Worst train interiors

[43021HST]

Which class do you think has the worst train interior.

I have made a selection of 5 trains which I think have bad interiors for various reasons.

I'm sure there are trains on the system with worse interiors than the ones listed below, but these the are ones that I travel on the most.

5. FGW MK3s; I dont like the tombstone style highbacked seating, and the removal of the majority of the table seats to sqeeze in more capacity oh yeah I almost forgot about the stupidly bright lighting. But I have had some nice journeys on them.

4. Ariva 158s, I think the interior is too gloomy and clinical.

3. Class 350 desiros, the interior lighting is too harsh and the seats are too straight backed so you cant settle into a comfortable slouch.

2. SWT junipers, the gangways are too narrow, even for a skinny person like me, the seats are too narrow I dont normally have enough room for my elbows in peak time, the interiors are often grubby and quite often there is a selection of wierd smells; eg, electricity burning, septic tanks and a strange watery smell you get in every couple of coaches or so.

1. FGW class 165/166 the one thing I cant complain about is the seating, but thats about it. I dont mind the refurbished ones but the unrefurbished ones often smell of urine, the interior often looks grubby and worn out, the sound proofing is to say the least crap (Its like torture when you stop at a signal outside padddington for 25mins and all you can hear is the relentless droning of the engine) and theres always chewing gum stuck to the floor but I dont think thats the fault of the turdbos.

Another train that deserves mention is the vomiters, I find the seating doesnt give enough leg room, I wish they had some form of buffet counter on them instead of getting stuck beind a trolley attendent whilst your on your way to the loo, talking of loo's I often find the condition of them to be a bit manky but there not the worst train toilets, theres never any room for anything bigger than an Ipod and why am I always the one that gets the seat that doesnt quite line up with the window.

 

[WestCoast]

Bottom 3...

1. Merseytravel refurbished Pacers.
2. First North Western refurbished Pacers
3. Northern Spirit/Arriva Trains Northern refurbished Pacers - best of the bunch!

Notice a trend?

Apart from that Voyagers have quite a poor design with a ridiculous amount of disabled toilets wasting space.

 

[junglejames]

FGW HSTs- Uncomfortable for long journeys. Tacky.
Pendys (standard class)- Uncomfortable. Dark and dinghy. Cheap Plastic rubbish. Vestibules are like cheap spaceships.
Any Desiro- Uncomfortable. Bland.

 

[WestCoast]

Pendys (standard class)- Uncomfortable. Dark and dinghy. Cheap Plastic rubbish. Vestibules are like cheap spaceships.

I knew it wouldn't be long, Voyagers are worse IMO. I quite like pendolinos in the quiet coach at the far end of the set, the last two seats are rather good!

 

[Alan508]

I agree with westcoast about the Merseytravel refurbished pacers they are dreadful. The interior of the Class 315's with that awful pink colour on the panels near the doors in fact they completely ruined the interior of the 315's.
Voyagers have horrible cramped interiors but the voyagers are just horrible trains anyway !

 

[43021HST]

I agree with westcoast about the Merseytravel refurbished pacers they are dreadful. The interior of the Class 315's with that awful pink colour on the panels near the doors in fact they completely ruined the interior of the 315's.
Voyagers have horrible cramped interiors but the voyagers are just horrible trains anyway !

I like 315 interiors, the unorthodox mixture of salmon pink and grey. The BR designers must have had some interesting wallpaper in their homes.

 

[thefab444]

I like 315 interiors, the unorthodox mixture of salmon pink and grey. The BR designers must have had some interesting wallpaper in their homes.

That is the 'one' refurbishment isn't it?

 

[yorksrob]

Well, Merseyrail Pacers top the list, obviously.

Also, I didn't like the CEP refurb's in the late 70's. Would have preferred something more subtle like the Phase 1 CIG's in the late 80's.

Thirdly, the Great Western HST's due to lack of facing seats. Don't get me wrong - I can understand why they had to do it, but I'm just not keen on airline seats.

 

[animationmilo]

Arriva's 153's are terrible.

I like the Great Western HSTS

 

[90019]

Not a fan of the older FSR 158 refurb. I find the seats pretty uncomfortable.
Always disappointed when the train to/from Stirling is a 158 with that interior rather than the newer style one (though a 170 is preferred over both).

 

[michael769]

Not a fan of the older FSR 158 refurb. I find the seats pretty uncomfortable.
Always disappointed when the train to/from Stirling is a 158 with that interior rather than the newer style one (though a 170 is preferred over both).

Compared to a 156 or 170 I always found that interior felt very gloomy and cramped. I also have to say it did not wear very well and the trains I travelled on always seemed very tatty, especially in the vestibule areas which always seemed to be absolutely manky.

Stick the quieter and smoother engine and brakes of a 158 in a 156 add some air conditioning and heating that can be turned off without a mechanic going under the unit - and you would have something very close to the perfect short-mid distance commuter workhorse. (But I digress)

 

[me123]

Not a fan of the older FSR 158 refurb. I find the seats pretty uncomfortable.
Always disappointed when the train to/from Stirling is a 158 with that interior rather than the newer style one (though a 170 is preferred over both).

