May 2012

My first day out on Sunday 6th May 2012 after my bout of appendicitis with follow-up problems and a couple of weeks in Stoke Mandeville hospital (thanks to all the staff for looking after me so well!). VWC diverts to start with, including set WB64 "Pretendolino" topped and tailed by Class 57/3s. Plenty of action on Chiltern Railways with the testing of the new power doors set over a couple of weeks and a run out on the final test train from Birmingham Moor Street. Throw in the odd special and it's been quite a busy month!

Interior of the Business Zone coach No. 10271, still classified as GFW (Galley First Wheelchair) by Chiltern, formerly WSMR No. 10236. It is now fitted with powered plug doors and the vestibule and lavatory area has been modified. Birmingham Moor Street, 13:58, Friday 25th May 2012. Digital Image No. GMPI12048.

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Interior of the Business Zone coach No. 10271, still classified as GFW (Galley First Wheelchair) by Chiltern, formerly WSMR No. 10236. It is now fitted with powered plug doors and the vestibule and lavatory area has been modified. Birmingham Moor Street, 13:58, Friday 25th May 2012. Digital Image No. GMPI12048.

GMPI12048 Interior GFW10271 BMO 5H02 250512 LHCS

Peter Skuce
on May 26, 2012
I was on the Chiltern Railways website and it had an artist illustration detailing the proposed interior of a refurbished Mark 3 carriage. It showed the interiors to feature the same interiors as the Class 168 Clubman Turbo DMU trains, right down to the same carpet and same seat design. This would have meant that there would have been no InterCity 70 seats with the horrible fixed armrests. Is there going to be a refurbished set with the same interiors as the Class 168 Clubman Turbo DMU or will all refurbished sets have the former Wrexham & Shropshire interior?

May 2012

Peter Skuce