Class 810 for East Midlands Railway Construction/Introduction Updates

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The concourse is currently occupied by "Miles", in all his creepy glory.

The fact they even have merchandise is an insult to its customers, who have not seen a single refurbished interior since their franchise started in 2019 and have since been subjected to knackered HSTs, 153s, 156s, 158s and 222s with red and blue East Midlands Trains interiors, HSTs with red and black Virgin Trains EC interiors, 170s with CrossCountry maroon, National Express ScotRail faded indigo, Greater Anglia grey with TfW signage, London Midland dark green and Southern lime green interiors, 156s with Anglia Railways dated blue, 180s with tatty First Dynamic lines interiors and 360s with Greater Anglia interiors.

Liverpool to Norwich barely makes a full journey without short forming, terminating it early or swapping the sets, Corby passengers have had the downgrade to mark all downgrades in terms of comfort and facilities, EMR’s Twitter team continue to have some of the rudest people in customer service, dated Sprinters will now remain permanently in the fleet, and there are still no signs of any satisfactory improvement to the customer environment.

And now there are teddies and grand showings off of the seats that might just be introduced on Intercity services in two years if they aren’t further delayed, in order to promote EMR as if its a strong brand, or a brand actually carried by their trains.

When these 810s finally I very much hope they are worth the hype.

 

[LowLevel]

The fact they even have merchandise is an insult to its customers, who have not seen a single refurbished interior since their franchise started in 2019 and have since been subjected to knackered HSTs, 153s, 156s, 158s and 222s with red and blue East Midlands Trains interiors, HSTs with red and black Virgin Trains EC interiors, 170s with CrossCountry maroon, National Express ScotRail faded indigo, Greater Anglia grey with TfW signage, London Midland dark green and Southern lime green interiors, 156s with Anglia Railways dated blue, 180s with tatty First Dynamic lines interiors and 360s with Greater Anglia interiors.

Liverpool to Norwich barely makes a full journey without short forming, terminating it early or swapping the sets, Corby passengers have had the downgrade to mark all downgrades in terms of comfort and facilities, EMR’s Twitter team continue to have some of the rudest people in customer service, dated Sprinters will now remain permanently in the fleet, and there are still no signs of any satisfactory improvement to the customer environment.

And now there are teddies and grand showings off of the seats that might just be introduced on Intercity services in two years if they aren’t further delayed, in order to promote EMR as if its a strong brand, or a brand actually carried by their trains.

When these 810s finally I very much hope they are worth the hype.

Well, Anglia was the pits and came good, so you've got to hope for something!

The 170s are tired but after years of squeezing people into toilets and luggage racks on solo 153s they're a big upgrade. Just sitting there talking without those 60s Cummins lumps banging away underneath is a different environment. The Crewe line routinely now fills 2 car 170s when it previously half filled 153s - the improved connections are popular.

My gut feeling is the 810s will be a decent train but we will see.

As for Miles, well, I'd love to hate it but the kiddies wanting photos with the statues and clutching the toys speaks for itself. It's a bit like the Virgin Kidz thing of the late 90s - it is actually popular.

People in the East Midlands want to use the train - that seems pretty clear. Hopefully the service they deserve materialises.

 

[43066]

As for Miles, well, I'd love to hate it but the kiddies wanting photos with the statues and clutching the toys speaks for itself. It's a bit like the Virgin Kidz thing of the late 90s - it is actually popular.

The tongue sticking out is the main issue with it - makes it look decidedly creepy/lecherous!

Perhaps that’s just me!?

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder that this thread is to discuss Class 810 Construction/Introduction Updates.

If anyone wishes to discuss anything else, please create a new thread (if there isn't one already). Feel free to post a link to your new thread here if it is relevant.

Thanks

 

[Techniquest]

only got 18-24mths to wait then

Given how fast the time is going at the moment, it'll be here before we know it! I've got plenty of 196s and 197s to go after, so I'll be a busy bee when I get back on the rails and that's just in my local area. I might just be ready for the 810s by the time they're built!

 

[DDB]

I can confirm that a set has been installed in Nottingham and I have sat on one. I suspect people here won't like them as they are pretty stiff. I personally want to wait and experience them on a train as I think things like leg room will be important to the experience.

