Favourite seats on trains?

[61653 HTAFC]

Thanks to a bout of insomnia, I was musing over how whenever I catch a train, I've noticed that there are certain seats that people tend to flock to ahead of any others. Some of these are fairly obvious (table seats, priority seats with extra legroom etc.), but some less so, such as the single longitudinally-aligned seats on former NorthernSpirit 142s. Of course, this is more a question for off-peak travel rather than crush-loaded 455s at Wimbledon, but do any other users have particular seats they try to get, and why?

For me, if a 144 shows up I always try to get the priority seats (providing there isn't someone in need of them of course) at the rear of the DMS car (in the space where the toilet would be) in order to get the view through the adjacent door. Likewise the equivalent space in 142s (albeit airline), and I always head for the centre car of a 3-car NT 158 thanks to the extra padding in the seats from the (again NorthernSpirit) TPE days.

 

[hassaanhc]

One general rule I have is to avoid sitting in a backwards facing seat.
On the tube I prefer seats next to a draught screen as it gives somewhere to rest my head.
Class 455 is either the second-last row of the coach on the right or first row just after the doors, on the left. These give the best views from the windows. And always in the motor coach wherever possible.
Class 450 travel for me is usually where First Class is declassified so I make a beeline for those seats

 

[user15681]

Given that I spend two hours on 375s every day, one there and one back, where I sit is quite well thought out.

That said, if it's a 375/9 you lose all hope of any comfortable seat, so I'll sit anywhere. If it's a 375/3 most seating is tables, so again I won't bother too much about where I sit, although the rule below applies.

My general rule for the rest of the 375s, which turn up most of the time, is that I'll sit in one of the very corners of each car or the corners either side of the doors. This is so that I can lean my head on the vertical supports between each window, as they only really line up with seats at this point. On the 375s I find the windows are too far away from your head, so if you lean your head on them it will hurt your neck. The supports are much closer, so you don't have to crane your neck to lean on them and makes it much more comfortable to sleep. They're also normally airline seats, so I don't have to fight with the feet of the person opposite.

I also try to avoid sitting under the pantograph well because I personally don't like the lighting under there.

Irrespective of unit though, I know not to sit on the right hand side facing back (looking south east) if the time is around 8-10am because I will be blinded by the sun for the whole hour.

 

[transmanche]

On East Coast any of the forward-facing single seats, if I'm in first class; or one of the forward-facing airline seats closest to the carriage end, if I'm in standard.

On the tube, any of the seats next to a draught screen (for the same reason as hassaanhc).

Otherwise, I generally go for any forward-facing airline seat with a window view.

 

[Minilad]

On Chiltern Loco hauled I always try to get the single seat at the end of some of the coaches. On a 170 or 168 its the single sideways facing seats
But the seat I usually sit in on a Voyager or XC 170 is the one at the front

 

[stut]

The little solo standard class seat on East Coast HSTs is lovely. Right at the end of the train, in the quiet carriage - a little island to yourself.

 

[Hyphen]

The traction I seem to use most is GW HSTs and XC 170s. And for me, where I board the train on the platform is more important than the actual seating (I tend to avoid the crowded ends), so I make an allowance for the train being in reverse formation.

On the GW HSTs I prefer to go for the priority seats with extra legroom, but when I do, I always keep an eye out for anyone who might want the seating. I don't actually have an issue with legroom on the normal seats on those trains though, so I'm never too upset if that seating isn't free.

On XC 170s on Nottingham-Cardiff it will depend which way round it is. I always aim for the far end of the service (usually the very far front but there are exceptions). First preference is the sideways facing seats in the small saloon at the front, followed by a table in that area. If that's not available (or First Class is at the front), next preference is the priority seats in front of the luggage rack in the main saloon, followed by a table.

My next most used traction is Voyagers. Where possible I actively avoid them and prefer alternate services (probably 170s around Brum), but where it's unavoidable I'll just sit in a vestibule. I don't even try to find seats any more.

 

[fowler9]

On the East Midlands 158's as they head to Liverpool I try to get the back row on the left of the rearmost carraige.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

The unsociable seat in FGW's Coach A that is a single seat Actually I only used to use that years ago as it was closest to the powercar when you could hear the Valenta.

On First Class with EMT, I also sit closest to the powercar.

As for other trains, I sit depending what is is/where I am. For example if passing a depot where I might need numbers, I sit on the side the depot/yard is on. If going on a 319 I beeline for any seat in the MSO.

