Class 387

[Class377/5]

I find them comfortable and cool personally, but its is a very personal thing.

 

[Bishopstone]

I like the tables and armrests.

 

[physics34]

the seats make my bum ache... Seriously considering some sort of inflatable pillow!

yep, numb bum here too. we've covered this topic enough already but id love to know where train designers get their ideas for these seats...

slam door stock was cosy, cushiony and springy... then we had 319 seating, still quite soft with springs.... then we had 377 seating...thick sponge.. reasonable.... now 377/6 (& 387)....just a thin bit of memory foam....

what next?!

the only things the 377/6 and 387 seats have for them is a good posture, width, legroom and armrests.

 

[JaJaWa]

what next?!

Whatever the fire regulations require when the next set of trains are ordered!

 

[MCR247]

I find them comfortable and cool personally, but its is a very personal thing.

Same here, best seats I've had in a while

 

[AM9]

yep, numb bum here too. we've covered this topic enough already but id love to know where train designers get their ideas for these seats...

slam door stock was cosy, cushiony and springy... then we had 319 seating, still quite soft with springs.... then we had 377 seating...thick sponge.. reasonable.... now 377/6 (& 387)....just a thin bit of memory foam....

what next?!

the only things the 377/6 and 387 seats have for them is a good posture, width, legroom and armrests.

Well your last sentence says it all, particularly posture. With spinal disorder being one of the major health issues today, it is incumbent on anybody charged with design of seating to address the impact of their designs on the public who will use them. This is particularly true for seating in vehicles that passengers are required to occupy for long periods at a time.
Seat width, legroom and armrest provision can also affect users of above average size but providing those features require more space, something that is at a premium on trains intended for high volumes of passengers. A design that promotes good posture can be acheived in the same space envelope as would be taken by a poorly designed seat.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Same here, best seats I've had in a while

Yes, I like them as well. At a good height, so excellent for those of us with long legs. And they have had the sense only to squeeze in one extra side-facing seat in the airline section, rather than two, so the spacing is better than most units of that type. And I do find them firm, but supportive; Class 319/321 seats *far* less so.

 

[notadriver]

Why are the seats on a 387 more comfortable than on a 375/9 despite being roughly the same width and depth ?

 

[physics34]

Well your last sentence says it all, particularly posture. With spinal disorder being one of the major health issues today, it is incumbent on anybody charged with design of seating to address the impact of their designs on the public who will use them. This is particularly true for seating in vehicles that passengers are required to occupy for long periods at a time.
Seat width, legroom and armrest provision can also affect users of above average size but providing those features require more space, something that is at a premium on trains intended for high volumes of passengers. A design that promotes good posture can be acheived in the same space envelope as would be taken by a poorly designed seat.

Do worry though that the firmness of seat base and the poor ride quality of 377s/387s generally may in the end have negative impact on the spines of regular travels who have to spend over a hour on these. I can feel the jolt through my spine when these trains go over points or harsh jointed track.

 

[jon0844]

yep, numb bum here too. we've covered this topic enough already but id love to know where train designers get their ideas for these seats...

slam door stock was cosy, cushiony and springy... then we had 319 seating, still quite soft with springs.... then we had 377 seating...thick sponge.. reasonable.... now 377/6 (& 387)....just a thin bit of memory foam....

what next?!

A 700; barely any seats at all.



BTW, I thought the 387 seats weren't that bad. Same as they fitted on the 317 demonstrator, so if the 317s ever get done to that standard then I guess we'll be seeing a lot more of these thin seats. Talking of which, haven't airlines been looking at developing thinner seats, that satisfy the regulations? Maybe not just to get on more passengers (which introduces issues about exits, crew requirements) but to increase leg room and comfort?

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Cleared for service since Monday, 4 cars can go both ways but 8 cars can only go around clockwise, I.e via mitcham/sutton/Wimbledon/tooting.

1O09/1O10 seem to have reverted back to 8*319 as of yesterday (22nd July). So has yet another problem surfaced thus preventing 8*377 operating on the Wimbledon loop or is it simply a shortage of 377s?

 

[Blamethrower]

Yes, I like them as well. At a good height, so excellent for those of us with long legs. And they have had the sense only to squeeze in one extra side-facing seat in the airline section, rather than two, so the spacing is better than most units of that type. And I do find them firm, but supportive; Class 319/321 seats *far* less so.

Having previously said my other half found them uncomfortable, now having used them myself, I think they work quite well.

Lets be honest, they're not comfortable, but the height and the pitch make it bearable. We recently went from Bedford to Gatwick and only around Elephant and Castle did I start to get a numb bum.

On the way back, no worries though, which was odd.

I also suffer from shoulder problems as well as back problems, the 377's (2+2) coaches are lovely to sit on, but are murder for my shoulders as the armrests appear to be around my nipples.

319's were soft but far too low so knees clashes and coccyx's painful.

I think 387's are the best we're gonna get tbh. If they had a slightly concave seat, I think they would be perfect

 

[MCR247]

Do worry though that the firmness of seat base and the poor ride quality of 377s/387s generally may in the end have negative impact on the spines of regular travels who have to spend over a hour on these. I can feel the jolt through my spine when these trains go over points or harsh jointed track.

