Washable Seatcovers

[yorksrob]

When the Networkers came in, I remember seeing on the news that one of their new features was that the seat moquette could be detached and washed. Slade Green depot apparently had a big washing machine installed for this purpose.

Given the current fashion for filthy, stained flat cloth, I was wondering when and why washable seat covers died out - or is it just particular train types that don't have them.

 

[Hairy Bear]

Derby Etches Park had the same setup for the 150's in the late eighties. Lasted for about 5 years.

 

[physics34]

When the Networkers came in, I remember seeing on the news that one of their new features was that the seat moquette could be detached and washed. Slade Green depot apparently had a big washing machine installed for this purpose.

Given the current fashion for filthy, stained flat cloth, I was wondering when and why washable seat covers died out - or is it just particular train types that don't have them.

Ive seen the huge washing machines at selhurst depot, but i guess theyre not used anymore due to these fixed covered seat cushions

 

[37078xotTE]

I would imagine that the practice died out due to the fact that if the seat covers could be removed by the depot (to clean them) then they could also be removed by passengers ................ for whatever reason!!?

 

[Iskra]

I thought it was due to washing them negating the fire-proof properties? Are they sprayed with some substance to improve fire retardation, which would be damaged in the wash?

 

[Scott1]

I thought it was due to washing them negating the fire-proof properties? Are they sprayed with some substance to improve fire retardation, which would be damaged in the wash?

Maybe, but our depots steam clean them when there in for a couple of days on exam, would that not cause an issue? I'll confess I know little about how they make them flame retardent other than some sort of chemical mix.

 

[Runningaround]

I would imagine that the practice died out due to the fact that if the seat covers could be removed by the depot (to clean them) then they could also be removed by passengers ................ for whatever reason!!?

I can't imagine theft of seat covers would be a factor in their decision, who on earth would bother nicking a seat cover that has had thousands of backsides sitting on them that only fit train seats the patterns most are in are hardly eye catching. Unless there is a market for ugly patterned seat covers among the Rail memorabilia fraternity.

 

[DarloRich]

surely it died out because keeping seat covers clean is a conastant and expensive, losing battle - hence the move to wipe down materials

 

[Bletchleyite]

surely it died out because keeping seat covers clean is a conastant and expensive, losing battle - hence the move to wipe down materials

What move to wipe down materials? The bus industry has, as has air, the rail industry hasn't. Indeed isn't there a fire-safety issue with e-leather, allegedly?

 

[JonathanH]

What move to wipe down materials? The bus industry has, as has air, the rail industry hasn't. Indeed isn't there a fire-safety issue with e-leather, allegedly?

I, for one, really hope it doesn't. It just looks so unattractive and dull, particularly comparing something like Arriva moquette to the dull blue 'leather fitted instead.

Has cleaning the seat covers really died out, or is that just perception? I think that what is different from the design of seat used in the Networkers is that the seat parts are more securely put together. The seat coverings can still be removed to be washed.

The Networker cushions weren't locked in place, relying only on being pushed into place. More recently, there is more of a locking mechanism on train seat parts.

There has been a move back from 'leather' seat coverings on some bus operators, with local decisions taken in some places rather than corporate direction.

 

[DarloRich]

What move to wipe down materials

There is a lot more "leather" in use in trains then there ever was

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is a lot more "leather" in use in trains then there ever was

Some as opposed to none? I do to be fair like leather headrests, and that's the bit that gets muckiest, but Avanti have declined to do so in Standard with the new seats and have instead put off-white fabric there which will get very mucky. I think in 1st it's e-leather but it has an antimacassar on it anyway!

The only full-leather I can think of on UK trains is Mk4 and HST 1st and no Standard at all? Whereas e.g. all of NatEx's coach seats are.

I think it can look good, but it does require details like piping and stitching to look good, and it ideally should be of a dark colour like grey or navy blue. The bland flat e-leather used on Arriva buses, say, does look bad, as does the garish orange and blue Stagecoach have used in the past.

As for cleaning seats, don't they use a cleaning machine that is very similar to a wet carpet cleaner like a Vax? You do seem to keep seeing videos come up online - the ones that say "watch this clickbait, it's very satisfying" - showing someone cleaning some filthy bus seats with such a device.

 

[gabrielhj07]

When the Networkers came in, I remember seeing on the news that one of their new features was that the seat moquette could be detached and washed. Slade Green depot apparently had a big washing machine installed for this purpose.

Given the current fashion for filthy, stained flat cloth, I was wondering when and why washable seat covers died out - or is it just particular train types that don't have them.

When were they last used? Can't have been anytime recently.

 

[185]

It's the mass removal & refitting that would be time consuming.... companies make the assumption that there are faster carpet cleaning-type machines fit for this job, however having seen the result I'm not entirely convinced - they just moved the dirt around, and the subsequent wet seating means a train goes out of use for an extra day whilst it is drying.

 

[DarloRich]

As for cleaning seats, don't they use a cleaning machine that is very similar to a wet carpet cleaner like a Vax?

i think this is correct.

Avanti have declined to do so in Standard with the new seats and have instead put off-white fabric there which will get very mucky

yes - that will be grotty in no time!

 

[yorksrob]

Ive seen the huge washing machines at selhurst depot, but i guess theyre not used anymore due to these fixed covered seat cushions

It's the mass removal & refitting that would be time consuming.... companies make the assumption that there are faster carpet cleaning-type machines fit for this job, however having seen the result I'm not entirely convinced - they just moved the dirt around, and the subsequent wet seating means a train goes out of use for an extra day whilst it is drying.

I must admit, I'd assumed they were still used for trains like Networkers with the older seating.

 

[Towers]

I think we only need to look as far as the initial class 800 deliveries, which arrived with seats shod in easily stained light grey cloth which all had to be removed and replaced after a couple of years, to have a rough idea of how 'on top of' this issue the industry is - or indeed isn't!

 

[Bletchleyite]

yes - that will be grotty in no time!

Were I them I'd use antimacassars to avoid the issue. Surprised they don't as it is a FirstGroup thing - FGW/GWR always did on the HSTs.

 

[whoosh]

The Networker cushions weren't locked in place, relying only on being pushed into place. More recently, there is more of a locking mechanism on train seat parts.

That's right, they weren't locked in place. In fact, 465/466 hopper windows had a plastic insert fitted to reduce the amount they opened by, to prevent seats being thrown out by vandals and littering the trackside.

 

[fgwrich]

I think we only need to look as far as the initial class 800 deliveries, which arrived with seats shod in easily stained light grey cloth which all had to be removed and replaced after a couple of years, to have a rough idea of how 'on top of' this issue the industry is - or indeed isn't!

Given SWRs use of the textured flat cloth came after GWRs, I would say we haven’t learnt at all.

 

[Towers]

Given SWRs use of the textured flat cloth came after GWRs, I would say we haven’t learnt at all.

True! Although at least it's dark blue!