Years ago, I used to find any seat that was 'out the way' so I could read my rail mag, as I used to be embarrassed to sit by anyone who'd see me with one, now I couldn't give two monkeys.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Pendolinos, table seat with lifting table section, Voyagers, table seat in coach D, 377 (Southern), table seat in coach 1 or 4, 185, airline in coach C. All facing in direction of travel

 

[Tetchytyke]

On East Coast, for first class its K27/29/31/33 depending on direction of travel and for standard its any of the airline seats at the end of the carriage (usually 73 heading southbound).

On the 313s I sit under the pan as the seats line up with the windows properly there.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Hmmm. It seems I'm very much in the minority in that I prefer to be sat facing backwards, as a general rule. I mentioned my 'Northern' preferences in the OP, but if I'm on TPE I try to aim for services that are 170s. Whether it's a 170 or a 185 though, if it's a quiet service (i.e. if it's after 10pm!) I'll try to get into the section of standard class behind the cab, as particularly on 170s many people assume it's first class. At busy times on TPE it's a bit like Hyphen's Voyager conundrum- just getting ON the thing is hard enough!

 

[fgwrich]

Right in the middle of each car on our 150001/002, You can get a nice row to yourself sometimes (when it's lightly loaded) and right above the Cummins engine. Nice, thrashy and rather warm over the winter months, it's a rather good spot.

 

[aylesbury]

The single seat 02 in coach H on penderlino 1st class lots of room and still reasonable view .

 

[fowler9]

Oh, I meant to add I love sitting in the disabled area on the 185's between first class and the cab. Normally at the Yorkshire end of the 185's when leaving Lime Street.

 

[Hyphen]

At busy times on TPE it's a bit like Hyphen's Voyager conundrum- just getting ON the thing is hard enough!

Didn't think about TPE.

I do have cause to use 185s semi-regularly between Sheffield and Grimsby when travelling with work. My favourite seat on those is A15 - the single seat with no table in First Class. The East Coast site loves giving me seat A09 but if A15 isn't reserved (or taken) I'll generally sit there instead.

It's very rare I travel in Standard on those services - primarily because it's so easy to get advance First singles between those stations.

 

[sutty]

On my first train of the day (390) at the front of coach F, as when it stops at New Street I'm next to the stairs. Those 60 seconds walking along a crowded platform come in handy if I want to get breakfast on the way to Moor St. On my train to Tyseley, anywhere. On the way home, at the very front of my Tyseley to Moor St train so that I'm next to the ticket barriers. Again , those few seconds count as I can hustle up to New Street and make the (usually delayed) service to Glasgow Central, getting me back to Wolverhampton 8 minutes earlier, which means an earlier bus home.

So, my first train on the journey to and from work, must be those spots.

The trains after, I'll sit on the floor if I have to. I love the look of shock on people's faces seeing a guy in a suit, laptop on his lap scripting in PowerShell.

 

[Strathclyder]

For 320s I usually try and get the bay of three seats beside the lavatory, preferbly facing the direction of travel. For 318s, 334s & 156s, it doesn't really matter, just as long as I get a window seat & also facing the direction of travel.

 

[craig87034]

generally for me on a loco hauled set is towards the front of the front coach for thrash. When 91 bashing on advances I'll be in B73. On emu's power car but on 321's 'the legroom seats' under the pan or the bay of 4 in the middle

 

[317666]

On a 317 one of the two airline pairs under the pantograph with about a metre of legroom is the obvious choice, both for comfort and noise!

On a 455/7 I tend to sit in the ex-508 car, as the seat/window alignment is better and it also seems to ride a lot better than the 'real' 455 cars.

On the tube I always aim for the seat right at the end next to the cab wall, preferably at the less crowded end of the train. Unless I'm on the Bakerloo line, in which case it's one of the bays of 4 in the motor coaches!

Last of all, on Eurostar, the London end of Coach 1 or the Brussels end of Coach 18 are the best places to sit for getting off the train at the front, and for the motor noise.

 

[306024]

For 320s I usually try and get the bay of three beside the lavatory, preferbly facing the direction of travel. For 318s, 334s & 156s, it doesn't really matter, just as long as I get a window seat & also facing the direction of travel.

Assuming you haven't got a dodgy bladder, why do people like sitting by the toilet? On a 360 those seats seem to be popular too. Last place I'd chose.

On most trains any seat in the middle rather than over the bogie, facing in daylight, backwards in darkness is my preference. Generally avoid the motor coach on EMUs for a more comfortable ride, although 315s and 360s ride similar in any coach.

