Fantasy: you can modify any train design or livery in any way you would like.

[greatvoyager]

If you were able to tweak and modify an existing design, what would it be and why?
This can include interior layout, engine / transmission, formation and overall exterior as well as shaping of the design.
Also, any changes to liveries.

 

[Bevan Price]

The obvious one would be to align all seats with windows.....

 

[Bletchleyite]

The obvious one would be to align all seats with windows.....

Mk5 coach: instead built as 24m vehicles with a Standard bay seat spacing and window alignment using the WCML EMU bodyshell - that do?

 

[greatvoyager]

The obvious one would be to align all seats with windows.....

Totally agree.

 

[greatvoyager]

Mk5 coach: instead built as 24m vehicles with a Standard bay seat spacing and window alignment using the WCML EMU bodyshell - that do?

Sounds like a good idea.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Or another one.

Class 350: remove approximately 6 seats per unit (in the tightly packed centre sections) to give all seats acceptable legroom, this would also result in them all being fully window aligned.

Any unit with 3+2 seating: replace with 2+2.

 

[greatvoyager]

I have a few modifications.
A tilting meridian - Class 223, to make use of the tapered body shell.
Redesign the standard Voyager body shell without tapering for a less cramped feel.
A bi mode class 390 for North Wales expresses.

 

[greatvoyager]

Or another one.

Class 350: remove approximately 6 seats per unit (in the tightly packed centre sections) to give all seats acceptable legroom, this would also result in them all being fully window aligned.

Any unit with 3+2 seating: replace with 2+2.

Also good, I prefer 2+2 opposed to 3+2 seating.

 

[GrimShady]

Replace all 385 FC seats with GWR MkIII FC seats. Tone down lux values significantly and add mood lighting. Install curtains. Standard can have Turbostar seats.

Azuma...upgrade to Mallard spec or see above.

ScR 156 fit out as per Chiltern MkIII

 

[coradiafan2000]

I would just double the length of all Voyagers and stick a pantograph on them to make them bi modes. Obviously not that simple in real life but never mind.

I would also carry out refurbishments of the interior and try to have as many seats align with windows as possible.

 

[greatvoyager]

I would just double the length of all Voyagers and stick a pantograph on them to make them bi modes. Obviously not that simple in real life but never mind.

I would also carry out refurbishments of the interior and try to have as many seats align with windows as possible.

That's my thought too. Bi mode conversion was considered as part of Project Thor, and under Project Omega, all 4-car units would've been extended to 5-car, but never happened sadly.

 

[greatvoyager]

Replace all 385 FC seats with GWR MkIII FC seats. Tone down lux values significantly and add mood lighting. Install curtains. Standard can have Turbostar seats.

Azuma...upgrade to Mallard spec or see above.

ScR 156 fit out as per Chiltern MkIII

Agree with all of those suggestions.

 

[coradiafan2000]

As a more silly suggestion, I'd fit whoopee cushions into all seats in all quiet carriages

I'm still a very childish person.

 

[greatvoyager]

As a more silly suggestion, I'd fit whoopee cushions into all seats in all quiet carriages
I'm still a very childish person.

It would certainly make the journey more interesting.

 

[AlbertBeale]

The obvious one would be to align all seats with windows.....

Absolutely No 1! I was gobsmacked the other week when using a DSB train from Copenhagen to Hamburg (across the train ferry which is closing soon), to discover there were still trains with comfortable and roomy seats, where all seats matched windows, and where most seats were arranged round tables. I really can't remember the last British train which was so comfortable. (Of course, DSB is still state-owned...)

 

[greatvoyager]

Absolutely No 1! I was gobsmacked the other week when using a DSB train from Copenhagen to Hamburg (across the train ferry which is closing soon), to discover there were still trains with comfortable and roomy seats, where all seats matched windows, and where most seats were arranged round tables. I really can't remember the last British train which was so comfortable. (Of course, DSB is still state-owned...)

Good point, here it's all about cramming as many people into each carriage as possible.

