This can't be a BR Class 150/2 Cab, surely?

[Smileyman]

Now that I'm moving on to modelling the interior of the 150/2, both passenger area and cab, I'm researching and gathering data ready as I go.

I have a few pics of the interior of the 150/2, none of them great, and just came across this on wikimedia commons:

Category:British Rail Class 150 interiors - Wikimedia Commons

commons.wikimedia.org

Now, I know that Wikis in general have to be taken with a pinch of salt, as almost anyone can edit them (don't know if that's the case here), but that cab side window is not a 150/2 window.
At least, that's why I'm here asking.
I don't know very much about the finer details of trains, never had the inclination to learn it in my early years (too busy with other stuff ), and my interest in trains isn't normally in these areas, so I'm wondering if any of the forum locals had an idea why that window is that shape?
I know that the 150/2s have mostly been refurbished, but I imagine that that's just interior and livery, and doubt they bothered changing the shape of the window (I've never seen a 150/2 with that shape window).
I would say that it's a mistake on that page, but I'm happy to hear from anyone who knows better.

While I'm here, any info on the 150/2s interiors would be useful.
I'm currently trying to piece together where the luggage/bike area goes in the DMS and the DMSL.
Maybe the DMSL doesn't have that area because it has the toilet in that place, and the the DMS has the luggage/bike area in the same place as the toilet would be on the DMSL?
I'm guessing here.

Here's another one.
Google AI just told me that the toilet is at the front of the 150/2, right behind the drivers seat, and the pictures I've seen make it look like there is no way beyond the toilet, which would back that up (could be a path around the back of the toilet to access the next carriage. It's been a while since I've been on one), but the small window or on some refurbs the blank area where a small window would be is at the back of the vehicle on all pictures and on the poor quality layout plan I found.

I have to go to Cardiff in the next few weeks, so maybe I'll jump on a train and hope to get a 150/2 and spend the whole 10 minute journey walking the length of the 2 carriages.

But I'd still like to hear people's thoughts on this.

Cheers.

 

[marky7890]

That window is inside the cab, there are 2 sides with a corridor in the middle to allow passengers to pass when the units are in multiple (and doors to keep passengers out of the sides).

The toilet is in the DMSL coach (L for lavatory) at the back where the small window is.

 

[Smileyman]

Hi Mark.
Thanks.

...there are 2 sides with a corridor in the middle to allow passengers to pass when the units are in multiple (and doors to keep passengers out of the sides).

Yes, I knew that people were able to pass between carriages when multiple (I believe this was a new addition for the /2).

The toilet is in the DMSL coach (L for lavatory) at the back where the small window is.

I knew the L stood for lavatory (I've learnt so much in the last couple of weeks researching and building these units).
But it was it's position in the carriage that was confusing after Google AI gave me false information (Quelle Surpise!), as every other bit of information I have puts it at the back left of the carriage, if you're facing forwards.

Adding to that confusion was this pic I took from a video.
It looks like there's no way through past the toilet, but I presume there's a path around it to the connection gangway (hence the single line of window seats).

EDIT: Sod's Law; 10 minutes after posting this, I watched a video where someone walked through the gangway and around the toilet!
We're getting there.

That window is inside the cab,

EDIT: Ah, I didn't know what you meant at first, but then the penny dropped.
That's an interior door that presumably allows passengers to pass through 2 engines facing each other, and stopping them from walking into the empty cabs?
Right.
I had no idea.

Would love to know where the baggage/bike area goes in both DMS and DMSL, or maybe some refurbs did away with them completely for more passenger space (?). Also, whether or not the baggage/bike area was only in one specific car, rather than both.

The reason I'm asking these questions is because the information out there is limited, and I don't want to start modelling the interior until I've got the layouts of the DMS and the DMSL sorted, as it would just cause problem later on if I had to start changing things about.
I've started the interior walls/floor/ceiling/dividers etc, so hopefully by the time I've finished that I'll have all the info I need to carry straight on into the full layout.

If not, I'll just give it my best guess, which I'm fine with.

Thanks again mate.

 

[edh6]

The window in the linked image is in the divider between the driving compartment and the internal passenger corridor, so not on the outside of the unit at all.

 

[Smileyman]

The window in the linked image is in the divider between the driving compartment and the internal passenger corridor, so not on the outside of the unit at all.

