EMT MkIII refurbishment

[richa2002]

I perfectly accept that people have different opinions... Just saying that to make out it's only enthusiasts who aren't happy with the refurbs is not true.
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But it's pretty well known that having a seat is much important to your average commuter who works an 8 hour day and a long journey to or from work than an Enthusiast?

A Paddington to Penzance/Plymouth train should be better than just a commuter train.

 

[devon_metro]

A Paddington - Penzance/Newquay often has more passengers on board than your average commuter service. Clearly you don't travel down west much.

 

[87015]

A Paddington - Penzance/Newquay often has more passengers on board than your average commuter service. Clearly you don't travel down west much.

Yes it may well do, but doesn't mean it should be laid out like a commuter train (not that I think it is, although I'm not a fan.) My biggest gripe is that the tall seats make it difficult to 'scan' the coach and see what seats are vacant, which leads to increased station dwell time and passengers standing when seats are actually available. Don't have nearly as much of the issue with mallard seats and don't think either are particularly comfortable.

 

[richa2002]

Basically, for the distance that's being travelled, they should be of typical express train quality instead of what is at the moment. If there are too many people, run more services instead of making the trains more cramped. Of course there's varying opinion on this but it would seem more dislike the new seats than the old ones.

Anyway, I've had enough of this. It's fortunate I have no reason to travel in the south-west. A class 319 is nicer than standard class on an FGW HST .

 

[F Great Eastern]

I perfectly accept that people have different opinions... Just saying that to make out it's only enthusiasts who aren't happy with the refurbs is not true.

A Paddington to Penzance/Plymouth train should be better than just a commuter train.

The fact is if they had used the design that a lot of people seem to be asking for with lots more tables, people would either not physically be able to get on certain trains, or they would be standing for a very long way.

If you have ever done Penzance to Paddington on both the old and the new stock, you will see there are improvements with the new stock.

YES there are some people moaning about not enough tables, but there are an even bigger number who are now able to be seated which with the old style MK3's they would not be able to.

At the end of the day it's better to have a so called uncomfy seat than none at all.

 

[devon_metro]

A class 319 is nicer than standard class on an FGW HST .

Whilst that is a silly thing to say, FGW had no choice regarding installing additional seats, as the number of mk3s available for use is low, and 2+9 sets are difficult to diagram etc etc.

Just for interest:
1006/1206/1506/1606/1803/1903 are often full and standing leaving Paddington on weekdays until at least Exeter.

1206/1803/1903 likely until Plymouth particularly on Fridays.

 

[richa2002]

That's odd, my mum got the 12:06 off Paddington on a weekday recently and said it was pretty quiet.

 

[devon_metro]

"are often" falling on death ears. The staff i've spoken to don't lie anyhow. Those trains are very busy on frequent occasions.

 

[poshbakerloo]

Since when do EMT run from Lincoln -Stockport? :?

Lincoln to Liverpool via Stockport...

 

[richa2002]

"are often" falling on death ears. The staff i've spoken to don't lie anyhow. Those trains are very busy on frequent occasions.

Strange how a train can go from pretty quiet to full and standing just by chance. Would understand if it was Friday evenings specifically. As explained before though, buy new trains if there isn't enough capacity instead of cocking up the current ones.

As said before though, it doesn't really matter seeing as I don't have to put up with them. A class 319 is seriously more comfortable than an FGW Standard Class Mk3 in my opinion.

I am very happy for all those people who can now get seats though, I'm sure it's lovely.

 

[asylumxl]

I find Mallard seats uncomfortable, and IC70 comfortable only for a short journey. Most modern seats provide proper back lumber so I know that I won't be getting a bad back after my journey. It just so happens that on EMT you are used to not having your back correctly supported, so when you sit in a seat other than IC70 it is bound to be uncomfortable.

Agree 100%! I find the FGW seats very comfortable for 4 hour journeys . I'm 6' 3" and find them to have great lumbar support. I'd probably kill myself if I had to sit in an IC70 seat for that long.

 

[richa2002]

I guess it's all to do with personal preference.

 

[Jordy]

Lincoln to Liverpool via Stockport...

There isn't such a train, you're probably thinking of Norwich - Liverpool (via Stockport)

 

[F Great Eastern]

Whilst that is a silly thing to say, FGW had no choice regarding installing additional seats, as the number of mk3s available for use is low, and 2+9 sets are difficult to diagram etc etc.

Just for interest:
1006/1206/1506/1606/1803/1903 are often full and standing leaving Paddington on weekdays until at least Exeter.

1206/1803/1903 likely until Plymouth particularly on Fridays.

Thank god some feedback from someone who actually uses the service. Imagine how many more people would be standing if they had the same number of tables that people seem to want on?

 

[MCR247]

I find the new FGW seats quite comfortable,but I wonder what will happen when a different TOC gets the GW Franchise, with those 'F's on the back of each seat!

