Most Comfortable Seats

[Kris]

It has often been said that 442's are/were the most comfortable trains for passengers. Which I think is rubbish.

159's are far more comfortable and I've just discovered the Trans Pennine 158's also had the same level of comfort. SWT won't use the one's still in T.P. livery up to Waterloo - they're relegated to the Totton - Romsey shuttles. And if you get on a FGW T.P. 158 - the 1st class is de-regulated so that anybody can use it.

Now that everything is heading towards rock hard German style seating (but then again even the 170's are 'orrible) does anybody know of a more comfortable passenger train than the 159/TP 158's.

(Anybody remember the T.C.'s and H.AP.S. with about a 10" depth of cushion - real luxury and great for kipping on)

 

[Max]

HST seats are nice and comfy I find, and the oldest 150s still have those lovely padded BR seats

 

[Muppet]

Mk3 for me, i bloddy hate 180 seats got bad back when traveling on them to london

 

[ntanswell]

I find the Voyager ones to be good as the seat pitch is good for me, however the same seats in the Pendolino's are too hard. SWT 159s are also very comfy but a little short of leg room. I am not a fan of the 180 seats as they are too hard on the lower back and the vidrations seem to shoot up your spine for some reason, unlike any other DMU I have travelled on. The EX-Central 158s are appalling as the padding seems to have gone through however I travelled on a proper CT 158 the other day and it was far comfier, and featured adverts about reporting vandalism on the tops of the fold down tables.

 

[Gizmogle]

I agree with Max, the really old BR 150s are pretty comfy!
But it's gotta be Meridians for me

 

[richa2002]

Mk1 compartment seats for me.

 

[960012]

I read in Emoation once that the 442s were voted the most comfortable train,

Mine top three

Mk3s (HSTS and hauled stock)
442s
Mk1s!!! (Slammer or Hauled Stock)

 

[devon_metro]

Mk1 compartments are luxurious, TPE declassified FC is rather nice too, Then followed my mk3s, along with 442 seats.

 

[Mojo]

The only train (that's still in use) I'd say is uncomfortable is HST (IC70) seats, in Standard class only.

I travelled on a TPE 158 on First GW the other week, the seats were some of the nicest I've ever been in, although the train smelled a bit...

 

[87015]

Mk1 compartment seats for me.

Gently steam heated with lights on 'dim' !

304's were hellfire inside aswell.

 

[Coxster]

Mk1
HST
442

 

[66526]

Not saying this from an enthusiasts point of view but form a passengers point of view (otherwise it'd just favour older traction etc). IMO for the whole feeling FGW HST sets are superb. I also liked the SWT as they were cheerful and felt roomy. Voyagers have grown on me and tbh the seats are actually quite comfortable.

 

[AlexS]

Luckily for the passengers, FGW's last HST set refurb was done before they took over - Great Western Trains masterminded it! About to all be ripped and binned of course, enjoy it while you can.

I like Central's 170 seats, I don't know what it is, but they make me want to fall asleep!

 

[37372]

For me, it has to be either declassified First class seats in the ex MML 170s (enjoyed a lovely ride to Hereford and back in there 8)) or Meridians.

 

[Max]

I travelled on a TPE 158 on First GW the other week, the seats were some of the nicest I've ever been in, although the train smelled a bit...

Yes, TPE 158 seats were amazingly comfy! I think its because they were very well padded - Northern are starting to refurb their 158s with lots of padding too and they are nice and comfy

 

[RJ]

The tatty looking purple 317s in use with One have good seats. And the "jacuzzi" part of the 319/2s are good as well.

 

[ChrisCooper]

The Eurostars have the best seats IMHO. They are very like the IC70s, but with movable arm rests. First Class in particular is great. I even managed a comfortable journey from Paris to London in a backwards facing airline seat, something I'd normally avoid like the plague. Honerable mentions to the Mk1 style seats (springy, making even long journies on fairly poor riding stuff like 101s and Thumpers pleasent), oviously the IC70s, and for newer stuff, the Meridiens arn't bad, especially 1st class, and some 170 seats are decent enough.

 

[Kris]

I can't believe what I'm reading! Voyager seats are horrendous and apart from travelling pass (to work another train), I refuse to use them. I drive to places like Leeds rather than use my free travel on these things.

Apparently they smell of (*hit) poo too; but I wouldn't know -having no sense of smell.

HST seats - always found them too low and I'm average height. Also didn't like the immovable armrests. That's another bugbear on a lot of rolling stock - hard plastic armrests.

 

[devon_metro]

Apparently they smell of (*hit) poo too; but I wouldn't know -having no sense of smell.

Generally they do.

 

[Respite]

I can't believe what I'm reading! Voyager seats are horrendous and apart from travelling pass (to work another train), I refuse to use them. I drive to places like Leeds rather than use my free travel on these things.

