Class 390 Pendoliono refurbishment (speculation) wishlist

[Scotrail314209]

Converting it to a "cafe bar". Not sure if this will make it a bit smaller for more seats though.

If they need more seats the Train Managers office would need to be moved elsewhere. However I'm not sure where they could send it to.

 

[NoMorePacers]

If they need more seats the Train Managers office would need to be moved elsewhere. However I'm not sure where they could send it to.

The back cab.

I'm personally hoping that 3+2 seating will be fitted (like the concept art showed).

 

[Bletchleyite]

The back cab.

I'm personally hoping that 3+2 seating will be fitted (like the concept art showed).

Are you a midget?

3+2 seating is not going to be fitted. It wasn't concept art, it was a faked-up spoof based on a photograph of a (rather wider) Chinese train.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Are you a midget?

3+2 seating is not going to be fitted. It wasn't concept art, it was a faked-up spoof based on a photograph of a (rather wider) Chinese train.

Yes I am. Only 6 foot 2. Quite short if you ask me.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes I am. Only 6 foot 2. Quite short if you ask me.

Skinny, then. Pendolino 3+2 seating would be very narrow, possibly 12" or narrower. Standard 3+2 is about 16" which isn't wide enough for most blokes' shoulders.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Skinny, then. Pendolino 3+2 seating would be very narrow, possibly 12" or narrower. Standard 3+2 is about 16" which isn't wide enough for most blokes' shoulders.

Hmm. I weight about 95-odd kilos, and I find most 3+2 seating perfectly accomodating. I'd want to see 3+2 Pendolino seating just for how hilariously cramped it would be (call it masochism if you will).

 

[class387]

I believe they have confirmed no changes to seat layout because moving the reservation displays is too costly. I would still urge them to create more 1st single seats by turning some seats round, though, as this could be achieved without the need to do that.

The newer ICEs have seats with the reservation display built into them. Could seats with this function (or alternatively returning to manual reservation cards) allow the seat layout to be improved?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd imagine they could, or the "stick on" battery powered system from the Mk4s could be fitted, which have the occupation detectors under discussion?

There won't be a return to manual cards.

 

[coradiafan2000]

3+2 seating is not going to be fitted.

Thank god. I thought I misread that. It seems so bizarre they'd fit that seating to such a long distance train.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thank god. I thought I misread that. It seems so bizarre they'd fit that seating to such a long distance train.

It is bizarre, so they won't. The Chinese Pendolino which was pictured (took a while to find it, but find it I did) is a foot and a bit wider than a UK train, so the 3+2 seats are about the same width as our 2+2. (I've been on a 3+2 seated Chinese high speed train myself and can confirm this to be the case personally).

 

[Whistler40145]

Provision of display screens at both ends of each carriage for useful information e.g. seat reservations and calling points and essential information

 

[Bletchleyite]

Provision of display screens at both ends of each carriage for useful information e.g. seat reservations and calling points and essential information

I would be surprised if that didn't feature.

 

[Whistler40145]

I would be surprised if that didn't feature.

I’m just thinking that the information above the seating isn’t particularly reliable and not easy to read if a passenger has sight problems.

 

[route101]

Do Avanti actually plan on keep on keeping the shop or are they gonna get rid of it? I'm hoping that they stay as I'm not a fan of trolleys but I would understand if they wanted to get rid of them to increase seating capacity.

Other than that, I'm just praying they don't do much to change the seats. If they're replacing them then I'm 99% sure they'll be less comfortable.

I'd also like them to somehow make them feel less claustrophobic, I enjoy the occasional short journey on them, but on longer journeys I've done on them in the past from Euston to Manchester and Edinburgh to Birmingham, I get a little uncomfortable- even in first class.

Find it strange that trolleys area rarity on VT and AV

 

[route101]

First class seat layout , why so many bays of 2 , more solo seats in first.

 

[coradiafan2000]

My main issue with 390s is how small the windows are. I think it's why I feel so claustrophobic in them, but it's far too late to change them now.

It's a shame, I really like them otherwise. My gut feeling is telling me this refurbishment will only be a downgrade--if they're gonna follow the trend of fitting seats harder than rocks. Although I'm hoping I'll be proven wrong.