Windows

[LE Greys]

The trouble with hopper windows is that opening the window above a given seat doesn't really affect the occupant of that seat but it causes a gale about two or three seats behind. Somebody who feels too warm will naturally open their window when what they should really do is ask the person two seats in front of them to open theirs instead. But psychologically this is a very difficult thing to ask...

Another good argument for compartments, along with the fact that you could vary the temperature the heating (or any air conditioning) is set to.

 

[Fred26]

Having the window open isn't just about creating a draft, but about having fresh cooler air circulating. If the windows are open the carriage has a chance to cool down a bit.

 

[Greenback]

Or it will convince the AC that it needs to put more heat in the carriage as it's getting colder!

 

[jon0844]

365s are wonderful trains until the summer comes when open windows cause horrid draughts and way too much noise. 317s aren't so noisy, while 313s are pretty bad too.

People can use the individual vents to cool themselves on a 365, although I'll admit that on some trains they don't work.

Trains that have come from the depot to King's Cross after being left out in the sun were once supposed to have the windows opened to let in some air (check one of the FCC forums where they said this), but I have no idea if that's actually done (or still done).

i also agree totally that when you open your window, it's someone two or three seats away that gets blasted - not you. If you want air on you, move down and open a window further along.

 

[sheika]

I've never actually had that problem on a train before.

 

[SS4]

If the train has effective AC then it's usually cooler to leave windows shut however counter-intuitive it may be. The only advantage to windows is a fresh, moist air. I don't know if it's me but AC is a very dry cool which tends to hurt my head if not done properly.

I don't think that many trains have both AC and windows though?

 

[sheika]

I prefer when they have ac as then people cant just tuirn it off. But on the flip side it is a pain in the neck if you're cold and sitting right under it lol

 

[jon0844]

It must be terribly inefficient to have air conditioning AND open windows. I agree that air con can dry you out, even making you feel like you're getting a cold, but it's not usually that powerful on a train (of course, it varies from train type to train type, and in some cases even different trains of the same type).

 

[sheika]

Haha this reminds me off when I was sitting in a bus coming home from Falkirk and all the windows were open towards the back of the bus and i was sat at the front. I had been raining continuely for the past 2 days i should point out. anyway the bus turned a corner and went through a HUGE puddle at speed and loads of water splashed up the sides and soaked the two cheeky boys sitting in the seat. too funny

 

[WillPS]

It must be terribly inefficient to have air conditioning AND open windows. I agree that air con can dry you out, even making you feel like you're getting a cold, but it's not usually that powerful on a train (of course, it varies from train type to train type, and in some cases even different trains of the same type).

158s have Air Conditioning, but also Hopper Windows which can only be opened (and locked shut) by a guard. Works really well, since the air con is totally useless on some members of the class!

 

[Goldfish62]

If the train has effective AC then it's usually cooler to leave windows shut however counter-intuitive it may be. The only advantage to windows is a fresh, moist air. I don't know if it's me but AC is a very dry cool which tends to hurt my head if not done properly.

I don't think that many trains have both AC and windows though?

This is because the AC would be rendered ineffective, become overloaded and quickly break down.

 

[jon0844]

I have a portable air conditioner at home, which isn't very efficient but it's so nice to have on a hot sticky night! Suffice to say, for it to work I need to close the curtains/blinds and try and block off as much of the open window as possible. I have considered a proper split system but they're rather expensive and it seems like overkill for what still isn't needed for a lot of the year.

It would be rather silly to leave the window wide open to let the cooled air out (and the hot air in) as it would cost a fortune. I doubt my system would overload and fail, but it certainly wouldn't work as designed. It would work flat out, yet not actually cool the room!

 

[Skimble19]

Must admit with the 365's it's generally easier to keep the windows closed and just use the vents above them.. you get more of a breeze on you that way for one, and you don't get anyone else moaning about it being on. Ideally they'd all be on, but most people just assume they don't work and open a window..

 

[jon0844]

On some trains, the vents are broken (they won't turn on/off, or are actually missing). On other trains, there's no airflow at all even when you do turn them on.

It's a bit hit and miss, but always worth trying them first.

 

[Jonny]

Question - How can people sit on a hot train with the windows closed? Twice yesterday I boarded an FCC train to find most, if not all the windows in the carriage closed. If I had been one of the first on, I'd have opened them all, but I wasn't so had to content myself with just opening the window above my head.
It was very warm yesterday and the train coming back from Kings Cross was hot and stuffy. In the section where I was sitting three of the four windows were open and it was fine... until the couple sitting opposite decided to close all the windows. They did ask and no-one else had a problem with it, but I was hot and didn't want to get any hotter. I refused. She closed the window anyway, but I reopened it. Her other half then tried to stare me out. It was pathetic.
I wouldn't have minded so much if they were pensioners, but they were in their late twenties maximum! She ended up putting her coat on. It made me feel hot just looking at her.
I really don't understand how people can merrily sit in the heat of a train with no fresh air and no cooling breeze. It's bad enough this time of year, but the problem will still be there in July.

They were probably people who have kept themselves thin, and find themselves getting cold at even the slightest draught as a result.

 

[HST Power]

On some trains, the vents are broken (they won't turn on/off, or are actually missing). On other trains, there's no airflow at all even when you do turn them on.

It's a bit hit and miss, but always worth trying them first.

I get that a lot on FCC trains.

 

[LE Greys]

Must admit with the 365's it's generally easier to keep the windows closed and just use the vents above them.. you get more of a breeze on you that way for one, and you don't get anyone else moaning about it being on. Ideally they'd all be on, but most people just assume they don't work and open a window..

If they can be made a bit more rugged, I would like to see those vents as a standard feature on all modern stock. It certainly makes things more comfortable if there is air moving.