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

[Bletchleyite]

Though I don't think legroom will do well from this.

I'd have thought it would make little difference as the back doesn't appear to be much thicker if at all. It's a very upright seat so how far up the back your knees are isn't going to make quite as big a difference as it does on e.g. the steeply raked original Class 158 seat or the InterCity 70. It will make some difference though as it's not totally vertical.

 

[GEC465]

Though I don't think legroom will do well from this.

Surprisingly from what's been told it doesn't impact legroom that much

 

[Snow1964]

Dft has done a press release, over 60,000 seats get new cushions, winged backrests (in standard class, says First class getting same cushions, although not clear why First class doesn't get better). 69 trains gain seat back tables too.

Millions of Thameslink passengers are set to get a more comfortable commute as publicly owned operator GTRpartners with Siemens Mobility to upgrade standard class seat cushions across all 115 trains in its fleet from next year.

The new seat cushions have been agreed as part of a pre-existing contract between the operator and Siemens Mobility, meaning the upgrades come at no additional cost to taxpayers.

Over 60,000 new spring and memory foam cushions will be rolled out from next year alongside improved winged backrests, replacing the notorious ‘ironing-board’ seats that have long frustrated commuters on one of Britain’s busiest rail routes.

Passengers can try the new seat for themselves at London Bridge station this week (Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September 2026) where it is on display in the station’s concourse.

The new design, developed following extensive passenger feedback, offers up to 57% more ‘give’ than the current seat cushion, with new ‘wing’ backrests for better shoulder and head support. First class seats get the same improved cushions and seat-back tables are being added to the 69 trains that lack them.

More comfortable commutes ahead: rail reform spells end of the 'ironing-board' seat era on Thameslink trains

Thameslink will upgrade its standard class seat cushions from 2027 to give millions of passengers a more comfortable commute.

www.gov.uk

 

[Bletchleyite]

Interesting that it mentions springs - that's definitely a wholly new cushion, there's not been sprung cushions for a very long time. I do remember a while back something being posted about this as a new design - it might be a good way round the fire related stuff given that springs aren't flammable.

Memory foam seems less of a good idea given that you don't want them to mould to a specific passenger's form!

 

[JaJaWa]

Here’s a pic showing the winged headrest. Looks like the thickness is only increased at the sides up there.



Source: Politics UK https://www.threads.com/share/_o8PdS8jX/

 

[physics34]

Tried it at London bridge. Much better. When asked for feedback i still criticised the legroom issues and the width problems. Got told the speil about cramming as many people on.....

..even though i tried to explain that people have to swing their legs out into the aisle because of the lack of legroom!

 

[Goldfish62]

Interesting that it mentions springs - that's definitely a wholly new cushion, there's not been sprung cushions for a very long time. I do remember a while back something being posted about this as a new design - it might be a good way round the fire related stuff given that springs aren't flammable.

Memory foam seems less of a good idea given that you don't want them to mould to a specific passenger's form!

I forget exactly who made the comment but it was confirmed on LinkedIn recently that the new GWR IET seat cushions would be sprung. Ian Walmsley also mentioned in Modern Railways last year that a design of sprung set cushion was being looked into.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2026 ==

Surprisingly from what's been told it doesn't impact legroom that much

As the seat frames aren't moving and assuming the seat back cushions are not any thicker then I can't see how legroom would be impacted.

 

[Recessio]

Surprisingly from what's been told it doesn't impact legroom that much

As the seat frames aren't moving and assuming the seat back cushions are not any thicker then I can't see how legroom would be impacted.

Exactly - I feel the current seat base cushion is quite short, because I'm short and even my knees are out way past the end of the seat base. So I would guesd the added length to the new seat base wouldn't make any difference to leg length for me as my knees would still be in the same place (though I'll wait and see until I get a chance to try the new seat! ) .

