NXEC 'Brown' sets

[Techniquest]

Hi all,

I'm just curious, but does anyone know if there are any NXEC 'brown sets' left in service?

I'm hoping so and that one shows up on Saturday's meet as I'd love to enjoy the luxury of IC70 seats again.

Anyone got the coaching stock gen?

 

[91101]

Definately one still in service cos it went past my house last night. I think its EC57 and EC60 which were still un refurbed, but one of them might now be at Wabtec.

 

[Bayum]

Whats a brown set??

 

[generalvegitable]

I don;y know but I think its to do with the colour of the seats

 

[andylloyd]

Whats a brown set??

It's one of the 'old school' non refurb'd sets.
You cant miss them due to the colour of the interiors

Regards
Andy

 

[gordonthemoron]

they are hideous

 

[jamesontheroad]

they are hideous

I quite agree. Caught one very very early last winter from Doncaster en route to Newcastle. No matter how much more comfortable the seats may be, it was like sitting inside an Austin Princess. Truly vomit-inducing, which is a good thing since a splash of colour would lift that interior ...

 

[gordonthemoron]

very good analogy

 

[Aictos]

they are hideous

I disagree, I spent a trip from Peterborough to Inverness and Aberdeen to Peterborough on them and found them to be more comfortable then the Mallard HSTs which would have been painful.

Okay, it was First Class but the fact remains the same that I prefer to travel on them as the seats are far more comfortable and soft then the refurbs although FGW could teach GNER and NXEC a thing or two about refurbs seeing as their First Class areas on the HSTs really do look like a First Class area and very comfortable and not just a upgraded Standard Class area with window blinds and reclining seats that aren't too comfortable.

Still, I've travelled on Grand Central, GNER, NXEC and FGW and while FGW takes the crown for the First Class area, Grand Central easily beats it's bigger rival for the Standard Class area with well comfortable seating.

 

[devon_metro]

NXEC have the same seats as FGW, the only difference being the covering being leather on FGW. I must admit however, the leather seats are fantastic!

 

[Daimler]

they are hideous

They are rather ghastly, aren't they?

Myself, I prefer both the ambience and the comfort of the newly refurbished ones (at least in first class) - the IC70 first class I always felt was just too, too low down. It was like sitting on the floor!

 

[andylloyd]

they are hideous

Your spot on there however they are more comfy than the mallard refurbs.
Fair enough they are brown in colour and there is a kinda stench about them but whatever you do, dont hit the seat cushions You will dust out the whole coach LOL

 

[lev441]

anyone got any pictures of the interior? Would love to see old vs new...

 

[Daimler]

anyone got any pictures of the interior? Would love to see old vs new...

Having looked around a bit...

'Brown' HST

First Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p47714634.html

Standard Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p42930969.html

'Mallard' HST

First Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p47974541.html *This is actually a Mk4 'Mallard' first class, but the interior is broadly identical, bar the tapering sides and 'zig-zag' in the aisle!

Standard Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p43732458.html

 

[Jordy]

There was one on the Skipton - Kings Cross yesterday morning.

 

[me123]

I liked them; very, very comfortable and it was a bit like stepping back in time when I caught one up to Aberdeen.

But they are truly hideous aesthetically.

 

[lev441]

Having looked around a bit...

'Brown' HST

First Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p47714634.html

Standard Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p42930969.html

'Mallard' HST

First Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p47974541.html *This is actually a Mk4 'Mallard' first class, but the interior is broadly identical, bar the tapering sides and 'zig-zag' in the aisle!

Standard Class http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p43732458.html

Thanks! Must say, I don't think the 'brown' sets look so bad... Look quite comfortable actually!

 

[Failed Unit]

I guess the latest refurb will see the HST's until the IEP displaces them. When were they last done, I remember GNER did a refurb nearly as soon as the took over so if they have not had a refresh since that makes them 10 years old. (from the seating and decor point of view). When you look at it like that they are not looking bad really. I guess the ex-MML set has already been done, I think only one brown set is left in service now as others have said the other one is at Doncaster.

I still miss the mk4 1st class areas myself, much better than the mallards IMO

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks gents for confirming that one is still about. Hoping it produces on Saturday now then!

I see that most people think they're ghastly. I can't agree, and I base that upon experience of the FGW refurbishment. When I first got a refurbished set I was loving it and I recall writing in the back of my AEB book (as I was at that time) "Standard Class is actually quite comfortable!", however as time went on and more refurbished sets came out and got travelled on, I was missing the luxury of IC70 seats. By January 2008, to find an unrefurbished coach in the set I was travelling on ensured a beeline straight for it!

Granted, we've had unrefurbished buffet cars running about for ages since then, but with them being First Class I haven't really been able to do them sadly. And now they're off to Kilmarnock for refurbishment I hear. Which is a huge shame! So if one produces on Saturday's FGW moves, I might just take up the opportunity to enjoy it for what might be the last proper seats on FGW.:cry:

Moral of this post is then to make the most of the last unrefurbished sets whilst they're still about!