Favourite seats on trains?

[Seacook]

I have no preference about forward or rear facing. My preference is for an aisle seat with the aisle on my right (preferably in first class). Window seats on a table for four are least good. This is a physical problem based on the difficulties of getting my prosthetic leg past the table leg easily.

I avoid facing seats without tables because I do not want to sit where people have been putting their feet.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I sometimes deliberately sit backwards on the right hand side (far end ideally) in order to "read" the trackside signs (speed signs etc) going the other way.
That way you stand a better chance of reading them at a track's distance.
If you are on the nearside on the left you have no chance with the signs in your direction as they go flashing past right next to the train.

I disagree; it's easier to read an approaching sign. Facing backwards tends to result in missing them completelt.

The Man in Seat 61 means seat 61 in first class - in standard class it's an airline seat that doesn't line up with the window properly! In first class it's one of two facing seats which line up with a window and don't have an emergency window bar, so probably is the best.

For standard on Eurostar - seat 74 in cars 2, 3, 4 or 5 leaving London and seat 74 in cars 15, 16, 17 or 18 towards London.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I still consider the bench seats or moveable seats at the tables in the lounge car of the Caledonian Sleeper to be my favourite and the most civilised (if not the safest) way to travel.

Better make the most of these before the sleeper gets brought out of the 1970s in the 21st century with the new franchise. (But maybe I'll expire before the old sleeper stock does).

 

[Marton]

East Coast best right north bound , left southbound except when there is work to do

All the sights, especially the coast so much better seen out of the window than across the carriage.

I have heard it said LNER/ east coast joint stock always kept the corridors on the west. Is that true?


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[overtonchris]

I don't know why, but in the last couple of years i've started feeling travel sick if travelling backwards on a train. No probs with boats, planes or anything else...so always try to bag a seat that's forward facing with a "view". Class of unit is immaterial to me (but voyagers are off the menu if I can avoid them). Guess I'm just getting old!!!!

 

[Smudger105e]

Anything with a bouncy cushion, eg SUBs. EPBs CAPs HAPs Phase 1 CIGs and BIGs... see where this is going?

 

[168lover]

when I am on 165s my favourite seats have to be the ones on the end of carriges that have higher head rests. When I am on 168s it has to be the seats that have a proper cushioned head rests and has to be by a table. When I am on 67 loco hauls it has to be right behind the 67, that thrash!

 

[yorksrob]

Anything with a bouncy cushion, eg SUBs. EPBs CAPs HAPs Phase 1 CIGs and BIGs... see where this is going?

Agreed. Add Thumpers.

 

[moogal]

On the LM 350s I like the pair of seats in the ends of the carriages, right next to the first or last set of doors on the unit, as they have much better legroom (and room for luggage if I'm on a trip somewhere)

 

[southern442]

on the 377's, there is a seat opposite the disabled toilet that normally has extra padding and is very laid back.

 

[yorksrob]

I know what my least favourite ones are.

There's currently a Merseyrail pacer infesting the Calder valley as we speak.

Passengers beware !

 

[Marionaki]

Mine is on the Pendolino coach G or H, seat 2 individual, from Euston. Coach H has a restricted view, but it did not bother me too much. On my next trip, East Coast, I am sitting in coach L, seat 63 individual, too. Hope it has a big window! It does not show on their seating plan.

 

[cjmillsnun]

When I'm commuting, the one that hasn't already got someone sitting on it

Otherwise it has to be a window table seat on a Mk3 with IC70 seats (I fit in them), facing the direction of travel, or a window seat on a 159. I like looking out on the world when I travel.

 

[Michael.Y]

I prefer travelling backwards. Not only is it different to every other form of transport available in which you travel forwards, but I was told once it was safer in the event of a sudden deceleration. Not sure how much truth there is in that mind.

Preferred seat? There are some nice soft old-school ones on FGW 158s still, plus the table seats on 175s when not occupied by disabled persons. The legroom afforded on a 150 near the doors is welcome too.

