Absolutely superb units. In my opinion they're the most Intercity-esque multiple unit ScotRail have in service just now.
The main criticism appears to be comfort,
Agreed, sat in First Class (declassified) from Stirling to Glasgow (ex Alloa) the other day...though the FC seats were a tad "firm".
Only in the peaks, why should non peak users suffer poorer ambience due to the 385 being fitted out as suburban stock when they previously were higher quality.When run by diesels, the E-G and Glasgow-Stirling/Alloa were always badly overcrowded. The 385s have more standing space and more seats. Comfort isn’t a big issue for journeys of around an hour max.
Common on Edinburgh Waverley-North Berwick and Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh WaverleyI'm journeying up to Scotland this time next week to see some of these in action. Could I get confirmation as to what routes they're now operating, and where around Edinburgh and Glasgow they're stabled?
Common on Edinburgh Waverley-North Berwick and Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley
Only in the peaks, why should non peak users suffer poorer ambience due to the 385 being fitted out as suburban stock when they previously were higher quality.
Only in the peaks, why should non peak users suffer poorer ambience due to the 385 being fitted out as suburban stock when they previously were higher quality.
Anyone know the identity of the unit delivered last night?
They haven't been higher quality for quite a while - the 170s are also suburban stock, the fact that they've been inappropriately used on regional services doesn't really impact that.Only in the peaks, why should non peak users suffer poorer ambience due to the 385 being fitted out as suburban stock when they previously were higher quality.
What improvement? Its a step back in quality.Because the peaks are the busiest and most important time and the main issue (still is an issue) was overcrowding and capacity. The improvements were never intended for the comfort of day-travellers.
Becasue the off peak users won't pay for a separate off-peak fleet that caters for a much lower passenger density.Only in the peaks, why should non peak users suffer poorer ambience due to the 385 being fitted out as suburban stock when they previously were higher quality.
Capacity.What improvement? Its a step back in quality.
170's are perfectly adequate for regional services, for Inverness services they could do with interior doors to keep the drafts out similar to those separating 1st class. Given the space issues on the 156/158 refurbs, i'd say the 170's are the best DMU's Scotrail have.
What improvement? Its a step back in quality.
Seated capacity:The 385's are on more than the E&G though. How is replacing a 3 car 170 (or 4 car 156) with a 3 car 385 any improvement in capacity or environment?
Complaints about 385 seats is nonsense imho. Sit at a 158 table in a richmond seat across from another tall person to see what i mean.
Are you saying that commuters are more important than leisure users? Remember that leisure users don't have to use the train. They help fill in the daytime services between the peaks. If they didn't, commuter season tickets in the peaks would be more expensive than they are. If it isn't to their liking, there is always the cheaper coach.I’d be the first to tell you that ScotRail recent timetable ‘improvements’ are a step backwards, trust me, but that’s off-topic. I certainly disagree with labelling the 385s a step back though.
It’s a step back in comfort, but it’s a step forward in terms of capacity, journey times, the environment and overall train space. I’m not their biggest fan, but the 385s provide all of that better than the 170s. 6-car 170s on the E-G were absolutely packed daily, and while there are still plenty of passengers standing on the 385s, it’s less busy because there are more seats and more standing room.
The comfort of the off-peak traveller (who won’t be travelling more than 50 minutes really at most) during the day, when trains are less busy and everybody gets a seat, isn’t the priority.