Wessex Trains Refurbished 158s

ntanswell · Post by **ntanswell** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:24 pm

Recently i went from Bristol Temple M to Cardiff on Wessex Trains rather than FGW. The train was 3 car 158 Wessex 158962 and i must say it was very nice, looked like it had just been refurbished the seats were Purple and at the end of the carrage there was two seats facing each other with a small fold down table from the wall. I was very impressed with this unit because the other wessex 158s ive been on have been dirty, vandalised and the seats were like sitting on plastic. On the return journey i got 158747 coupled with a 150. 158747 had also been refurbished. However when i went to Gloucester i got 158855 which still had the old rubbish interior. Have any other sets been refurbished? Are they planning on refurbishing all there other 158s, as if they do when i go to visit family at Cardiff i will use Wessex rather than connecting with a FGW from Bristol Parkway. Nice one wessex!!

simont · Post by **simont** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:27 pm

I think it's still only a few of them, but the refurbishment is ongoing. They are nice, though, as are the refurbished Wessex 150s (where the contrast is greater). It's a nice colour scheme they've got.

petermakosch · Post by **petermakosch** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 8:23 pm

I didnt know they had any 158's :?
Pictures though would be nice

simont · Post by **simont** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:00 pm

Yeah, they've got a few- they operate Cardiff - Portsmouth mainly, but also the Cardiff - Penzance, Cardiff - Brighton and Penzance - Portsmouth services.

The livery has evolved quite a lot since it was introduced, but this is basically it: http://ukrailwaypics.fotopic.net/p5480331.html

Although the big white A has been dropped now.

He's the new interior: http://ukrailwaypics.fotopic.net/p6903934.html

Though I remember the seats being more like those in the 150s:

But that might be my imagination or fading memory.

ntanswell · Post by **ntanswell** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:14 pm

Yes the refurbished units are very nice. You are right about the 150 seats in 158749, better than the old seats but the new ones are nicer. It just shows how nice one of these units can look when looked after- the SWT 159s are another fine example.

petermakosch · Post by **petermakosch** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:28 pm

they do look nice!
There is something aboutr Deep Pink that is good