GWR 802 vs TPE 802

[Sorcerer]

So for the first time today I took a ride on a TransPennine Express Class 802 unit from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Victoria. My experience was a pleasant one thanks to the great exterior livery and interior colouring (the black band along the seat reservation screens is far superior to the red band on LNER, and most definitely superior to the lime green band on GWR) as well as decent ride quality. However I have not yet travelled on the Great Western Railway Class 802, but I have seen some trip reports on them, one of which actually showed a great deal of flimsy panelling on the interior walls and even some seat padding being so loose that they can be lifted up with minimal effort.

This was in contrast to my experience on the TPE 802s today who seemed to have firm panelling and seating (which I personally did not mind too much but I understand that some people really can't handle them very well over long distances). That said I must acknowledge that a single trip report along with my own single experience as of today is not entirely representative of a general passenger experience. Therefore for anybody who has travelled on both or knows people who have done, which train operating company has the superior Class 802s? Leave your thoughts and experiences below.

EDIT: So in my negligence I failed to think about the Hull Trains Class 802 for this discussion seeing as it's a comparison for a specific unit. You may compare them to your experiences with TPE and GWR as long as we don't stray too far from the core subject. Also be aware that in the poll I erroneously used a double negative with "not too dissimilar" even though the idea of that option was to say that the trains were too dissimilar to make a difference. So do please bear that in mind when voting.

 

[HST274]

I don't mind the GWR class 80x but I do think that's becuase I am a positive person. if I was being realistic I'm sure any other class 80x is better, so, depite not travelling on one, I voted transpennine. I'm sorry for not really answering your question.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think GWR’s a far better. The TPE ones have the dullest insides I’ve ever seen, too small a first class area, no nine carriage variant, and the horrendous tones of Neil Rudd.

 

[DanNCL]

I think GWR’s a far better. The TPE ones have the dullest insides I’ve ever seen, too small a first class area, no nine carriage variant, and the horrendous tones of Neil Rudd.

You wouldn't be saying that if you had to commute on them. On the North East part of the TPE network standard is packed whilst first usually carries fresh air. The entire train could be standard class as far as most people who use them in the North East are concerned.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think GWR’s a far better. The TPE ones have the dullest insides I’ve ever seen, too small a first class area, no nine carriage variant, and the horrendous tones of Neil Rudd.

How can you get duller than grey and grey? The TPE interior is quite nice but the LNER one is the nicest in my book. All the same rubbish seats, of course.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

How can you get duller than grey and grey? The TPE interior is quite nice but the LNER one is the nicest in my book. All the same rubbish seats, of course.

That shade of blue gives me doctors surgery/NHS/hospital vibes. One of the reasons I hate the 700s. The 397s use the cream leather seat tops, and FAR more fake wood panelling (something I know we both appreciate on trains) than the 802s. I don’t mind the green in GWR.

Azuma is definitely the nicest and the moquette makes so much difference to me - GWR’s astroturf and TPE’s flat cloth does make for a harder feel. I can and do easily sit in Azuma 2nd for several hours.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That green says "1990s bus" to me. The dark green would have been nicer.

 

[Sorcerer]

Lime green and grey are, in my honest opinion, a terrible colour combination. I think the GWR 802s could do with a different shade because it really hurts the interior which is a bigger part of the overall passenger experience than the exterior livery. You can probably tolerate a bad livery since you won't see it for most of your journey. But a badly coloured interior is hard to ignore.

 

[Techniquest]

I must be very ignorant then, because I can't say I've really noticed that! I do have a bias on my vote, given my location I'm on GWR 80x a LOT more than Transpennine Express. I liked what I experienced with TP last year, but the operator who can't be bothered to run properly at the moment means I'm not rushing to sample them again. A shame, as I think they're excellent trains and I expect to use them plenty of times on future adventures. Maybe when TP sort themselves out!

 

[43096]

How to compare a turd with an even bigger turd? Where's the option for "All 80x are ****"?!

 

[Evolution]

TPE by a mile, they have the best looking 802s on the network, both inside and out imo.

GWR is just bland.

 

[Starmill]

I think GWR’s a far better. The TPE ones have the dullest insides I’ve ever seen, too small a first class area, no nine carriage variant, and the horrendous tones of Neil Rudd.

