Thameslink Refurbishment

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:29 pm

Is just new seat covers. That's it.

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 6:45 pm

and a "vibrant new livery".

Don't forget that.

But why bother if you're losing the franchise in a few months? I'm surprised they are doing the seat covers...

Bulliedline · Post by **Bulliedline** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:40 am

what vibrant new livery anyway

chrispierce · Post by **chrispierce** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:47 pm

and carpet!

Bulliedline · Post by **Bulliedline** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:56 pm

ok lets keep the list goin while were on a roll

DeanGoods · Post by **DeanGoods** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:46 pm

oh ha ha

i hear theyre purple carpets

Bulliedline · Post by **Bulliedline** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 5:52 pm

purple is that their new livery??

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 6:30 pm

I initially thought the carpets were new but tbh they were so filthy I think they might actually be the old carpets. But I can't remember what the "old" carpets look like so I honestly don't know.

It's just disappointing. Honestly what's the point of only replacing the seat covers with a new type of moquette? The walls are still scratched, the radiator grills rusty in places, the seat fittings built up with grime, the same old dreary fluorescent lighting. I was thinking maybe they would go so far as a 317 Stanstead Express style refurbishment, but no, it's basically still the same interior as it was 7 years ago, and in some cases 15 years ago.

The refurbished sets were supposed to have new disabled toilets I think but I didn't see any sign of them either so maybe they were planned but when Govia lost the franchise they basically aborted the programme. Who knows.

Anyway let's hope the new franchise holder invests a bit of the vast profits from the Thameslink franchise back into the trains.

joea1 · Post by **joea1** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 9:27 pm

If you want old, check out the 319/00 trains, they still have NSE seats on the inside.

Elojikal · Post by **Elojikal** » Thu Sep 15, 2005 11:34 pm

See my above point about some of the interiors being 15 years old... complete with the original lithographs (?)

metromuppet · Post by **metromuppet** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 11:25 am

Thameslink have not done anything in their time in charge. The only thing done has been painting. The 319 units are great for what they do, but they need care and attention to ensure they run well and are a hit for passengers.

stephenwiseman · Post by **stephenwiseman** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:18 pm

Went on one today up to St. Albans. I have to say, the seats aren't the most comfortable, and seem really close to the floor. Came back on a rush hour train and was rubbing legs with a stranger opposite, all the way to Three Bridges. Hardly comfortable. Though it was an 8-coach train, so it wasn't a case of "squashed like sardines."

chrispierce · Post by **chrispierce** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:24 pm

I travelled from Nice to Bedford on monday, and a Thameslink 319 was a rude awakening after the comfort of a TGV and a Eurostar. The things is, their stock isn't ageing really, so a simple refurb is really all they need to do, there certainly aren't that many technical prob with the 319's. make sense from a commercial point of view.

mattvince · Post by **mattvince** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:23 pm

I'd guess that the future of the 319s depends on 20,000 Leagues Under The Thames, sorry, Thameslink 2000 - if that gets the go, there might have to be new stock, not least as a third of WAGN's fleet is single-voltage (the 317s), the 313s are stuck with Moorgates, and no-one has really said whether a '365' is cleared to, capable of, and suitable for going down the Thameslink tunnels. So a new fleet of EMUs will be needed anyway - might as well cascade the 319s too, single fleet and all that.

rikfarish · Post by **rikfarish** » Fri Sep 16, 2005 8:36 pm

chrispierce wrote: there certainly aren't that many technical prob with the 319's.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha Ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh god that was a good one.