Train Plug Sockets - The best and the worst

[mralexn]

I would like to ask on what trains do you find the plug sockets to be most reliable (ie working) and most unreliable (not working)

for me the most reliable would be on a HST as they almost always seem to work
and the most unreliable would be on a 390 or the Caledonian sleeper as they never seem to work whenever i travel on them

 

[Mojo]

I've never had plugs not work for me...

However the best I'd say is FGW HSTs on the airline seats as it's in the middle, so easy access for both seats.

Worst, on Pendolinos as they only exist at table seats.

 

[All Line Rover]

Absolute worst - Arriva 175's and similar trains: Used for long distance services but no plug sockets!

Worst with plug sockets - Pendolino's: If they bothered installing them at tables, why didn't they bother installing them at every seat!?

Best with plug sockets - 395's/Javelin's: A plug socket in the middle of every two seats, so everyone has access to one and cables don't have to stretch across the person next to you

 

[class156]

The sockets appear to be working pretty well on the 380s, I saw someone plug straighteners into one of them a few months ago!

 

[mralexn]

I heard a story that a man plugged a George forman grill into a plug socket on a HST to penzance and was making burgers! :P

 

[ainsworth74]

I've only had plugs not work once and that was on a EC HST about 6 months ago.

For me the worst would be FGW HSTs in first class for two reasons, first the sockets are above the tables so any cables are in the way and secondly the only way to plug my laptop in required bending the the cable in quite a bad way otherwise the plug wouldn't fit in the socket!

185s and 444s should have sockets at every seat but otherwise those trains that have sockets I don't really complaints about.

 

[graham43404]

On East Coast every socket has worked fine other than the once in First Class on a Mallard in the quiet coach, but looking at brochure onboard I had the impression that's across the whole mallard fleet.

We did one trip on a FGW HST coming back from Penzance after going down on the sleeper and not one socket worked in the quiet coach, of course that could be for the same reason as we had on the Mallard train.

 

[HSTEd]

Worst, on Pendolinos as they only exist at table seats.

Strange, I thought they existed at all seats, atleast in first class.....

 

[graham43404]

Strange, I thought they existed at all seats, atleast in first class.....

Your right about first class but in standard its only table seats that sockets.

 

[AndyHA]

First Great Western HSTs Airline seats are the best socketts for use .

 

[12CSVT]

I've seen people use them on 377s even though they have big notices on them saying they're not for public use (apparantly they are only earthed when at a depot). If they aren't earthed when the units are running I'd have thought the sockets should be covered up to prevent unauthorised use.

 

[wintonian]

The Caledonian sleepers are the worst as all the plug sockets appear to have been disconnected

Don't like the ones at the tables in first class on FGW HST's as there isn't enougth room between the socket and the table to plug anything in.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[graham43404]

I've seen people use them on 377s even though they have big notices on them saying they're not for public use (apparantly they are only earthed when at a depot). If they aren't earthed when the units are running I'd have thought the sockets should be covered up to prevent unauthorised use.

Most of the time the public seem to think signs are just there for the laugh. That said I think in this case they do need more than just signs.

 

[craigwilson]

Best with plug sockets - 395's/Javelin's: A plug socket in the middle of every two seats, so everyone has access to one and cables don't have to stretch across the person next to you

Yes, and the trains are new enough that all of them still work!

I've seen people use them on 377s even though they have big notices on them saying they're not for public use (apparantly they are only earthed when at a depot). If they aren't earthed when the units are running I'd have thought the sockets should be covered up to prevent unauthorised use.

The ones by the doors, around ground level, on the 375/377s? I've never seen anyone plug anything into those round my way.

 

[Eeveevolve]

TPs 185s. Although only at tables, never come across one that hasn't worked.

 

[12CSVT]

The ones by the doors, around ground level, on the 375/377s? I've never seen anyone plug anything into those round my way.

On the 377/5s - the chavs are always doing it around Leagrave / Flitwick

 

[dvboy]

I've only had plugs not work once and that was on a EC HST about 6 months ago.

Same here.

Pendolinos - only at table seats.

LM's 350s - only in First Class.

Eurostar - only in one coach.

 

[merlodlliw]

Absolute worst - Arriva 175's and similar trains: Used for long distance services but no plug sockets!

I am under the impression, two sets of 2 coach 175s have plug sockets.

Never been on them.

Bob

 

[Aictos]

Don't like the ones at the tables in first class on FGW HST's as there isn't enougth room between the socket and the table to plug anything in.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

Totally agree, that's the only thing about the First Class offering with FGW that I don't like.

 

[Marton]

On East Coast every socket has worked fine other than the once in First Class on a Mallard in the quiet coach, but looking at brochure onboard I had the impression that's across the whole mallard fleet.

Works fine in MkIV quiet coaches, but there are no sockets in the quiet coach J on the HST mallard refurbished sets - i presume because they were the restaurant cars and eating 'silver service' [those were the days !!!] and computing are not good companions.

 

[tsr]

On the 377/5s - the chavs are always doing it around Leagrave / Flitwick

Seen it on SN 377/4s near Croydon too, in similar circumstances...

I wish they would have proper sockets for all passengers on 377s. Some of them travel from London to destinations such as Portsmouth Harbour, Bognor Regis and so on, and they would be most certainly appreciated for those who are longer or medium distance passengers on these routes.

 

[eMeS]

I've seen people use them on 377s even though they have big notices on them saying they're not for public use (apparently they are only earthed when at a depot). If they aren't earthed when the units are running I'd have thought the sockets should be covered up to prevent unauthorised use.

Are you suggesting that they could drift to the OLE potential?

 

[amcluesent]

The MkIV aren't so reliable, but I've now observed a guard using the trip reset you need to restore power.

 

[TUC]

TPs 185s. Although only at tables, never come across one that hasn't worked.

Its the fact they're only at tables that is a slightly bizarre and frustrating omission and don't get me started on the lack of wifi on a three hour long route...

 

[ainsworth74]

and don't get me started on the lack of wifi on a three hour long route...

That'll be due I would guess to the fact that when they were specifided and built Wi-Fi was still very new on trains so it probably wasn't seen as being important. This is something I would gamble they will get at their first refurbishment (along with sockets at every seat).

 

[Erniescooper]

Absolute worst - Arriva 175's and similar trains: Used for long distance services but no plug sockets!

I am under the impression, two sets of 2 coach 175s have plug sockets.

Never been on them.

Bob

All vehicles have a 240V socket half way down the saloon for the cleaners, each 79 car has an extra socket at no 2 end for plugging in the microwave when on WAG duty.

 

[ValleyLines142]

The sockets appear to be working pretty well on the 380s, I saw someone plug straighteners into one of them a few months ago!

It does work! I take a mini-extension lead with me and charge my phone, iPad, camera and do my hair! Why rush when you can do things on the train!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
For me, HSTs usually work, and Voyagers do, although I frigging sparked my hand on 221133 on 1V71 last year!!

 

[Blindtraveler]

have never found them on the 395s, but my lack of eyesight can be blamed. When you say they are between the seats, are they in a similar0place to the (now redundant) entertainment controlls on pendos/voyagers?

Agree the sleaper loungecar ones never work. The shaver points in cabbins do but I need an addapter to turn it into a mains plug. Any suggestions?

 

[wintonian]

I can't recall now but are they the ones you hurt your shins on?

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[dvboy]

on 395s they are in between the seats in front of you. yes they are yhe ones you hurt ypur shins on