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Who has nicest commuting trains
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dvboy
Established Member
Mornings:
An LM 323 from Wolves to Smethwick GB then a 172 to Snow Hill.
Always get a seat on both but this is probably more because it's after 9. I position myself for the stairs at SGB and the exit at BSW.
The 323 is dated and has horrid 3+2 seating strewn with Metros. The 172 is nicer.
Evening:
Virgin Pendolino from New Street to Wolves. Again, always get a seat, often a table, with it being after 6 and it's usually strewn with Evening Standards. Sometimes it's an 11-car so have to do a bit more thinking about where to position myself for the exit.
Sometimes the time I go home can vary so not always a Pendo. Earlier trains are generally more crowded and can be a 323, 350, 170, 158 or Voyager
An LM 323 from Wolves to Smethwick GB then a 172 to Snow Hill.
Always get a seat on both but this is probably more because it's after 9. I position myself for the stairs at SGB and the exit at BSW.
The 323 is dated and has horrid 3+2 seating strewn with Metros. The 172 is nicer.
Evening:
Virgin Pendolino from New Street to Wolves. Again, always get a seat, often a table, with it being after 6 and it's usually strewn with Evening Standards. Sometimes it's an 11-car so have to do a bit more thinking about where to position myself for the exit.
Sometimes the time I go home can vary so not always a Pendo. Earlier trains are generally more crowded and can be a 323, 350, 170, 158 or Voyager
asylumxl
Established Member
1. On the FCC Thameslink Line
2. Most of the time I manage to get a seat, but often in the mornings it can be difficult to get a seat. I'm not one to shy away from the middle seat in 3+2 seating, unlike a lot of people I'd rather sit between two people than stand for an hour.
3. The trains are mostly 319s, but sometimes 377s. The 319s aren't that great, and have often been vandalised. The heating doesn't seem to on a lot of units at the moment or so FCC claim. I'm not really sure I buy this. The 377s are nice, much quiet and far more comfortable. Having said that, some of them have started to show signs of wear and they often have issues (the most common being AC/DC switch over and door opening at St Pancras).
2. Most of the time I manage to get a seat, but often in the mornings it can be difficult to get a seat. I'm not one to shy away from the middle seat in 3+2 seating, unlike a lot of people I'd rather sit between two people than stand for an hour.
3. The trains are mostly 319s, but sometimes 377s. The 319s aren't that great, and have often been vandalised. The heating doesn't seem to on a lot of units at the moment or so FCC claim. I'm not really sure I buy this. The 377s are nice, much quiet and far more comfortable. Having said that, some of them have started to show signs of wear and they often have issues (the most common being AC/DC switch over and door opening at St Pancras).
My best commute was either in my first year at university (2 mins walk) or 2nd year (10 mins walk, mostly on a beach).
That apart, I found c2c's 357s quite acceptable. Not massive seats (and as I find now...those seats are way less comfortable than the ones on Stagecoach Gold...), but amazing massive windows, air conditioning that usually worked, and a nice non-stop run from Benfleet to Fenchurch St (or vice versa) that could be good reading time.
I can't argue with the FGW HST from Oxford to Paddington on those days (regular but not daily) when that forms a large part of my commute. Large, reasonably comfortable seats,somewhere to plug in/charge laptop or mobile phone, and so on. Some may criticise the high-density seating arrangements, but they do mean (on this route anyway....) there are usually enough seats to go round. And a coffee trolley too.
Absolutely worse commute I've ever done regularly: the Northern Line by some way. Crowded, overheated, cramped,g generally unpleasant. (The grotty old 508s or 313s on the grotty old Silverlink Metro into Euston might qualify, but the service was so unreliable I tended to not use it, despite the station being at the top of the road on which I lived then)
That apart, I found c2c's 357s quite acceptable. Not massive seats (and as I find now...those seats are way less comfortable than the ones on Stagecoach Gold...), but amazing massive windows, air conditioning that usually worked, and a nice non-stop run from Benfleet to Fenchurch St (or vice versa) that could be good reading time.
I can't argue with the FGW HST from Oxford to Paddington on those days (regular but not daily) when that forms a large part of my commute. Large, reasonably comfortable seats,somewhere to plug in/charge laptop or mobile phone, and so on. Some may criticise the high-density seating arrangements, but they do mean (on this route anyway....) there are usually enough seats to go round. And a coffee trolley too.
