Class 158 seats across TOCs

[SWRtrainfan]

Why do SWR, GWR and (some of) Northern's 158s have one type of seat, and EMR, TfW and ScotRail's have another type? And some of Northern's ones have the same type of seats in their Civities.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Why do SWR, GWR and (some of) Northern's 158s have one type of seat (the comfier type) and EMR, TfW and ScotRail have another, less comfy type? And some of Northern's ones have the same type of seats in their Civities

Because different TOCs refurbed them at different times under different contracts. I'd debate your view on comfort though - I guess you must not be tall!

The Northern 2 cars were done like CAFs for the Northern Connect project which was then cancelled, the idea was to offer a consistent standard across the two. I like those, the legroom is cavernous.

 

[SWRtrainfan]

Because different TOCs refurbed them at different times under different contracts. I'd debate your view on comfort though - I guess you must not be tall!

The Northern 2 cars were done like CAFs for the Northern Connect project which was then cancelled, the idea was to offer a consistent standard across the two. I like those, the legroom is cavernous.

I see, thanks. By 'comfy', really I just meant more padded/thicker cushions, I know the comfort is obviously subjective.

 

[DownSlow10]

The comfy Northern squarish looking seats are on the 15875X fleets which are the 3 car variants 752-759 these have the original cushion type seats and are incredibly comfy, all 158s used to have them before the big refurbishment from Northern purple to current Northern.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The comfy Northern squarish looking seats are on the 15875X fleets which are the 3 car variants 752-759 these have the original cushion type seats and are incredibly comfy, all 158s used to have them before the big refurbishment from Northern purple to current Northern.

They have a thicker cushion than new. This results in no legroom and the armrests being too low to be useful. Probably, alongside GWR's similar one, the worst refurb on the network.

 

[JonathanH]

They have a thicker cushion than new. This results in no legroom and the armrests being too low to be useful. Probably, alongside GWR's similar one, the worst refurb on the network.

To be fair, the original bases collapsed easily, so the thicker bases may well have been a response to that issue.

 

[transportphoto]

They have a thicker cushion than new. This results in no legroom and the armrests being too low to be useful. Probably, alongside GWR's similar one, the worst refurb on the network.

I recall a journey along the Settle and Carlisle being impossible to get comfortable. It was physically painful.

 

[DownSlow10]

These are genuinely really comfy, but I understand where everyone is coming from, arm rests don’t come out most of the time and are squished behind the seats and the bottom cushioning squishes legs against the table.

 

[kkong]

The legroom at the table seating bays on the ScotRail 158s is appallingly poor.

Borderline unusable if four adults are sat around the table.

 

[47434]

I recall a journey along the Settle and Carlisle being impossible to get comfortable. It was physically painful.

Indeed, on the face of it the seats are comfy but the legroom is shocking other than the priority seats. The 'civity' style seats on the 2 car 158's aren't as comfy but the legroom is generally great so end up being better overall

 

[Kite159]

The legroom at the table seating bays on the ScotRail 158s is appallingly poor.

Borderline unusable if four adults are sat around the table.

Especially if it's a Corkerhill based unit which have different seats (Richmond) compared with the Inverness based units.

 

[3RDGEN]

View attachment 212510These are genuinely really comfy, but I understand where everyone is coming from, arm rests don’t come out most of the time and are squished behind the seats and the bottom cushioning squishes legs against the table.

Best layout on the 158's, low seat back retains the panoramic views which are ideal for the Settle & Carlisle runs the 3 car sets do.

Re the different seats isn't it the Porterbrook units at Northern that retain the original seats, with thicker cushions, so their GWR/Northern/SWR 158/159 units remain consistent? I assumed it was Porterbrook that didn't want the seats changing for some reason so Northern had to keep them, thankfully.

 

[skyhigh]

Re the different seats isn't it the Porterbrook units at Northern that retain the original seats, with thicker cushions, so their GWR/Northern/SWR 158/159 units remain consistent? I assumed it was Porterbrook that didn't want the seats changing for some reason so Northern had to keep them, thankfully.

The 158/9s are Porterbrook owned and got new seats, so don't think that's the case.

 

[3RDGEN]

The 158/9s are Porterbrook owned and got new seats, so don't think that's the case.

Is it the 3 car ones then, perhaps Porterbrook see a long-term option to lease them to SWR post replacement at Northern and wanted them the same? Maybe they just choose not to waste any more money replacing the older sears?

 

[fgwrich]

Especially if it's a Corkerhill based unit which have different seats (Richmond) compared with the Inverness based units.

They are the worst of the fleet.

ScotRail offers an interesting contrast in its fleet - the Inverness 158s are probably the best, smartest refurbished 158s on the network and I feel they should have been a template for all.

The Corkerhill née Haymarket sets are awful. I don’t mind the Richmond seats personally but they are cramped and uncomfortable in the 158s, with an interior with panels still in Regional Railways colours shows how unloved these units are.

 

[DS25]

I personally really like the seats on the TfW 158s

 

[Bletchleyite]

I personally really like the seats on the TfW 158s

These are more or less the same as the Inverness ones bar having no first class section. They are pretty good with high backed Grammer seats.

 

[dgl]

I do find getting into a table seat 9n SWR's units a bit difficult, and, of course, the arm rests are too low but in general I do find them comfy.