Really? I have/had a back problem and I've done Gatwick - Bedford by 387 and I still found the seats comfortable :/ everyone's different I guess. I am much more comfortable on 'ironing board' like seating than something overly soft and springy

 

[AM9]

Really? I have/had a back problem and I've done Gatwick - Bedford by 387 and I still found the seats comfortable :/ everyone's different I guess. I am much more comfortable on 'ironing board' like seating than something overly soft and springy

I have once done Bedford to Brighton and it was fine for me and I have back problems. I think judging these and other modern seating provisions against nostalgic memories of MKI seating (when we were all much younger) is unrealistic. MKI compartment stock (6 a side and 2+3) had a long springy seat that sagged all over the place subject to loading. The 4VEC seating was OK when brand new but the foam collapsed with use, the edge of the seat became particularly uncomfortable and the posture was awful.
Yes everone's different so any seat for public use will have some detractors. They have taken what is the consensus of experts into consideration and gone for a healthy posture.

 

[physics34]

I have once done Bedford to Brighton and it was fine for me and I have back problems. I think judging these and other modern seating provisions against nostalgic memories of MKI seating (when we were all much younger) is unrealistic. MKI compartment stock (6 a side and 2+3) had a long springy seat that sagged all over the place subject to loading. The 4VEC seating was OK when brand new but the foam collapsed with use, the edge of the seat became particularly uncomfortable and the posture was awful.
Yes everone's different so any seat for public use will have some detractors. They have taken what is the consensus of experts into consideration and gone for a healthy posture.

i take your point.... Iam bigger (fatter) than i was back when the slammers were in town and that will have an effect on my view of the seating.. actually that proves itself now when i get on a FGW 158 or a 319/321 i find the posture gives me back pain, when it never used to.

I think its more of a cushioning issue for me it just seems that my arse bones are in direct contact with the seat base. You wouldnt put up with this in your car.

ANd before anyone says it, yes i know ive got to go on a diet
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...w/gatwick-express-class-3872-emu-on-test.html

First pic ??????

 

[physics34]

First look...

 

[XCTurbostar]

Very nice. Good colour and it suits them.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[Blamethrower]

Really? I have/had a back problem and I've done Gatwick - Bedford by 387 and I still found the seats comfortable :/ everyone's different I guess. I am much more comfortable on 'ironing board' like seating than something overly soft and springy

Quite, the softer a seat, the more you are using your muscles to stabilise yourself when accelerating/braking/rattling/shaking

If a seat is hard then there's less stabilisation so your body can deal with it better.

It would be less of an issue if the fasts to/from st pancras weren't so shoddy (compared to wcml / ecml)

 

[jon0844]

Once you're south from London, the trains can certainly become rather lively. I don't think the MML is anywhere near as bad.

 

[al.currie93]

Stuffy? A 319 is stuffy!

Personal preference I guess :P

 

[Class377/5]

Once you're south from London, the trains can certainly become rather lively. I don't think the MML is anywhere near as bad.

Compared to the old Soats Nest Junction, it made the MML look prefect.

 

[swt_passenger]

There are 281 posts in this thread that include the search term 'seats'. Can there possibly be anything new to discuss?

 

[JaJaWa]

Can't help but think that Gatwick Express should have waited for Aventura... then you'd at least get a more streamlined looking train rather than one that just looks like all the others but painted red!

 

[Class377/5]

Can't help but think that Gatwick Express should have waited for Aventura... then you'd at least get a more streamlined looking train rather than one that just looks like all the others but painted red!

The bodyshell is Aventra, just the mkI version.

 

[AM9]

Can't help but think that Gatwick Express should have waited for Aventura... then you'd at least get a more streamlined looking train rather than one that just looks like all the others but painted red!

With no through gangway?

 

[samuelmorris]

I don't dislike the firm seats for moderate journey lengths, but I did do a 3 hour run on a 350/1 the weekend before last and while I normally find those seats fine, on both the outbound and return journey my posterior was a bit sore by the end of the journey so I can see what people mean. I'm all for plenty of support though, seats that are too reclined or soft can get rather unpleasant after long periods of time if they prohibit you from sitting upright, as I find the Ashbourne seats in 319s and 321s do.

 

[4-COR 3142]

First look...

Are they likely to get any 'Express or Gatwick Express' branding? Despite being bright red I think they look a little bland.

I think they'll end up getting nicknamed the 'Fire Engines'otherwise.

Would some vinyls or two tone paint really break the bank? especially as they are supposed to stay on that route for a number of years.

 

[swt_passenger]

Are they likely to get any 'Express or Gatwick Express' branding? Despite being bright red I think they look a little bland.

I think they'll end up getting nicknamed the 'Fire Engines'otherwise.

Would some vinyls or two tone paint really break the bank? especially as they are supposed to stay on that route for a number of years.

It says 'first look' of a train being tested at the factory - why assume it is finished?

 

[asylumxl]

Once you're south from London, the trains can certainly become rather lively. I don't think the MML is anywhere near as bad.[/QUOTE
You and I must be using different routes. Things are pretty lively between St Pancras and Radlett Junction (I assume due to the fast lines seeing heavier use south from there).

If you are not a seasoned traveller, chances are a 377/387 will give you a concussion as they bottom out and bounce your head against a pillar or window...

 

[4-COR 3142]

It says 'first look' of a train being tested at the factory - why assume it is finished?

Only because the original artist's impressions much earlier in this thread showed it with - ignoring the doors - a single colour and no discernible branding.