 

[hassaanhc]

I prefer travelling backwards. Not only is it different to every other form of transport available in which you travel forwards, but I was told once it was safer in the event of a sudden deceleration. Not sure how much truth there is in that mind.

Preferred seat? There are some nice soft old-school ones on FGW 158s still, plus the table seats on 175s when not occupied by disabled persons. The legroom afforded on a 150 near the doors is welcome too.

Maybe that would be because you are pushed back into the seat rather than thrown forward out of it?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Most collisions these days will involve one train ramming another from behind; if you're in the one that hits the other train that theory will work, but if you are in the one being hit then the opposite will apply, so it's 50/50 really.

 

[Eeveevolve]

On 185s, I tend to sit in the fold down seat right at the front/back, nestled by the drivers cab in the accessible toilet area by First class. People seem to avoid that part of the carriage as they see first class, and the people that do get on head for the 6 seats next to the FC doors. And if nobody is sat next to me I can turn sideways and get all the legroom I need.

 

[cf111]

East Coast best right north bound , left southbound except when there is work to do

All the sights, especially the coast so much better seen out of the window than across the carriage.

I have heard it said LNER/ east coast joint stock always kept the corridors on the west. Is that true?


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The run between Edinburgh and Newcastle has always been my favourite rail journey scenery-wise.

 

[GodAtum]

Southern's 377 1st class in the last coach. there a re 2 seats which face each other so great for privacy and noone can sit next to you.

 

[strowger]

On a Northern 158, in order of preference:

Best is an airline-style seat, backwards-facing, next to a window, in a driving (not middle) carriage. Preferably not the ones with restricted legroom due to the heater under the seat in front - but those are better than anything below. The armrests next to the body can't be raised in the centre carriages, so these are less comfortable, but again - better than anything below.

An exception was during *exceptionally* hot or cold weather, because the air conditioning in the centre carriages did occasionally work, and their heaters are also more effective in general. I'm sceptical that any of the a/c will still be working at all by next summer so this is probably no longer a consideration.

Next is forward-facing in an airline seat next to the window.

Then we're looking at an airline seat, corridor side. The best choice is always one where some inconsiderate person has tried to "reserve" an empty seat with their bag - failing that, then next to someone thin.

Then if there are no airline seats at all, and if it won't get in anyone's way, the luggage rack is the best option. The wide one for preference, the slim one in a pinch.

Then, if there's too much luggage or too many people for a luggage rack, and again if it won't get in anyone's way, the tip-up seats in the ends.

Then, if there's no other option, a table seat.

Then we're in to "sitting on the floor" territory, and the best spot is by the wheelchair space, and if that's full then in the very centre of the carriage where people are less likely to need to get past.

It is, in general, better to be towards the middle of the carriage than the ends. Less through-traffic of people, less draught from the doors in winter, slightly less pitiful ventilation from the open windows in summer.

Yes I probably have thought about it too much.

 

[ValleyLines142]

For me, being nearly 6ft 4, I need priority seats. I only ever travel on 158s, 220/221s or HSTs.

On FGW 158s, I NEVER travel in Coach C, purely because there are a different type of seats compared to Coaches A and B. I always face forward and will opt for the priority seats at each end.

On 220s and 221s, I always opt for Coach F Seat 16. It's the Quiet Carriage, it has extra legroom and has a clear window (unlike seat 20 in front, which is purely a wall).

On HSTs, it's almost always Coach E seats 81 and 82, or 1 and 2.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

On 185s, I tend to sit in the fold down seat right at the front/back, nestled by the drivers cab in the accessible toilet area by First class. People seem to avoid that part of the carriage as they see first class, and the people that do get on head for the 6 seats next to the FC doors. And if nobody is sat next to me I can turn sideways and get all the legroom I need.

If travelling in a group, and late at night when it's quiet, that area can be quite nice as with the folding tables it's almost like a 'lounge car' area on a sleeper!*


*= Albeit without the bar, sadly!