Western Sunset
Established Member
Have all the 442s been done? I recall that the motorcoach from one unit was still in debranded GatEx.
Is there any indication of what the new seating could be?
I thought SWR have had a few 444s where new seat covers have been fitted?Is there any indication of what the new seating could be?
The current discussion seems to be about 158/159, the Desiros are all done internally, bar the displays...I thought SWR have had a few 444s where new seat covers have been fitted?
I've never heard of any different seating being fitted. There is nothing wrong with the grammer seating so why get rid of it?
Ah sorry my mistake.The current discussion seems to be about 158/159, the Desiros are all done internally, bar the displays...
Or blue as per the original renders.Are they still not bothering repaint the stagecoach orange grab rails? They look very out of place with the rest of the branding, and should really be redone in a more normal yellow IMO
Or blue as per the original renders.
And before any anyone says that's not allowed Greater Anglia use white handrails against a white background.
Yeah, unfortunately that's not going to happen. They say they've upgraded the existing dot matrix to the requirements in the franchise agreement.One thing that I'm sure is overdue is the fitment of new PIS screens to the Desiros.
Yes, that all came down to costs unfortunately. They look into it and found it would be far too time consuming to change the colour of the poles. Plus, they're quite hard to access.Or blue as per the original renders.
And before any anyone says that's not allowed Greater Anglia use white handrails against a white background.
Thats a real shame. They can afford a new fleet but cant afford to properly invest in their existing fleet.Yeah, unfortunately that's not going to happen. They say they've upgraded the existing dot matrix to the requirements in the franchise agreement.
Bit of an opt-out if you ask me!
Yes, that all came down to costs unfortunately. They look into it and found it would be far too time consuming to change the colour of the poles. Plus, they're quite hard to access.
It also wasn't possible to do them in situ either.
It's nothing to do with compliance of colour as that can be done quite easily.
Thanks. At last a proper explanation!Yeah, unfortunately that's not going to happen. They say they've upgraded the existing dot matrix to the requirements in the franchise agreement.
Bit of an opt-out if you ask me!
Yes, that all came down to costs unfortunately. They look into it and found it would be far too time consuming to change the colour of the poles. Plus, they're quite hard to access.
It also wasn't possible to do them in situ either.
It's nothing to do with compliance of colour as that can be done quite easily.
Yeah I'm a bit confused on that front. I can't see what has been upgraded? I think SWR are basically trying to cover themselves for something that wasn't logistically possible.I have to say I'm struggling to work out what has been upgraded with the PIS. Wasn't it supposed to have real-time information? The current displays certainly don't have that.
I assumed it would be large screens on end walls etc as fitted on the 350s and many other units.Yeah I'm a bit confused on that front. I can't see what has been upgraded? I think SWR are basically trying to cover themselves for something that wasn't logistically possible.
There is a possibility in that SWR recently put a job advert out for a Security & Information Systems Manager (PIS).
But I wouldn't hold your breath, as going on the word of the engineering director all that's left for the Desiros is the new livery (painting programme).
That's exactly what we all thought, sadly. Would have made a big difference!I assumed it would be large screens on end walls etc as fitted on the 350s and many other units.
Thanks for the heads up re 444 repaints @Dan15812.That's exactly what we all thought, sadly. Would have made a big difference!
Desiro repaint update:
444 031 due in 23-02-21 this will replace 444 027.
The refurb does seem to have been scaled down from what was originally being planned. The orange grab handles do look very out of place and nothing was ever done to the toilets, originally I believe they were meant to get refurbished. I'm sure there was meant to be more interior painting done too. There have been no changes to the PIS as far as I can tell.Thanks. At last a proper explanation!
It must have been an extremely tightly costed refurbishment if these things couldn't be addressed, as they routinely have been by other TOCs.
I have to say I'm struggling to work out what has been upgraded with the PIS. Wasn't it supposed to have real-time information? The current displays certainly don't have that.
Yes, the renders showed all the pale blue panelling painted off white.The refurb does seem to have been scaled down from what was originally being planned. The orange grab handles do look very out of place and nothing was ever done to the toilets, originally I believe they were meant to get refurbished. I'm sure there was meant to be more interior painting done too. There have been no changes to the PIS as far as I can tell.
Thanks for the heads up! 450025 is scheduled in works today to replace 450027.450027 off repaint and seen on rear of 1B90 0556 Bournemouth to Waterloo this morning.
I really can't believe how slow it is. The excuse appears to be social distancing, yet other companies seem to have adapted without impacting significantly on output.The next presidential election will be here before the repaints are done!
Even Northern can complete there refurbs and repaints before SWR. Around 400 units versus 172 desiros and not even the 159 refurb and repaints completed yet. What's going on?
159 repaints have been completed - it’s just the C6 programme started before the franchise change.The next presidential election will be here before the repaints are done!
Even Northern can complete there refurbs and repaints before SWR. Around 400 units versus 172 desiros and not even the 159 refurb and repaints completed yet. What's going on?
Avanti for example, but they might be a specialist case... idkI really can't believe how slow it is. The excuse appears to be social distancing, yet other companies seem to have adapted without impacting significantly on output.
It's because SWR are doing the Desiro repaints 'in-house' themselves which means only Bournemouth is available .23 units have been repainted over the past year. If that rate remains then it'll take nearly six years to complete the fleet of Desiros. That'll be well in to the management contract after the management contract due to start shortly.
That’s all very well and good but it’s still appalling progressIt's because SWR are doing the Desiro repaints 'in-house' themselves which means only Bournemouth is available .
TOC's will often use contractors such as Northern using Arriva train care. As Arriva operate across multiple sites (Crew, Eastleigh, Bristol etc.) 5 units can be taken off having their internal and externals done at the same time dramatically reducing time taken.
I hope that makes sense!