Great Western Coffee Shop

Does anyone know if Pullman Rail are still responsible for refurbing FGW's fleet of 150s?

I was flicking through an old rail magazine the other day that mentioned that the plan was to have them completed by May with the 143s to follow but there are still a fair few un-refurbed sets running around. Aparantly, the plan was to turn each 150 around in 10 days.

Did I read somewhere on this forum that Pullman have lost the contract to do the 143s because they are behind with the 150s?

correct they are way behind with the 150's and quality of work is poor in comparison to wabtec 158 & 153's,so i am led to believe they have lost 143 work and fgw are bringing it in house.

I travelled on a refurbed 150 yesterday, and all the seat numbers were gone around me. Yes that's people doing it, but they shouldn't be able to do it if the quality is good, and it makes the units look uncared for already.

So who will do the 143s?

That's interesting, I never realised a different company refurbished the 150s. Though 153s/158s are fairly similar in seating, carpets etc so that might explain it. I think there's a bit too much pink in the refurbished 150s personally!

Interesting to see what the 143s will look like.

expect the 143's to be very similar with all the blue and pink interior panels,with the same type of seats as 150's and probably the same floor covering as 150's aswell.
exterior will be the same blue vinyl with dynamic lines made up of place names.

rumour has it they are being done at an old rail depot in the exmouth area that fgw are looking to take on and man to do the work?

Ah, thanks for that. Wonder if they will add armrests? That's one thing I miss whenever I'm in a 143.

Its only a sticker!

Which is correctly known to be as the "LOCAL LINES" livery

Why do FGW want to do the work themselves?  Surely the work will never be to a standard as good as what a proper rail company could do?

And wont it cost a lot more?

And as for the missing stickers, surely they can be altered easily? 

I'd say SPM are fairly capable themselves. Just look at what Exeter have managed to do with the 142s!

143s only involves new cab seats, new seat covers, new light clusters and repainting of panels and toilet improvements.

HOW RUDE!! First Great Western are a proper rail company ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I think you might be mistaken there, they run trams (HSTs) and buses (142s).... therefore they are a road based transport company.... ;)

What does that make XC then?  ;D

You know what i meant, a proper rail refurb company!!

that counts pullman out then they are a bunch of cowboys.

fgw will do a decent job,as said just look at the 142's that were done on a very small budget.the 143's are not on short lease so there is more money available for them.

Why did FGW choose Pullman rail in the first place then?

What company do ATW use to refurb their trains internally when it happens?

Pullmans tendered. Pullmans won. Just like any other contract.

Unfortunately, they have fallen behind on the 150s and so will not get the 143 contract.

ews barton hill last time

The Arriva units arent exactly the best job ive seen.  Though the recent refurbs arent bad, just a shame they are with FGW! 

Welcome to the coffee shop forum, Sprog!  :D

There is also a rumour that FGW are looking to do the refurbs at St Blazey, although this hasn't come from my usual reliable source.

bit of an understatement ...splash of puce yuk green and some seat covers which look like an all terrain forklift have drove over them and thats your lot

Hmmm.  I have to say, I do agree with you, dog box: a couple of them have turned up at BTM recently, and I've been startled by their rather bizarre colour scheme!

C.  ::) ;D

i heard a rumour about them using an old works near exmouth junction,not confirmed but it was from a good source apparently some top engineering managers have been checking out the site.

maybe someone from the devon area is able to give some info of what exactly is at exmouth junction?

Sidings, mostly. If you have Google Earth: Exmouth Junction Signal Box (http://ndrailusers.wikispaces.com/space/showimage/Exmouth+Junction+Signalbox.kmz)

Nothing capable of refurbishing a fleet of trains. Network Rail recently sold a lot of the land to property developers.