Got to concur there. Seeing as they're now regular visitors to the Whifflet line (for some reason best known only to Scotrail), I'm finding myself dreading getting a Haymarket based unit, and longing for an Inverness based unit or a 156 to turn up. (Interestingly, I believe the Inverness based 158s have similar seats to the refurbed FGW HSTs?). They're not that bad compared to some other things, but the seats are really uncomfortable and I don't think I'd manage a long journey in one.

My nomination has to be Class 314. Although they are now being refurbished to what appears to be a high standard, it's long overdue. The interiors are a disgrace; dirty, dull and depressing. Not the image you would want on a line that serves Scotland's National Stadium at Hampden...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Pendys (standard class)- Uncomfortable. Dark and dinghy. Cheap Plastic rubbish. Vestibules are like cheap spaceships.

I have no real problems with the Pendolino interiors aside from the diabolical window/seat alignment (although I think I can live with that). I don't really see why they look like "cheap spaceships".

Any Desiro- Uncomfortable. Bland.

If you're ever up here, have a go on the 380s. Very spacious, very comfortable, and IMHO one of the best commuter train interiors we've had in Scotland. I also like the 185s, which I think are very well suited to the Transpennine routes (Scotland services aside), and would be perfect with the holy grail that is a fourth carriage...

Then again, they've got 2+2 seating throughout, and I'm aware that some Desiros elsewhere have 3+2 which may account for the comfort levels...

 

[yorksrob]

Not a fan of the older FSR 158 refurb. I find the seats pretty uncomfortable.
Always disappointed when the train to/from Stirling is a 158 with that interior rather than the newer style one (though a 170 is preferred over both).

I notice in Northern Rail land that some of the 158 seats have lovely bouncy seat cushions whilst others are hard as rock, yet to all other intents and purposes the train interiors are identical ! Is this a result of this refurb plus a cascade, or is it just a change of specification during construction ?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I notice in Northern Rail land that some of the 158 seats have lovely bouncy seat cushions whilst others are hard as rock, yet to all other intents and purposes the train interiors are identical ! Is this a result of this refurb plus a cascade, or is it just a change of specification during construction ?

The soft seats are the ones TPE used. ( And I'd love to know the manufacturer and references for them so that I can specify them for use in the New Giant Hovercraft... )

 

[yorksrob]

The soft seats are the ones TPE used. ( And I'd love to know the manufacturer and references for them so that I can specify them for use in the New Giant Hovercraft... )

Ah, thanks for that - That's proper seating

 

[strange6]

Northern's old BR style 150/1's have diabolical interiors. Dirty, rubbish seating and the smell of the toilet. Horrible

 

[43021HST]

Not a fan of the older FSR 158 refurb. I find the seats pretty uncomfortable.
Always disappointed when the train to/from Stirling is a 158 with that interior rather than the newer style one (though a 170 is preferred over both).

I can see why you dont like that refurb, it looks too plasticy, suddenly the arriva 158 seems better.

Dunno what the MK1s were like when they were in active BR service, but I always found the ones in preservation to be very comfortable. Lovely springy wingbacked seats, ideal for drifting off in.

 

[junglejames]

I knew it wouldn't be long, Voyagers are worse IMO. I quite like pendolinos in the quiet coach at the far end of the set, the last two seats are rather good!

Voyagers are bad, but its the dark/dinghy interior of the pendys that makes them worse in my eyes. Voyagers arent as dull. Also, the voyagers dont have the stupid tacky spaceship vestibules. Well not quite as bad anyway.

 

[bgstrowger]

The Southeastern Class 375/9s have possibly the worst interior of any modern train. Cramped, uncomfortable seats in standard, packed in far too tight. I dread it when one of these turns up on my train in the mornings as everything has either gone numb or is in complete agony by the time I get off at Victoria.

Though they do have comedy value when trying to watch the more corpulent guards going sideways down the aisle.

 

[junglejames]

I have no real problems with the Pendolino interiors aside from the diabolical window/seat alignment (although I think I can live with that). I don't really see why they look like "cheap spaceships".



If you're ever up here, have a go on the 380s. Very spacious, very comfortable, and IMHO one of the best commuter train interiors we've had in Scotland. I also like the 185s, which I think are very well suited to the Transpennine routes (Scotland services aside), and would be perfect with the holy grail that is a fourth carriage...

Then again, they've got 2+2 seating throughout, and I'm aware that some Desiros elsewhere have 3+2 which may account for the comfort levels...

To me pendys are cheap looking inside. The seats are majorly uncomfortable, and they are too dark/ dinghy. Regarding the vestibules, the design of them makes me think of a cheap tacky spaceship.

Regarding 380s. They are next on my list. Im always up in Bonny Scotland, so next time a trip on the 380s will be happening.
With the rest of the Desiros, its the hard upright seats that i cant stand.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The Southeastern Class 375/9s have possibly the worst interior of any modern train. Cramped, uncomfortable seats in standard, packed in far too tight. I dread it when one of these turns up on my train in the mornings as everything has either gone numb or is in complete agony by the time I get off at Victoria.

