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SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

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fgwrich

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15 Apr 2009
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Hampshire
They are, yes. The same style as GWR so rough rather than soft, but hopefully at least look better than the flat cloth.
Interesting. But unfortunately somewhat too little too late, given that the flat cloth has now been fitted across all Desiro units, the rebuilt 458s, some 158/9s and the brand new Arterio's. Perhaps, given the length of time taken to get them into service, the Arterio's will need new cushions regardless!

Still, I don't understand First Group's aversion to traditional Moquette. At least that works, was easier to clean and keep soft. One reason why I prefer the 158s and 159/1s which retain the SWT interiors.
 

RichSwitch

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9 Mar 2017
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Portsmouth
The flat cloth (or “ironing board covers” as I call it), is looking very grubby on many of the 450s I’ve been on. Partly I assume because of the lack of small tables similar to those that the CIGs used to have. Passengers balance their coffees on seats instead.

A change of material will have a minor positive impact on perception. But it won’t improve performance.
 

TEW

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16 May 2008
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5,984
They were noticeably darker, but that may just be because they are new. They had that new smell too. And the material is different. Most people probably wouldn't notice the change though.
 

TEW

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I think the hardened commuters will. I have watched many get on and actively look for seats that aren't filthy in appearance.
Not very easy with the current seat covers of course!
 

lokiavivson

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6 Mar 2023
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London
afaik, the state of announcements curently is:

Celia: 458 and certain 450/444
Elinor: 455, 158/9, 484 and most 450/444
TTS: 707

In terms of livery:

SWR Blue/Grey: 444 (Excl 019), 450, 159/0, 458/4, 701 and 158 (887, 889 and 890)
SWT Blue: 458/5 and 73235
SWT Red: 455 (Excl 868) and 707
SWT White: 159/1 and 158 (880-886)

The only reason i think Elinor hasnt made an appearance on 458s yet is because the PIS system is completely different to the rest of the fleet
Acapela Rachel (the TTS voice used on the 707s) also seems to say "standard class only" and "ASDO is isolated" on the 444/450 fleet. not sure if she still says it now that Elinor has been rolled out to the entire 444/450 fleet
ASDO is isolated -
(skip to 3:20)
Celia also does BTP 61016 message on the 707s
 

DCtrains

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Reading
acapela Rachel definitely still does the ASDO isolated, as for the standard class throughout I’m not 100% sure
 
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traji00

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17 Aug 2009
Messages
225
Not necessarily a refurb, but I’ve noticed a 455 has new carriage maps — they look like the same ones from the 701.

(Which is just as well. The maps in the 455 date back as far as 2004!)
 

Sun Chariot

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Not necessarily a refurb, but I’ve noticed a 455 has new carriage maps — they look like the same ones from the 701.

(Which is just as well. The maps in the 455 date back as far as 2004!)
I lived and worked in London until 2012. I recall some LU Met A-stock still displayed pre-1990 route maps - distinguishable by the Hammersmith & City line as the Metropolitan Line.
 

SWRtrainfan

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18 Dec 2018
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Berkshire
I read in the latest Modern Railways that C6 overhauls are due from next year. This usually involves a repaint amongst other things so I would guess that’s when it will happen.
The C6's have already been done, it's just that the 158s, 159/1s and some 159/0s are still in SWT livery/vinyl version of SWR livery.
 

43096

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23 Nov 2015
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I’ve just checked and that’s definitely what it says. When were they last done?
When they were last painted! As the units have a mix of SWT and SWR liveries, they were going through C6 at the time of the operator change. That was back in 2017, so next C6 being next year is absolutely the timing you’d expect.
 

St. Paddy

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11 Sep 2019
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Hitchin
When they were last painted! As the units have a mix of SWT and SWR liveries, they were going through C6 at the time of the operator change. That was back in 2017, so next C6 being next year is absolutely the timing you’d expect.
Thanks, that’s what I thought. The OP I was replying to implied they had already had their C6 recently.
 

DCtrains

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9 Jun 2023
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Reading
Have desiro announcements been updated somewhat? Today I’ve heard Elinor announcements about bicycles, beggars and informing customers that the guard will be walking through the train
 

lxfe_mxtterz

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3 Mar 2018
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912
Location
Sarahdale (West of Emmerdale)
Have desiro announcements been updated somewhat? Today I’ve heard Elinor announcements about bicycles, beggars and informing customers that the guard will be walking through the train
Those announcements have always been there as manual options which the guard can select to play if need be.

The Desiro announcement manual options differ slightly from the 455s as they also have ones about short platforms and keeping the aisles free from obstruction (and others I can't think of off the top of my head).

I'm pretty sure the 455s don't have the announcement about beggars either.
 
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