 

[Journeyman]

Absolutely No 1! I was gobsmacked the other week when using a DSB train from Copenhagen to Hamburg (across the train ferry which is closing soon), to discover there were still trains with comfortable and roomy seats, where all seats matched windows, and where most seats were arranged round tables. I really can't remember the last British train which was so comfortable. (Of course, DSB is still state-owned...)

But some trains - TPE Mk 5s spring to mind - have far too many tables and not enough airline seats. If I'm travelling alone, I don't want to face a stranger for the whole journey.

 

[greatvoyager]

But some trains - TPE Mk 5s spring to mind - have far too many tables and not enough airline seats. If I'm travelling alone, I don't want to face a stranger for the whole journey.

Airline seats do have that advantage, they just need better window alignment and legroom.

 

[AlbertBeale]

Airline seats do have that advantage, they just need better window alignment and legroom.

I'm not too worried about the exact split between airline seats and table seats - I accept that there are reasons for both (though I do think that many British trains have far too few table seats - and I don't always mind facing someone if I'm travelling alone; sometimes that feels better than being in a cramped side-by-side space). But the key thing - for both - is matching windows, and plenty of leg room. Both of which seem dreadful on most British trains; the DSB ones I referred to felt so wonderful precisely because I'm not used to such pleasant rolling stock over here.

 

[WideRanger]

Turnable seats on all non-commuter stock.

 

[Journeyman]

I'm not too worried about the exact split between airline seats and table seats - I accept that there are reasons for both (though I do think that many British trains have far too few table seats - and I don't always mind facing someone if I'm travelling alone; sometimes that feels better than being in a cramped side-by-side space). But the key thing - for both - is matching windows, and plenty of leg room. Both of which seem dreadful on most British trains; the DSB ones I referred to felt so wonderful precisely because I'm not used to such pleasant rolling stock over here.

Bear in mind that overseas trains have a lot more space to play with.

Personally I think the Azuma/IET does very well on legroom in airline seats.

 

[coradiafan2000]

I'm trying to think of trains that strike a good balance between table and airline seats. 158s spring to mind, as do most HSTs.

 

[greatvoyager]

Turnable seats on all non-commuter stock.

Now that would be interesting.

 

[greatvoyager]

I'm trying to think of trains that strike a good balance between table and airline seats. 158s spring to mind, as do most HSTs.

They are both acceptable, but I used to be confused by Coach C on FGW with the disabled access toilet. All the seats were of airline type and faced the same direction of travel.

 

[greatvoyager]

I would like to install booths in certain carriages, similar to old MK1 coaches, which would have to be reserved. Mainly for the privacy.

 

[AlbertBeale]

Bear in mind that overseas trains have a lot more space to play with.

Yes, they have a bit more width because of the loading gauge; but the legroom and the matching of windows to seats is a matter of carriage length, and unrelated to the width - so I don't think that's really the reason.

 

[AlbertBeale]

I would like to install booths in certain carriages, similar to old MK1 coaches, which would have to be reserved. Mainly for the privacy.

Yes, I forgot to say before, the continued existence of some compartments on some European systems is really nice too! All in all, the experience of railway travel in Britain means I forget how comfortable and pleasant it could be (and sometimes used to be), until I travel in mainland Europe. Although the latter is by no means universally lovely, there are many examples of rolling stock there which is much pleasanter than anything I experience here, with Britain's "pack 'em in" money-grabbing mentality.

 

[EM2]

I'd take the design of the EM2 and modify it for 25kV a.c.

 

[ashkeba]

Standard livery on all exteriors with the usual wishlist: contrasting doors, gold stripe above windows for first, dark blue for wheelchair bays, light green for bike bays, red for buffet/mini-buffet/restaurant. I do not mind what base colour but Pullman blue, BR green or InterCity white with dark grey and red are worth considering. Confine the Train Operating Company branding department spew to at most a third of a coach by cab ends.

 

[TRAX]

Airline seats do have that advantage, they just need better window alignment and legroom.

It’s paradoxical to me, because you’ll almost always have more room to stretch your legs under the seat in front of you in airline config than on a table config with someone and their legs in front of you.