Absolutely worse commute I've ever done regularly: the Northern Line by some way. Crowded, overheated, cramped,g generally unpleasant. (The grotty old 508s or 313s on the grotty old Silverlink Metro into Euston might qualify, but the service was so unreliable I tended to not use it, despite the station being at the top of the road on which I lived then)
Aictos
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My commute is usually a East Coast HST/Electra but can also be a First Capital Connect Class 365 in both directions.
I've commuted on SWT from Bookham and Fleet, & now from Folkestone on South Eastern over the years and have used the following:
Bookham
455 (unrefurbished) to Waterloo - poor
(Connex) 4 VEP (?) to London Bridge via Sutton - excellent as included declassified 1st class!
Fleet
450/444 - to Waterloo - massive improvement on 455's.But loved the odd times a 442 was on a stopping pattern
Folkestone
365 - Clearly unsuitable for such a long journey
375 - Not bad but have to avoid "900" series with back breaking seats in 3+2 configuration
395 - Clearly the best commuter trains in service today - amazedno-ones mentioned them on this thread before!
Bookham
455 (unrefurbished) to Waterloo - poor
(Connex) 4 VEP (?) to London Bridge via Sutton - excellent as included declassified 1st class!
Fleet
450/444 - to Waterloo - massive improvement on 455's.But loved the odd times a 442 was on a stopping pattern
Folkestone
365 - Clearly unsuitable for such a long journey
375 - Not bad but have to avoid "900" series with back breaking seats in 3+2 configuration
395 - Clearly the best commuter trains in service today - amazedno-ones mentioned them on this thread before!
anthony263
Established Member
When I 1st started university about 4 years ago my commute was:
07:20 Pyle - Swansea usually a class 175 which then formed the 09:00 Carmarthen - Manchester service. Always lovely to travel on.
However 2 years ago the service was changed and re-timed becaming a Cardiff - Pembroke dock service usually worked by two class 153's which were horrrible and could never keep to the timetable between Bridgend & Swansea.
I used to travel on the 15:10 Swansea- Cardiff service which was nearly always a class 150 which was reasonble and ok to travel on however at times a class 142 would turn up which was horrible that said I did get a class 175 once and had the front carriage to myself for most of the trip.
I have found ATW's class 153's to be better to travel on now that they have been refurbished but they still have terrible legroom
07:20 Pyle - Swansea usually a class 175 which then formed the 09:00 Carmarthen - Manchester service. Always lovely to travel on.
However 2 years ago the service was changed and re-timed becaming a Cardiff - Pembroke dock service usually worked by two class 153's which were horrrible and could never keep to the timetable between Bridgend & Swansea.
I used to travel on the 15:10 Swansea- Cardiff service which was nearly always a class 150 which was reasonble and ok to travel on however at times a class 142 would turn up which was horrible that said I did get a class 175 once and had the front carriage to myself for most of the trip.
I have found ATW's class 153's to be better to travel on now that they have been refurbished but they still have terrible legroom
HawkeyeTheNoo
Member
My commute is 99% of the time spent on Class 314 EMUs on the Newton Glasgow line whilst reminiscing on the old Blue Trains!
I rather like my commute - on a good week it goes as follows:
333 Steeton & Silsden - Shipley or Leeds and then East Coast to London x1 rtn
15 minute walk x 3 rtn
walk downstairs x 1 rtn
At the times I travel there's usually loads of space in the 33 in the morning and adequate in the evening. The East Coast trains are busy but rarely have insuficient seating.
Evvy73
Member
I commute daily from Burgess Hill/Wivelsfield to London Bridge, so to the OP, if you have any specific questions fire away!
I actually travel up in the morning from Wivelsfield, catching a 12-car 377 that comes up from Eastbourne and do get a seat. However, should the train ever be short formed, I would expect to be standing. Even on a 12 car train, it is not uncommon for people to be standing from Haywards Heath.
Also, trains that come up from Littlehampton/Coastway West after often 'full and standing' by the time they get to Wivelsfield.
If you can go into Victoria (on a 442) 'Gatwick Express' train then you will probably have a double seat all to your self, all the way in. The 442's are pretty quiet and comfortable too, mainly consisting of 'airplane' layout seating.
Coming home I usually go into Burgess Hill as it is much better served than Wivelsfield (there are only two direct trains in the rush hour to Wivelsfield and they are an hour apart).
Homewards trains will be either a 377 or a 442. To guarantee a seat coming home, get there early. All services will have many people standing by the time they leave.
Should you be travelling outside of the rush hours then FCC also run through London Bridge so you will get a 319 or a 377. The likelihood of getting a seat depends entirely on the time and whether it is a 4 or 8 car train (most are 8 these days).
