Best Sprinter Seats

[Hommagat]

I'm saying is the TfW 158's

 

[Failed Unit]

Some of the 150/1 prototypes were nice, the ones not chosen for the production run.

 

[Grumpy Git]

GWR 150s are like thrones compared to the Northern crap we have to endure.

 

[JonathanH]

GWR 150s are like thrones compared to the Northern crap we have to endure.

GWR 150s have the same seats as Northern 150133-150/201/3/5/11/15/18/22-25 in a different layout (although admittedly the other 150s have Ashbourne seating)

 

[Grumpy Git]

Must just be the general upkeep of the stock then?

 

[Strathclyder]

Hoo boy, this is gonna be one contentious thread (in line with every other thread centered around train seating ever), as will my choice of seating (prepares to duck under desk)...

The Ashbournes as formerly fitted to ScotRail's 156s, either with SPT or First Barbie moquette. Well-padded and sprung; ideal for a skinny/bony person like me. I can already hear the (valid) counterpoints of 'bad posture', 'too low' etc. in my ears, but compared to what ScR's 156s have now, I'd be more than willing to have the Ashbournes back, warts and all.

 

[Helvellyn]

Any images you're aware of?

I know the original Class 317s had IC70 seats - Standard Class seats (with armrests) in First Class (2+2), and then modified bases without armrests for Standard Class (3+2). Very comfy.

 

[507020]

GWR 150s have the same seats as Northern 150133-150/201/3/5/11/15/18/22-25 in a different layout (although admittedly the other 150s have Ashbourne seating)

And those, the Chapman seats, are the best.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The centre cars of Northern's 3-car 158s.

 

[superalbs]

Any images you're aware of?

I know the original Class 317s had IC70 seats - Standard Class seats (with armrests) in First Class (2+2), and then modified bases without armrests for Standard Class (3+2). Very comfy.

I think there are pics of those on traintesting.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I would go for the MTB seats in the SWR’s Diesel fleet and GWR’s 158s. The ones in Northern’s 3-158s have been changed slightly and are very hard with the armrests now too low down for me.

 

[Class360/1]

Any train that has Chapman seats in; Whilst they are low down they are like thrones compared to other newer trains!

 

[Mitchell Hurd]

What about the Gramar 3000 seats on the EMR (and ScotRail 158's)? I've found these comfortable on GWR HST's so I guess the same comfort on the 158's .

 

[Neptune]

Another seat thread which will result in what people prefer rather than the best so perhaps the thread should be titled ‘Another thread for people to express what their favourite seats are, this time on a sprinter’.

Seats are so subjective that no one seat can possibly suit every person.

To put my twopenneth in (I’m 183cm and 86kg which is 6ft and 13st 9lb to those who don’t understand metric) I find standard Chapman seats to be the most comfortable due to the height from the floor and cushion shape which has decent lumber support. However there are criticisms which mean I won’t say they’re my favourite seat which are that the seat back flap (table is pushing it) is pathetic and if we’re including 170’s in this then they got the cushion shape wrong for me as the headrests dig into my shoulder blades. However to other people who are smaller in stature to me the latter issue may be a non issue.

Therefore, like the OP, the Grammar seat in the TfW 158’s (also in the Inverness SR units) is a better all around package for me. I find it slightly less comfortable than the original Chapman seats but that’s not saying they’re uncomfortable but they have a better seat back table (the solid extendable type) and due to the slimmer seat frame they provide good legroom if positioned correctly. They are too crush laden in an EMT unit for me.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Probably the best in terms of everything would be the the original seats fitted to the 158 and 159 from new.


These were truly designed for longer distance travel and passenger comfort in every sense and according to adopt her that I once traveled with were pretty good on the whole posture etc thing as well.



For personal preference, if I could not travel in one of these then it would have to be the Chapman or the grammar as fitted to Great Western and ScotRail HST and assorted 158 fleets on refurbishment. I am no lover of the Ashbourne and never have been, even back in the days when I had a 30-in waist lol


That said, as someone pointed out above, I would still rather have them back on ScotRail 156 fleet then the ironing board crap we now have to put up with.

 

[JonathanH]

These were truly designed for longer distance travel and passenger comfort in every sense and according to adopt her that I once traveled with were pretty good on the whole posture etc thing as well.

No good with collapsed cushions though. The version with the thicker cushion base currently fitter to GWR 158s is more comfortable than they were as built. (But equally some will say they aren't firm enough.)