Stock with tapered sides

[j0hn0]

Morning all

Question: Why do electrostars have tapered/sloping sides?

Basically, if they don't tilt, why decrease capacity inside?

The electros on the MML have 3+2 seating and I have to say that is the most cramped I have ever been in a train.

I understand why on the pendos and super voyagers, but why electros and meridians? There must be some more I have forgotten about, but I often wonder why new trains all seem to be inherently smaller than the units they replace. HST - meridian, 319 - electro.

When commuting, all I want is for my seat to nearly fit me, and still have lots of room for others like the 319s.

 

[Wyvern]

Travelled in a Stanier Tourist Open yesterday.

They just dont make them like that any more.

 

[asylumxl]

I think you'll find the driving carriages have 2+2 seating. If you wait at the relevant stop sign (e.g. 8 or 4 car stop), then you will be in with a chance of such luxury. A good way to differentiate between 319s and 377s is that 377s will be shown as "First class Front, Middle and Rear" on the PIS screens at stations.

Chances of seeing me in said carriages are high .

 

[MCR247]

377s don't have first class in the middle?

 

[Daimler]

377s don't have first class in the middle?

They do almost invariably run as 8-Car sets, though, so when an announcement is made identifying first class as being 'front, middle, and rear' it means that first class will be found at the front and rear of each set - and so in the centre of the train, as well as at the ends.

 

[Anon Mouse]

First class on Electrostars is crap. Exactly the same seating and no wall door or anything seperating it from standard. Compared with MK1 EMU's 1st class in electrostarland is a waste of money. I do like electrostars to be fair, but I think the first class on those units are appaling

 

[swt_passenger]

The Electrostar/Turbostar body shape is little more than styling AIUI. It certainly isn't anything like the angle of a Pendolino or even a Voyager. If you see them together end on an Electrostar isn't much different to a 158 in shape.

IIRC on certain units the inward leaning design is to do with staying in gauge if the suspension collapses - whether this also applies to 'stars' I just don't know though.

I don't think it affects overall capacity to any measureable extent as the widest part of the interior is still just about at shoulder height for seated passengers.

Even when you do get straighter sides, like on 350/450 with 3+2 seating, there can still be massive complaints anyway - but more from Portsmouth than Crewe, Birmingham or Northampton, for some odd reason.

Meridians OTOH are basically a Voyager follow on design, and have a very similar bodyshell.

 

[asylumxl]

Even when you do get straighter sides, like on 350/450 with 3+2 seating, there can still be massive complaints anyway - but more from Portsmouth than Crewe, Birmingham or Northampton, for some odd reason.

 

[Christopher125]

I dont know if its the *reason* for sloping sides on electrostars, but by doing so they can have exterior camera's for DOO.

 

[asylumxl]

Some of the tunnels towards Brighton have quite tight clearance. Perhaps this is also another reason.

 

[chuffchuff]

So they stay inside the loading guage when they're flopping about
on their airbags

 

[LE Greys]

Look carefully at the cross section of a 317, a MkI, a Western or even a Bulleid Pacific's tender, and you will see a decided curve in the sides. That's caused by a slight ammount of body-lean that you get with bogie stock when you go round bends (effectively passive tilt) so they need to pinch in a bit at cantrail level. Presumably, AdTranz exaggerated that a little bit in the _____star body design, and a combination of the liveries they wear and the slightly raked-back ends just happen to show it off well.

 

[Fincra5]

First class on Electrostars is crap. Exactly the same seating and no wall door or anything seperating it from standard. Compared with MK1 EMU's 1st class in electrostarland is a waste of money. I do like electrostars to be fair, but I think the first class on those units are appaling

You do if its on a /4, /2, /5 unit. /3 and /5s don't. But then again there still isn't a huge amount of difference.

 

[Ivo]

First class on Electrostars is crap. Exactly the same seating and no wall door or anything seperating it from standard. Compared with MK1 EMU's 1st class in electrostarland is a waste of money. I do like electrostars to be fair, but I think the first class on those units are appaling

You should try an NXEA 321!

 

[j0hn0]

Thanks all, mk3 s are flat sided, 319s are flat sided and these give me more room than any slopey new train.
Not sure i am satisfied that the reasons you suggest are true, surely all old stock have these restrictions?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks all, mk3 s are flat sided, 319s are flat sided and these give me more room than any slopey new train.
Not sure i am satisfied that the reasons you suggest are true, surely all old stock have these restrictions?

 

[jopsuk]

as LE Grays says, mark 3s (and mrk 3 derived units) aren't actually vertically sided. I reckon this is actually more obvious inside than out.

 

[WestCountry]

You should try an NXEA 321!

Do the seat cushions fall off in 1st class too then?:roll: