Turbo refresh started.

[whole diary]

[BBM]

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (TV^▸ (Thames Valley) Units) are possibly the worst in terms of cleanliness on any of the London suburban routes and I do use services out of most London terminals

Recently I travelled on a South Eastern Trains Class 465 which is essentially of the same age and design as the FGW Turbos. If I hadn't known its age I would have guessed it was about 10 years younger than the Turbos. It was much cleaner and brighter and the interior panels and window frames didn't look like they were about to fall off.

[IndustryInsider]

I'm not defending the state of the Turbo interiors, but it is worth remembering that electric trains are easier to keep clean than diesel trains, both internally and externally.

[Electric train]

I'm not defending the state of the Turbo interiors, but it is worth remembering that electric trains are easier to keep clean than diesel trains, both internally and externally.

To a degree this is true as far a colorisation of paint due to diesel fumes, if you look under the seats of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) TV^▸ (Thames Valley) units they are never deep cleaned, things like rubber seals around windows, although the result of vandalism. never repaired the SE 465 operated through similar "social" areas as FGW 165.

I accept the 165/6 operate some punishing diagrams and the refresh is about 3 years over due but FGW do need to improve their cleaning standards, things like 3 or 6 monthly deep cleans.

[willc]

Getting on for three dozen of the 465s were given a pretty thorough refit internally in 2005-6 and classed as 465/9s, so you might have been on one of those.

[smithy]

I'm not defending the state of the Turbo interiors, but it is worth remembering that electric trains are easier to keep clean than diesel trains, both internally and externally.

To a degree this is true as far a colorisation of paint due to diesel fumes, if you look under the seats of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) TV^▸ (Thames Valley) units they are never deep cleaned, things like rubber seals around windows, although the result of vandalism. never repaired the SE 465 operated through similar "social" areas as FGW 165.

I accept the 165/6 operate some punishing diagrams and the refresh is about 3 years over due but FGW do need to improve their cleaning standards, things like 3 or 6 monthly deep cleans.

they are supposed to get a PHC every 60 days,no disrespect to the cleaners who carry out this task but when the contrct is tendered to outside companies like ISS who pay the minimum wage for night work i am afraid you get what you pay for.hence the poor state of the sets

[Electric train]

I'm not defending the state of the Turbo interiors, but it is worth remembering that electric trains are easier to keep clean than diesel trains, both internally and externally.

To a degree this is true as far a colorisation of paint due to diesel fumes, if you look under the seats of FGW^▸ (First Great Western) TV^▸ (Thames Valley) units they are never deep cleaned, things like rubber seals around windows, although the result of vandalism. never repaired the SE 465 operated through similar "social" areas as FGW 165.

I accept the 165/6 operate some punishing diagrams and the refresh is about 3 years over due but FGW do need to improve their cleaning standards, things like 3 or 6 monthly deep cleans.

they are supposed to get a PHC every 60 days,no disrespect to the cleaners who carry out this task but when the contrct is tendered to outside companies like ISS who pay the minimum wage for night work i am afraid you get what you pay for.hence the poor state of the sets

I agree with you Smithy

[Oxman]

Interview with Mark Hopwood on BBC1 Oxford tonight:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/england/realmedia/southtoday/oxford/oxford?size=16x9&bgc=C0C0C0&nbram=1&bbram=1&nbwm=1&bbwm=1#

[12hoursunday]

Let's hope the refurbed coaches are prioritised first on the Cotswold line. It's the LEAST passengers making 3 hours journeys should get.

You are already compensated for these 3 hour journeys via the farebox due to the fact that you pay 50% less per mile that someone travelling Bristol to Paddington. I dunno theres no pleasing some people!!

[Electric train]

Just found this on the Marlow Maidenhead Passangers Association website of 165109 due to return to service soon


Standard


First



http://www.mmpa.org.uk/news.html

[inspector_blakey]

Has there been some digital "sleight of hand" there...?

The FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) section looks correct for a 165 but the standard class picture is a 166, with opening windows at alternate bays, different window catches and the pointy tables. Since I thought the 165s were being done first while FGW^▸ (First Great Western) tries to figure out a way to make the A/C work on the 166s, are those real photos or "artist's impressions"...?

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Marlow - Maidenhead Passengers' Association website:

First Great Western has released photos of its refreshed first and standard class carriages of the Class 165/1 and 166 units.
Click on the image to see a larger version in a new window. Left: Class 165/1 First; Right: Class 166 Standard.

[Btline]

They're not photos!

[inspector_blakey]

APPALLING!
But you're right, they're just digital artist's impressions. Looking quite nice though.

[smithy]

i see they are going down the road of saloon carpet still? makes no sense to me on a commuter train much easier to keep lino clean when someone decides to throw their guts up.

[thetrout]

Does anyone know if power plugs for mobile's and laptop's being fitted at all...?!

Would be great to see them on the 158's & Turbo's