 

[hassaanhc]

To add to my earier post:

450 Standard Class: Don't really mind on shorter distances. For longer distances (London-Portsmouth) I've prefer the same coach as First Class but the 1/3 of the coach that includes the "goldfish bowl", simply because of there being less seats than the other units and the partition for First Class divides the coach so it is more likely to be quieter (the other 1/3 includes the bike space and toilets which I'd rather not sit near).

On the AC EMUs I've traveled on recently (319/321/357) I've come to dislike sitting in the coach with the pantograph/transformer because of the loud buzzing and bang when the circuit breaker operates over a neutral section (Not sure what 360 with HC are like as I haven't traveled on them properly for ages)

 

[Kite159]

I dislike sitting in a seat going backwards, and prefer sitting on the right hand side of the train (to see what's coming in the other direction).

Normally when going up to London the 159s I try to sit in the same carriage which half is given up for 1st class, normally cutting though 1st class to get to the seats

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I favour forward facing window airline seats, usually on the right hand side. I do try, where it is possible, to sit at the back end of a carriage in order to get the most lively ride - if it is one with seats outboard of the bogie mount, so much the better for the ride experience!

 

[sprinterguy]

I favour forward facing window airline seats, usually on the right hand side.

This pretty much sums up my preferences as well.

I would appear to be a creature of habit: While I was commuting between Birmingham and London each day, on the return journey, more out of habit than by design, you could typically expect to find me in the same forward facing airline seat in Coach B (Or sometimes shifted two coaches back to Coach D on the 11-car sets) on the 17:23 out of Euston (Except on Fridays when a few after work drinks and a trip on the Pretendolino were a must!). I don’t know which seat that would be, but it was an airline seat on the right hand side just in front of one of the mid-carriage dividers.

It made it very easy for a friend, who often joined me between Coventry and Birmingham, to find me on a busy peak time train!

 

[eastwestdivide]

All this and no-one's yet mentioned the Man in Seat 61 - is seat 61 really the best in the Eurostars? Further up, someone mentioned the coaches at the far ends of them - I find them a bit rougher than the others, because of the motor bogie under one end.
Generally, it's mostly about the views for me, preferring: table, facing direction of travel, window seat, preferably the right hand side so I can see the trains coming the other way (at least in the UK).
Table seats I find tend to have better views across to the other side of the train, as your sightlines aren't so restricted by the next seat back, plus there's more room on the table than on the little shelf.
Worst for me: the one on the Midland 222 Meridians that's got about an inch sliver of visible window, and acres of plastic (the seat backs in front of you are joined together). It's like travelling inside a plastic lunchbox, except the food's not as good.

 

[Strathclyder]

Assuming you haven't got a dodgy bladder, why do people like sitting by the toilet? On a 360 those seats seem to be popular too. Last place I'd chose.

I don't really know myself. For me anyway, they just seem more comfortable than any of the other seats on the train.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I favour forward facing window airline seats, usually on the right hand side.

My preference too, ideally in the rear-most seats for the widest view.
On Voyagers the Priority seats with more leg room unfortunately are on the left.
I sometimes deliberately sit backwards on the right hand side (far end ideally) in order to "read" the trackside signs (speed signs etc) going the other way.
That way you stand a better chance of reading them at a track's distance.
If you are on the nearside on the left you have no chance with the signs in your direction as they go flashing past right next to the train.

On multiple track lines, I try and sit where you can see over the "slow" lines, to see what's moving.
Oh and get on furthest from the crowds/buffers (coach A on Pendolinos, for instance).
The "x Car Stop" signs are your friend (unless it's a 153)!

 

[317666]

All this and no-one's yet mentioned the Man in Seat 61 - is seat 61 really the best in the Eurostars? Further up, someone mentioned the coaches at the far ends of them - I find them a bit rougher than the others, because of the motor bogie under one end.

The Man in Seat 61 means seat 61 in first class - in standard class it's an airline seat that doesn't line up with the window properly! In first class it's one of two facing seats which line up with a window and don't have an emergency window bar, so probably is the best.

As for the Eurostar motor bogies, the noise from them is the exact reason I choose the end cars! Although you're right, I have noticed the ride in them to be slightly rougher than the other coaches.

 

[SGS]

Are there any "power seats" in Mark IV sets? I know there are priority seats in, I think, coach D, but in an average coach, are there any airline seats with more legroom than others?