SWR Repaints and Refurbishments

[theironroad]

Assuming the changes in layout (First class, cubicle removal) on the 444/450 are still going ahead one wonders how easy these are to achieve. I’m thinking more of the removal of the conductor’s cubicle and ‘buffet’ cubicle. Are these just, for want of a better term, ‘plug and play’ or are they integral to the construction of the coach? If it’s the latter I would have thought this adds another complication to the refurbs. Not to mention more £££.
I’d imagine the 442s should be near enough ready by now - assuming they are actually using them and it wasn’t just a romantic notion. I don’t know if the LNWR 350s are being released any time soon, but if so would it not make sense for SWR to take these rather than the 442s? I’d imagine the 442s are cheaper to refurb perhaps?

Maybe you work for swr, because a rumour I heard (though only once) was that the buffet and guards office have been discovered to be integral to the coach and is causing issues. Didn't hear either way what was going to happen/change, but may party explain why there has been no sign of the a partially refurbed 444 yet.

 

[superalbs]

Went on my first refurbished unit today, and it is truly wretched. Filth everywhere, be it stains, broken parts, or what. The actual design itself is also dystopian and dull, and makes little sense, leaving you wondering just what they were actual going for. When it comes to the seat fabric choice, one word I would use is 'coarse'.

Seat Stains:


Walls and Panels Stains:



Broken Door Control:


Electrics Door Fails to Lock:


Considering these units have come out a refurb just a few weeks prior AT MOST, this is absolutely disgusting. Not sure how people are of the view that cleanliness is up under SWR, as in my experience, it's definitely been down significantly.

 

[TEW]

Maybe you work for swr, because a rumour I heard (though only once) was that the buffet and guards office have been discovered to be integral to the coach and is causing issues. Didn't hear either way what was going to happen/change, but may party explain why there has been no sign of the a partially refurbed 444 yet.

I had heard that rumour too, but it may well have come from the same place! The first two units have certainly been in the works for a worryingly long time, but you would think a problem as major as that is something that would have been known about before hand, and would have been pointed out in the planning stage.

 

[pompeyfan]

If it’s the same rumour I’d heard then there is a bank of MCBs in the buffet area need moving which are proving difficult.

I have an issue with that story though, why would you have MCBs in there when the buffet isolation is the opposite end of the 500 (TOSLW) coach.

 

[Goldfish62]

Went on my first refurbished unit today, and it is truly wretched. Filth everywhere, be it stains, broken parts, or what. The actual design itself is also dystopian and dull, and makes little sense, leaving you wondering just what they were actual going for. When it comes to the seat fabric choice, one word I would use is 'coarse'.

Seat Stains:
View attachment 51579

Walls and Panels Stains:
View attachment 51575
View attachment 51576

Broken Door Control:
View attachment 51577

Electrics Door Fails to Lock:
View attachment 51578

Considering these units have come out a refurb just a few weeks prior AT MOST, this is absolutely disgusting. Not sure how people are of the view that cleanliness is up under SWR, as in my experience, it's definitely been down significantly.

Yes, that's awful. Very shoddy..

Re cleanliness I can assure you that on the 458s at least it is vastly improved. They were an absolute disgrace under SWT, but are now generally to an acceptable standard internally. And the toilets are now mostly working, which SWT couldn't be bothered to do anything about.

It's as if the neglect has been swapped between unit types. Has the train presentation team at Salisbury been completely changed?

 

[lewisf]

The first two units have certainly been in the works for a worryingly long time...

At this rate the entire Desiro fleet is going to take around 75 years to refurbish fully. What does surprise me though is that the mini refurbished units didn't also get the new livery like the diesel fleet.

 

[TEW]

I believe it is due to the location where the works are being done. The 450s are getting the current interior work done at Northam Depot, which I don't believe has any facilities to paint units.

 

[pompeyfan]

I believe it is due to the location where the works are being done. The 450s are getting the current interior work done at Northam Depot, which I don't believe has any facilities to paint units.

I think 444040 and 450111 were painted at Northam, whether or not it’s practical to do the whole fleet there is a different matter.

 

[TEW]

Were those two painted or is it just a vinyl application on top of the SWT livery? I am not sure.

 

[Western Sunset]

There's a paint shop at Bournemouth.

 

[WVL14]

Were those two painted or is it just a vinyl application on top of the SWT livery? I am not sure.

444040 / 450111 are mostly vinyl. Only bits which are painted are those which were too awkward to vinyl.

 

[WVL14]

I believe it is due to the location where the works are being done. The 450s are getting the current interior work done at Northam Depot, which I don't believe has any facilities to paint units.

450s internal refit is being done at Eastleigh. Units get delivered Sunday night and released 7 days later.

450111 was the only one dealt with at Northam.

 

[Goldfish62]

450s internal refit is being done at Eastleigh. Units get delivered Sunday night and released 7 days later.

450111 was the only one dealt with at Northam.

How many units are at Eastleigh at once?

 

[WVL14]

How many units are at Eastleigh at once?

Two units are done per week, although today only a 4-car came out as the other was not ready.

 

[moley]

If it’s the same rumour I’d heard then there is a bank of MCBs in the buffet area need moving which are proving difficult.

I have an issue with that story though, why would you have MCBs in there when the buffet isolation is the opposite end of the 500 (TOSLW) coach.

There are various rumours flying around - although this seems sensible.

My favourite was on the Pompey line last week where a guard was explaining to passengers that SWR had been given legal advice that they should not remove guards offices all the time the RMT were striking as this could cause problems in negotiating. Essentially he said that guards are 'based' in their office therefore removing their office was a change of working rule/conditions and had to be agreed with the RMT.