I actually travel up in the morning from Wivelsfield, catching a 12-car 377 that comes up from Eastbourne and do get a seat. However, should the train ever be short formed, I would expect to be standing. Even on a 12 car train, it is not uncommon for people to be standing from Haywards Heath.
Also, trains that come up from Littlehampton/Coastway West after often 'full and standing' by the time they get to Wivelsfield.
If you can go into Victoria (on a 442) 'Gatwick Express' train then you will probably have a double seat all to your self, all the way in. The 442's are pretty quiet and comfortable too, mainly consisting of 'airplane' layout seating.
Coming home I usually go into Burgess Hill as it is much better served than Wivelsfield (there are only two direct trains in the rush hour to Wivelsfield and they are an hour apart).
Homewards trains will be either a 377 or a 442. To guarantee a seat coming home, get there early. All services will have many people standing by the time they leave.
Should you be travelling outside of the rush hours then FCC also run through London Bridge so you will get a 319 or a 377. The likelihood of getting a seat depends entirely on the time and whether it is a 4 or 8 car train (most are 8 these days).
My best commute was undoubtedly the 308's between Leeds and Bradford FS (particularly in the downgraded first class saloon).
Additionally a weeks school work experience in Wye allowed commuting on CEP's and VEP's, although I'm not sure this counts.
Additionally a weeks school work experience in Wye allowed commuting on CEP's and VEP's, although I'm not sure this counts.
Rich McLean
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2012
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- 1,684
How about this for a morning commute
How about this for a morning commute
Been there...
I come into Waterloo on sw trains. They suck ass. They are 5 seats across and packed. I do get a seat at Camberley tho.
I then get the Waterloo east to London bridge, often those trains are lovely.
For those of you who come in to London bridge.
1.where are you from?
2.do you get a seat?
3.what are the trains like?
I am probably moving to burgess hill, perhaps tumbridge wells. Looking forward to leaving strains behind. Not Camberley though I have grown to love it.
1) Liverpool.
2) Yes, morning/midday. Evening peak times extremely rare.
3) Scruffy, deteriorating and in poor condition. Although I do love class 150s and 156s.
Chapeltom
Established Member
Monday/Friday commute:
From/to: Chinley to Mossley Hill
Outward: 4 car EMT 158 and I almost certainly get a seat. When 2 car comes in, its full and standing until Manchester Oxford Road. Then a short 5 min journey on a Northern 150.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Then its either a 142/150 from Manchester Picc or 158 from Manchester Oxford Road.
Wednesday commute:
From/to: Chapel en le Frith to Mossley Hill
Outward: 2 car 150/156 to Manchester Picc, usually low loaded. 185 onto Warrington Central, again always get a seat. Then a 156 to Mossley Hill, always a seat but gets full the nearer to Liverpool we get.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Walk/158/185 between Oxford Road and Picc. Then its either a 150/156 back from Manchester Picc
Thursday commute:
From/to: Chinley to Mossley Hill
Outward: A semi-busy 150 usually to Manchester Picc. Then walk to Manchester Oxford Road, either 142/150/156 to Mossley Hill. Low loadings on this usually.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Then normally a 158 sometimes full and standing back to Chinley.
I haven't travelled on Thursdays in weeks, its usually the day I can skip off Uni the easiest!
156/158 are best trains to have on my commute, 142/150 are useless.
Tom
From/to: Chinley to Mossley Hill
Outward: 4 car EMT 158 and I almost certainly get a seat. When 2 car comes in, its full and standing until Manchester Oxford Road. Then a short 5 min journey on a Northern 150.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Then its either a 142/150 from Manchester Picc or 158 from Manchester Oxford Road.
Wednesday commute:
From/to: Chapel en le Frith to Mossley Hill
Outward: 2 car 150/156 to Manchester Picc, usually low loaded. 185 onto Warrington Central, again always get a seat. Then a 156 to Mossley Hill, always a seat but gets full the nearer to Liverpool we get.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Walk/158/185 between Oxford Road and Picc. Then its either a 150/156 back from Manchester Picc
Thursday commute:
From/to: Chinley to Mossley Hill
Outward: A semi-busy 150 usually to Manchester Picc. Then walk to Manchester Oxford Road, either 142/150/156 to Mossley Hill. Low loadings on this usually.
Return: 150/156 or a rare 142 for 1 hour, 95% of the time I get a seat at Mossley Hill. Then normally a 158 sometimes full and standing back to Chinley.
I haven't travelled on Thursdays in weeks, its usually the day I can skip off Uni the easiest!
