Train companies "graffiti" their own trains!

[peteb]

We've all seen stock sprayed with graffiti and it seems train companies don't care to remove it in a hurry. Currently on DB some companies are joining in!

The train I just shoehorned myself off at Koblenz had every window at a table for four "graffitied" with adverts or WiFi signs, not the sort they use on buses and can see through but plastic stickers on the outside, covering all decent windows in first class.

Either someone's having a laugh or they seriously underestimate the public's irritation at this. I overheard several muttering about these things spoiling the view of the Rhine which is why many were travelling today.

What do forum members think?

 

[yorkie]

There should never be any form of advertising or any other material covering windows.

(I believe @Mag_seven also has a view on this!)

 

[stuu]

Do you mean the mesh stuff that you can sort of see out or fully blocking the view?

 

[peteb]

Do you mean the mesh stuff that you can sort of see out or fully blocking the view?

No the signage on the DB windows (particularly the huge WiFi symbol) virtually obliterated the view and there was no transparency. Worse it is a vinyl material, when Germany is trying to go plastic free!!!
Someone at DB or whichever train company runs the units needs a boot up their ####.
On a more serious note, obliterating the view into the train would hinder rescue workers in the event of a crash.

 

[Titfield]

Do you mean the mesh stuff that you can sort of see out or fully blocking the view?

Contravision is absolutely diabolical stuff.

Viewing from the inside it doesnt seem too bad when it is brand new (it gives the impression of a heavy tint) but as it gets older the micro perforations get filled up with grease, grime and dirt. It is no good trying to clean it through an automatic washing plant as the brush bristles glide over the top of the perforation and do not "hoik out" the grime. Literally the only way to clean it is by using a tooth pick or cocktail stick to get the grime out.

One other issue is that some people find it difficult to see through. In much the same way a some people can see those hidden puzzles, so they see the inside of the contravision and not the image beyond.

 

[zero]

The Luxembourg tram windows were almost completely covered with some coloured tinted decorations, or at least it felt so, maybe about 50% in reality.

The Caledonian sleeper club car had some of this mesh stuff on the windows where I sat by, meaning I had to lean/sit slightly forward to see outside properly; what made it worse was that the people sitting by the clear windows were more interested in chatting to each other

 

[stuu]

No the signage on the DB windows (particularly the huge WiFi symbol) virtually obliterated the view and there was no transparency. Worse it is a vinyl material, when Germany is trying to go plastic free!!!
Someone at DB or whichever train company runs the units needs a boot up their ####.
On a more serious note, obliterating the view into the train would hinder rescue workers in the event of a crash.

How grim. As others have said, the mesh stuff is horrible enough, but actual complete opaqueness sounds awful

 

[peteb]

To be clear the DB stuff is totally not see through, its as if someone has neatly stencilled graffiti on the exterior of the train.
Bizarre that they treated the best first class windows this way. If I wasn't a second class passenger on an €9 ticket standing wedged into first class I'd complain!!

 

[DanielB]

Looks like DB has found some inspiration at Arriva Netherlands, their Stadler GTW trainsets in Limburg have half of the first class windows covered by a lion (example on this photo). The lion itself is of the see-through type mesh, but the entire window is covered by a plastic foil being very annoying to see through.

Keolis Netherlands made the mistake as well, with a large 1 or 2 on the side of the trains indicating the class partially covering the windows. However, that was such short-lived that I even cannot find any photos of it anymore.

 

[peteb]

Looks like DB has found some inspiration at Arriva Netherlands, their Stadler GTW trainsets in Limburg have half of the first class windows covered by a lion (example on this photo). The lion itself is of the see-through type mesh, but the entire window is covered by a plastic foil being very annoying to see through.

Keolis Netherlands made the mistake as well, with a large 1 or 2 on the side of the trains indicating the class partially covering the windows. However, that was such short-lived that I even cannot find any photos of it anymore.

Again, this is a crazy advertising person's project. I bet they never travel on the train or if they do they'll be glued to their phone so looking out of the window will be low on their agenda. Why make your paying customers experience worse in trying to attract more?

 

[themiller]

Some years ago, I was in Lisbon and went on a train from Rossio station to Sintra. The windows of my carriage were covered in the ‘dot wrap’. Not a pleasant environment.

 

[Neptune]

Looks like DB has found some inspiration at Arriva Netherlands, their Stadler GTW trainsets in Limburg have half of the first class windows covered by a lion (example on this photo). The lion itself is of the see-through type mesh, but the entire window is covered by a plastic foil being very annoying to see through.

Arriva did it to some 158’s shortly they took over the Northern franchise. They had to remove it from the windows after numerous complaints.