Thameslink to replace cushions on class 700 ironing board seats to improve comfort.. Finally..

[physics34]

Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) on X

NEW: Great British Railways will ban the "ironing-board" seats across all Thameslink trains from next year

x.com

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander says over 60,000 seat cushions will be replaced with more "comfortable alternatives" and improved backrests

First Class will also get improved cushions, while tables will be added to 70 trains. The upgrades will roll out over two years from next year

Alexander said: "This is what public ownership looks like in action. Less than 100 days since GTR transferred into public control, we're delivering on the improvements commuters have been asking for.

"From next year, we’ll start getting rid of the dreaded ‘ironing board seats’ so passengers can enjoy comfier, more pleasant journeys on some of Britain's busiest commuter routes.

"We know fixing Britian’s railway is more than a refurb job and moves like this are just the start of putting our railway back on the right track. We've frozen fares for the first time in 30 years and publicly owned operators have added 76,000 extra seats on to the network. Once established, Great British Railways will focus relentlessly on delivering a reliable, modern service that puts passenger experience at the heart of everything it does"

 

[Busman]

Just seen this, I wonder if it will coincide with new GBR seat/moquette?

Could be interesting.

 

[GEC465]

I do wonder as well is WiFi being fitted to the first 70 too

 

[physics34]

Just seen this, I wonder if it will coincide with new GBR seat/moquette?

Could be interesting.

Yeh youd imagine so.

 

[Failed Unit]

Changing the seats to match the 387s would be what we really want. Along with seat back tables on the whole class. Don’t care about wi-fi personally.

 

[JonathanH]

Alexander said: "This is what public ownership looks like in action. Less than 100 days since GTR transferred into public control, we're delivering on the improvements commuters have been asking for.

How does this work? Do the DfT people ask TSGN what improvements might make people happy, and TSGN come back with a costed proposal for fitting seat back tables and deeper cushions to 700001-46/101-24?

 

[Failed Unit]

How does this work? Do the DfT people ask TSGN what improvements might make people happy, and TSGN come back with a costed proposal for fitting seat back tables and deeper cushions to 700001-46/101-24?

I would rather they had a cunning plan to recover from disruption.

 

[Minstral25]

Never worried about the ironing board nature - it's the lack of leg room that makes them uncomfortable - bet they are not fixing that!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Never worried about the ironing board nature - it's the lack of leg room that makes them uncomfortable - bet they are not fixing that!

It'll make it worse because the contoured back is thicker (as per e.g. the Arterio units).

 

[Tobberz]

1. Will it be possible to implement power sockets in this upgrade?
2. I wonder if they'll remove the second first class section from the 12-cars? Not much point upgrading an area which is essentially standard class half the time.

 

[JonathanH]

2. I wonder if they'll remove the second first class section from the 12-cars? Not much point upgrading an area which is essentially standard class half the time.

That is unlikely, as the trains aren't all oriented the same way round. It would be a long walk for people to get to the other end.

 

[higthomas]

2. I wonder if they'll remove the second first class section from the 12-cars? Not much point upgrading an area which is essentially standard class half the time.

Please not! It's the best way to enjoy those trains

 

[Tobberz]

That is unlikely, as the trains aren't all oriented the same way round. It would be a long walk for people to get to the other end.

Ah fair enough, I forget they turn around in Sutton. Otherwise you could just have it always be at the north end, etc.

 

[JonathanH]

Ah fair enough, I forget they turn around in Sutton. Otherwise you could just have it always be at the north end, etc.

The 8 cars turn at Sutton. The 12 cars don't turn in theory, but aren't all organised to have the 401xxx coach (or 412xxx coach) at the north end.

 

[RUK]

This also means that seats like the original ones won’t be specified by GBR in the future, which is good news.

 

[Bald Rick]

How does this work? Do the DfT people ask TSGN what improvements might make people happy, and TSGN come back with a costed proposal for fitting seat back tables and deeper cushions to 700001-46/101-24?

AIUI the cost was already in the lease deal, but for something else that was to be due now. So the works being done have been changed, but in a way that will benefit passengers more.

 

[Thirteen]

I assume this will be true for the 707 and 717s which has the same seating.

 

[PGAT]

Just seen this, I wonder if it will coincide with new GBR seat/moquette?

Could be interesting.

Thameslink finally gets rid of its ‘ironing board’ train seats

The rail operator is replacing over 60,000 standard-class seats across its fleet of Class 700 trains, with promises of better cushioning and seat-back tables

www.thetimes.com

The announcement has been clouded in secrecy. Passengers were shown five potential designs at Blackfriars station in London on Tuesday morning and were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The designs included changing the seat colour to red and patterns featuring British landmarks.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Quite pleased if they are going for red. It really does give a nice warm interior feel compared to the stark blue at present.

 

[Failed Unit]

1. Will it be possible to implement power sockets in this upgrade?
2. I wonder if they'll remove the second first class section from the 12-cars? Not much point upgrading an area which is essentially standard class half the time.

Removing first altogether from the 8 cars would be a good thing. I think the only route that has it now is Cambridge - London which could really be ran by the higher quality 387s. I know they sometimes appear on Bedford - Brighton but not frequently enough to have 1st class.

 

[Andyh82]

I thought the spartan interiors on the class 700 was specified by the DfT in the first place?

 

[Harpo]

Quite pleased if they are going for red. It really does give a nice warm interior feel compared to the stark blue at present.

Replicating the first HST refresh when austere icy electric blue fabric in standard gave way to much warmer colours.

 

[JonathanH]

I know they sometimes appear on Bedford - Brighton but not frequently enough to have 1st class.

8-car units have booked work on the longer routes, as there aren't quite enough 12-car units, and for positioning reasons.

 

[NCT]

I thought the spartan interiors on the class 700 was specified by the DfT in the first place?

That's my recollection too. Some poetic licence from Alexander there.

My problem with the ironing board seats isn't so much the cushion, but shape of the backrest. It's too convex and doesn't give enough lumbar support.

 

[LLivery]

Hard to believe the fleet have reached 10 years in service already.

Red always looks nice to me, although feels a bit odd on Thameslink, it is named after a river after all...

It is understood that Siemens, which built the trains, will pay for the overhaul, although the leg room will stay the same with no power sockets installed.

Why are Siemens paying for it? Surprised by that.

 

[bramling]

Replicating the first HST refresh when austere icy electric blue fabric in standard gave way to much warmer colours.

I’ve never really liked blue, it ends up looking so clinical. The 365s were never quite the same after losing their original interior, and made worse still after the “dumbing down” refurbishment.

The only problem is, I can see bright seats on the 700s jarring badly with the rest of the interior and with the harsh lighting. To be honest I’d be really content with the whole train being done out like first minus the tables, and dimming the lights a little.

 

[Solent_Desiro]

That's my recollection too. Some poetic licence from Alexander there.

My problem with the ironing board seats isn't so much the cushion, but shape of the backrest. It's too convex and doesn't give enough lumbar support.

Yes they were definitely spec'd by DaFT. As was the omission of Wi-Fi

 

[Bald Rick]

Why are Siemens paying for it? Surprised by that.

see my post #16 above.

 

[LLivery]

Ahh, thank you!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Changing the seats to match the 387s would be what we really want.

Are the seats in the 387s also an ironing board design? They're certainly not comfortable...

I would add that I hope they aren't going to add those silly "ear" type headrests head-bashers at the top of the seats.