'Upgraded' GWR IET seats

[delt1c]

You shoiuldn't have to upgrade the seats should be comfortable and suitable in the first place

 

[positron]

You shoiuldn't have to upgrade the seats should be comfortable and suitable in the first place

Yes but clearly they weren't so an upgrade is a positive thing...

 

[Russel]

It is the single biggest upgrade in passenger comfort since the introduction of padded seats in 3rd class on the Merioneth and Llantisilly Railway in 1895.

That's upgrade as in the delta of the improvement, not the magnitude of the measure itself. It doesn't take us back to the padded spring and horsehair seats of yore, nor 1974 HSTs.

Definitely something to crow about. Or, could have been released as a mea culpa from DfT apologizing for 9 years of suffering. The horizontal back of leg iron bar is a not fit for purpose design that should have entitled the government to a refund.

It's replacing failed components that weren't fit for purpose when new, I wouldn't call that an upgrade.

Crosscountrys Voyagers are running around with 25 year old seats that are in a better condition than the IET's 8 year old seats.

 

[Snow1964]

You shoiuldn't have to upgrade the seats should be comfortable and suitable in the first place

There is an old saying, buy cheap, buy twice.

Clearly cheaper inadequate seats were specified, and 25-30% of way through trains expected life need upgrading.

Looks like need to do them twice just to get to midlife (when full refurbishment typically takes place), I bet that wasn't a cost effective choice over getting something better at the start and not having to replace early.

 

[crablab]

Looks like need to do them twice just to get to midlife (when full refurbishment typically takes place), I bet that wasn't a cost effective choice over getting something better at the start and not having to replace early.

I don't think that's a concern of anyone except Agility Trains. Under the MARA they provide a seat to meet a specification; if the seat fails to meet that specification or cannot be maintained to the KPI standards regime, then that's a 'them' issue.

 

[fishwomp]

I don't think that's a concern of anyone except Agility Trains. Under the MARA they provide a seat to meet a specification; if the seat fails to meet that specification or cannot be maintained to the KPI standards regime, then that's a 'them' issue.

It's taken a long time to hold someone's feet to the fire (or backsides on the steel bar) for this, if that's really being done on Agility's dime.

 

[crablab]

It's taken a long time to hold someone's feet to the fire (or backsides on the steel bar) for this, if that's really being done on Agility's dime.

Yes. I think you've answered your own question on why it's taken so long.

 

[Russel]

There is an old saying, buy cheap, buy twice.

Clearly cheaper inadequate seats were specified, and 25-30% of way through trains expected life need upgrading.

Looks like need to do them twice just to get to midlife (when full refurbishment typically takes place), I bet that wasn't a cost effective choice over getting something better at the start and not having to replace early.

Exactly this, which is why I don't see it as an upgrade, more just rectifying a problem that should never have existed in the first place.

 

[vuzzeho]

The new seats look fine, but I suppose it's more of a 'feel' than a 'look' thing with this, so we can't really comment definitively yet. It's good they're doing something about it. Interesting that the GWR 'design' (if you can call it that) seems to be used, though I presume there just isn't a GBR moquette yet. I do think it's interesting they're going with an update to the existing design of the early 80xs rather than new seats - part of me hoped they'd just switch to the Evero, Aurora, or Serenza (if they're nice) seats as part of some big GBR standardisation push. Guess not!

 

[irish_rail]

The new seats look fine, but I suppose it's more of a 'feel' than a 'look' thing with this, so we can't really comment definitively yet. It's good they're doing something about it. Interesting that the GWR 'design' (if you can call it that) seems to be used, though I presume there just isn't a GBR moquette yet. I do think it's interesting they're going with an update to the existing design of the early 80xs rather than new seats - part of me hoped they'd just switch to the Evero, Aurora, or Serenza (if they're nice) seats as part of some big GBR standardisation push. Guess not!

I'm relieved they haven't plumped for the Avanti ones with those daft winged headrests. Replacing the "cushion" will directly address the biggest issue with these seats, and that is the passenger being forced to sit on a metal bar for long periods. Well done GWR (at last).

 

[Goldfish62]

I'm relieved they haven't plumped for the Avanti ones with those daft winged headrests.

That would have meant replacing the seats and the associated huge costs. This is just replacing the cushions on the existing seats.

Personally I'd have preferred the Avanti seats!

 

[tumbles]

These don't look too dissimilar to the CC Voyager new seats.. which are effectively just new padding and somehow rockhard.

 

[Bletchleyite]

These don't look too dissimilar to the CC Voyager new seats.. which are effectively just new padding and somehow rockhard.

The XC refurb is new frames and cushions. This is just new cushions.

