What is it about train seat comfort?

[Thirteen]

For a longer journey, comfort is essential but if you're on a metro service, the seats on the EL, Thameslink etc are fine.

 

[Bletchleyite]

For a longer journey, comfort is essential but if you're on a metro service, the seats on the EL, Thameslink etc are fine.

Notwithstanding that people are bigger than they were (taller and fatter) so seating needs to take that into account. The EL gets that right, TL doesn't (and nor do the WMR 730s) - backsides hanging into the aisle because the seat isn't wide enough don't improve accessibility.

 

[John Webb]

For a longer journey, comfort is essential but if you're on a metro service, the seats on the EL, Thameslink etc are fine.

But I would argue that Thameslink in particular (as I know that better) is not a metro service. Bedford to Brighton is some 2 hrs 30 minutes travelling time - that's basically an intercity time and distance to travel on an unpleasantly hard seat....

 

[Bletchleyite]

But I would argue that Thameslink in particular (as I know that better) is not a metro service. Bedford to Brighton is some 2 hrs 30 minutes travelling time - that's basically an intercity time and distance to travel on an unpleasantly hard seat....

There's always the rear first class compartment which provides long distance style Standard class if doing that trip or the opposite, to be fair. Bin off 1st entirely and that'd solve that issue, leaving the more cramped seating for the majority who are making shorter commuting trips.

 

[Flying Snail]

leaving the more cramped seating for the majority who are making shorter commuting trips.

That is not how it works, people taking a short journey do not leave the nice* seats free for long distance passengers.

*nice by the unbelievably low standards of the rest of the awful Thameslink abominations, still horrible seats by any reasonable standard.

 

[class26]

Is there a reason why so many modern train seats have such low amounts of padding?

I seem to remember reading that it was something to do with fire safety but there are several fire-safe materials that decent padding could be manufactured from so surely it can’t just be that?

cost !

 

[Bartsimho]

cost !

Probably more laziness from the builders and DfT as a slight bit more creates a much better product

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

158s and 159s with original seating in airline have great legroom

You must be joking!!

 

[RailWonderer]

You must be joking!!

I'll be honest I've almost never sat in airline seats on 158s but they seemed fine compared to the bay tables on those trains, and the airline seats on many other trains which are the same or worse. Only the Desiros, 175s and 180s, IETs and Stadlers have better airline legroom really.