenger experience but this is just not the case.

 

[Rhydgaled]

No more pendolinios are planned to be built

No more Pendolinos have been ordered. However, I believe Virgin's franchise bid included ordering a fleet of 6-car Pendolinos to replace the ICWC 221s, while First had more Pendolinos as one of the options of their bid. Since Virgin is now running the show until they try and let a propper franchise again we may see the 6-car Pendolino order at some point.

I have to say I was on the Pendolino back from northwest England the other day and both the trip there and return showed me how bad the Pendolino's are! There were grinding sounds from the bogie area (which I always remember) and yet they are so smooth and fast pulling out of stations! The ride was a little bumpy (poor track conditions I'm guessing). The trains were dirty and seat backs marked, the plastic from various places was rattling which is so annoying!!! Intercity used to mean the feeling of runnin on rails smoothly and a better interior than a commuter to Guildford but my experience of the Pendolino's with there bump n grinds, dirt and rattles has not left me with a good impression. I would rather a MarkIV anyday.

Not a mrk4, but I had a bumpy ride on an IC125 earlier this year. If I remember rightly it was the XC one between Taunton and Bristol (my mini-holiday also included Cheltenham - Swindon and Westbury - Taunton on FirstGW IC125 sets).