156/158 are best trains to have on my commute, 142/150 are useless.
Tom
Aictos
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Apr 2009
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- 10,403
Same here.....
Well, my sort of morning commute generally involves getting up at 08:00, having a quick breakfast (corn flakes and tea [but not in the same bowl] I don't eat much in the morning) then strolling over to lectures at ten to nine. Or more usually dashing over to lectures at two minutes to nine. Still, I am very familiar with the 365s, and although I prefer 321s and 317s, they are not bad at all. The older seats (IC-70s) are a bit more comfortable, but the Networker type is not too bad. You get opening windows, and I like those air-blower devices for keeping air movement going and preventing the atmosphere from getting too stale. Air-con is seriously overrated, except on very hot days which we don't get except in high summer.
However, I reckon my Lymington-Brockenhurst commute in a slammer was the best I've ever had.
I also happen to share the OP's opinion of 450s. They made my school minibuses seem comfortable.
However, I reckon my Lymington-Brockenhurst commute in a slammer was the best I've ever had.
I also happen to share the OP's opinion of 450s. They made my school minibuses seem comfortable.
After five days of Gold D of E the seats on my school minibus were the most comfortable seats in the world and I'm not even slightly joking here. Heck the minibus itself was a beautiful sight at that point.
Kentish Paul
Member
Not commuting any more, but CEP was better than VEP and CIG was even better. The 375's that replaced them were better, (quieter,aircon, much better ride, faster), although the seats were/are not perfect. 375/9 horrible in respect of the seats.
Most comfortable train in recent travel is (believe it or not), SWT 11:20 Waterloo to Yeovil junction Class 159 (standard class) 11/04/12 and return on 19/04/12. The seats are (for me anyway) really comfortable. A bit noisey with the engine under the floor but otherwise exceptional.
The 395's from Ashford to ST/P are OK but the seats are a little hard. Legroom etc is OK and the quality of materials are good. The sound quality of the announcements is exeptional. (spent more on that than the seats !!).
Went to London on 21/03/12 (09:43 ex Ashford) and wondered if I was on the last unmodified 395 as the unit was all over the place after entering the East London tunnel at Dagenham, lots of hunting and banging. (Maybe a one off as journeys prior to this have been smooth)
Most comfortable train in recent travel is (believe it or not), SWT 11:20 Waterloo to Yeovil junction Class 159 (standard class) 11/04/12 and return on 19/04/12. The seats are (for me anyway) really comfortable. A bit noisey with the engine under the floor but otherwise exceptional.
The 395's from Ashford to ST/P are OK but the seats are a little hard. Legroom etc is OK and the quality of materials are good. The sound quality of the announcements is exeptional. (spent more on that than the seats !!).
Went to London on 21/03/12 (09:43 ex Ashford) and wondered if I was on the last unmodified 395 as the unit was all over the place after entering the East London tunnel at Dagenham, lots of hunting and banging. (Maybe a one off as journeys prior to this have been smooth)
YorkshireBear
Established Member
- Joined
- 23 Jul 2010
- Messages
- 8,686
My life takes my commute to many places, all in yorkshire though. I have commuted on voyagers, 321s, 333s, 158s, 150s, 142s, 144s and 185s. Nicest ones are by far the 333s but that is biased as my commute is leeds keighley... which is against flow so often get nearly a carriage to myself. But even when ive been on them full they are a pleasure to ride on.
If you'd been to my school, you'd probably have put on weight on a show like that (and again I'm not joking).
Train Pilchard
Member
Class 314 EMU, I always get a seat in the morning and normally the 'jackpot seat', the single one beside the door that allows you to sit sideways wth unlimited leg room. On the way back I get random trains as I'm on flexi time, often very busy but usually still get a seat.
I don't like them though, if you are in the normal seats (not the ones nearest the door) then the legroom is terrible, you simply can't fit 4/6 fully grown men in the 2+2 or 3+3 seats.
Once in a blue moon get a 380 on the Catchart Circle but not seen it in a long time.
I don't like them though, if you are in the normal seats (not the ones nearest the door) then the legroom is terrible, you simply can't fit 4/6 fully grown men in the 2+2 or 3+3 seats.
Once in a blue moon get a 380 on the Catchart Circle but not seen it in a long time.
All,
Thanks for all the great posts, I have enjoyed reading them and they have been usefull.
I have another more specific question posted here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=64620
It would be great if someone could have a look.
Cheers
Thanks for all the great posts, I have enjoyed reading them and they have been usefull.
I have another more specific question posted here:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=64620
It would be great if someone could have a look.
Cheers
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