The long awaited unveiling of the first refurbished First Great Western Class 150 was carried out at Pullman Groups Cardiff Canton plant on 5 November 2007.

The first set of 17 to receive full refurbishment is No. 150247, and is in keeping in terms of quality with the recently outshopped Class 158 from Wabtec Doncaster.

The overhaul has seen a complete strip of the existing vehicles and a total rebuild, including a C6 mechanical overhaul to improve performance and reliability.

The  work sees the new stunning FGW local livery applied, based on FGWs blue scheme, off-set by customer suggested names ranging from beauty spots, tourist attractions, pubs, schools and groups applied in wavy lines at the base of the bodywork. Passenger doors are finished in pink.

Internally the 2+2 low-density seating has been retained, with a blue moquette off-set by the FGW line motief, wall panels are now finished in a light lilac and blue colour, with a very high quality finish.

The toilet compartments, taking up the same space as before have been totally modernised, a new style basin incorporated in a vanity unit with a water tap with push control has been installed, replacing the previous foot control water tap. A new toilet has been fitted with a push button flush control replacing the previous foot button flush.

New floor coverings have been fitted throughout, as have new tables in group seat areas. Modernised litter bins have been fitted and colour coordinated grab rails fitted. New covers have been fitted to saloon heaters and an increase in bicycle storage space provided (in one vehicle).

To meet the latest safety standards laminated windows are being fitted to all refurbished Class 150, 153 and 158 sets.

Special attention has been given to passenger saloon lighting, which is now hidden behind diffuser screens, making a far better environment. The first few refurbished sets will be fitted with different levels of lighting before a standard is selected by FGW and used for the remainder of the project.

Wiring has been fitted for the installation of full recordable CCTV, the full design of this has yet to be finalised, but it is hoped that installation will commence before the end of the year.

The interior design of the refurbished Class 150 (as well as the Class 142s, 153s and 158s) has been undertaken by Michael Rodber, who was responsible for the FGW refurbished HST fleet and previously the Eurostar refurbishment.

The FGW Local fleet refurbishment project  includes 17 Class 150/2s, 11 Class 153s to be overhauled at Wabtec Eastleigh 21 Class 158s to be overhauled at Wabtec Doncaster and eight FGW Local Class 143s which will receive major attention by the Pullman Group in Cardiff, following the Class 150s through the workshop. It is hoped that some form of attention to the 12 soon to be introduced Class 142s for Devon local services will be possible, nut as these sets are only on a short lease the level of attention will be less.

After inspecting the first complete set at Cardiff Canton on 5 November, and seeing the second unit being prepared for overhaul, the quality of the work performed by Pullman Group is very apparent. Owned by Colin Robinson, Pullman Group is a recent addition to the major engineering functions in the UK, but already have first class and sizeable facilities in the former EWS Cardiff Canton depot, replacing a depot at Cardiff Cathays. In addition to FGW work the Cardiff site performs wagon work for amongst others Freightliner in addition to general engineering functions to the wider railway.