first great western first class lighting ?

[mralexn]

I seen the other day on my train home from paddington to plymouth that in first class the lights seemed to be a more "warm white" shade right the way throughout first class and then it went back to the Bright White normal light in standard, does anyone know why? ive heard of this happening a lot in first class. could it be just a shortage of bulbs or a trial to put them throughout the entire HST fleet? as i generally hate the current lighting, would be brilliant to know if anyone has more details about this

 

[NightatLaira]

I'm not a fan of the lighting in standard either... it's too harsh. I remember catching the 0505? Penzance to Paddington last September (and of course it's dark at that time of the year, that far south) - for the first hour I had to keep my eyes shut. Not because I was tired, but because it was too bright to see.

 

[TheMysticEgg]

I too really dislike the harsh white light of FGW Mk3s at night; there is no cosiness about the interior, with shades of blue and the white light - reminds me of being in a hospital or dentist's! The white lights were installed at refurbishment, I can only guess it's due to the shade of light given off by eco-friendly/longer lasting light strips. Before Mk3 refurb the bulbs throughout the train were a warm yellow that were a pleasure to sit under, especially at night! First class has the warmer lights currently simply to create a more pleasant environment, although it's not a lot better. This is the only trait of the Mk3s I dislike over a Voyager - the interior lights and colour!

 

[mralexn]

I too really dislike the harsh white light of FGW Mk3s at night; there is no cosiness about the interior, with shades of blue and the white light - reminds me of being in a hospital or dentist's! The white lights were installed at refurbishment, I can only guess it's due to the shade of light given off by eco-friendly/longer lasting light strips. Before Mk3 refurb the bulbs throughout the train were a warm yellow that were a pleasure to sit under, especially at night! First class has the warmer lights currently simply to create a more pleasant environment, although it's not a lot better. This is the only trait of the Mk3s I dislike over a Voyager - the interior lights and colour!

i must agree, the voyagers / meridians do have really nice warm cosy lighting, even east coast HST's have very nice lighting, its just way too bright, i always have them on "dim" anyway, and ive literally seen people wearing sunglasses because it was too bright, and this was at night time! i remember reading somewhere too that it reminds them on being at a police station ^^

 

[NightatLaira]

Voyagers have indirect lighting, (lights pointing upwards and reflecting off curved surfaces) - it's what psychologists recommend. It's about the only thing good about them!

 

[jon0844]

The lights will be the same wattage, but FGW obviously requested cool white instead of warm white when they did the refresh work.

Wagn did the same with its first 317/1 refresh around 2003, and it did actually make the trains look a lot nicer (IMO) than before as the walls/panels no longer had the look of a pub stained with tobacco smoke! However, now, as the bulbs have blown and been replaced the train is mostly warm white - with the 'legacy' ones there until they go.

I guess FGW have decided to change for whatever reason. I think it's down to personal taste, but I usually prefer cooler - but not so white/blue that you think, as said above, you are in a hospital!

 

[Anonywave]

...FGW obviously requested cool white instead of warm white when they did the refresh work.

I wonder why, I am surprised that FGW would think that those lights would give a comfortable feeling at all. It's way too glairy. In fact I dislike the interior layout of the FGW HST's in general.

 

[anthony263]

I must admit i prefer the interior of the crosscountry hst's they make you feel warm and homely unlike the FGW's which just seem cold