Seating Layout, SWT Waterloo to Exeter

[SussexMan]

Can anyone tell me what the standard class seating layout is on the SWT trains from Waterloo down to Exeter? 2+2 or 2+3, any tables? I assume no power sockets.

I've looked on their website and can't find anything so if it is on there, it would be good to know where I should have been looking.

 

[starrymarkb]

Comfortable 2+2 with mix of airline and tables. Legroom is a little tight (as are all 158/159s in factory configuration). Power in First Class only..

 

[BestWestern]

Also worth pointing out that first class on SWT's 158/159s is very comfortable indeed, and very possibly well worth the extra dosh! Massive reclining armchair style seats and a very pleasant ambiance, also power socket as mentioned above. Much, much better than first on a Desiro if you've seen those.

 

[GodAtum]

I had a great but short experience in first when there where no direct trains to Clapham from Guildford. Long story short I changed at Woking and got on one of these.

Does anyone know why the very front door is closed?

 

[broadgage]

I had a great but short experience in first when there where no direct trains to Clapham from Guildford. Long story short I changed at Woking and got on one of these.

Does anyone know why the very front door is closed?

AFAIK it gives access to the door to the cab and this area must be kept clear in case the driver needs ready entrance and exit, without being impeded by luggage and baby cariages.

 

[Oliver]

It's quite a long trip from Waterloo to Exeter, but the 159's are fairly comfortable in standard and first, the conductors do their job properly, there's usually a refreshment trolley, and the other passengers are generally a civilised bunch.

 

[starrymarkb]

I had a great but short experience in first when there where no direct trains to Clapham from Guildford. Long story short I changed at Woking and got on one of these.

Does anyone know why the very front door is closed?

It was something NSE specified on both 159s and 442s from new. The door is for exclusive use of the driver to avoid passengers falling out - remember that these units spend a lot of time over 3rd rail (far more then other sprinters) and for most of that it's 4 track (with the 159s using the central tracks)

 

[BestWestern]

It was something NSE specified on both 159s and 442s from new. The door is for exclusive use of the driver to avoid passengers falling out - remember that these units spend a lot of time over 3rd rail (far more then other sprinters) and for most of that it's 4 track (with the 159s using the central tracks)

Just to elaborate, it's in order to ensure that the vestibule is empty if and when the Driver needs to open the doors to leave the unit, for example to use the signal telephone. It's a bit of an odd one to be perfectly honest, on any other similar unit the Driver would simply check the vestibule first, but I suppose NSE were being extra cautious. The Guard can open the doors using a carriage key, and the door control panel within the vestibule will function in the normal way.

FGW use a hired-in SWT 158, and when it's on a busy service (it used to run to Brighton, for example) the locked out doors are a considerable nuisance, causing big problems with the flow of pax trying to board and alight all at one end of the front coach. Many Guards would just open the vestibule doors up and lock them out, in which case I believe pax can then open the external doors from the inside (the buttons operate internally I understand in case anybody should be trapped in the vestibule).

 

[GodAtum]

Cant the driver use his own cab door?

 

[sprinterguy]

Cant the driver use his own cab door?

158s and 159s don't have a separate cab door. They were built before it became a requirement.

 

[wintonian]

Cant the driver use his own cab door?

158s and 159s don't have a separate cab door. They were built before it became a requirement.

Can he not use the window?

As has been said they are the most comfortable 159's anywhere on the network, and SWT really do keep the interiors looking nice, though the cleaning underneath/ behind things etc. where you don't normally look can sometimes be a bit lacking.

 

[GodAtum]

158s and 159s don't have a separate cab door. They were built before it became a requirement.

Ah Ok i just assumed all train cabs have doors! I've never seen one without but then I'm young lol.

 

[CC 72100]

Can he not use the window?

As has been said they are the most comfortable 159's anywhere on the network, and SWT really do keep the interiors looking nice, though the cleaning underneath/ behind things etc. where you don't normally look can sometimes be a bit lacking.

Well it doesn't take much

In all seriousness, you're right. SWT do a top job in terms of keeping up the interior on the 159s, and they have the most well-kept examples of 158 + 159s out there. Plus, there is a good ratio of tables to airline seats and good alignment in standard. Easily my favourite DMU

 

[Kali]

Much prefer this route to FGW services these days, despite the extra hour+. Admittedly a lot of that would be eaten up by driving to Taunton...

Other than the legspace, good stock. I'll fight quite hard to keep them.

 

[Goatboy]

The SWT 159's are nice - the seats in standard are very comfortable, IMHO.

 

[The Colonel]

Also worth pointing out that first class on SWT's 158/159s is very comfortable indeed, and very possibly well worth the extra dosh! Massive reclining armchair style seats and a very pleasant ambiance, also power socket as mentioned above. Much, much better than first on a Desiro if you've seen those.

Well worth the trip in first and doesn't have to be that expensive - there are sone quite good day return fares and don't forget Weekend 1st is only a £5 supplement each way. The 159's are the best 1st class on SWT.

 

[Charlie2555]

I've done thousands of miles on this route and I find they easily have the most comfortable seats of any modern train. The back of the seats have a sort of cut-out which gives a couple more inches of legroom and the seats are properly padded, not very thin like other South West Train's Trains. Also SWT look after them well and they are normally very clean and tidy. Pity about no power sockets but, hey, you can't have everything!

 

[starrymarkb]

The 159's are the best 1st class on SWT.

Same seats as FGW and EC First in 159/0s - /1s use a different seat.

 

[wintonian]

Same seats as FGW and EC First in 159/0s - /1s use a different seat.

Like thus:

 

[GearJammer]

SWT's also have traveling on board cleaners that go up and down the train while its in service, theres some based at Salisbury, no doubt that also helps to keep them in good condition.

 

[wintonian]

SWT's also have traveling on board cleaners that go up and down the train while its in service, theres some based at Salisbury, no doubt that also helps to keep them in good condition.

So do Southern but I wouldn't call their 377's in good condition.

 

[387star]

Also worth pointing out that first class on SWT's 158/159s is very comfortable indeed, and very possibly well worth the extra dosh! Massive reclining armchair style seats and a very pleasant ambiance, also power socket as mentioned above. Much, much better than first on a Desiro if you've seen those.

haha got to love how its 10x better than a XC voyager!! First class between Southampton and Romsey anyone

 

[Helvellyn]

The Class 159/1 First Class seats were recovered from the former Anglia Railways 170/2s when 'one' reconfigured them and greatly reduced the First Class provision on those units. Was a cheap way for Porterbrook to reuse the seats.