How hot were the trains today?

[whole diary]

[Steve44]

yes but you're forgetting, that would require common sense!  which is something that seems to be lacking at times.  It was a nice journey though, it was an extremely hot day... but with all the windows opened, the carriage was perfectly cool.

[IndustryInsider]

It is just about bearable on a stifling hot day when you are on a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) turbo and all the windows are open - until the train stops moving of course. Then it soon becomes an oven again. The air-con on 166's is abysmal - it always has been - I've never been on a unit where the air-con is working properly in all nine zones throughout the train. Even when it is working properly, it only takes one punter to open a window for all the hard work it's doing to be totally nullified.

Take a look at Chiltern Railways however - when refurbished ALL their 165's were fitted with air-con and the opening windows removed. It would be my preference to travel out of Marylebone on a 165 with air-con than on FGW out of Paddington with a 165 with no air-con any day of the week. You can even hear yourself think! Obviously there may be the odd occasion where the air-con has failed and then, should the outside temperature be hitting 30c that train should not be in service.

[BBM]

Is there any news on the plans to refurbish the Turbos with better airconditioning? I recall that last January it was said a major project was due to start in the spring but I've heard nothing more about it.

Just to add regarding the opening windows on 165s, they're great in the summer but it's an entirely different matter in the winter, there's often one window in each car which refuses to close properly and keeps springing open creating a sub-zero draft. And add to that there's usually one person joining the train who insists on opening a window as they sit down even if there are Arctic-like conditions outside. Some years ago I had a minor contretemps with a guy who did this on boarding at Ealing Broadway even though there was snow on the ground outside! 

[IndustryInsider]

Is there any news on the plans to refurbish the Turbos with better airconditioning?

They won't be spending anywhere near enough money to do a 'proper job' as with the Chiltern sets, but in fairness at half the length of Chiltern's franchise it would be difficult to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to put a business case forward to FirstGroup to spend that kind of money anyway - especially with the premium payment years of the franchise looming large. Expect an improvement on turbo train interiors, but nothing revolutionary!

[swlines]

the use of cutlasses is probably not allowed.

My suggestions to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) about replacing Dispatch batons with Swords and being able to wear eye patches were denied...  Apparently we need both eyes for our job

How about for Talk Like A Pirate day only? Arrr!

[Super Guard]

Might propose that... could have some comical announcments:

"Please do not leave ye old luggage unattended or ye will be made to walk the plank and your luggage will be tarred and feathered.... arrrrrrrrrrrgh!"

[willc]

I think it has been said before elsewhere, but 166201 does have a different air con system from the rest of the 166s, installed by Thames Trains in its dying days as a trial with a view to refitting the rest. While not up to HST^▸ (High Speed Train) or Adelante standard, it does a decent job.

Just to add regarding the opening windows on 165s, they're great in the summer but it's an entirely different matter in the winter, there's often one window in each car which refuses to close properly and keeps springing open creating a sub-zero draft. And add to that there's usually one person joining the train who insists on opening a window as they sit down even if there are Arctic-like conditions outside. Some years ago I had a minor contretemps with a guy who did this on boarding at Ealing Broadway even though there was snow on the ground outside!

Couldn't agree more. And in the seats under the open window, you don't get to feel the howling gale at all. On one occasion, at a less than stifling time of year, I offered to swap seats with the offender, so they could get a bit of the fresh air they appeared to want - aided by murmurings of support from the seats around, I got it shut again. Certainly don't miss this kind of carry-on now that Turbos are few and far between on the Cotswold Line.

[IndustryInsider]

Funnily enough, I travelled in 166201 tonight - my section was decidedly warm and all windows throughout the train were open indicating it certainly wasn't doing a decent job today! I have to say that from my observations over the years is that whilst marginally better than the 'standard' system, as soon as a hot day comes along it fairs little better (i.e. all windows opened at a stroke). It also makes a hell of a racket! 

[smithy]

Funnily enough, I travelled in 166201 tonight - my section was decidedly warm and all windows throughout the train were open indicating it certainly wasn't doing a decent job today! I have to say that from my observations over the years is that whilst marginally better than the 'standard' system, as soon as a hot day comes along it fairs little better (i.e. all windows opened at a stroke). It also makes a hell of a racket! 

the trouble is train crew open the windows on a warm day at the drop of a hat now,they seem to do it out of instinct even if the a/c is working.
the amount of 158's that have windows open with air con working is ridiculous,plus trolley dollies on pompey-cardiff putting napkins over door sensor does not help with the operation of a/c either

not sure about turbo's but about 85% of 158 a/c works if it was given a chance.

[IndustryInsider]

Unfortunately, with them being predomidantly Driver Only Operated the windows on Turbos can all be opened by members of the public, who either don't realise there is air-con fitted (the warning sticker telling them is easy to miss) or don't understand how air-con works.

As for 158's, then yes, I agree that the train crew should at least see how well the system is working, and if it is working shut the windows so that it can operate properly. I am guessing that some take the easy option of just leaving them open when they relieve the previous crew?

[BBM]

Unfortunately, with them being predomidantly Driver Only Operated the windows on Turbos can all be opened by members of the public, who either don't realise there is air-con fitted (the warning sticker telling them is easy to miss) or don't understand how air-con works.

At one time a few years ago the windows on 166s were secured shut by plastic ties but they didn't seem to last very long. I don't know if they were cut by passengers or perhaps there were safety issues so they had to be removed?

[johoare]

Unfortunately, with them being predomidantly Driver Only Operated the windows on Turbos can all be opened by members of the public, who either don't realise there is air-con fitted (the warning sticker telling them is easy to miss) or don't understand how air-con works.

Although if the air conditioning was actually working on the turbos then the members of the public wouldn't feel the need to open the windows in the first place I assume?

[devon_metro]

Some pillock wearing a jumper might act differently...

[BBM]

Seeing as there's no sign of anyone spending money on a solution to the a/c on 166s wouldn't it be nice if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were to give away some chilled bottles of water to Turbo passengers at Paddington in the evening peak on the hottest summer days? (and yes that's a serious suggestion to anyone from FGW reading this! )

[Chris from Nailsea]

Erm ... cue Ollie, again?

(Sorry, mate! Couldn't resist!)

C. 





And, by the way, cue Andrew and Andrew, too - if they're also watching!