Turbo refresh started.

[whole diary]

[lordgoata]

I'm not sure if they've all been done yet, but a fleet modification is currently underway with the passenger operated window handles being removed from the Class 166 fleet.  This should give the air-con a better chance of operating properly, and I'll be watching closely whe if the warmer weather arrives!

Having suffered one last year, I do hope there is a good, timely procedure in place to deal with this when it fails (which it will). Although Ollie very kindly managed to resolve the issue when the Maidenhead service arrived at Didcot, it didn't really help everyone suffering in the meantime. Additionally, the evening services (which are the ones most effected) seemed to have been awfully busy the past couple of months*, which is not a good sign come "summer".

I don't suppose the drivers can carry a key ?

* As an aside, there is quite often some FGW^▸ (First Great Western) guy on the evening services, gets on at Reading (not sure where he gets off), and all he does is walk through the train counting passengers on his little clicker. Only noticed it a couple of months ago.

[ChrisB]

Most railway staff carry a square key.

They're awfully useful.....:-)

[IndustryInsider]

Indeed.  All drivers and guards/TM^‡(resolve)'s/conductors do.  They're the ones that will be opening windows in the case of failure.

[GBM]

All drivers and guards/TM^‡(resolve)'s/conductors do
As do(should) rubber wheeled drivers.
Older drivers issued many years ago; around six months ago a new issue was made to all drivers.
Assume our keys are identical to the rail ones?

[lordgoata]

That's good to know, thanks!

I was on a 166 last night, the windows were not locked shut, but only one had been opened - and the carriage was already getting pretty warm (certainly was not "comfortable"), and it wasn't exactly hot last night....

[IndustryInsider]

A word of advice that I've posted on here before, but Turbo HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) works on three separate zones in each carriage, so on a 3-car Turbo there are nine different zones.  If one part of a carriage is too hot or cold, then chances are that another carriage (or even the other end of that carriage) will be OK, so do move down the train to check.

[lordgoata]

A word of advice that I've posted on here before, but Turbo HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning) works on three separate zones in each carriage, so on a 3-car Turbo there are nine different zones.  If one part of a carriage is too hot or cold, then chances are that another carriage (or even the other end of that carriage) will be OK, so do move down the train to check.

Ah! Interesting, I must have missed that gem before Thanks, will bear in mind for next time.

[johoare]

Looking at a couple of posts to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) via Facebook.. it looks like locking the windows hasn't made the air con work.. It's just made the passengers hotter..  On certain trains at least.. I am not saying "I told them so" honest.. It's just a thought in my head currently 

[Southern Stag]

I have found that generally the air-con on 166s is a lot better now. Of course the system will still fail from time to time.

[IndustryInsider]

I have found that generally the air-con on 166s is a lot better now. Of course the system will still fail from time to time.

I agree completely - the system is far better than it ever was and locking windows shut prevents the system from being made useless by passengers opening them even when it is working.  By and large I've been impressed with its reliability, though there will always be the odd faults here and there of course, and today will be a test as it's the hottest of the year so far.

[Fourbee]

And the most reliable air-con of all, sitting at the "back" of a 165 with all the hopper windows open 

[devon_metro]

And the most reliable air-con of all, sitting at the "back" of a 165 with all the hopper windows open 

Until you stop moving! 

[mathmo]

I've only been on two 166s on recent warm days (and didn't try a different carriage on either) but both of them were noticeably hotter than outside

[johoare]

I was on one of these trains on Saturday and the Air condition was actually working which was so nice.. I did notice however that there are still signs on the windows to say use the handles to open the window for emergency ventilation, even though the handles themselves have gone 

[BBM]

I noticed this morning that the 06.50 Twyford-Henley included 166205 which had one DMCL replaced by the equivalent from unit 165121. Would this affect the working of the a/c in the other two cars?