 

[Corn]

The new seats have already arrived in Derby so I gave them a quick test on my way over the footbridge. I felt like they were well shaped for me, but the base was fairly solid which was a disappointment. A 222 seat that hasn't yet collapsed feels more comfortable initially.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The new seats have already arrived in Derby so I gave them a quick test on my way over the footbridge. I felt like they were well shaped for me, but the base was fairly solid which was a disappointment. A 222 seat that hasn't yet collapsed feels more comfortable initially.

For anyone who has sat in a FISA LEAN before (e.g. on a 745, 755 or 196), are they actually different, or just a different colour/fabric?

 

[superalbs]

For anyone who has sat in a FISA LEAN before (e.g. on a 745, 755 or 196), are they actually different, or just a different colour/fabric?

Cushion is a very different shape. I believe the First Class one also reclines?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Cushion is a very different shape. I believe the First Class one also reclines?

The First Class one will definitely be different - in the FLIRTs it's the same seat as Standard with a double armrest (but I think with recline).

Anyone have any photos of the Standard one?

 

[superalbs]

The First Class one will definitely be different - in the FLIRTs it's the same seat as Standard with a double armrest (but I think with recline).

Anyone have any photos of the Standard one?

This photo appears to show the standard one, but the police are in the way.

https://twitter.com/BTPNotts/status/1592175794713165826/photo/1

 

[Bletchleyite]

This photo appears to show the standard one, but the police are in the way.

https://twitter.com/BTPNotts/status/1592175794713165826/photo/1

They look like pretty much standard LEANs to me, but I'd have to see without them sat there.

 

[Halish Railway]

I like the look of the padded and fairly chunky armrest. I can’t tolerate the rock solid armrests on Fainsa seats.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==

Here's another view of the seats:



Taken from post by Stephen McGurk on Linkedln.

https://uk.linkedin.com/posts/steph...ic_post&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=copy

 

[800001]

I like the look of the padded and fairly chunky armrest. I can’t tolerate the rock solid armrests on Fainsa seats.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==

Here's another view of the seats:

View attachment 123862

Taken from post by Stephen McGurk on Linkedln.

https://uk.linkedin.com/posts/steph...ic_post&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=copy

Notice plug wise it’s one plug and one usb, rather than 2 plugs etc

 

[Winthorpe]

Are the seats presented as a fait accompli? Or is it a consultation which might be fed into the final design of the seat?

Notice plug wise it’s one plug and one usb, rather than 2 plugs etc

In other words, could comments/feedback like above lead to adding more plugs?

 

[Techniquest]

I like the look of the padded and fairly chunky armrest. I can’t tolerate the rock solid armrests on Fainsa seats.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==

Here's another view of the seats:

View attachment 123862

Taken from post by Stephen McGurk on Linkedln.

https://uk.linkedin.com/posts/steph...ic_post&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=copy

That doesn't look too bad, certainly comfortable enough for London to Sheffield I'd imagine. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, but bring them on!

 

[WizCastro197]

I can confirm that a set has been installed in Nottingham and I have sat on one. I suspect people here won't like them as they are pretty stiff. I personally want to wait and experience them on a train as I think things like leg room will be important to the experience.

So much for most comfortable seat ever!

Hopefully in the near future after they finish is Derby and Nottingham,They will move the seats to Leicester and other major stations (Kettering Maybe) and fingers crossed when I am there next.

But they do look decent I do like the colours used as well.

 

[superalbs]

That doesn't look too bad, certainly comfortable enough for London to Sheffield I'd imagine. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, but bring them on!

Or, the proof is in the padding!

 

[QSK19]

In other words, could comments/feedback like above lead to adding more plugs?

I hope to get down to Derby this week to sample the seats. And that is the exact piece of feedback I’ll probably give - it seems a bit like corner-cutting to provide just one plug and one USB between 2 people. As in, the seat has cost them £999, so what’s extra quid in the grand scheme of things?

I can see an extra plug and USB slot being retrofitted in 10-15 years’ time when the trains are due a midlife refurbishment - which would invariably cost more overall compared to installing them now!

 

[43096]

The proof is in the pudding, as they say, but bring them on!

Or the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as is more correctly said.