The frames only generally get replaced when they're either completely knackered or not to modern safety standards.

 

[DarloRich]

will this fix the "bottom bar" issue? That is the only problem I have with the IET seats. I don't mind a hard seat and find these seats have a nice firm back support.

Also the seats on the Avanti versions are perfectly fine. Just fit them

 

[Krokodil]

I'm relieved they haven't plumped for the Avanti ones with those daft winged headrests.

What's wrong with winged headrests?

 

[physics34]

Iam often annoyed at the worry about 'cost' of seats and seat cushions etc. They can last up to 40 years. Tens of thousands of people will use them. They easily repay their cost many times over. Its not something that theh should be scrimping on. If manufactoring costs are overly inflated then precure and build them in-house.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2026 ==

will this fix the "bottom bar" issue? That is the only problem I have with the IET seats. I don't mind a hard seat and find these seats have a nice firm back support.

Also the seats on the Avanti versions are perfectly fine. Just fit them

Not wanting to put words in your mouth but the firm seats and the rough ride of IETs together is unacceptable for a long distance train

 

[DarloRich]

Not wanting to put words in your mouth but the firm seats and the rough ride of IETs together is unacceptable for a long distance train

maybe - it doesn't really bother me tbh. I have given up trying to work on trains as they are so busy so I am just looking out of the window listening to a podcast or audio book.

 

[GWRrrr]

Is anybody else thinking what a coincidence it is that these seat changes will come along just as GBR are taking over?

 

[Clarence Yard]

That’s a bit tin foil hat.

MH has been trying to get the seat cushions changed for ages.

 

[physics34]

maybe - it doesn't really bother me tbh. I have given up trying to work on trains as they are so busy so I am just looking out of the window listening to a podcast or audio book.

Understandable

 

[GilfachFargoed]

will this fix the "bottom bar" issue? That is the only problem I have with the IET seats. I don't mind a hard seat and find these seats have a nice firm back support.

Also the seats on the Avanti versions are perfectly fine. Just fit them

Yes, the bar issue goes away as far as my bottom is concerned.

 

[milooo]

Yes, the bar issue goes away as far as my bottom is concerned.

You tend to stop feeling it after a while

 

[superalbs]

That’s a bit tin foil hat.

MH has been trying to get the seat cushions changed for ages.

Agreed, I have also been hearing this for many years.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What's wrong with winged headrests?

I don't like them either; the number of times I've bumped my head on them...

 

[fgwrich]

That’s a bit tin foil hat.

MH has been trying to get the seat cushions changed for ages.

Whilst there is that, you just know that within a few months of the franchise ending / GBR Operation they will find a way to hail this as a GBR project, just like the Thameslink 700 clean.

 

[Clarence Yard]

And the SWR cl.701 rollout! It was ever thus with politicians.

 

[GWRrrr]

That’s a bit tin foil hat.

MH has been trying to get the seat cushions changed for ages.

That's what I meant. GWR I'm sure would love to have changed the seats, but now GBR can claim the improvement for themselves.

 

[fgwrich]

Whilst there is that, you just know that within a few months of the franchise ending / GBR Operation they will find a way to hail this as a GBR project, just like the Thameslink 700 clean.

And the SWR cl.701 rollout! It was ever thus with politicians.

I hadn’t actually intended to come back to this thread for this purpose but… as if by Magic, we have GBR promising new seat cushions for the 700s this week. It’s almost like they read our minds, or this thread, back in July

Now the main purpose, has the rolling out of the new bases and cushions started to take place yet?

 

[Goldfish62]

Iam often annoyed at the worry about 'cost' of seats and seat cushions etc. They can last up to 40 years. Tens of thousands of people will use them. They easily repay their cost many times over. Its not something that theh should be scrimping on. If manufactoring costs are overly inflated then precure and build them in-house.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Jul 2026 ==


Not wanting to put words in your mouth but the firm seats and the rough ride of IETs together is unacceptable for a long distance train

Maybe if some forum members did a bit of travelling around Europe they'd realise what an insult the IET seats (and ride quality) are. We always seem to be all too ready to accept mediocrity in this country with everything.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Maybe if some forum members did a bit of travelling around Europe they'd realise what an insult the IET seats (and ride quality) are. We always seem to be all too ready to accept mediocrity in this country with everything.

Supposedly, though I can't remember where I read it, Siemens were quite taken aback when TransPennine Express specced a budget regional seat in the Class 185. The irony is that they are probably one of the most comfortable units on the network - people only really disliked them because they were always overcrowded in 3 car form.

You do get the Fainsa Sophia on the mainland, though - just usually on the regional trains for which it was designed.