Went yesterday from Euston to Manchester and back.
At Euston, waited while the train was "Preparing", then it was announced, so presumably was now prepared. Down the ramp, walked to the front (so another several minutes), on board. Look for what seats are reserved. None. Nothing shown on the displays at all. Everyone sits down. Only then do the displays spring into life with most of the seats reserved. And here come the people for the seat I am in.
Get up, move a couple of coaches forward, where the repeat operation takes place, because it appears that not all coaches are activated at the same time. Displays initially blank, then they come to life just a few minutes before departure. And guess what, my seating bay is fully Reserved again. So move yet again.
That now the majority of the seats are reserved, but only a small fraction have someone sitting there, and we are non-stop to Stoke, is a separate matter.
At Euston, waited while the train was "Preparing", then it was announced, so presumably was now prepared. Down the ramp, walked to the front (so another several minutes), on board. Look for what seats are reserved. None. Nothing shown on the displays at all. Everyone sits down. Only then do the displays spring into life with most of the seats reserved. And here come the people for the seat I am in.
Get up, move a couple of coaches forward, where the repeat operation takes place, because it appears that not all coaches are activated at the same time. Displays initially blank, then they come to life just a few minutes before departure. And guess what, my seating bay is fully Reserved again. So move yet again.
That now the majority of the seats are reserved, but only a small fraction have someone sitting there, and we are non-stop to Stoke, is a separate matter.