John,
I think that all the ATW services between Manchester and Newton-Le-Willows are scheduled for 175's. I can see the Manchester-North Wales line from where I live and 158's are very rare nowadays.

Yeh i forgot that htey have gone for refurb and to have that new equiptement fitted. ("Old age makes you forget things")

There's not much hope for me John. I bet I'm twice as old as you:D

The 158's that are having the new equipment fitted are used on the ATW Cambrian lines. (Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth-Pwllheli).
158's have not been used regularly on the services through Newton-le-Willows since Arriva Trains Wales took control of all the 175's. If you remember some of the 175's were shared with TransPennine until they got their new 185's.

Ahhhh right must have been a while ago that i was on one comming back from Manchester but iam shure some one somewere on this forum said there were some journeys operated by 158's.

Ps..Iam 30 going on 60 !

I did my seat counting on a 175 today. In coach A there are 54 seats, of which there are 6 tables around 4 seats. A 158 contains 66 seats in coach A. Therefore, looks like more legroom on the 175s by the fewer 12 seats.

Thanks for that David. A 175 coach is also slightly longer than a 158 one so the extra space is even more pronounced.

John,
Just to prove me wrong Arriva have been using a 158 on the Llandudno-Manchester route today (Saturday). It worked the 09:47 Llandudno-Manchester, 12:16 Manchester-Llandudno, 14:35 Llandudno-Manchester and probably the 17:20 Manchester-Llandudno although I didn't see it. I have also noticed a 158 working this line on Sundays recently.

Thats just typical as i was hopping for one to be used when i was comming back from NOTTINGHAM last week.

17.20 that will be about 17.41 @ Newton Le-Willows ?

17:45 John :)

Thanks ! "Though wouldent have missed it"