Class 158 question !

[Justin Smith]

Here's something I've often pondered as I've travelled on Class 158s over the years.
What, if anything, is the pattern meant to represent which is etched onto the glass sides of the luggage shelves at the end of the carriages ? ! ?

 

[Iskra]

Haha, as it happens I was wondering this myself the other week. It is very random.

 

[fgwrich]

I think, like the Edward Pond murals, it was just something BR Placed there to make the end of the coach look a little less dull - I've always thought it was something like a Palm Tree by a beach, something similar to one of the English Riviera advertising artworks used for Torbay around the same time.

http://www.sonachan.co.uk/files/large/12e6e45eac51017f8ac1e323343191ae.jpg

 

[Justin Smith]

I think, like the Edward Pond murals, it was just something BR Placed there to make the end of the coach look a little less dull - I've always thought it was something like a Palm Tree by a beach, something similar to one of the English Riviera advertising artworks used for Torbay around the same time.

http://www.sonachan.co.uk/files/large/12e6e45eac51017f8ac1e323343191ae.jpg

I always think the pattern looks vaguely Egyptian.
I am right that all Class 158s have the same pattern don't they ? If so surely they must have put some thought into what was going to go there, so what is it ? Someone must know !

 

[ValleyLines142]

Most of FGW's examples have all faded away due to ridiculous number of cases and other luggage-esque items that are being thrown around the carriage (take the 1030 Cardiff to Portsmouth this morning as an example!).

 

[Surreyman]

Can anyone confirm which 158s have these?
(I know all the SWT ones do) & I believe some Scotrail units were fitted, also heard rumours about some Northern examples but not confirmed.

 

[TOCDriver]

Here's something I've often pondered as I've travelled on Class 158s over the years.
What, if anything, is the pattern meant to represent which is etched onto the glass sides of the luggage shelves at the end of the carriages ? ! ?

Many class 158's had small first class compartments at the end of the carriages at one time. I think those etchings were part of the first class experience to tell you the truth.

 

[Helvellyn]

The etchings were on all Class 158 and 159 units. Not just on the sides of the luggage racks either. These partitions were also used singularly as mid-saloon dividers.

 

[jamesontheroad]

Here's something I've often pondered as I've travelled on Class 158s over the years.
What, if anything, is the pattern meant to represent which is etched onto the glass sides of the luggage shelves at the end of the carriages ? ! ?

These, and the (now widely removed) mid-carriage dividers, were purely abstract patterns to decorate the glass. There might be a clue deep in the archives about who designed them and why, but I've always assumed there was some vague inspiration from Celtic patterns or typography. I'm not sure they represent anything.

 

[Justin Smith]

These, and the (now widely removed) mid-carriage dividers, were purely abstract patterns to decorate the glass. There might be a clue deep in the archives about who designed them and why, but I've always assumed there was some vague inspiration from Celtic patterns or typography. I'm not sure they represent anything.

Yes Celtic sounds more like it.

 

[455driver]

Yes Celtic sounds more like it.

Why Celtic?
Why not an English football team or a better Scottish team?