Class 150 Identity Crisis

[whole diary]

[Lee]

From an FOSBR^▸ (Friends of Suburban Bristol Railways) member :

My train home from work yesterday (1617 BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains)-FIT (ex Weston)) was formed of a class 150 which seemed to be having an identity crisis.

It was in debranded Silverlink livery with London Overground posters & tube maps, but the seat coverings had the Central Trains logo and the Centro PTE^▸ (Passenger Transport Executive) "orb" logo on them.

I'd assumed the two units coming to us would be from the London Midland pool of ex-Silverlink 150s, which would have accounted for the Class 153s doing local services in the ex-West Midlands county.

Does anyone know how long we've got 'em for?

[Timmer]

I think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have taken on the two ex-Silverlink 150s on a permanent basis. They were surplus to requirements so FGW snapped them up. Just shows that the 'scouring the country for stock' actually works. Lets hope the scouring continues to net some more decent stock and not just clapped out 142s from Northern.

It sounds like the 180s are finding homes with EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) rumoured to be taking some on so they can get all their 158s refurbed all in one go. Yes looks like another TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) will get their 158s refurbed before FGW have finished having theirs done by September 

[mada]

I had a ride in the "London Overground/Central/Silverlink" 150 earlier. It was more comfortable than the ex wessex ones IMO^▸ ('in my opinion').

Do you know if First plan to refurbish it?

[Shazz]

iirc the first one already has been refurbished.

So yes

[vacman]

I had a ride in the "London Overground/Central/Silverlink" 150 earlier. It was more comfortable than the ex wessex ones IMO^▸ ('in my opinion').

Do you know if First plan to refurbish it?

How is it more comfortable, it still has 3+2 seating!!

[mada]

I had a ride in the "London Overground/Central/Silverlink" 150 earlier. It was more comfortable than the ex wessex ones IMO^▸ ('in my opinion').

Do you know if First plan to refurbish it?

How is it more comfortable, it still has 3+2 seating!!

The seats were configured slightly differently plus were a lot thicker and felt better to the touch. Also it was nice that it wasn't covered in chewing gum.