 

[dk1]

A very positive report about this tonight on BBC Look East.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I don't like the look of this bit being tipped forwards like that; it's going to force my head forwards rather uncomfortably in relation to my back. Maybe it's been designed for mobile phone zombies who will be staring downwards all the time...?

 

[AM9]

A very positive report about this tonight on BBC Look East.

,,, and BBC London.

 

[NCT]

The other day I travelled on a 700 and 701 back to back, and found the 701 seats to be less comfortable.

700 seat bases are a bit collapsed which forces the bum to be more forward than is ideal, but that's a consequence of wear. 701 seat bases are too soft and also forces the bum to be too far forward - that's a consequence of design.

Hopefully the new seat bases on the 700s will be sufficiently firm to support the bums of those of us who prefer their lower back to be as supported as possible. I'm not convinced by the winged headrest - screams 'digging into shoulders' and will force an even more hunched posture than the current seat back.

 

[Goldfish62]

The other day I travelled on a 700 and 701 back to back, and found the 701 seats to be less comfortable.

700 seat bases are a bit collapsed which forces the bum to be more forward than is ideal, but that's a consequence of wear. 701 seat bases are too soft and also forces the bum to be too far forward - that's a consequence of design.

Just shows how subjective seat design can be. I find the 701 seats far more comfortable than the 700/707s, principally because of their shape, my main criticism being that the seat base cushions on the 701s are far too hard. They're like sitting on concrete. There's no give in them whatsoever.

 

[Deepgreen]

I hope the seats make TL journeys "blissful" to quote the blurb from Jonathan Whitehurst, but, as the main change appears to the head area, which requires the least support, I am not confident. The seat base itself looks to be no thicker than now, so it will need to be a magical material that can make such a transformation! However, if there has been genuine positive feedback from trials (how long did each test last?) then the proof will be in the using - fingers (and legs!) crossed. The BBC article also includes Whitehurst's claim that the new seats "will not cost the taxpayer a penny" - somewhat misleading, as all TOCs are subsidised anyway, and the cost is included in the existing partly-subsidised contract. It's disappointing to see a continuation of the myth that the privatised railway is not at least partly funded by taxes.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The seat base itself looks to be no thicker than now, so it will need to be a magical material that can make such a transformation!

It appears to be at least an inch thicker and about 2-3 inches deeper. It is indeed made of something different - springs and foam, like most premium mattresses.

I haven't sat on it but it could well be a significant upgrade in base terms. Using metal springs together with thinnish foam (like they used to!) does seem an interesting way of dealing with the fire regulations issue. I believe the replacement bases for the Sophias are to use a similar approach.

 

[Minstral25]

Surprisingly from what's been told it doesn't impact legroom that much

Legroom - what legroom!!!

 

[yorksrob]

Here’s a pic showing the winged headrest. Looks like the thickness is only increased at the sides up there.

View attachment 211361

Source: Politics UK https://www.threads.com/share/_o8PdS8jX/

It's an improvement, however it doesn't look close to phase 1CIG standards.

 

[MrJeeves]

I don't like the look of this bit being tipped forwards like that; it's going to force my head forwards rather uncomfortably in relation to my back. Maybe it's been designed for mobile phone zombies who will be staring downwards all the time...?

View attachment 211397

I commented on this today, and was told it would be more winged like the prototype CGI version shared earlier in the thread rather than padded out in response to concerns about tall passengers.

The base padding is so much better than before (video attached, plus other pics), having sat on it at London Bridge this afternoon.

Any comments about leg room are honestly nonsense — a longer seat base doesn't magically lengthen your thighs. Unless you have very short thighs, it's not going to impact you.

View attachment 2971.mp4

 

[Recessio]

I commented on this today, and was told it would be more winged like the prototype CGI version shared earlier in the thread rather than padded out in response to concerns about tall passengers.

The base padding is so much better than before (video attached, plus other pics), having sat on it at London Bridge this afternoon.

Any comments about leg room are honestly nonsense — a longer seat base doesn't magically lengthen your thighs. Unless you have very short thighs, it's not going to impact you.