 

[Western Sunset]

And here's me thinking we were in the 21st century.

 

[Goldfish62]

Two units are done per week, although today only a 4-car came out as the other was not ready.

Thanks. So about 15 months for the entire programme, and that's without the rest of the refurbishment, or the 444s.

 

[The Ham]

Thanks. So about 15 months for the entire programme, and that's without the rest of the refurbishment, or the 444s.

There's an argument that once the 442's are in service that more units can be withdrawn from service for their modifications and repaints.

 

[Train Boy]

Class 450 - Partly Refurbished Interiors Update

Have made a list with all of the 450s that I'm aware of with the new, but incomplete, interiors. If you're aware of others, please feel free to reply & I'll add them.

450003, 450006, 450007, 450008, 450010, 450013, 450014, 450016, 450020, 450024, 450025, 450026, 450027, 450028, 450030, 450031, 450033, 450035, 450036, 450038, 450040, 450041, 450073, 450074, 450075, 450076, 450079, 450085, 450086, 450087, 450093, 450099, 450102, 450105, 450109, 450110, 450111, 450124 & 450126

Total units: 39 out of 127 (31%) - Updated 25/09/2018

 

[59CosG95]

Class 450 - Partly Refurbished Interiors Update

Have made a list with all of the 450s that I'm aware of with the new, but incomplete, interiors. If you're aware of others, please feel free to reply & I'll add them.

450003, 450006, 450010, 450013, 450014, 450016, 450020, 450025, 450028, 450031, 450033, 450035, 450038, 450040, 450073, 450074, 450079, 450085, 450086, 450087, 450093, 450105, 450111 & 450124
Total units: 24 out of 127

I seem to recall that 450007, 450041, and 450110 also have the partly-done interiors.

 

[Train Boy]

I seem to recall that 450007, 450041, and 450110 also have the partly-done interiors.

Cheers, now amended.

 

[DelW]

Class 450 - Partly Refurbished Interiors Update

Have made a list with all of the 450s that I'm aware of with the new, but incomplete, interiors. If you're aware of others, please feel free to reply & I'll add them.

450003, 450006, 450007, 450010, 450013, 450014, 450016, 450020, 450025, 450028, 450031, 450033, 450035, 450038, 450040, 450041, 450073, 450074, 450079, 450085, 450086, 450087, 450093, 450105, 450110, 450111 & 450124
Total units: 27 out of 127

Am I right in thinking that all the units to appear so far have just had new upholstery, carpets and (maybe) power points, i.e. that no units have yet appeared having the intended new layout with first-class relocated? I've been on several of the reupholstered units but IIRC the layouts have all been as they were in SWT days.

 

[Goldfish62]

Am I right in thinking that all the units to appear so far have just had new upholstery, carpets and (maybe) power points, i.e. that no units have yet appeared having the intended new layout with first-class relocated? I've been on several of the reupholstered units but IIRC the layouts have all been as they were in SWT days.

Seems like it. From what I've seen the plug sockets are only operational in the TSO.

Apart from the reconfigured 1st Class other outstanding work is changing the grab-rail colour, new PIS displays, changing internal signage and relivery. The whole thing's turning into an almighty mess, bit like the Northern refurbishments.

 

[winks]

Sorry if I’ve missed the detail but some have said the livery changes have been simplified to enable quicker turnarounds does anyone have a initial livery and new livery ? What’s the difference ? Thanks

 

[Goldfish62]

Sorry if I’ve missed the detail but some have said the livery changes have been simplified to enable quicker turnarounds does anyone have a initial livery and new livery ? What’s the difference ? Thanks

On the revised version the stripey vinyl stuff is confined to the dark unit ends. The predominant colour now is white, painted.

 

[lewisf]

On the revised version the stripey vinyl stuff is confined to the dark unit ends. The predominant colour now is white, painted.

Now I may be wrong on this but I’m pretty sure the flat colour on the revised livery is more silver than white. I’ve only seen it in passing though.

 

[Goldfish62]

Now I may be wrong on this but I’m pretty sure the flat colour on the revised livery is more silver than white. I’ve only seen it in passing though.

I also only glimpsed it for a couple of seconds and it looked pure white to me, but then that may have been the light.

 

[winks]

Its definitely not white it’s grey I think

 

[WVL14]

Thanks. So about 15 months for the entire programme, and that's without the rest of the refurbishment, or the 444s.

Not all units are going to go through the interim program. Originally intended to be one unit done, which was 450111 for TV appearance.
Then went to a further 9 units to have "ten example" units in service during Summer. Now interim work extended due to delays in the full refurbishment kicking off.
There is only about another 6 units to go until it stops pending introduction of full refurbishment. No 444s have been involved with the interim work.

450 Interim Refurbishment units: 450003, 006, 007, 010, 013, 014, 016, 020, 024, 025, 027, 028, 030, 031, 033, 035, 036, 038, 040, 041, 073, 074, 075, 079, 086, 093, 099, 102, 105, 110, 111, 124, 126.

 

[387star]

Not all units are going to go through the interim program. Originally intended to be one unit done, which was 450111 for TV appearance.
Then went to a further 9 units to have "ten example" units in service during Summer. Now interim work extended due to delays in the full refurbishment kicking off.
There is only about another 6 units to go until it stops pending introduction of full refurbishment. No 444s have been involved with the interim work.

450 Interim Refurbishment units: 450003, 006, 007, 010, 013, 014, 016, 020, 024, 025, 027, 028, 030, 031, 033, 035, 036, 038, 040, 041, 073, 074, 075, 079, 086, 093, 099, 102, 105, 110, 111, 124, 126.

Thanks interesting