Best Seat in A pendolino.

[George_WCML]

Hello, Im planing to get tickets to go on a Pendolino for the first time and am excited. However I would like to know what carriage is best to hear the pendolino motors?

George

 

[ValleyLines142]

A28 in Standard is a great seat. Quiet Carriage, but two seater table seat and unlikely to have anyone sat next to you.

 

[bramling]

Hello, Im planing to get tickets to go on a Pendolino for the first time and am excited. However I would like to know what carriage is best to hear the pendolino motors?

George

Can’t remember the numbers, but the very last seats in coach A at the cab end on a southbound journey. Generally fairly undisturbed, and a good window view. Not so good heading north if you don’t like facing backwards though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I generally like to sit on the "off" side (ie west southbound or east northbound) for the wider view in 2-track territory.
But south of Roade in 4-track territory the reverse is true, at least southbound, so you can see the local/freight traffic on the slow lines.
You need (if possible) to switch from west side to east side as you pass under the M6 at Low Gill going north, for the best views of Langdale and the Lune gorge.
East side up Beattock, west side down the Clyde valley (which has some of the best tilting sections between the river crossings).
From Gretna to Lockerbie you get views across the Solway to the Lakeland fells on the west side, best seen southbound.
Hope for an unchecked 125mph run through Rugby for one of the best tilt sections on the line.

 

[Peter0124]

Coach G heading southbound is up there, most people don't know its a converted unreserved carriage yet.

 

[CEB24]

J38 and J39 in first class, coach A for something quieter, or coach C which is a bit more busier with stuff going on, like the shop and Train Manager's office. Try and avoid coaches U and G on an 11-car, as they're unreserved coaches like C, but going northbound people jump in those two coaches first instead of walking down the platform at London Euston, so they're busier.

 

[AlterEgo]

J38 and J39 in first class, coach A for something quieter, or coach C which is a bit more busier with stuff going on, like the shop and Train Manager's office. Try and avoid coaches U and G on an 11-car, as they're unreserved coaches like C, but going northbound people jump in those two coaches first instead of walking down the platform at London Euston, so they're busier.

C doesn't have any traction motors, so it won't fulfil the OP's request. The pan vehicles are trailers.

 

[CEB24]

C doesn't have any traction motors, so it won't fulfil the OP's request. The pan vehicles are trailers.

Fair enough, I was talking more generally about where best (IMO) to sit on a c390. C and H are the two pantograph coaches, though.

 

[Mike99]

Maybe have a look north or southbound through Berkhampsted (and at other locations) to really appreciate the leaning at full speed, either looking alongside the the window along the train or through the carriage, its very noticeable.

 

[George_WCML]

Thanks for your reply’s. Just to clear things up I just want to be able to hear the motors from where I sit and not be in a quiet carriage.

 

[George_WCML]

Can someone please just confirm where to sit

 

[Mainline421]

Coach B or J are probably your best bets, but 390s are really quiet so you're unlikely to hear much.

 

[milooo]

Every coach other than C, E, and H have motors on a 11 coach I think

 

[milooo]

But just when choosing a seat remember the seat alignments are awful to avoid disappointment

 

[VT 390]

Every coach other than C, E, and H have motors on a 11 coach I think

On 11 carriage 390/1 carriage U is also a trailer carriage as well as C, E and H, so no motor in any of these carriages.


The formation of the class 390 is:
DMS (A) - MS (B) - PTSRMB (C) - MS (D) - TS (E) - MS (F) - TS (U) - MS (G) - PTF (H) - MF (J) - DMRF (K)

Carriages U and G are only on 11 carriage 390/1, all other carriages are on the 9 carriage 390/0.

DMS: Driving Motor Standard
MS: Motor Second
PTSRMB: Pantograph Trailer Standard Restaurant Micro Buffet
PTF: Pantograph Trailer First
MF: Motor First
DMRF: Driving Motor Restaurant First


Of the motor carriages B, D, F and G are standard with G being entirely unreserved. J is first class on weekdays and standard premium on weekends. K is first class.

 

[jfollows]

I go for H1 & H3.
Limited overhead room because of pantograph, but storage space behind seats.
End of coach.
Nobody directly opposite.
I am more than happy to go backwards, so for two of us it’s fine.
No motors, though.
Each to their own.