FGW HST lighting

[Greenback]

Yes,a compromise for people like me who find that sort of light uncomfortable, and those who lie to see a modern, bright, shiny interior!

 

[TheWalrus]

That happens to me lots on the 2035 from Paddington.

Isn't that the Plymouth? Where do u go on it?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I wonder how this bright lighting affects those partly sighted / blind people who have to wear dark glasses because of a light sensitivity condition; in that respect are these zillion watt interiors DDA compliant...?!

 

[ainsworth74]

I wonder how this bright lighting affects those partly sighted / blind people who have to wear dark glasses because of a light sensitivity condition; in that respect are these zillion watt interiors DDA compliant...?!

Or to flip that good point on its head, what about before where dimmer lighting made it harder for people without full sight to see the interior of the train?

 

[Greenback]

Fair comment!

But that's why need a better compromise, so that as few people as possible are adversley affected by the extremes!

 

[ainsworth74]

But that's why need a better compromise, so that as few people as possible are adversley affected by the extremes!

Indeed, I've never been on a FGW HST before or after any lighting changes, but it certainly sounds to me as if there is a better median point to be had with regards to light intensity.

 

[Flamingo]

I can't see what the problem is. They are lights, they light the inside of the trains. Now if they were strobe lights, or flashing disco lights then there would be cause for complaint...

 

[devon_metro]

Fair comment!

But that's why need a better compromise, so that as few people as possible are adversley affected by the extremes!

Such as dim lighting?

A compromise was found in the fact that all lighting should be on dim when in service.

 

[387star]

FGW HSTs have enough legroom, the lights are fine and I do not find them claustraphobic in fact I relish the extra privacy! Okay I have travelled only once on a refurbished coach from Slough to Reading but all seemed fine to me and the livery is far superior to the local lines livery the latter employs a variation on blue and lilac? which looks dreadful... the HST is simply indigo blue and smarter as a result

 

[WESSEX158]

Isn't that the Plymouth? Where do u go on it?

I get off at Westbury.

In fact I was on it last night. It was delayed by half an hour at PAD but then another hour somewhere near Eddington because one of the doors opened while we were moving!

They evacuated the coach and terminated the train at WSB.

When I got home I looked on the FGW website (as apparently another train was being sent to pick up the other passengers) and found they planned to send the 2145 Exeter train back to WSB after Bristol instead of Weston SM.

 

[Greenback]

FGW HSTs have enough legroom, the lights are fine and I do not find them claustraphobic in fact I relish the extra privacy! Okay I have travelled only once on a refurbished coach from Slough to Reading but all seemed fine to me and the livery is far superior to the local lines livery the latter employs a variation on blue and lilac? which looks dreadful... the HST is simply indigo blue and smarter as a result

Perhaps you might have a different view if you used the refurbished trains a bit more! And the livery is a bit irrelevant!

 

[BRX]

Travelled home late from Exeter the other night and had forgotten how unfriendly the lighting is on these trains.

They call it 'improved' lighting, but the nasty spotlights make the carriage feel like an office.

The cosy 'yellow' lighting of the old carriages was much more relaxing.

Does anyone else find it nasty, or am I just a sole grump on the issue?

I agree completely; in fact I think I started a thread on the very same a year or two ago.

However I think they have reduced the level a bit since then - most FGW HSTs I've been on lately have every second light switched off. It's still too bright though, and an unpleasant cold colour too.

 

[Greenback]

I hope they have switched off some of the lights, but I haven't been on one for so long that I couldn't say for definite!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I wonder if they'd get the message if we all turned up en masse on the HSTs in and out of Paddington wearing sunglasses which we put on, groaning, the moment we board and take off, sighing with relief, the moment we disembark?

 

[43021HST]

Lets settle this, the average passenger doesnt give a toss how the carriage is lighted as long as they can get home. In a lot of cases I agree

 

[Woody]

Lets settle this, the average passenger doesnt give a toss how the carriage is lighted as long as they can get home. In a lot of cases I agree

Not surprisingly First Great Western " bright lights" took a lot of flack initially from passengers and they have finally got the message regards the grossely over-bright lights as its now standard practice to have the lights set to dim with only half the lights on and thats more than enough.I travel regularly with FGW and only rarily now find the lights set to bright.It now feel less like an interragation room and more like a train though a change to a softer white light would still be desirable.

 

[Flamingo]

A "softer" interior bulb was used after complaints about the original bulbs. As regards theories that it is official policy to set the switches to dim - well nobody has told the guards it is, and we are the ones prepping the trains before each journey. Now that the long nights are coming in (and it's been brought to my attention) I musty make sure the lights are set on "full" as I'm walking through the train!

 

[TEW]

I heard that depot staff had been instructed to switch lights to dim when trains were prepped in the morning.

 

[Greenback]

Lets settle this, the average passenger doesnt give a toss how the carriage is lighted as long as they can get home. In a lot of cases I agree

I think that although it would seem to be quite a low priority compared to fares, punctuality and reliability, on board comfort is still a concern to many passengers.

Not surprisingly First Great Western " bright lights" took a lot of flack initially from passengers and they have finally got the message regards the grossely over-bright lights as its now standard practice to have the lights set to dim with only half the lights on and thats more than enough.I travel regularly with FGW and only rarily now find the lights set to bright.It now feel less like an interragation room and more like a train though a change to a softer white light would still be desirable.

I may now be tempted to try a night HST again. I'll see if I find it any better than a couple of years ago!

 

[Flamingo]

I heard that depot staff had been instructed to switch lights to dim when trains were prepped in the morning.

Not saying you're wrong, but that's news to me. I must ask around, I'll get back if I get an answer (and remember)

 

[Woody]

Here is a link to the First great Western "coffee shop" forum regards the light setting on FGW HSTs http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=3584.msg74759#new.
As you will see Dim is the normal setting.

 

[bnm]

As you will see Dim is the normal setting.

Is that the lights or the Train Managers?

 

[Temple Meads]

They're meant to run on dim anyway.

Black Horse, i recognise your sig government quote from a BMW forum is that you or is it a coincidence?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I dont mind the lights the old style was better, as were the seats, but i'd rather sit on a slightly uncomfortable seat than stand!