Why would you want a nine carriage variant? Would you be able to suggest some diagrams for which a train with 650 seats is required?

 

[gabrielhj07]

Voted TPE on the grounds of cleanliness. I've honestly never seen a smarter, cleaner train than TPE's 802s. I've travelled on both, TPE 2 weeks ago and GWR today, I much prefer the light-ish blue to grey. As mentioned above, lime green is an especially poor choice.

 

[Fokx]

The one thing that really annoys me about LNER and GWR is that the fold down table is a completely different colour plastic to the seat backs.

It makes it look like a late addition

 

[Kite159]

TPE, only because they fitted USB points as well as 3 pin sockets.

 

[XAM2175]

The 397s use the cream leather seat tops, and FAR more fake wood panelling (something I know we both appreciate on trains) than the 802s.

Yes, the fact that the 397s get that right makes their omission on the 802s particularly disappointing.

 

[Parallel]

I’d vote TPE 802s overall, they are smart, with a decent colour combination inside and very decent outside.

The red inside LNER’s units certainly cheers them up, and the seat fabric makes the seats feel softer and more comfortable than GWR’s IMO.

GWR’s units are bland and not so relatable to the brand as there’s very little dark green inside! The fabric covering the seats, whilst must be tough, feels like sandpaper to me and isn’t comfortable at all. Mind you, probably better than the state the original coverings got into after a couple of months…

Hull Trains units are OK but give me serious First Great Western vibes due to using the parent company’s colours.

 

[Richard Scott]

That green says "1990s bus" to me. The dark green would have been nicer.

At least a 1990s bus would have had a more comfortable seat!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hull Trains units are OK but give me serious First Great Western vibes due to using the parent company’s colours.

Do Hull Trains units still have the horrendous mould smell? I believe the TOC tried to implement something to combat it.

Why would you want a nine carriage variant? Would you be able to suggest some diagrams for which a train with 650 seats is required?

I was simply saying a reason I prefer the GWR type is that they’re longer…

How to compare a turd with an even bigger turd? Where's the option for "All 80x are ****"?!

In Standard class, the Azumas look very much like a contemporary version of what they replaced inside.

That green says "1990s bus" to me. The dark green would have been nicer.

The dark green as used on the exterior would have been a perfect choice, matching the brand well, and it’s a shame it wasn’t used.

 

[Starmill]

I was simply saying a reason I prefer the GWR type is that they’re longer…

If that's your view then that's fair enough of course. I think more people would prefer trains which are an appropriate length to provide enough seating for the work they do rather than just the longest possible trains. A Velaro e320 is after all very considerably longer than a nine car 80x but most people wouldn't say they prefer them because of that.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

If that's your view then that's fair enough of course. I think more people would prefer trains which are an appropriate length to provide enough seating for the work they do rather than just the longest possible trains. A Velaro e320 is after all very considerably longer than a nine car 80x but most people wouldn't say they prefer them because of that.

I know there’s an argument about trains carrying fresh air if they’re too long, but from a customer perspective or someone who doesn’t pay for the rolling stock I see nothing wrong with that personally Love an empty train.

The 80x buffet on LNER is very space efficient without being cramped a la 221/222, so I think it’s a shame it wasn’t implemented on GWRs sets for a return of the “Great Western Larder,” - or “Express Cafe” as it was under the FGW brand.

 

[Parallel]

Do Hull Trains units still have the horrendous mould smell? I believe the TOC tried to implement something to combat it.

I’ve only used one once and didn’t notice anything off with the smell. Worth noting they use your favourite voice (Neil Rudd) though!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’ve only used one once and didn’t notice anything off with the smell. Worth noting they use your favourite voice (Neil Rudd) though!

Absolutely awful. “Matt” is similarly terrible.

 

[Purple Orange]

Having never travelled on a GWR 80X, I’m not in a position to say either way, but I have travelled on TPE and LNER 80Xs. In my opinion, the TPE variant is better than LNER, but I’m unsure if it suits the needs of the route. Over time I have come to the conclusion that a 395 would be better as it combines the speed capabilities for the ECML, the required capacity and better positioned doors for the Liverpool-York section.

The 80X should be used on the WCML for Manchester-Scotland and if I had my way, I’d have a west facing bay built at Victoria to terminate those trains (and the North Wales services).