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You would not need to replace the 455s one for one with 701s over the whole suburban network. Just cover them with displaced 405s so you could concentrate the 701s on a restricted area of the network
Looking forward to these being introduced. I am already enjoying them when travelling via Hounslow. As I mainly travel off peak the reduction in seat numbers does not effect me. I think they are very comfortable.
I sometimes use the 235 bus at school times and the children are quite feral. It's not unusual for them to pile on using the centre doors without regard of anything or anyone that gets in their way.
It's not necessarily faster. I have a friend who lives in Sunbury and travels Via Feltham by preference as it is not slower due to the 50 minute Sunbury Waterloo journey time. Also there is a better service between Feltham and Waterloo.
I think the difference is between TOCs that regularly run extra services for football games that are public services and trains chartered by football clubs that are not open to the general public. The thread title implies the latter.
I really like these trains, admittedly I travell off peak where the 8 car 2x2 seating doesn't cause a problem. They are the most comfortable trains on the Windsor lines. I can't speak for how they compare to 158/9s and 444s.
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