Totally agree there,If I do travel on a voyager I usually stand up (not that theres much choice at times).

My vote would be Mk1's & mk2's (A-F's).
Also special mention for comfortable but dangerous seating was on the old 304's we had around the west mids.Lovely to sit on but when you went over fittings or a rough spot you tended to get thrown up in the air!!

As for current stock,well although I hate driving them ,175's I find have nice comfotable seats.I've certainly nodded off a few times whilst travelling back pass.

 

[westcoaster]

i like the 321 first class seats, think there the same a std on a 442, very nicce as for new stock the driving seat in a 350 they are so comftable and they move in about 10 different dirrections so you are always comftable

 

[Guinness]

Mk1 are my favourite seats IMO. Then Mk2, sadly both no longer on the network.

Modern? All the seats feel the same to me TBH, particularly on new build stock. Meridian, Voyager, HST, Turbostar it's all the same....

Voyagers and Pendolinos smell because it's down to bad design. Because our wonderful HSE now refuses to allow toilets to be dumped onto the track, toilet tanks are required. Major disadvantages are that they're heavy and they sometimes overfill, onto the track like they were designed to or into the toilet thus flooding the train. The reason the smell gets in through to the main carriage is because of the Air Inlets for the Air Conditioning is right next to the toilet tank vent. Stinks on a hot day when the Air Conditioning is overworked.

Virgin are adding Scented Smell to the Air Conditioning Inlets and altering the design. Altering the design would take a lot of time I presume because the sheer amount of underfloor equipment on units.

 

[adambro]

Yes, Virgin are doing a lot of work to try and solve the problem. To be honest, I cannot believe that they still allow trains to empty sewerage onto the track.

Regarding seats, I tend to find 158's a bit lacking in leg room but I am over 6'2", the new 185s seem pretty good. Not as soft as the 158's, apparently due to fire regulations but not convinced really.

I really don't like the seats on 142s or Mk3 where the seat backs are really low so you end up sat there wondering where to look to avoid people thinking your staring at them.

I usually sit facing backwards, which I would think to be safer in an accident that is going to involve a rapid stop.

Not sure why anyone would stand up or travel by car when its a voyager (Can I have your free pass Kris? :razz: ). I can't think of anything standing out about the seats so mustn't be too bad imho.

 

[Kris]

Ah. That's probably because at 6'2" - the seat base doesn't dig into the back of your legs and cause Deep Vein Thrombosis. At 5'9" they do.

Ironically on the Disastros -we - the drivers, now have the most comfortable seat on the train. More padding than the passenger seats, fully reclining, adjustable armrests, tilt, slide, makes tea, tells jokes.

(I lied about the jokes - they're not funny).

Wann im Deutschland. Man sagt " Wo ist der holder thingy fur den Cuppa"

"Was ist das"

"Ist thingy fur dem drivers zum put cuppa tea in!"

"Oh!"

So they've put an awful plasticky fold down cup holder on the door (which folds back when they are joined together). 170's have the best cup holder built in to the second man's side. Holds 2 cups and has a drainage channel above the bin. Vorsprung Durch Derby Technik!

 

[voyagerdude220]

I've just come across this thread, and is ironic, because I'm having an argument at
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=116848#post116848

about Voyagers, against HSTs, about the catering, and all WSXFan can back HSTs up with, is the seating, and better buffet facilities.

I personally really like Voyagers, hence my name, (And they're my favourite train, along with Pendos) , but I haven't yet sampled Pendo SC. (Just FC hehe)

When i've gone to the shop on 390's, i've allways wondered what the seats are like in Pendos, seeing they look very similar.

My annoyance with FC on Voyagers, is the position of the table support, on indivdual seats.

 

[Max]

Standard class in Voyagers may as well be renamed cattle class, the seats are so close together and really hard! Even 158 seats are more comfy! First class on a Voyager is ok though, nice big reclining seat with a proper table on your own

Class 222 seating is far superior to Voyager seating though, much bigger and more comfy seats!

 

[Craig]

I've found the seats on 185s to be quite comfortable, although the longest journey I've done one on is only Newcastle - York.

The seats on refurbished mk4s and 222s are quite good too.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Standard class in Voyagers may as well be renamed cattle class,
First class on a Voyager is ok though, nice big reclining seat with a proper table on your own

Standard class on all trains, has been renamed cattle class.

I've just got used to reclining seats on VT on both Voyagers and Pendolinos- I forgot SC doesn't have them..

 

[Nick W]

Don't be silly, cattle have laws to protect how they are transported....

Standard class in Voyagers could be renamed bog-standard class though.

 

[nutter]

one of these http://www.meanandgreen.com/army/Web-tex/Webtex_Full_Size_PLCE_Rucksack/720/466.html on a full VT makes a better seat than the actral seats on the 22x's