Though they do have comedy value when trying to watch the more corpulent guards going sideways down the aisle.

Oh yes id forgotten about the 9s. Definitely in the list of the worst interiors. Horrible horrible seats.

 

[prod_pep]

1. FNW standard Class 142s (bus seats - need I say more?)
2. FNW standard Class 150s (both varieties.)
3. Class 378s (too few seats and even those are appallingly hard. Terrible choice of seat trim as well.)

 

[43021HST]

1. FNW standard Class 142s (bus seats - need I say more?)
2. FNW standard Class 150s (both varieties.)
3. Class 378s (too few seats and even those are appallingly hard. Terrible choice of seat trim as well.)

What I dont like about the 378s is that I cant gawp out the window without either straining my neck or having to look at someone else's face.

 

[lewisf]

The Southeastern Class 375/9s have possibly the worst interior of any modern train. Cramped, uncomfortable seats in standard, packed in far too tight. I dread it when one of these turns up on my train in the mornings as everything has either gone numb or is in complete agony by the time I get off at Victoria.

Though they do have comedy value when trying to watch the more corpulent guards going sideways down the aisle.

They must have the same seats as 377 120 and upwards, 377/2, /4 and /5. At least in the 377's there's 2 whole coaches of declassified first class

 

[HST Power]

Bottom 3...

1. Merseytravel refurbished Pacers.

Couldn't agree more. It's absolutely awful, a crime against design, and yet more ammunition for the 'burn the pacer' association!

 

[DavidBrown]

Without a shadow of a doubt the FGW 142's - those Merseytravel seats look luxurios in comparison! What always baffles me though is why people still insist on calling them 'bus seats', given that the vast majority of buses have far superior seating.

 

[Class172]

Personally I don't like the interior on a 350/2 - too cramped.

However I do like the LM 153s, nice and spacious; by standards of 2+3 seating, I like the central trains 150 interior - you can generally fit in the seats and they're nice and springy

 

[PinzaC55]

The worst train interior I ever experienced was the prototype 140 seen here in 1981. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinzac55/3496980614/
It is (sort of) preserved but it should have gone in the NRM as the most clueless piece of interior design ever.
Lawrence Llewellyn Bowen couldn't have done better.

 

[318259]

Class 142s are pretty awful inside. I saw one leave Newcastle last week, and there was someone standing in the vestibule, leaning against the door. (For those who are unaware, 142s have bus doors that swing open).

Here's a roundup of the worst in Scotland:

- The class 322s ScotRail are currently borrowing: have you seen those? The walls, under-window panels, floors, grab rails and seats are five different shades of purple, lilac and hot pink, and they clash horribly.
- Class 334 Juniper units: the end carriages are fairly nice, but the middle has tiny aisles and very narrow seats. I always avoid the middle of a Juniper.
- Class 158s: very gloomy inside. There's a few kicking about with extra LED lights fitted throughout.
- Class 318s. These are listed below in my 'best' list, but there's one problem. Our new and refurbished EMUs have 'door opening' alerts: a loud, high-pitched 'bing bing bing'. Unlike the class 334s, the 318s have 'bingers' inside the train, next to the door buttons. Rather unpleasant to sit near.

And the best:
- Class 170 (first class). Two words: reclining seats. And boy, do they recline.
- Class 380: finally, we have EMUs with plug sockets you're allowed to use. There's a few hidden about the 334s, but I always felt uneasy using them.
- Class 318: They have a 3/2 layout, which isn't ideal, but the seats are comfortable and very springy.

 

[GospelOak117]

I cannot think of anything here but the 378's!!!! horrible horrible underground interiors where looking out of the window is not really an option, neither is getting a decent seat, if a seat at all, even during mild early peak loadings.

I have just read the 2007 Greater Anglia RUS which suggests that the on West Anglia/Lee Valley suburban services 315's should be replaced during this decade with new units with a high density interior, similar to the 378's on the NLL.................I REALLY HOPE NOT!!!! and if so I suddenly REALLY appreciate my 315's and 317's. Please don't go.........

 

[prod_pep]

I have just read the 2007 Greater Anglia RUS which suggests that the on West Anglia/Lee Valley suburban services 315's should be replaced during this decade with new units with a high density interior, similar to the 378's on the NLL.................I REALLY HOPE NOT!!!! and if so I suddenly REALLY appreciate my 315's and 317's. Please don't go.........

You'll get no complaints from me for sticking up for the 315s. I like their interiors - OK, the pink is a bit loud, but I like their window surrounds and seat moquettes. The low-backed seating isn't too favoured these days, but it's quite nostalgic and at least you can see the whole carriage around you. Reassuring at night when riding along some of London's gloomiest outposts, I'm sure.

While on the subject, the 315s are surely safe until Crossrail takes over in circa 2018. I doubt they'd ever bring in interim stock on the Shenfield line until it is handed over. They will probably have finished on the Lea Valley by then as well.