Hi Ed.
Yes, I think you replied to my post just after the penny dropped and I saw what Mark meant and edited my post.
Looking at the cab image I posted, I can see the other parts of the cab/corridor through that side window now, whereas at first look it just seemed to be the night scene.

That's excellent.
Thank you guys.
That's information I would never have found from searching pics and watching videos.

 

[wilts747]

I commuted through Bristol Temple Meads between 1996 and 2012 on both Mk1 and Mk2 Class 150 (as well as Classes 143, 153, 158) operated by FGW/GWR and in all that time the most the 150's ever got was a few bold graphics on the outside. Available for download on the DLS

With the exception of a few seats at the end of the units making space for prams, wheelchairs etc. I seem to recall that the Mk1 seating was in a 2+3 configuration whereas the Mk2 was 2+2, either side of the passageway.

They may have been old but for around the hour journey I use do they where more comfortable than the 158, quicker to load and disembark due to the door configuration and not prone to the coupling issues the 158 always seemed to have when they wanted to add or remove units at Bristol/Westbury.

The updated toilet arrangement shown about is similar if not the same to that used on the present local fleet, Class 165. Opening directly into the unit they frequently produce an odour which my influence your choice of seating should you be traveling in this direction. Peter

 

[Smileyman]

Thanks Peter.

I commuted from Wales to Bristol Temple Meads for a few years, right up to 2020, so probably sat on hundreds of 150s, but as I've said above, I'm not 'fascinated' by trains like some, as my interests lie in operations and nostalgia mainly, so I would generally read a book or play some music for the journey, and was blinkered to the actual carriage.
I regret that now I need to know these things.

I think the only missing piece of the puzzle is whether both DMS and DMSL have the baggage area, or if the DMS has it where the toilet would be, etc., etc., but it doesn't really matter.
It may even be a case of different refurbs/companies doing it different ways.

I think I'll probably go for making it all seats on the DMS, just to keep the passenger numbers up.

 

[wilts747]

Maybe the link below will answer your question. The seating plan diagrams are a bit small but if you right click on them and choose 'Save image as ....' then open the saved image most viewers will let you expand them be they a little blurred but still readable.

Class 150s

The Class 150s were the first of the sprinter fleet, beginning with the prototype. With the success of the prototype, a batch of 50 class 150/1 2 car units were built and put into service between...

sprinterdmu.weebly.com

I've lived in South Wiltshire for some 50 years and originally the Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff line was operated under the Wales and West franchise. Since then its changed operator more times than you can keep pace with but the trains have remained the same with nothing more than a fresh coat of paint. The 150/2's however have always been with a 2+2 seating configuration not the 2+3 as shown, while the 150/1's were as shown.

Bicycles, sometimes up to 8-10 per unit, tended to get parked in the doorways and in the parcel area, causing much friction when stacked in front of the fold-down seats, and at the smaller station when passengers had to climb over them to leave the train. In the latter days of my commuting passenger numbers were increasing and new rules restricted the number of bicycle carried to 2-3.

The following 'download link' is to a PDF guide providing details of today's fleet including any 150's still in use.

https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/passenger-assist/2023/Facilities-Guide-May-2023.pdf

Hope this helps, Peter

 

[Smileyman]

Nice one.

Funny how they got the seating wrong with the 2+3 in the first link.
Everything I've read over the last couple of weeks stated that all the 150/2s were 2+2, although that PDF you linked to shows a second variant used by them that has 2+3, so maybe some regions customised them that way to cram a few more people on.

I'll definitely go for 2+2, with some tables.

Also, both examples you've linked to show the baggage/bike area next to the cab, whereas if I'd guessed, I would have put it at the back of the unit, in the same place as the toilet is on the DMSL, so that's good information.

I've changed my mind because of that, and I will model the baggage area in the DMS.
I have some very good videos and pictures of that area, so I think it will be worth doing.

Thanks again Peter.
I appreciate it.

 

[wilts747]

May be they have not got the seating wrong, there were so many companies operating the 150's, like the 158's being operated today, they each had their specific requirement. SWR and GWR both run 158's through Salisbury but insides they look and feel quite different to travel in. Being cynical, to a company more seats also means more income, to the passenger you are still going to be cramped but with a little less chance of standing. Peter

 

[marky7890]

Some of the GWRs 150s do have 2+3 seating, I believe they were the few that transferred from the midlands several years ago, the original Wales & West ones which is the majority of their 150s have 2+2 seating.