Class 390 or 397

[Mogz]

For those of us with longer legs, if forced to choose between a more comfortable seat but bad leg-room (390) or a less comfortable seat with good leg-room (397) then the leg room wins every time.

For that reason, if forced to choose one or t’other it would have to be the 397 for the leg-room alone.

If I was shorter, the Pendolino might win.

 

[DB]

For those of us with longer legs, if forced to choose between a more comfortable seat but bad leg-room (390) or a less comfortable seat with good leg-room (397) then the leg room wins every time.

For that reason, if forced to choose one or t’other it would have to be the 397 for the leg-room alone.

If I was shorter, the Pendolino might win.

I'd probably agree (at 6'3"), but actually I don't regard the Pendolino / Voyager seat as at all comfortable - while no fan of those Fainsa ones, they are probably no worse!

 

[Jamesrob637]

Considering some services on the Manchester - Scotland route used to be run with doubled up 350s. And due to the length a pair of units can't go to the airport as they will be too long for the platforms & trackwork (other than maybe platform 4)

That has been a subject of some debate on the dedicated 397 intro thread actually if you want to scroll through that one. It is an interesting one, as there hadn't actually been any booked 8-car workings even when the 350s were still in traffic since one hit a horse in late-18 and was never repaired until Midlands Trains took it on.

 

[Clansman]

Had my first ride on a 397 the other day from Manchester Piccadilly to Edinburgh.

The only thing I'll say is that at least the aircon on the 390s' doesn't feel the need to give you a tour from Alice Springs to Anchorage in the space of 10 minutes!

 

[Jamesrob637]

After this dreadful show at Manchester Airport today (two Edinburgh and one Glasgow cancelled short or cancelled completely!) I'd say 390 right now!

Realtime Trains | Departures from Manchester Airport all day on 09/01/2021

Train information at Manchester Airport all day on 09/01/2021. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[RailWonderer]

The 390’s seats are comfortable (I’m 5ft 9/10 and unless you’re over 6ft it’s the best of both worlds, comfort and legroom, although the seats are narrower than anything Grammar. But if the tables are flipped up they feel better and you can spread out diagonally if the train is quiet. When you are 4 in a bay though, (pre COVID) it did become a bit much.

After this dreadful show at Manchester Airport today (two Edinburgh and one Glasgow cancelled short or cancelled completely!) I'd say 390 right now!

Realtime Trains | Departures from Manchester Airport all day on 09/01/2021

Train information at Manchester Airport all day on 09/01/2021. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Unrelated to this thread but why does TPE run services in the middle of the night? It’s not thameslink.

 

[Scotrail314209]

The 390’s seats are comfortable (I’m 5ft 9/10 and unless you’re over 6ft it’s the best of both worlds, comfort and legroom, although the seats are narrower than anything Grammar. But if the tables are flipped up they feel better and you can spread out diagonally if the train is quiet. When you are 4 in a bay though, (pre COVID) it did become a bit much.


Unrelated to this thread but why does TPE run services in the middle of the night? It’s not thameslink.

Probably to keep the East Coast and Leeds connected to the Airport. Presumably it's main purpose was for those catching early flights from the Airport. The Glasgow - London coach also calls at Manchester Airport at around 3am.

 

[DB]

The 390’s seats are comfortable (I’m 5ft 9/10 and unless you’re over 6ft it’s the best of both worlds, comfort and legroom, although the seats are narrower than anything Grammar. But if the tables are flipped up they feel better and you can spread out diagonally if the train is quiet. When you are 4 in a bay though, (pre COVID) it did become a bit much.


Unrelated to this thread but why does TPE run services in the middle of the night? It’s not thameslink.

In normal circumstances, they are actually fairly well used on the Manchester-Leeds-York section. Extending to the airport isn't much further and caters for night-time flights.

 

[route101]

390s are quite cosy at night as lighting is not as bright. Though apart from uncomfortable seats, I've quite enjoyed the 397s of late. One irk of the 390s is the airline seating often faces the airline seating on the other side meaning you face other passengers.

 

[_toommm_]

The 390’s seats are comfortable (I’m 5ft 9/10 and unless you’re over 6ft it’s the best of both worlds, comfort and legroom, although the seats are narrower than anything Grammar. But if the tables are flipped up they feel better and you can spread out diagonally if the train is quiet. When you are 4 in a bay though, (pre COVID) it did become a bit much.


Unrelated to this thread but why does TPE run services in the middle of the night? It’s not thameslink.

It's from when flights were available 24 hours a day from Manchester Airport. I suspect that they only ran as far as York as this allowed lots of diversionary routes incase of engineering works.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's from when flights were available 24 hours a day from Manchester Airport. I suspect that they only ran as far as York as this allowed lots of diversionary routes incase of engineering works.

There also used to be an 0100 and 0300 ish Manchester Airport to Blackpool North. They carried a lot of staff.

 

[Ianno87]

There also used to be an 0100 and 0300 ish Manchester Airport to Blackpool North. They carried a lot of staff.

And definitely an 03-something Barrow to Manchester Airport for a while. Got it to catch an early flight in 2003.

 

[D365]

I haven't gone on a 397 yet, but based on some reviews, the Pendolino is an obvious choice.

Neither have I, but CAF would had to have done a diabolical job to make the 397 worse than the 390. Even a CrossCountry Voyager is far superior to a 390.

 

[Purple Orange]

I’ve not yet travelled on a 397, but I have been on a 390 more times than I care to remember. I don’t mind the 390s, but the only thing I don’t like is the small windows. Assuming covid eases and lockdown is removed, I’m due to go to Glasgow in the summer, so I’ll be booking a train from Manchester airport to find out what they are like.

 

[Philip]

And definitely an 03-something Barrow to Manchester Airport for a while. Got it to catch an early flight in 2003.

Would this have been a 175 working?