View attachment 211472

Thank you for the video - it does a much better job of showing how cushioned the new seat base is than any description ever can!

I like that they're keeping the high backs (I hate low back transverse seats on e.g. Class 313 or S8 stock) , but not sure about the wings. Might be useful for taking a nap.

Are the First class seats changing or are rhey staying the same?

 

[Goldfish62]

Thank you for the video - it does a much better job of showing how cushioned the new seat base is than any description ever can!

I like that they're keeping the high backs (I hate low back transverse seats on e.g. Class 313 or S8 stock) , but not sure about the wings. Might be useful for taking a nap.

Are the First class seats changing or are rhey staying the same?

Given that the existing seat frames are remaining it wouldn't be possible to have low seat backs, which in any case are not allowed on transverse seats due to crashworthiness requirements.

The 1st Class seats are receiving the same treatment.

 

[hwl]

Given that the existing seat frames are remaining it wouldn't be possible to have low seat backs, which in any case are not allowed on transverse seats due to crashworthiness requirements.

The 1st Class seats are receiving the same treatment.

High seat backs are also needed to meet anti reach arround requirements

 

[talldave]

I like that they're keeping the high backs (I hate low back transverse seats on e.g. Class 313 or S8 stock) , but not sure about the wings. Might be useful for taking a nap.

Considering how disgustingly dirty most GTR seats are, the less of my body that comes into contact with the seat surface the better. The thought of my hair against a GTR seat surface is nauseating!

 

[Recessio]

Considering how disgustingly dirty most GTR seats are, the less of my body that comes into contact with the seat surface the better. The thought of my hair against a GTR seat surface is nauseating!

I think that's true of nearly any operator to be fair, it's probably best just not to think about it...

I'm just about old enough to remember the last days of slam door stock, and some of the seats if you slapped them would still kick up lots of ash and dust even years after smoking was phased out!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Sep 2026 ==

Given that the existing seat frames are remaining it wouldn't be possible to have low seat backs, which in any case are not allowed on transverse seats due to crashworthiness requirements.

High seat backs are also needed to meet anti reach arround requirements

I didn't know that, thanks both.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I commented on this today, and was told it would be more winged like the prototype CGI version shared earlier in the thread rather than padded out in response to concerns about tall passengers.

"More winged".... that's even worse, then - I frequently manage to bash my head on seats with the winged ears on them.

 

[4BEP]

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...



Why are Siemens paying for it? Surprised by that.

There was costing in the bid for some upgrade work during the lifetime of the units, I don't recall any specifics though.

 

[Deepgreen]

Considering how disgustingly dirty most GTR seats are, the less of my body that comes into contact with the seat surface the better. The thought of my hair against a GTR seat surface is nauseating!

Perhaps standing is best for you...

 

[talldave]

Perhaps standing is best for you...

Perhaps train companies should up their game? They can do it - everything was shiny clean and hygienic during 2020's tickly cough.

 

[Many2Audi]

Perhaps train companies should up their game? They can do it - everything was shiny clean and hygienic during 2020's tickly cough.

It is impossible to have entirely clean seats. The whole point of moquette is to hide dirt and look decent. Also during late running, many would rather the train leaving closer to whats intendeded rather than a cleaner table in coach B. It is entirely fair to wish for better cleanliness though.

 

[The exile]

Perhaps train companies should up their game? They can do it - everything was shiny clean and hygienic during 2020's tickly cough.

Given that the chance of someone actually having used the seat between cleans was pretty low, is that surprising. That said, I only remember seeing all the other surfaces being “cleaned” (pretty thoroughly by EMR; very perfunctorily at another TOC); not the seats.

 

[westcoaster]

I see Railadventure are dragging a 700 today https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Et3yAaXvW/
Which is only the second time this has happened. Any ideas why or if this unit is the first to recieve the new seats. Any ideas on the move. From the pictures it looks to be at Wembley ( overground unit in the background) how did the 700 get there.