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

[cduncan]

700102 passed me at Imperial Wharf on this working: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K04605/2026-10-02/detailed#allox_id=0

Not sure if it relates to this thread?

 

[sad1e]

700102 passed me at Imperial Wharf on this working: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K04605/2026-10-02/detailed#allox_id=0

Not sure if it relates to this thread?

It does relate , class 700s are now going for refurbishment at Eastleigh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2026 ==

Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

Live Train Times for Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) departing on Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

live.rail-record.co.uk

700102 is now being taken down to Eastleigh on 7Q15

 

[DelW]

It does relate , class 700s are now going for refurbishment at Eastleigh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2026 ==

Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

Live Train Times for Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) departing on Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

live.rail-record.co.uk

700102 is now being taken down to Eastleigh on 7Q15

Went through Farnborough Main in among a collection of barrier wagons and flats, hauled by a very throaty sounding 37424.

 

[Kite159]

I guess it's easier to haul the 700s to Eastleigh then it is to run under their own power (at least to the Eastleigh area if they are going somewhere which hasn't got third rail)

 

[physics34]

It does relate , class 700s are now going for refurbishment at Eastleigh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2026 ==

Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

Live Train Times for Train 7Q15 Wembley Receptions 1-7 to Eastleigh Arlington (Zg) departing on Fri 02/10/2026 | Rail Record

live.rail-record.co.uk

700102 is now being taken down to Eastleigh on 7Q15

Is that definate, as 2027 was mentioned for 'new seat cushions'.

 

[BRX]

I guess it's easier to haul the 700s to Eastleigh then it is to run under their own power (at least to the Eastleigh area if they are going somewhere which hasn't got third rail)

I don't quite understand why it's easier to haul them from three bridges to wembley and then from there to Eastleigh ... instead of just running them directly under their own power.

 

[Vexed]

I don't quite understand why it's easier to haul them from three bridges to wembley and then from there to Eastleigh ... instead of just running them directly under their own power.

Thinking about route conductors, it might make more sense for it to stay within GTR and go along the West Coastway with a TL driver and a Southern route conductor.

Could be easier to get someone else to haul them instead of taking up two (or one if SWR/a FOC route conduct) of your own drivers.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Is that definate, as 2027 was mentioned for 'new seat cushions'.

It might take that long, tbh.

 

[wickham]

Thinking about route conductors, it might make more sense for it to stay within GTR and go along the West Coastway with a TL driver and a Southern route conductor.

Could be easier to get someone else to haul them instead of taking up two (or one if SWR/a FOC route conduct) of your own drivers.

You have a good point here - in my experiance some companies will not use route conductors as policy - if a driver can not actually drive the train to where it is to go, then another company gets the job under contract.

 

[ValleyLines142]

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

Sutton Loopers first is declassified at both ends anyway (same with Luton to Rainham).

 

[bramling]

On 700108 now, and notice half the lighting is a warmer tone. Definitely offers a slight improvement to the ambience. Is something afoot alongside the planned changes to the seats?

Note this isn’t the dimmer “standby lighting” mode that some drivers select. It’s every other LED unit being a noticeably yellower tone compared to its neighbour.