 

[fgwrich]

Notice plug wise it’s one plug and one usb, rather than 2 plugs etc

That seems fine to me - both my iPhone charging cables are USB connected, so it would be nice to leave the chunky plug behind and just take the cables instead. It's a bit of a pain when SWR has finally installed standard 3 Pin Plug Sockets, while stagecoach's new fleet round here has USB sockets. Just to be even more different, ScotRail's 158s, with wall mounted sockets, seem to vary from unit to unit USB only, Plug socket Only - no both!

 

[Winthorpe]

Or, the proof is in the padding!

Indeed

I hope to get down to Derby this week to sample the seats. And that is the exact piece of feedback I’ll probably give - it seems a bit like corner-cutting to provide just one plug and one USB between 2 people. As in, the seat has cost them £999, so what’s extra quid in the grand scheme of things?

I can see an extra plug and USB slot being retrofitted in 10-15 years’ time when the trains are due a midlife refurbishment - which would invariably cost more overall compared to installing them now!

Yes exactly.

 

[800001]

That seems fine to me - both my iPhone charging cables are USB connected, so it would be nice to leave the chunky plug behind and just take the cables instead. It's a bit of a pain when SWR has finally installed standard 3 Pin Plug Sockets, while stagecoach's new fleet round here has USB sockets. Just to be even more different, ScotRail's 158s, with wall mounted sockets, seem to vary from unit to unit USB only, Plug socket Only - no both!

But if 2 separate customers both with the same charging equipment then only one can charge. (I know would be rare for 2 people to need to charge at same time).

On 80x vehicles I use my own portable charger, as the charging issues cause my phone to do it’s own thing and render it it unuseable.

 

[Winthorpe]

But if 2 separate customers both with the same charging equipment then only one can charge. (I know would be rare for 2 people to need to charge at same time).

On 80x vehicles I use my own portable charger, as the charging issues cause my phone to do it’s own thing and render it it unuseable.

Fair enough. And I kind of understand there’s probably an extensive regulatory process to approve the seat design. So not as simple as ‘put in two extra plug sockets’.

Just always puzzled at the Public Relations process. Why not do something cheaper to demonstrate the new trains than show passengers a seat which can’t be changed even if they don’t like it?

(Not a criticism of any of the posts here, just the PR process.)

 

[bluelagoon8951]

Or, the proof is in the padding!

awww you got there before me

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==

That seems fine to me - both my iPhone charging cables are USB connected, so it would be nice to leave the chunky plug behind and just take the cables instead. It's a bit of a pain when SWR has finally installed standard 3 Pin Plug Sockets, while stagecoach's new fleet round here has USB sockets. Just to be even more different, ScotRail's 158s, with wall mounted sockets, seem to vary from unit to unit USB only, Plug socket Only - no both!

i think it may end up being a bit of an issue as most phone chargers that ship now (and therefore most that people will be using in 5 years) are either usb-c to lightning or usb-c to usb-c.

 

[superalbs]

awww you got there before me

I'd never miss such an opportunity!

 

[MattRat]

I like the look of the padded and fairly chunky armrest. I can’t tolerate the rock solid armrests on Fainsa seats.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2022 ==

Here's another view of the seats:

View attachment 123862

Taken from post by Stephen McGurk on Linkedln.

https://uk.linkedin.com/posts/steph...ic_post&utm_medium=g_dt_web&utm_campaign=copy

They look a bit too.... regional...for my taste. Like something you'd find on a 185. Better than the competition at least, but it really does feel like the days of amazing seats is behind us.

 

[Techniquest]

Or, the proof is in the padding!

Nice! That made me smile!

Or the proof of the pudding is in the eating, as is more correctly said.

That will teach me to not rush a post! Thank you for the correction!

 

[Mikey C]

They look a bit too.... regional...for my taste. Like something you'd find on a 185. Better than the competition at least, but it really does feel like the days of amazing seats is behind us.

Was there EVER a period of amazing seats in standard class?

Personally, they look ok, but it feels a bit pointless to have this type of exercise when presumably they've ordered the seats anyway.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That doesn't look too bad, certainly comfortable enough for London to Sheffield I'd imagine. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, but bring them on!

They are indeed not quite standard LEANs, changed a bit. They look decent. Though for all I would have gone for dark grey headrests, show the muck up less.