 

[222001]

I'd probably kill myself if I had to sit in an IC70 seat for that long.

Same for me. They are just too hard and rough and don't fit my back at all. They should put Meridian seats in, I can get really comfy in these if I sit in them properly.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

I find the new FGW seats quite comfortable,but I wonder what will happen when a different TOC gets the GW Franchise, with those 'F's on the back of each seat!

I thought that too. Gen is just need to put a flathead in them and they 'pop' out

 

[Jordy]

Seat gen?

I prefer IC70 seats - but its just a personal preference! Don't find FGW or Mallard seating to be particularly uncomfortable though

 

[asylumxl]

Same for me. They are just too hard and rough and don't fit my back at all. They should put Meridian seats in, I can get really comfy in these if I sit in them properly.

Agreed.

Enthusiasts are deluded. The whole reason EMT are keeping them is purely financial.

 

[richa2002]

Agreed.

Enthusiasts are deluded. The whole reason EMT are keeping them is purely financial.

Once again, it's not just an enthusiasts point of view. It's called personal opinion so obviously it's going to vary. Liam, you and others think the seats are fine and you are all enthusiasts!

Yes it's for purely financial reasons but I'm personally not complaining about that.

 

[thefab444]

Rarely am I to agree with Liam, but I am going to declare my utmost support for his argument in this thread.

I'm not a die-hard fan of the FGW HST refurbs by any means, but I can understand the benefits they've brought to the service and are generally pretty good. I can't stand the orange/brown windows though! In my, and many others' opinions, 319s are some of the worst trains on the network; it's like eating in an extremely traditional oriental restaurant - you're sat on the ****ing floor. The window towers above you - why have such large windows when you're way too low to actually see out of it. Hell, I'd sooner travel on a 377 than a 319, and that's saying something as I'm not all that keen on Electrostars!

Are you planning on recording the noises made by IC70 seats, Mr Armstrong, and turning it into a highly priced Powerhouse Add-on for RailWorks?

 

[Max]

I don't see the issue here. East Midlands Trains don't need any huge capacity increases, so why put in paper thin airline seats? The IC70 seats are a bit tired yes, but I also tend to find them very comfy, so surely it's sensible to spruce up what's already there - don't fix what isn't broken! Meanwhile, the spec. of the franchise only allows for a 'refresh' as opposed to a full refurbishment, so EMT simply wouldn't have the cash to do a full Mallard style refit.

And Celia Drummond, please keep your patronising comments to yourself. As Richard Armstrong has said, it's just his personal opinion, and everyone is entitled to that.

 

[richa2002]

Are you planning on recording the noises made by IC70 seats, Mr Armstrong, and turning it into a highly priced Powerhouse Add-on for RailWorks?

And you expect me to rise to that?

 

[dylan_w]

I don't see the issue here. East Midlands Trains don't need any huge capacity increases, so why put in paper thin airline seats? The IC70 seats are a bit tired yes, but I also tend to find them very comfy, so surely it's sensible to spruce up what's already there - don't fix what isn't broken!

I agree with you but I know a lot of people that don't. I think the central armrest may be their biggest flaw to be honest. I know some people who claim they can't reach the window seat around a table as they can't get past the arm rest.

 

[will1337]

Surely it'd be a lot easier just to modify the existing seats and and reupholster. They'd have to do work to the floor to change the seats because they won't fit in the same place if there's more and they are different seats.

 

[thefab444]

I agree with dylan_w's identification of the fixed armrests are being of their [IC70] major faults; they are indeed annoying. The seats themselves aren't actually too bad, but as I mentioned previously, I appreciate the need for them to be replaced in some cases.

And you expect me to rise to that?

That was entirely optional; RailWorks is a farce anyway. You could say that I was raising the point that whilst we have some very small details being incorporated in it; such as noises made by seats, the core simulator is floored and broken. But that's a debate for another thread I'm sure.

And Celia Drummond, please keep your patronising comments to yourself.

Where would the fun be in that? Besides, I'm not entirely certain how they are patronising.

 

[Max]

Where would the fun be in that? Besides, I'm not entirely certain how they are patronising.

patronising - Offensively condescending

Sounds about right to me.

 

[222001]

I agree with you but I know a lot of people that don't. I think the central armrest may be their biggest flaw to be honest. I know some people who claim they can't reach the window seat around a table as they can't get past the arm rest.

Yes if the armrest moved they would a lot better. It can be hard work getting over that armrest!

 

[thefab444]

I profusely apologise if my posts came across as patronising.

My points about 319s being like an Oriental restaurant still stand, but I accept Mr Armstrong may have alternative views on them.

 

[Ilove165's]

Yes if the armrest moved they would a lot better. It can be hard work getting over that armrest!

Indeed! I keep hitting my knees against the edge of the table everytime...